Monday Volume 555 17 December 2012 No. 87

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday 17 December 2012

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2012 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 543 17 DECEMBER 2012 544

Mr Prisk: We want to make it easier for entrepreneurs House of Commons to start up, and that is why today we have opened a new shop in the Department in Victoria street for six businesses Monday 17 December 2012 to trade, rotating every fortnight. Working with PopUp Britain, we want this shop to be an exemplar for others right across the country. I would say to local government The House met at half-past Two o’clock leaders and to landlords, “Let’s take this examplar and roll it out across the country”. I am happy to invite my hon. Friend to see it for himself—and, indeed, the PRAYERS Opposition Front-Bench team, as I hope they will be able to apply this principle and follow our lead across [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] the country.

BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): Wirral council has done a huge amount of work to regenerate ELECTORAL COMMISSION Bromborough village and New Ferry town centre in my The VICE-CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD reported constituency. They want to continue doing this into the to the House, That the Address of 31st October, praying future, but their ability to do so is severely constrained that Her Majesty will re-appoint Jennifer Watson to the by cuts. It is the season of good will, so may I ask the Office of Chairman of the Electoral Commission, with Minister to set a new year’s resolution and treat Wirral effect from 1st January 2013 for the period ending on council better next year than he has this year? 31st December 2016, was presented to Her Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request. Mr Prisk: It is a little early for new year’s resolutions, INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS but I am always happy to take a collaborative approach AUTHORITY to this issue. It is about funding, but it is also about ensuring that there is innovation on the ground, and, as The VICE-CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD reported my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (David to the House, That the Address of 4th December, Rutley) said, it is about strong local leadership, too. I praying that Her Majesty will appoint the Honourable hope that that is what we will see in the Wirral. Sir Alexander Neil Logie Butterfield, Elizabeth Jane Padmore, Miss Anne Whitaker and Professor Anthony Wayland Wright to the office of ordinary member of Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): I hope there is the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority plenty of passing trade for the pop-up shop at the with effect from 1st January 2013, was presented to Her Minister’s Department. I am pleased to report that Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the there has been plenty of passing trade for the pop-up request. shop in Chippenham’s Emery Gate centre—it is a worthwhile initiative and I am glad that the Minister supports it. Does he agree that key is the importance of Oral Answers to Questions support from the landlords in these shopping centres to ensure that they play their part in helping to have a vibrant town centre from which they ultimately will benefit? COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Secretary of State was asked— Mr Prisk: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why I have written today to the British Property Federation Town Centres (Regeneration) to make sure that they understand we mean business on this, and we want make sure that it is able to follow our 1. David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): What steps he lead. I look forward to a positive response. is taking to regenerate high streets and town centres. [133594] Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): Will the Minister The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk): The tell us what, if any, business rates the pop-up shop Government are determined to help our high streets tenants are paying on that property and why it is that both adapt and compete. That is why we have established the postponed revaluation, which has helped to keep over 300 town team partners, provided £10 million to business rates artificially low in places such as Victoria get empty shops back into use and have now extended street in London has been used to subsidise artificially the business rate relief for small shops, helping half a high business rates in places such as Rochdale? million enterprises. David Rutley: The Make it Macclesfield forum is Mr Prisk: The hon. Gentleman has missed the point. taking forward important regeneration initiatives and, With the small business rate relief, the smallest businesses nearby in Poynton, our active town council has introduced have been removed from paying it, as the Chancellor a shared spaces scheme. We are fortunate to have such announced only last week. On the revaluation, what is strong local leadership, as well as the invaluable contribution clear from the Valuation Office is that while it is true from many small businesses. Will my hon. Friend tell us that possibly 300,000 businesses might benefit, it is also what steps he is taking to help more small businesses true that potentially 800,000 people would lose out. start up on our high streets? That is the problem. 545 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 546

Rural Economy in the new year. Local authorities are responsible for providing information and support, and my officials are 2. Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): What steps he is available at any time to answer questions and offer taking to promote economic growth in rural areas guidance to anyone who is interested in going down this through local authorities. [133595] road.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): May I Government (Mr Eric Pickles): Following the rural economy return the Minister to the issue of support for town growth review,the Government have committed £165 million centres? Does he accept that by including business and to growth in rural communities, including £60 million commercial projects in the major infrastructure regime, in small grants to farms, forestry and micro-enterprises we risk repeating some of the planning mistakes of the and £15 million to promote rural tourism. The Government 1980s, and allowing a free-for-all for developments on have also dedicated £530 million for superfast broadband the edges of and outside town centres at the expense of in rural areas. the viability of our town centres?

Neil Carmichael: Does my right hon. Friend agree Nick Boles: I do not accept that at all. As the hon. that the retained business rate provides a great opportunity Gentleman will know, we have specifically said that we for district councils to help businesses, building on the will exclude retail developments from the category of success of Gloucestershire county council in investing business and commercial schemes that might be subject money in broadband and promoting careers advice to the major infrastructure regime. Town Centre First throughout the county, and does he also agree that means something to this Government, unlike the last more would be helpful? one.

Mr Pickles: I congratulate my hon. Friend. Following Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) the agreement on broadband that was reached with the (Con): My constituents Andy Faulkner and Deborah European Commission, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Robinson are members of a committee in the village of have been allocated £18.1 million. My hon. Friend has Yapton, in my constituency, which is putting together a made a good point: this gives councils an opportunity Yapton neighbourhood plan. They are worried about to receive money as a right rather than approaching the whether the huge effort and time spent by volunteers, Government with a begging bowl. and the expense involved in putting the plan together, will prove worth while. When a decision is to be made David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): What is the on a planning application, what weight will be given to Government’s policy on allowing existing businesses in the Yapton neighbourhood plan when it is in final draft the rural community to expand their premises? form but the local plan has not yet been finalised and confirmed? Mr Pickles: Our policy can be seen in the national planning policy framework, and also in local plans. A number of local authorities have pioneered the use of Nick Boles: I thank my hon. Friend for asking that redundant farm buildings. Decisions are made on an question, because it is useful to be able to clarify the entirely local basis. position for not just Yapton but other communities. It is important for people to understand that the weight Neighbourhood Planning given to an emerging neighbourhood plan is in no way contingent on the status of the local plan, and that 3. Jessica Lee (Erewash) (Con): What steps he is there is nothing to prevent them from making progress as rapidly as possible. taking to support neighbourhood planning. [133596]

TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab): and Local Government (Nick Boles): This year we awarded As a result of huge cuts in local authority budgets, £3.1 million to four organisations to help communities councils’ spending on planning has fallen by 16% and to make progress with their plans. We fund the new the reduction is likely to reach 25% in the next few years. burdens that local authorities may face, and my Department How will the Minister ensure that funds are available works closely with many neighbourhood planning areas. for neighbourhood planning in all areas—including As a result, communities are making progress, and those that are disadvantaged—from 2013 onwards, so the first neighbourhood development plan passed an that the Government’s commitment to localism is not independent examination last week. watered down further ?

Jessica Lee: In Erewash, interest has been expressed Nick Boles: I am sure the hon. Lady will welcome the in the establishment of a neighbourhood plan forum. fact that the Department is offering local authorities What further guidance can my hon. Friend offer to £30,000 for every plan produced in their area. Some ensure that local communities have the information that £5,000 of that becomes available when a neighbourhood they require in order to start their projects? forum is designated, and £25,000 becomes available once a plan has been examined, to pay for the cost of Nick Boles: We want to encourage as many communities examination and the referendum. There is currently a as possible, both urban and rural, to embrace limit on the number of plans that can receive this neighbourhood planning. Only this morning I met a funding in any given area, but I hope to be able to dozen neighbourhood planning groups in London, and adjust that limit to ensure we do not constrain further I shall be visiting more groups throughout the country support for neighbourhood plans. 547 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 548

Council Tax Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation

4. Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): 5. Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland What assessment he has made of the rate of change of West) (Lab): What assessment he has made of progress council tax over the last 15 years. [133597] by his Department in reducing the number of families with children being housed in bed-and-breakfast The Secretary of State for Communities and Local accommodation. [133598] Government (Mr Eric Pickles): Under the Labour Government, council tax more than doubled. Under TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities this coalition Government, we have frozen council tax, and Local Government (Mr Don Foster): It is unacceptable delivering a cut of 4.4% in real terms for hard-working and illegal to place families with children in bed-and- families and pensioners. breakfast accommodation except in an emergency and then for no more than six weeks. Numbers peaked in Andrew Selous: In the last two Parliaments I received 2002, with nearly 7,000 families affected, and I am sure many letters from pensioners complaining that their the hon. Lady will be delighted to know that the figure council tax was taking up to a third of their income. is now less than a third of that. Under my right hon. Friend’s policy, I have not received so many letters of that nature. Pensioners and others Mrs Hodgson: Next week, while the Minister is no appreciate the falls in council tax. I thank my right hon. doubt opening his Christmas presents—which I am Friend for the fact that, under his policy and the careful sure he will get—there will be thousands of children in stewardship of Central Bedfordshire council and Studham pokey bed and breakfasts with their parents, because parish council, my own council tax fell this year. they have nowhere else to go. He cited some statistics, and I would like to cite some more. The number of Mr Pickles: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I families in this situation has risen from 630 in March suspect his experience is shared by other Members, but 2010 to 2,020 in September this year, a jump of more I have to tell him that the situation is worse than he than 200%. Is the Minister proud of that record, and thought because, even in opposition, Labour is planning will he ensure that that number is lower by next Christmas? to clobber pensioners. My Department has been almost swamped by demands from Labour councils to have the Mr Foster: The hon. Lady is absolutely right to right to be able to tax pensioners on council tax benefit, express concern about those children and those families. as they attempted to tax the poor. That is why this Government are taking action, with £400 million being provided to help councils deal with Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): It is homelessness and an additional £350 million to help possible that in the next financial year more councils, with the changes in welfare. Those measures will help including Conservative-controlled ones, will decide to tackle the appalling situation, but it is better under our increase their council tax. Councils are worried that Government than it was under hers. although help has been made available for a council tax freeze, the Government may decide not only not to Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Is not part of the continue with it beyond 2013, but to withdraw the help difficulty the fact that families who get into debt and made available for previous years, thus creating a black cannot pay their rent are deemed to be intentionally hole in council finances. Will the Secretary of State give homeless? They therefore receive limited help from local a categorical assurance that the money made available authorities and can find it difficult to get other landlords in 2013 for the council tax freeze will be made available in the private rented sector to offer them accommodation to councils on a permanent basis? if they have failed to pay their rent to a previous landlord. Mr Pickles: It is in the base. It goes into the base next year, and I can give a guarantee to the extent that I can Mr Foster: My hon. Friend is right to say that debt is guarantee anything with regard to financial support for very important. That is why some of the £400 million to councils, but if the hon. Gentleman is expecting me which I referred is being made available to improve the to project levels of council tax support beyond the level of debt assistance that is given to people. My hon. millennium—perhaps well into the next millennium— Friend is also right in that we need to ensure that much I have to tell him that I cannot do so. It is wholly more privately rented accommodation is available. That erroneous to suggest this is just for one year, however. is why we were recently able to announce an additional £200 million and £10 billion of loan guarantees to help 19. [133616] Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): On neighbour- improve the situation. hood plans, residents of Coton park, a recently completed urban development in Rugby, are enthusiastically setting 20. [133617] Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): about preparing their neighbourhood plan as a front-runner There are 2,000 households with children in bed and under the new national planning policy framework. breakfasts, 880 for more than six weeks. There is room However, they have had some concerns about the funding at the inn, but no cooking facilities for Christmas, and of their work, in particular the costs of holding the the price is an increase in housing benefit. What do the referendum. Will the Secretary of State provide some Minister’s colleagues in the Department for Work and reassurance to my constituents? Pensions say about that?

Mr Pickles: With regard to the neighbourhood plan, Mr Foster: The hon. Lady fails to acknowledge the £25,000 is paid out on completion of the process, which significant reduction in the number of children in those will help towards the costs of the referendum. circumstances under this Government. I nevertheless 549 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 550 accept it is important that we do everything we possibly The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk): The can to assist these families. That is why we are taking latest statistics show that homelessness is just half what action with the relevant council and why we are making it was in 2003 at its peak. However, despite the tough £390 million available to assist with the changes in financial climate, we are investing £470 million to ensure welfare benefit, which her Government never did. that England continues to provide vulnerable people and vulnerable families with a strong safety net protected Wind Turbines in law.

6. Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) Dame Joan Ruddock: I really wonder whether the (Con): What consideration his Department has given to Minister has ever seen the fear in the eyes of a woman introducing a minimum separation distance between who can no longer pay her rent, does not know where wind turbines and residential properties. [133600] the family will go, and does not know if her children can stay in the same school and if she will lose her job. TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities Statutory homelessness has risen dramatically over the and Local Government (Nick Boles): We have been clear period of this Government. The Secretary of State that wind turbines should not have unacceptable impacts warned the Prime Minister that it would go up by tens on local communities, but we have not set minimum of thousands as a consequence of Government policies. separation distances nationally, because to do so would What has the Minister got to say to that? cut across localism.

Stephen Phillips: I am grateful to the Minister for that Mr Prisk: The right hon. Lady is right to make it a answer. He will know of the concerns of many in my personal issue, because it is a personal issue, which is constituency and across Lincolnshire about inappropriate why last week I spent time with rough sleepers, who onshore wind development. It is fair to say that the were out on the streets at night, to see for myself exactly localism agenda the Government have pursued has the point she raises. I say to her that we are dealing with done much to involve local people in the planning homelessness at its root, which means we are making process, but there is considerable support in Lincolnshire sure we have a proper safety net that we have strengthened and across the country for minimum separation distances, by making it easier to take people into settled and not which do a lot to encourage public support for onshore temporary accommodation. It is why we are making wind and allay people’s concerns. I hope that his sure that more people are going into work, so that they Department will seriously consider the issue, so that he do not find themselves in difficulty, and we are making can come back to the House and tell us what he is going sure that we expand the private rental sector and build to do. more homes. Sadly, I have to say that we saw the number of social homes in this country fall by nearly Nick Boles: My hon. and learned Friend and I represent half a million under the last Labour Government. neighbouring constituencies and like him I believe that a minimum separation distance might be appropriate in Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): As a member our flat fenland landscape. That is why, before my of Kettering borough council, may I share with the appointment as Planning Minister, I supported Lincolnshire Minister the good news that in 2011 in the borough of county council’s wind energy position statement and Kettering, in a population of 90,000, there were only urged my planning authority to reflect it in its local 76 valid homelessness applications? That is half the plan. However, not all of England is like Lincolnshire— number of the peak in 2007 and is largely due to the sadly for the rest of England—and a top-down national very good efforts of John Conway and the housing policy that ignored local variations in topography and team at Kettering borough council in providing support local opinion would be wrong. to tenants to prevent homelessness in the first place.

Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): It is Mr Prisk: I strongly endorse Mr Conway’s work. The interesting to hear of the Minister’s interest in the noise key word is prevention: that is the challenge and it is and disruption allegedly caused by wind turbines. Would why, working with the charities, we are acting to prevent he therefore apply the same rule to the fans in energy homelessness by dealing with its root causes and some from waste plants such as the one in Plymouth, which is of the issues behind it. 200 metres from people’s homes? Will he explain why the Department chose to call in two other applications Mr Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Woolwich) (Lab): for waste to energy plants but not the one in Plymouth? I draw attention to my interest as declared in the register. Nick Boles: The rule I would apply is that wherever In essence, the Minister’s reply repeated the response possible it should be left to local authorities to make given by the Under-Secretary of State for Communities those decisions. However, there are a few cases where and Local Government, the right hon. Member for applications have significance beyond local authority Bath (Mr Foster) to an earlier question about bed and boundaries and it is therefore impossible for one local breakfast by quoting a figure from the period of the last authority to decide. In the case the hon. Lady mentions, Labour Government and comparing it with a lower I would imagine that that criterion was not fulfilled. figure from the present. Frankly, that is statistically unworthy of a Minister. Will the Minister and his Homelessness colleagues now recognise that there was a dramatic reduction in homelessness and in the placing of families 7. Dame Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab): in bed and breakfast under the Labour Government What recent assessment he has made of progress by his and that, in both cases, that trend is now reversing? Will Department in reducing homelessness. [133601] he accept responsibility for the problem? 551 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 552

Mr Prisk: I have some respect for the right hon. the other hand, has had cuts of £34 per person, despite Gentleman, but the reality is that we saw half a million much lower levels of deprivation and health issues. social homes lost under the last Labour Government Does the Minister think that this is fair? and the lowest rate of house building in peacetime since the 1920s. The responsibility rests with those on the Brandon Lewis: Putting aside the baseline from which Opposition Benches. councils start, we have to bear in mind that metropolitan areas such as Manchester have had a city deal worth Gavin Barwell (Croydon Central) (Con): My local about £1.5 billion, the new homes bonus, enterprise authority has significant numbers of households in zones and £25 million in Growing Places funds. Local bed-and-breakfast accommodation, some for more than authorities should look at everything they are doing. six weeks. Is not the key to solving the problem to get There is £60 billion of procurement across local authorities. our mortgage market working, both so that more people They can look at integrated shared management services. can get buy-to-let mortgages to increase supply in the They should be cracking down on fraud and error, private sector and so that more people can buy their which last year alone cost £200 million. own home and councils do not face competition in securing private lets? Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): Will my hon. Friend tell the House in outline how the Mr Prisk: My hon. Friend makes an eloquent point; business rate retention scheme will offer strong financial it is about both supply and demand. If we get housing incentives for councils to go for economic growth? supply and demand right, that will start to deal with the huge problem we inherited. My hon. Friend is absolutely Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend is correct. The new right on mortgages too. I am pleased to say that the Council scheme that changes local government finance from of Mortgage Lenders pointed out that repossessions next year will give them two key advantages. First, they are at their lowest for five years. will have the ability to achieve growth in their income if they see economic growth. Secondly, and more importantly Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab): With for their communities, they will have the opportunity housing starts down and private rents up to record and the incentive to be part of driving local economic levels, England is now gripped by the biggest housing growth and to see new businesses come in and more crisis in a generation. Homelessness, which fell under residents in employment. Labour, is once again soaring: homeless families in bed and breakfast, homeless young people in hostels and Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): The Minister will, I too many homeless sleeping on our streets. Does the hope, know that population is a key factor affecting the Minister not accept that the most potent symbol of total resources allocated. Can he confirm that he will failure is the fact that 75,000 children will wake up on use the population projections based on the 2011 census, Christmas morning in temporary accommodation or not earlier estimates or projections? bed and breakfast, without a roof over their head that they can call their own? Brandon Lewis: Yes, we are using the census figures. Mr Prisk: The hon. Gentleman refers to the Shelter campaign about 75,000 people not having a roof over Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): their head at Christmas time. He is right to do so, Does the Minister accept that too many central initiatives because the campaign also says that the answer is more do not reach rural areas, and that if we are to ensure affordable homes. We are committed to doing that, and that people in rural areas have access to services, we we are committed to making sure that we expand the need to ensure that that is put right? private rental sector. This is a problem that has been around for two or three Governments and we want to Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend is right to highlight make sure we deal with both the surface problem and the fact that rural areas—I represent a rural area in the issues behind it. Norfolk, as he knows—have different issues from metropolitan and urban areas. It is important that those local authorities have the flexibility and the powers, Local Authority Funding which they now have under the general power of competence, to make decisions about what is right for 9. Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab): What factors their local community, bearing in mind its make-up and he has considered in allocating grants to local authorities style. for 2013-14. [133604] Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab): In the debates TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities on the Local Government Finance Bill, the Government and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): We have consulted voted down all attempts to have levels of need considered widely with the local government sector and have given when funding is allocated to local authorities, yet the close consideration to the wide variety of responses that result of their current policy is that the 10 most deprived we received. We will publish the settlement for 2013-14 authorities in this country face cuts in spending power shortly. eight times greater than the 10 least deprived authorities. When the Secretary of State announces next year’s Yvonne Fovargue: Wigan metropolitan borough has settlement, will he attempt to rectify this injustice or faced cuts of £108 per person, with more to come, will he, like the Chancellor, make the poorest and the despite high levels of deprivation and a high number of most vulnerable pay the price for the Government’s people with life-limiting illnesses. West Oxfordshire, on disastrous economic policy? 553 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 554

Brandon Lewis: I am somewhat surprised at the hon. Brandon Lewis: Absolutely. I congratulate Amber Lady’s question, bearing in mind that this Government Taverns on the work it is doing to support the development inherited a problem with a number of authorities that and enhancement of community pubs in the north of had been left on the cliff edge by the previous Government. England. Such companies—there are others across the It is this Government who brought in the transition country—are clearly demonstrating that, through grant for those authorities. There are still 12 of them innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, pubs absolutely left; after the finance settlement we will see what the can and should continue to thrive, and indeed are thriving, new position is. It is a disgrace that the Opposition can in the heart of our communities. I look forward to sit there and comment about the authorities that they meeting representatives of Amber Taverns and seeing left hanging out to dry facing that financial cliff, which their work at first hand in the near future. this Government have helped to fix. David Wright (Telford) (Lab): Urban community pubs Fly-tipping and Graffiti are also of great importance. What cross-departmental work is the Minister doing to ensure that supermarkets do not use alcohol as a loss leader? 10. Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): What advice he has given to local authorities in respect of the Brandon Lewis: The Prime Minister has already Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 on the use of surveillance announced the consultation on minimum pricing for cameras to identify those committing fly-tipping and alcohol, and I am sure that he will report back on that graffiti offences. [133605] in due course. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): Talking Government (Mr Eric Pickles): The Protection of Freedoms of supermarkets, the Minister will be aware that Act introduced new measures to stop the abuse of supermarkets are deliberately targeting pubs, often sold surveillance by town halls, delivering on promises made, to them by indebted pub companies, without the community as I am sure my hon. Friend will remember, by both having any say whatsoever. As someone who believes in Conservatives and Liberal Democrats before the general the pub and in localism, he cannot accept that. Will he election. Surveillance is now restricted to serious crimes meet the all–party save the pub group to tell us how he and requires a magistrate’s warrant. Guidance has been plans to change that? produced by the Home Office. Brandon Lewis: I am happy to meet the group. Sir Bob Russell: Could the Secretary of State advise us on how local authorities can best tackle fly-tipping Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): Surely the and graffiti offences which, in the eyes of many people, Minister must agree that the Government’s counter- are serious antisocial offences that cause nuisance to productive austerity measures are only making matters neighbourhoods? worse. They have sucked demand out of the economy by cutting too far and too fast, exacerbating the decline Mr Pickles: My hon. Friend raises an important point. of the pub trade. To make matters worse, his predecessor If graffiti and fly-tipping are so serious, his council can scrapped the community pubs initiative, which was go to a magistrates court and obtain a warrant so that worth £3.5 million. Does he not understand that the surveillance can take place; otherwise they would have public want real action, not warm words and crocodile to pursue the normal process of dealing with fly-tipping tears, from Ministers, who have abdicated their responsibility and graffiti. to the local communities they are supposed to serve?

Community Pubs Brandon Lewis: I was waiting for the hon. Gentleman to talk up the great British pub, which is a superb 11. Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) facility for local communities, but clearly he does not (Con): What steps his Department is taking to support share that view. When he stands up to talks about cuts, community pubs. [133606] he might want to think about outlining the £52 billion of cuts Labour projected it would make in the Department, TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities even though it is yet to support a single thing the and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): Within the past Department has done to reduce the deficit. fortnight I have been pleased to announce £150,000 of extra funding for Pub is The Hub, which helps preserve National Planning Policy Framework (Older People) and expand traditional rural services for pubs and helps them innovate and remain sustainable. Other support 13. George Hollingbery (Meon Valley) (Con): What measures include the new community right to bid, the guidance the national planning policy framework contains national planning policy framework and the doubling for the consideration of the needs of older people. of business rate relief until 2014. [133608]

Paul Maynard: I draw the Minister’s attention to TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities Amber Taverns, based in my constituency, which has and Local Government (Nick Boles): The national planning turned around literally dozens of inner-city urban pubs policy framework requires councils to use their evidence facing hard times by focusing on a competitive beer base to ensure that their local plan meets the full, price, free sport and a good environment that attracts objectively assessed needs for market and affordable local people. Does not that show that the pub can and housing in the area, including the housing needs of does have a future? older people. 555 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 556

George Hollingbery: The broad conclusion of a with. He is making an enormous mistake in suggesting conference I chaired recently on the national planning that all brownfield sites are undevelopable; that is entirely policy framework and older citizens was that, with real wrong. Some brownfield sites are green and some greenfield strategic vision, older people’s lives could be improved sites are brown. and considerable savings could be made in both the NHS and social services. Will the Minister agree to Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): meet me and a delegation of representatives to discuss What overall impact does the Secretary of State estimate that further? that the Growth and Infrastructure Bill will have on the green belt given the national planning policy framework Nick Boles: I would be delighted to meet my hon. that is now in place? Friend and others to discuss that. He is right that imaginative housing schemes for older people can save Mr Pickles: The green belt remains very safe and money for the NHS and social services. They can also sound in coalition care. The position is clearly laid out make it more attractive for older people to move out of in the national planning policy framework, and the Bill their family homes, thereby helping to meet the pressing does not affect the green belt one iota. housing needs of young families. Land for House Building Green Belt 15. Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): 14. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): What steps What estimate he has made of the amount of open he is taking to stop inappropriate development on the land required for house building in the next 20 years; green belt. [133609] and if he will make a statement. [133610] The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles): The Government attach The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk): This great importance to the green belt, which prevents Government do not set top-down Whitehall housing urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open. Subject targets. It is for elected local councils to determine, to the strategic environmental assessments, we are abolishing through their local plans, where development should the last Government’s top-down regional strategies, which and should not go and how best to meet housing need,. threatened the green belt in 30 towns and cities across the country. In addition, our new planning guidance on Tristram Hunt: The Labour party in government Traveller sites makes it clear that such sites, whether believed in effective levels of urban density and city temporary or permanent, are inappropriate development centre development. Rather than abusing the National on the green belt. Trust and other big-society opponents of sprawl as Luddites, why do not Ministers end their assault on the Mr Nuttall: Villagers in Affetside in my constituency English countryside, start working with developers to are worried that their concerns about a proposal to ensure that the 400,000 homes with planning permission erect a 113-foot-high wind turbine in their village may are actually built, and end the homelessness crisis now? not be listened to. Can he give them, and others in a similar position who are facing the imposition of these Mr Prisk: I understand that the hon. Gentleman is a giant wind turbines within the green belt, any further historian, and he should know from the previous reassurance? Government’s record that at that time we saw the lowest rate of house building since the 1920s. It is important to Mr Pickles: My hon. Friend raises an important get the affordable homes built, sometimes making sure point, and of course his constituents will be listened to. that we use empty homes and sometimes that we build It is immensely important, though, to understand the on brownfield—and yes, we will occasionally want to wise words uttered by the Under-Secretary, my hon. make sure that greenfield land is used where that is Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick appropriate. Boles), a few moments ago. Planning is essentially a plan-based operation, and we look to local planning Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): Wiltshire authorities to determine where a wind farm or a single council, Swindon borough council and the local parish turbine might go and, in particular, where they might councils of Purton and Lydiard Millicent have, over not. If they do that, I think that my hon. Friend’s very many years, strongly and unanimously opposed constituents will feel much more relaxed about the the application to build 700 houses on green fields at issue. Ridgeway farm in my constituency, yet last week the inspector allowed it under the regional spatial strategy Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Developers in figures. Given that it is not in the green belt—we do not my constituency tell me that they can make far more have green-belt land in Wiltshire—what can local people money building on the green belt than on brownfield do to prevent unwanted developments of this kind on sites. Is not the reality that decontamination of brownfield greenfield sites across my constituency? sites in boroughs such as Sefton is needed to protect the green belt and boost the economy? Mr Prisk: My hon. Friend will know that I cannot refer directly to individual cases and he will understand Mr Pickles: This is a continuation of a question that the quasi-legal reason for that, but I would say that a the hon. Gentleman asked me in the Select Committee. robust local plan is absolutely the right way to do this. The truth is that we are making money available to Sadly, under the previous Government we did not have ensure that contaminated brownfield sites can be dealt that; we just had regional plans instead. 557 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 558

Social Housing Housing (Armed Forces and First-time Buyers)

17. Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) 21. Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): What steps (LD): What estimate he has made of the number of he is taking to support (a) first-time buyers and (b) people living in social housing who have an income of former members of the armed forces with housing. over £100,000 per annum. [133613] [133618]

TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk): Weannounced and Local Government (Mr Don Foster): Wehave estimated, an extra £280 million on 6 September to extend the based on data taken from the last three English housing Firstbuy scheme. This means we will help some 27,000 surveys, that between 1,000 and 5,000 social tenant first-time buyers into home ownership by March 2014. households earn over £100,000 per annum. We have Former members of the armed forces have priority to consulted on proposals to charge these households a access this scheme up to 12 months after discharge. fairer rent and will respond to this consultation by the end of March. Graham Evans: Will my hon. Friend update us on how local government housing associations are prioritising former armed forces personnel and their families, who Simon Hughes: My right hon. Friend will realise that have served their country so well? speaking from a position where I am privileged to represent more council tenants than any other English Mr Prisk: My hon. Friend makes a very good point. MP, I recognise that council tenancies are very valuable As I suspect he knows, we have changed the law so that and appreciated. However, given the length of the queue, ex-service personnel who have urgent housing needs are a lot of people feel that it is wrong for those with an always given additional preference for social housing by income in six figures to have the privilege of security of local councils. I think that will make an important tenure and not to pay a higher price for that privilege. difference. May I encourage him to see whether he can find a solution to this long-running problem? Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): In Northern Ireland, the military covenant would need to be in place to Mr Foster: My right hon. Friend first raised this issue ensure that ex-service personnel would have the opportunity on the Floor of the House in 1988, and I am sure that, to get housing. What discussions has the Minister had 24 years later, he is delighted that the coalition is with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that that happens? listening to him. He is absolutely right: we have to make better use of affordable housing. That is why we have Mr Prisk: I shall certainly make sure, as the record of consulted on the issue and why we are going to build the House will show, that my ministerial colleagues in more affordable housing. the Ministry of Defence are made aware of that. As the Minister responsible for housing in England, I suspect Mr Speaker: I suppose that the right hon. Member it would be wiser for me not to cross the Irish sea. for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes) deserves credit for consistency. I cannot think of many Topical Questions things that I was saying in 1988 that I am still saying today, but there you go. T1. [133619] Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland West) (Lab): If he will make a statement on Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): Nor can his departmental responsibilities. I, Mr Speaker—I am trying to think of something, but I cannot. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles): While the irony of your My local council thinks that £40,000 should be the earlier remarks sinks in, Mr Speaker, I will inform the cut-off figure and that that will solve the housing crisis. House, ahead of Wednesday’s local government settlement, However, it has just responded to a freedom of information that it is clear that every part of the public sector needs request from me by stating that, in the past five years, to do its bit to pay off Labour’s deficit. My Department it has let just under 8,000 properties and that only nine is cutting its running costs by 44% and will shortly of those can be identified as for people on incomes of publish best-practice guidance for councils on how they, more than £40,000. Is this not just a smokescreen to too, can make sensible savings. A written statement cover up the fact that council properties are being sold published today outlines how Sir Ken Knight will undertake off when they become empty, knocked down and not a review into savings in the fire and rescue service, replaced, and that measures such as the Growth and protecting front-line fire engines and fire stations, but Infrastructure Bill are actually reducing the availability cutting waste, inefficiency and out-of-date practices. of affordable accommodation? This is a piece of nonsense Finally, the pop-up shop, which opened in my Department and propaganda. today, shows how councils can use their property assets to better effect, both to support small firms and to save Mr Foster: If the hon. Gentleman wants to talk about taxpayers’ money. Truly—Napoleon was right—we are nonsense, he should remember that, under the Labour a nation of shopkeepers. Government, 421,000 affordable homes went out of use. Under this Government, the right to buy is being Mrs Hodgson: Could the Secretary of State tell the strengthened so that there is a one-for-one replacement. House why the Government are holding back £300 million- In addition, we are building more affordable homes and worth of early intervention funding over the next two more homes for rent. years? If, as rumoured, it is for payment by results, how 559 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 560 does he expect cash-strapped councils to be able to tax? He has been singularly neglectful in his duty. He afford the vital prevention and early intervention work knows that his Government, had they been successful at and programmes when they have to manage a cut of the last election, would have made £52 million of cuts. more than 40% in budgets over the lifetime of this So far, he has not accepted a single one of our cuts. The Parliament? right hon. Gentleman is inconsistent in his consistency.

Mr Pickles: I will make a statement covering this Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): In answer to issue on Wednesday. The hon. Lady makes an important Question 1, my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing point. It is important to understand that part of the referred to PopUp Britain and pop-up shops. Was that settlement has meant the rolling up of a number of just a bright idea within his Department, or did he get previously ring-fenced grants. This one has been retained. professional advice from people who are actually in The money that has been held back will be applied to business? local authorities. I can tell the hon. Lady that her figure is not entirely right; I think she might be pleased by the The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk): My hon. settlement. Friend makes a very good point. I am glad to say that the sponsors for PopUp Britain included Intuit and the T5. [133624] Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): Research John Lewis Partnership. has shown that trade unions receive a subsidy of £113 million at taxpayers’ expense. We all believe in T2. [133621] Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): When I worked trade unions and think that they are a force for good, in the homelessness sector under the last Government, but does my right hon. Friend agree that local taxpayers statutory homelessness fell by 70%. Last week’s “Panorama” will be surprised to hear that their council tax is subsidising programme showed the heartbreaking human cost of trade union activity in local authorities? this Government’s appalling record on homelessness: homelessness is up, rough sleeping is up and more Mr Pickles: I am glad that my hon. Friend is a families are stuck in bed-and-breakfast accommodation massive fan of trade unions. Indeed, I believe that the for longer. What are this Government going to do about trade union movement has done many marvellous things it? for this country. One thing that has been great is its independence from employers, and I am desperately Mr Prisk: We are taking a proactive role to ensure worried that the taxpayers’ money that is subsidising that rough sleeping in particular does not happen. That trade unions might impinge on that independence. I will is what “No second night out” is all about. In London, shortly be issuing guidance to local authorities about where it has been trialled, 70% of people spend just one how we might strengthen trade unions by removing night on the streets. We need to tackle those numbers, some of their funding. but it is wrong to simply say that everything is gloomy; there is good action, there are positive ideas from Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab): How many people councils and we have to work together. who go out to work of a morning does the Secretary of State estimate will see their council tax rise next April Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): If the Secretary of State because he has decided that people on low earnings decides to designate a local planning authority, under should pay more council tax? proposed new section 62A to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, planning applications can be made Mr Pickles: The right hon. Gentleman is entirely directly to him. What mechanisms will be in place to wrong in his premise. It is his party that says that ensure that the influence of local people through pensioners should pay. It is his party that is seeking to consultation is not reduced if the voice of local authorities tax the poor. It is my party and the Liberal Democrats is excluded from the process? that are offering some support. The right hon. Gentleman had better look after his own party before he comes TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities here and lectures us. and Local Government (Nick Boles): I thank my hon. Friend for her question, because that is an important Hilary Benn: The Secretary of State, of course, did point. In the very few cases in which planning authorities not want to answer the question. The answer is that are designated as poorly performing, it will be possible nearly 800,000 people who go out to work every morning for major applications to be referred directly to the face a potential rise in their council tax bill next April, Planning Inspectorate. After relentless questioning from when people who are on the top rate of tax will get a tax her Liberal Democrat colleagues in Committee, I came cut. If we look at what is happening in his own back to understand that it is particularly important that the yard, Brentwood borough council has just published a Planning Inspectorate is given clear guidance that it case study on its own scheme, which I have here. Under should consider using local hearings, so that people can its proposals, a working mum who works more than put their views across, rather more regularly than it 24 hours a week could see her council tax bill rise by does for appeals, when local views have already been more than £600 a year. Why is he so hellbent on taken into account. I have already started discussions penalising people who go out to work? with the Planning Inspectorate to ensure that that happens.

Mr Pickles: That, of course, was before we intervened T3. [133622] Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab): and offered our process, which will protect people and The Secretary of State is leaving the financial ensure that nobody has to pay more than 8.5%. What settlement for local government until the last minute, does the right hon. Gentleman say about his own councils, and there is great unfairness among the most deprived which are looking to make people pay 30% on council councils in the country. For example, in Stoke-on-Trent 561 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 562 we are having to pay an extra £130.75 per person Mr Pickles: I know Micklethwaite well, but we will because of cuts, whereas in the Secretary of State’s own consider the matter in a quasi-judicial way. We will constituency the sum is £29.40. Will he take that into ensure that the views of the residents of Micklethwaite account in the financial settlement before he finalises it, and the council are given due weight, and I hope to so that there is fairness for local councils? announce my decision in the near future.

Mr Pickles: Of course there will be fairness in the T7. [133626] Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/ system, but we need to understand that one reason why Co-op): The Home Secretary recently refused to give the hon. Lady’s authority is facing a larger cut than me any information about the impact on local services mine is that it receives a much larger amount. I think such as housing and community services of the ceasing Labour expects my authority not only to contribute to of the restriction on migration from Bulgaria and the pot but to have its entire grant removed, and then it Romania. Does the Secretary of State have an estimate expects us to increase taxation. I remind her that it was of how housing and other community services will be Labour that left a number of vulnerable authorities affected by that change? dangling over a cliff edge and the coalition Government who put money into pulling Labour’s irons out of Mr Pickles: AsfarasIamaware,wehaveonly the fire. anecdotal evidence, which is not sufficient for someone of the hon. Gentleman’s stature. Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): Villagers in Martley in my constituency are keen to develop their Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): My constituents in own neighbourhood plan, but the district council has Sandbach are furious that the Hind Heath road planning told them that their alternative to a greenfield site might application, for 269 houses on prime agricultural greenfield mean that both sites end up being developed. Will the land, has been granted on appeal. The pressures on Minister please clarify the situation for my constituents? road surfaces and infrastructure will be unsustainable, and the decision flies in the face of localism, as the area Nick Boles: It is obviously difficult for me to talk was not classed for development under the Sandbach about an individual case, but I would be happy to hear town plan. Will the Minister explain how development more about it from my hon. Friend. It is important that on such a wholly unsustainable site can be justified neighbourhood plans strengthen the powers of local and what can be done to ensure that further, similar communities to determine where development should applications by developers are not granted across my and should not happen. If the neighbourhood plan is in constituency? general conformity with the local plan, the neighbourhood plan’s policies will take priority and will help protect her Nick Boles: My hon. Friend has been a tireless advocate constituents from unwanted development on speculative for the residents of Sandbach. She will understand that sites. I cannot comment on particular cases, but I think it is fair to say that her local authority has been a bit T4. [133623] Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) backwards in coming forwards with a local plan. However, (Lab): In towns and cities across England, local authorities I am glad to say that, under its energetic new leadership, are being forced to close museums, shut care homes it has recently published a draft plan for public consultation, and end library provision, but the Government found which will provide her constituents with a defence against £250 million to empty the bins more regularly. What speculative development. kind of abysmal, philistine, reactionary Government put dustbins above library books? T8. [133627] Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): The Secretary of State will know that 17 fire stations in Mr Pickles: The people who are putting dustbins London have been earmarked for closure, including above those things are people who care about the general Downham in my constituency. Given those front-line service provided to the electorate. The hon. Gentleman cuts to emergency services, is it right that Boris is a bit of a luvvie, so no doubt he is looking intensely at Johnson’s 10 closest advisers have a combined salary the drop in culture, but that is a matter for local decision, packet of more than £1 million? and he is wholly wrong. People should look at how an authority can get more money in by exploiting and TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities using its cultural heritage. Frankly, he is just lining up a and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): There is an bunch of luvvies. He should listen a little bit more. integrated risk management plan for London. It is good that the London fire commissioner has said he is committed Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): A proposed housing to maintaining the current standards for the time it development in Micklethwaite in my constituency was takes for fire engines to get to incidents. Therefore, it will rightly rejected by Bradford council, the appeal was rightly be a local decision based on local need, taking into rejected by the planning inspector and that decision was account clear local risks. upheld by the Secretary of State. The courts have sent it back to him for redetermination. May I urge him Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): At this Christmas to stick to his guns and reject that unwanted planning time, when many robins feature on Christmas cards, application? If he wants to come back to Micklethwaite and given that the Secretary of State is Parliament’s to reacquaint himself with the area and see how pre-eminent ornithologist, can he tell the House what inappropriate the application is, he will be welcomed by his Department is doing to protect Britain’s declining local residents. common bird population? 563 Oral Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 564

Mr Pickles: I think I am more of an undignified outside the capital and away from their community twitcher than an ornithologist. Clearly, there is the network support and children’s schools. On Friday, wildlife directive and we look to ensure the protection however, I met a gentleman in employment who is being of various species, but we have to understand that in the placed in Milton Keynes. Will the Minister tell me if it nature of the way that agriculture and the like is changing, is acceptable for the gentleman to be placed in homeless the patterns we have seen traditionally among British accommodation and immediately lose his job, and if birds are likely to change in the decades to come. That anyone is in charge? will be to the benefit of some species and to the detriment of others. TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities and Local Government (Mr Don Foster): We have recently introduced new rules that make it absolutely clear that Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab): Ministers local authorities have to ensure that the accommodation have sent out a strong message to London councils that they provide is reasonable, and that they must take into they should not be placing homeless households far account such issues as jobs and education. 565 17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 566

European Council demonstrated how a change necessary for the eurozone can lead to a change for countries outside the eurozone 3.33 pm that can help us to safeguard the things that matter to us in Britain, in particular the integrity of the single The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): Before I market. And as the eurozone makes further changes, make my statement, I am sure the whole House will join I will seek every opportunity to get the best deal for me in wanting to send our deepest sympathies to President Britain and for the single market as a whole. Obama and the American people following the desperately tragic shootings in Connecticut on Friday. These are On growth and competitiveness, this year we have heartbreaking scenes. One can only imagine what the already secured a proper plan, with dates and actions, families are going through, and our hearts should go for completing the single market in services, energy and out to those families and the friends of all those involved. digital, a commitment to exempt small businesses from new regulation, the establishment of a European patent Last week’s European Council discussed further court, with key offices in London, which will save economic and monetary integration for the eurozone. It businesses millions of pounds, and a new free trade endorsed new safeguards that will protect the interests agreement with Singapore. In addition, we have launched of countries outside the eurozone. It also reached new negotiations on a free trade agreement with Japan that conclusions on our response to the crisis in Syria, and could increase EU gross domestic product by ¤43 billion there were discussions on growth and defence. This was a year. The conclusions from the Council have the the seventh European Council of the year. I would not additional benefit of referring to Commission plans to describe it as a landmark Council, and I will try to “scrap” some of its own address these points briefly. “regulations that are no longer of use.” The problems of the eurozone are driving heated We are taking action in Europe that will help with discussions between its members and are leading to growth and jobs and with tackling unemployment here potentially significant changes inside the European Union. in the UK. There are calls from some for greater solidarity and burden sharing, and from others insistence on tough On defence, we are clear that NATO is the cornerstone rules for fiscal discipline. These arguments raise far-reaching of our defence and that EU co-operation should avoid questions of national sovereignty, and it is yet to be costly new bureaucracy and institution-building. We determined how far or fast the changes will go, but it will never support a European army. The focus of the seems likely that we will see a process of further integration Council conclusions is entirely consistent with this, for members of the eurozone. referring to practical co-operation to tackle conflict and instability in places such as Kosovo and the horn of Britain will not join the single currency—neither will Africa. In addition, the conclusions welcome proposals we join the deeper integration now being contemplated—but to open up closed defence markets in Europe, which these changes, driven by the eurozone, will alter the could be of benefit to Britain. European Union for all of us, so they need to be done in the right way. That should mean flexibility over how Finally, I turn to Syria. As a result of Assad’s brutality, Europe develops to accommodate the interests of all a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Syria on our member states—those inside the euro, those that might watch, with more than 40,000 dead and millions in need one day join and those, such as Britain, that are outside, of urgent assistance as a hard winter approaches. There have an absolutely clear opt-out and have no intention is a moral imperative to act—and Britain is doing so, as of joining. It also means that as eurozone members the second-largest donor in terms of humanitarian make the changes they need, we in the UK will have the aid—but there is also a strategic imperative to act. Syria ability to argue for the changes that we need in our is attracting and empowering a new cohort of al-Qaeda- relationship with a changing European Union in order linked extremists, and there is a growing risk of instability to get the best possible deal for the British people. spreading to Syria’s neighbours and of drawing regional The banking union, elements of which were agreed powers into direct conflict. last week, is a good example of that. A single currency We therefore cannot go on as we are. The Council needs a single system for supervising banks, so Britain was clear, as Britain has been for many months, that supported the first steps agreed towards a banking Assad’s regime is illegitimate, and committed to working union, but in return we and others demanded proper for a future for Syria that is democratic and inclusive, safeguards for countries that stay outside the new with full support for human rights and minorities. We arrangements. The European Council therefore agreed will continue to encourage political transition from the a new voting system that means that the eurozone top and to support the opposition, who are attempting cannot impose rules on the countries outside the euro to force a transition from below, and that will include area, such as Britain, without our agreement. There is looking at the arms embargo. The conclusions also also an explicit clause that says that no action by the make it clear that we must now explore all options to European Central Bank should directly or indirectly help the opposition and to enable greater support for discriminate against those countries outside a banking the protection of civilians. union. That is vital for our financial services industry, With progress on Syria, our objective on banking which must continue to be able to provide financial union secured and the principle established that changes products in any currency. in the eurozone require safeguards for those outside, The Bank of England and the ECB will have a I commend this statement to the House. statutory memorandum of understanding that will ensure they work co-operatively and openly to supervise cross- 3.39 pm border banks. The safeguards set an important new Edward Miliband (Doncaster North) (Lab): I join the precedent in giving rights to countries that choose to Prime Minister in sending deepest condolences to President stay outside the euro. In winning that argument, we have Obama and the people of the United States. The 567 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 568

Connecticut shooting was an appalling tragedy, and all “I don’t want Britain to leave the European Union.” families affected are in our thoughts as they cope with I agree with the Prime Minister on that, but why does he their grief and their loss. let member after member of his Cabinet brief that they I wish to ask questions on Syria, the banking union are open to leaving the EU, including most recently the and the wider European context. Let me associate myself Education Secretary? Thirdly, as the Prime Minister with the Prime Minister’s concern about the ongoing will know, British business is deeply concerned that the loss of life in Syria. The international community must drift in his party and the direction of his policy means work together to end the atrocities immediately and that we are sleepwalking towards exit. I share that speak with one voice in favour of a transition to a new concern. Does the Prime Minister at least understand Government. The Prime Minister mentioned the arms the concern of British business? embargo, while noting that Syria is attracting “a new The Prime Minister ended last year with the veto that cohort of al-Qaeda-linked extremists.” In that context, wasn’t, and he has ended this year with the speech that will he go further and tell the House whether he is isn’t. In other words, he is stranded between party actively urging the EU to end its arms embargo, or interest and national interest. The problem, however, is merely amending its terms? Notwithstanding deep concern that nobody else in his party is holding back. Just in the in the international community about the situation in past few days we have heard from the Immigration Syria, does he recognise some of the dangers inherent in Minister, the former Defence Secretary, and now—always the approach of putting weapons into a zone in which keen to help the Prime Minister out—the man on the there is already deep conflict? zip wire, the Mayor of London. Is it not time to stop the On the banking union, the Opposition believe it is dither and delay? Is it not time that he stopped following right for the European Central Bank to have a supervisory his party on Europe and started leading it? role in the eurozone. Does the Prime Minister agree, however, that the most important issue is not necessarily The Prime Minister: Well, the jokes were better. The who supervises which banks, but who takes responsibility right hon. Gentleman has obviously spent a bit of time for bailing out failing banks in the euro area? That is running through his old Police albums. Given his policy what will deliver the firewall we need between bank and on Europe, I would recommend, “So Lonely”, and sovereign risk. Will he say whether he made the case for given his general approach to policy, he is going to have the urgency of agreement on that matter at the Council? to get used to “I can’t stand losing”. [Interruption.] It is good that progress was made to protect the That was the best I could do given the notice. He should integrity of the single market. Will the Prime Minister give me more warning next time—[Interruption.] Don’t say whether there was discussion on how the new voting stand so close to me—very good. The bed’s too big system that he mentioned will cope in the event of without you—[Laughter.] Let’s take this down. changing circumstances, and in particular if EU members On Syria, it is right to look at amending the arms currently outside the eurozone join the banking union embargo. We will be keeping the arms embargo on the and the “out” group shrinks to three or four member regime. There are arguments on both sides, but we states? Beyond questions of banking, is not the real should have the debate and European Foreign Ministers continuing problem for Europe that of insufficient demand will do so. My concern is that if the UK with others is and lack of a proper plan for growth? In yet another not helping the opposition, and helping to shape and Council we saw no progress on that, just as we saw no work with it, it is much more difficult to get the transition progress beyond banking union on wider eurozone we all want to a peaceful, democratic Syria that respects political and economic integration. the rights of minorities—including, as I have said, All the Council did was set a timetable of June 2013 Christians—and human rights. for setting a timetable. That is less than was promised—in On banking union, the right hon. Gentleman rightly other words, dither and delay. It is a bit like the Prime makes the point that the protections are set out when Minister’s long-awaited speech on Europe, which has more than four members are outside the banking union. been delayed again. First it was set for his party conference, The new double majority voting is a big breakthrough. then for before the EU budget negotiations. We now The idea that non-eurozone members should have a hear that he has delayed it again until the new year. separate vote on proposals that could be damaging to us is a major breakthrough, and a lot of people said it Of course, never knowingly undersold in his normal would not be possible. If the number of countries modest way, the Prime Minister says that it is okay outside the banking union falls below four, the issue because it is returns to the European Council, where, of course, we “a tantric approach to policy making.” decide things by consensus and would be able to put a Parliament’s answer to Sting sits before us, Mr Speaker. stop to further progress. It is true that they have both fallen out with the Police— The right hon. Gentleman makes his points on growth, [Interruption.] I am sorry; it is Christmas after all. I am but ignores completely that almost every country around sure I speak for the whole House when I say that none the table has immense fiscal challenges and huge budget of us wants to be there to witness the tantric approach. deficits. That is why we focus so much on the things that Perhaps the Prime Minister will answer three simple could help growth in Europe, such as the single market, questions. First, the Foreign Secretary, who is sitting on free trade deals with other parts of the world, deregulation the Front Bench, said on an in/out referendum that and getting costs down, and a good budget deal. “this proposition is the wrong question at the wrong time…It The right hon. Gentleman asked a series of questions would create additional economic uncertainty in this country at a on European positions. I do not think it is right to hold difficult economic time.” an immediate in/out referendum because neither of the I agree with the Foreign Secretary—does the Prime two options is right. That is exactly what the Foreign Minister? Secondly, the Prime Minister said last week: Secretary has said. 569 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 570

[The Prime Minister] in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland has problems, it does not make any difference because we On British business, the Conservative party and the have a proper banking union. They are a long way from Government are working to deliver all the things business that in the European Union. The point I was making is has asked for. I note that, when the Opposition business that these discussions are going to go on for quite some spokesman was asked to name one single business that time, because they involve big issues of national sovereignty, supported Labour, the best he could come up with was so it will take time before they get a banking union. Waheed Alli, whom Labour ennobled about a decade ago. Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): If we are to On European policy, I will not take lectures from a have growth in Europe, we need to have banking reform party that signed up to the bail-out, gave away our veto both to recapitalise the banks and to write off the bad and gave up the social chapter—on each occasion, it got loans and assets. Is there any timetable for raising the absolutely nothing in return. That is the truth of the huge sums that the euro area will need to capitalise its Labour policy, whereas the Conservative party and banks, and when is the ECB going to make the Spanish the Government have delivered. Three months ago, and other weak banks in the system write things down before the three European Councils, we were told, “You’ll to a realistic level so that we can start to trade away have no allies on the European budget, you have no from the disaster? chance of amendments to the banking union, and you’ll be completely isolated on treaty change.” All three The Prime Minister: My right hon. Friend asks an warnings given by the Leader of the Opposition and important question, which reminds me that I did not others have turned out not to be true. answer the former Chancellor’s question about the Spanish banks. There will be opportunities to deal with that, but Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): My right hon. Friend in the light of the way in which this is being structured, says that the EU changes must be done in the right way. further progress will need to be made under the banking At Prime Minister’s questions last Wednesday, he stated union proposals before the sorting out of Spanish banks in reply to me that can take place. Many in the eurozone would argue that all those delays are damaging to the future of the “it is the national parliaments that provide the real democratic eurozone. On bank recapitalisation, stress tests have legitimacy within the European Union.”—[Official Report, 12 December 2012; Vol. 555, c. 291.] been carried out in Europe, although some people argue about their robustness, but that was not the focus However, how is it that, in the European conclusions he of discussion on this occasion. This was not so much signed on Friday, and despite a unanimous European about banking capital as about the process of a banking Scrutiny Committee report calling on him to stand union. firm, the national Parliaments and the European Parliament are stated as being commensurate in respect of EU Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): May I ask the competences? Prime Minister to expand a little on his view of the process towards a democratic, inclusive Syria, given The Prime Minister: I should again make the point that, although probably 70% of Syrians are wholly I made to my hon. Friend on Wednesday. Change in opposed to the Assad regime, about 30%—Christians, Europe cannot go ahead unless it has the support of Alawites and others—are still committed to it? What national Parliaments. Clearly, the European Parliament further efforts are being made with the Russians to try has a role set out in the treaties—whatever one thinks to secure international agreement, however difficult that about that, one cannot ignore it. When it comes to might be, given that Russia’s compliance and consent changes in the eurozone, Angela Merkel going back to will be crucial to an overall settlement? her Parliament matters; when it comes to the European budget, my coming back to this Parliament matters. The Prime Minister: The right hon. Gentleman is That was my point. In Europe, the Parliaments that absolutely right about this. As I explained in my statement, matter are the national ones—this is the Parliament there are two ways in which transition can take place in that matters to me. Syria. One would involve revolution from below, if you like, while the other—which could be faster if everything Mr Alistair Darling (Edinburgh South West) (Lab): I went according to plan—would involve a transition agree with what the Prime Minister said about the from the top, and for that, we need the Russians to banking union. Like so many other things coming out engage. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has of the eurozone, it looks a bit half-baked at the moment. met and spoken to them regularly, and I have discussed Did he get any sense of how much money the banking the issue with President Putin. There was a report on union will have, and where it will get it from? Did he Thursday, while we were in the European Council, that also detect any urgency being applied to sorting out the the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister had made some Spanish banking problem? It looks as though all the interesting remarks about Syria, so we will read those problems that have bedevilled us in 2012 are still going with care. Clearly, everything we can do at the UN and to be there in 2013. with countries such as Russia to put pressure on the Assad regime is worth while. The Prime Minister: The right hon. Gentleman makes an extremely good point. This is not a fully fledged Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) banking union; it is simply the first step in terms of a (LD): Is not one of the lessons from the seven summits single supervisor. A banking union as we in the United of 2012 and the successes of the year—the banking Kingdom would know it would cover the resolution of union that keeps our financial services industry protected, problems in banks and deposit guarantees. If a bank the patent deal that will probably reduce the cost of 571 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 572 getting European patents by 80%, and the trade deals enlargement—we are going to see a greater percentage with Singapore, South Korea, Latin America, Japan of those structural funds go to the relatively poorer and the US that are in the pipeline—that constructive countries of eastern and southern Europe. I think we and pragmatic engagement with our neighbours in the have to understand that when we take part in the European Union is good for the UK, good for Europe, negotiations. good for growth and good for jobs? Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) (Con): The Prime Minister: I would agree with a lot of what On the issue of banking union, I wholly endorse the my right hon. Friend says. I would add to “pragmatic Prime Minister’s view that we were able to secure in engagement” the words “hard-headed”, because in order Brussels the very best deal in the circumstances. Will he to make progress on issues such as the patent court and confirm, however, that the double majority arrangements the single market, we need to negotiate very toughly. now set some sort of precedent for the two-speed Europe These are our key interests, and other countries have that many believe is in the UK’s national interest—on their own. Across the seven Councils, we have made this and related matters? some progress. The Prime Minister: I would make two points in Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Is it conceivable response. I believe it is possible to have different countries that the reason the Prime Minister cannot make his involved in different things within the European Union. European statement that his Deputy Prime Minister I do not particularly like the expression “two-speed”, thinks just the opposite of what he thinks? Is there any which implies that one is racing ahead and the other is chance, now that they have started the practice, not only not, yet in many cases I would argue that not being in of the Prime Minister making a statement but of his the single currency is beneficial for Britain, and not allowing the Deputy Prime Minister to make one as being in the no-borders agreement is right for Britain. well? I know it is nearly Christmas, but I am not against My hon. Friend is absolutely right to say that this was a turmoil in the Tory party or in the coalition. breakthrough negotiation, showing it is possible to have a new set of rules to safeguard those countries that want to stay outside some European institutions. The Prime Minister: Let me wish the hon. Gentleman a happy Christmas. He is a good example of how there is not always a commonality of opinion within a party, Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): I let alone between two different parties. am sorry, but may I press the Prime Minister on his long-awaited European speech? I really do not think he has got it clear. Is it not happening because he does not Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): The events yet know what he wants to say, or because he is not of the past few months have confirmed that Britain has allowed to say what he wants to say? a number of allies in Europe and is not alone, but the case for Europe is drifting. Will the Prime Minister take The Prime Minister: I will be making the speech in an early opportunity to get on the front foot and set out the middle of January—[HON.MEMBERS: “Ah!”] I am his agenda before others fill the vacuum? delighted that Opposition Members are so excited and are looking forward to it. The hon. Lady might have The Prime Minister: I am very happy to do that. My noticed that I have had a number of other things to hon. Friend is right that we have allies in Europe. I note attend to in recent weeks, but I have a feeling—knowing that in this morning’s German newspapers, the leader of her views and the moves she has been making over the the Social Democrats—Labour’s sister party—has accused years as I have watched her in the House—that she may me of having a Faustian pact with the German Chancellor, quite like it. so there we have it. We have a very clear agenda: we have been pushing the single market, pushing for the patent Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): I court, pushing for the free trade deals, pushing for congratulate the Prime Minister on the ground-breaking deregulation, and on every single one of those measures deal for Britain’s financial services that he struck in we have made some big progress this year in Europe. Europe. Does he agree that it is astonishing that Labour Members seem to think it is simply a case of “in or out, Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) and why don’t you get on with it”, when it is far more (PC): The Office for National Statistics reported last important to negotiate a better deal for British taxpayers? week that the GVA—gross value added—output in the My right hon. Friend is absolutely on the right track. communities I represent in west Wales and the valleys is only 65% of the UK average. A cut in European structural The Prime Minister: I thank my hon. Friend for her funding would therefore be disastrous for the communities question. I should say that the banking union agreement I represent. Will the Prime Minister assure my constituents was negotiated not by me but by the Chancellor of the that the British Government will make up the shortfall Exchequer. He deserves the credit for the 5 am finish in in funding for them, based on the British Government’s the negotiations, which safeguarded Britain’s interests. negotiating position on the EU budget? My hon. Friend is right in what she says.

The Prime Minister: I will certainly look carefully at Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I warmly congratulate what the hon. Gentleman said before we return to the the Prime Minister—[Interruption]—it’s all right, don’t European budget issues in February. Frankly, however, worry—on supporting, last week, a step change in the if we want a good deal for Britain in terms of the level development of a common defence and foreign policy of payments we make, we have to accept the fact that for the European Union, especially as we are in the in an enlarged European Union—and we support run-up to the EU Russia summit on Friday. Does it not 573 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 574

[Chris Bryant] Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): May I commend my right hon. Friend on his determination make sense for Europe to approach, in particular, the not to wreck his Christmas by trying to write a speech Russian Federation with a single set of core objectives, on the European Union at the same time? so that we can see a successful set of outcomes? When My right hon. Friend said that we had the Germans or the French have negotiated on their own, everyone has ended up with a bad deal. Now that “agreed a new voting system that means that the eurozone cannot the Americans have introduced a Magnitsky Act, is it impose rules on the countries outside the euro area, such as Britain, without our agreement.” not time that we did the same in this country? Will he confirm that, in saying that, he did not mean The Prime Minister: What I would say to my— that the treaty had been rewritten, or that the single [Laughter.] I am sorry; there is only so much excitement market article was now subject to a different voting that one can take in a single day. What I would say to system, so that anything agreed by the banking union the hon. Gentleman is that I think that one of the could still be put forward by the Commission as a single worthwhile aspects of our engagement in Europe is market proposal to be forced through on a single qualified the ability to discuss issues—whether they relate to the majority vote? situation in Syria or to relations with other powers—and try to reach common positions which maximise the The Prime Minister: I greatly respect my hon. Friend’s influence that we then have. I think it important for the views on and knowledge of this issue. I was not claiming discussions to be held on the basis of unanimity. We do that we had changed the treaty. The point that I was effectively have a veto in this area, but when we can making was that a number of people in the European agree, as we did on Syria and Iran, there can be very Union, including the Commission at one stage, had said powerful consequences. that it was impossible to write new rules to deal with circumstances in which some were in the single currency Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): When will and some were outside it, but we had persevered. We the British people be given their democratic right, namely said “If you want to go ahead with banking union, this a choice in a referendum between being part of a really is essential”, and that is why there is effectively a customs union and being part of a European Union? new system. If more than four countries are outside the banking union, there must be a double majority in favour of a proposal: a majority of those outside, and a The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend has made a very majority of those inside. good, very clear case. He has always held that view. I shall set out in my speech in the middle of January the I am not claiming that we have rewritten the treaties, path that we should take for the future, but let me say or that this is a new treaty change; it is not. However, now to Members in all parts of the House that, as I I think that it is a step forward to deal with a deep tried to explain in my statement, what is happening at problem that Europe will have as the single currency present in the European Union is a process of change, integrates further and those outside it want to ensure driven by what is happening in the eurozone. As a that they are properly protected. number of Members have pointed out, it is quite a slow process at the moment, but I believe that at some stage Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): I am one of it will speed up radically. When we discover that we those who very strongly take the view that Greece, really do need greater elements of banking union, fiscal Spain and Italy can recover economically only if they union and other co-ordination, a greater treaty change leave the euro and recreate their own currencies and will be proposed within Europe, and I think that that have their own interest rates. Was there any private will give us an opportunity to secure the fresh settlement discussion about the effect of the imminent departure that we want. of Signor Monti and the re-entry into front-line politics of Signor Berlusconi on the future of Italy in the euro? Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): Is there still an EU arms embargo? It has been reported that France is already supplying equipment to some opposition The Prime Minister: There was not any open discussion groups, and at the same time this country is providing about that issue, although I understand that Signor non-lethal equipment. What exactly is going to happen? Berlusconi was in Brussels on the day of the European What kind of equipment will we be providing? Given Council. My view is that these are issues for the countries that Qatar and Turkey are already arming the more in question. We can all have our views about the economic extreme jihadist groups, is this an argument for rebalancing position of these countries, or indeed the political choices within the Syrian national coalition? they make, but in the end, if we believe in democracy, we have to allow the Greek, Italian and Spanish voters to elect Governments who reflect their views. That is the The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman has made a way it has to work. number of important points. On the first part of his question, I have seen no evidence that any European Union powers have broken the arms embargo. We certainly Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): I warmly would not do that; it would be wrong and illegal. I think welcome the commencement of free trade talks between it is worth looking at the embargo and asking how we the EU and Japan. That is of vital importance to can best work with the parts of the Syrian opposition Honda workers in my constituency, and does it not that want a proper transition to a free and democratic also demonstrate the continuing importance of our Syria. The hon. Gentleman made that point in his own membership of the EU in extending free trade across question. the world? 575 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 576

The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important we make as the EU develops. As I have just argued, I point, and I very much enjoyed visiting the Honda think the real changes in the EU will not come in the plant in his constituency and hearing for myself how next year. As the Leader of the Opposition said in his important the people there believe a free trade agreement response, the time-bound road map still has quite a long with Japan would be. The automotive industry in Britain way to run, and such road maps have a habit of not is a success story. Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Jaguar entirely sticking to the time set. Land Rover are all doing well. They are doing well because of the highly trained and motivated work force Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Does my right here in Britain, of course, but also because we are hon. Friend agree that the explicit protection for the members of the single market and have the ability to sell single market agreed at the European Council makes it into Europe. We should remember that. easier for those countries that want to have closer integration to integrate and those that want a looser Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op): relationship with Europe to have one? The Prime Minister has said his policy on Europe is modelled on the “tantric” approach. Given the different, The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important and increasingly bizarre, positions of some members of point. What I have spotted over the past seven European his Government on Europe, can he confirm that his Councils is that although to begin with, I was the lone final speech will be based on the “Kama Sutra”? voice always going on about the integrity of the single market—I have a bit of a reputation, dare I say it, for The Prime Minister: In my defence, my remarks were boring on about it in European Councils—a number of spontaneous and made in an unwritten speech, whereas other European leaders, including Mario Monti, now the hon. Gentleman actually planned those comments. see the importance of talking at all stages about safeguarding the integrity of the market. Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): I should like to reassure the Prime Minister that for the Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab): Does the Prime sake of consistency we had a toast to him in Somerset at Minister plan any tantrums or walk-outs from European the weekend, but I am afraid there is a “but” on this Council meetings in the near future? Or will he give a occasion, which is that agreement to the single supervisory commitment to be there at all times, ensuring that he mechanism was by unanimity, but the rules for voting upholds the British national interest? on the European Banking Authority can be changed by qualified majority voting. I therefore wonder whether the Prime Minister has got enough from these negotiations, The Prime Minister: I am always there upholding the and whether we ought to repatriate financial services national interest. I have never walked out of a room, regulation powers. but I have on occasion said no and I think that is sometimes the purpose of a Prime Minister. The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important point, but I am not sure that I agree with him. The Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con): My right hon. banking union changes went through under a treaty Friend said in his statement that there are “questions of article that requires unanimity. That was good for Britain, national sovereignty”and that this will “alter the European because it gave us the ability to insist on the changes we Union for all of us”. Are there any debates in public needed and to get the safeguards we wanted. I believe, about this newly created eurozone? What animal will be however, that the single market, and qualified majority created and what national sovereignties will be lost? We voting on the single market, has helped to deepen and need to know the being of which we are part. develop that single market. That is why Margaret Thatcher passed the Single European Act through this House. We The Prime Minister: The point I would make to my want to have an effective single market in financial hon. Friend is that there are clearly lively and vigorous services. This country has 40% of Europe’s financial debates in eurozone countries, because they are at the services industry, and we have to fight for it and build sharp end and can see absolutely that there is a battle alliances for it. There are often frustrations in doing so, over national sovereignty, how much say they will have but having a single market in financial services is good over setting their own budgets and how much of those for Britain. budgets will be determined by the European Commission. Part of what was discussed by the eurozone at the Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): Some very important Council was effectively a set of future contracts whereby decisions will be taken in the EU over the next couple of countries might have to enter into a contract with the years, but the Government’s review of the competences European Commission about their future budgets. There is not expected to report back in full until 2014. How is a very live debate in those countries. We are not in the will that impact on the UK’s current negotiating position? eurozone, so we are not affected by those contracts, but my argument is that change in the eurozone has knock-on The Prime Minister: The hon. Lady asks an important effects for the organisation of which we are a full question, but I think the timing is relatively helpful. It is member and that is why it is so important for us to sensible for Britain to have a balance of competences consider these issues. review, given how long we have been a member of this organisation. Let us go through the areas of competence— Mr Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley) (Lab): But when those inside and those outside the European Union—and will the Prime Minister ask the European Council to ask in each case whether we benefit, what the problems investigate widespread and endemic corruption in the are, and what the potential opportunities are, and reach European Union, as well as endemic fraud, the fact that a proper view about them. That will inform the decisions billions are being thrown down the drain and that 577 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 578

[Mr Ronnie Campbell] right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Friends of Syria group. The Kurds have now joined the Syrian accounts have not been signed off for 18 years? What national coalition. sort of organisation is that to come to us, the British people, and ask us to pay more money in to it? Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): I noticed that in the Prime Minister’s statement nothing was said The Prime Minister: I have a lot of sympathy with about recent events between the Israelis and the Palestinians. what the hon. Gentleman says. Europe has been too Was there any discussion of that situation, particularly loose with its money: it has not been properly audited about sanctions, and more importantly, the two-state and there has been too much fraud and, as he says, solution? potentially corruption. On the budget negotiations, the European Commission is having to accept for the first The Prime Minister: There was not a specific discussion time that its ambitions for spending in Europe are at the Council of the middle east peace process. We were completely unrealistic, not only for spending on focused particularly on Syria; there was also a discussion programmes, but, as it is beginning to see, for spending about future enlargement. There was not a big discussion on itself, too. about the middle east peace process. Our position is clear, as the hon. Gentleman knows; we support the Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I congratulate two-state solution and everything we do should be the Prime Minister on putting off his speech about encouraging it to come about. Europe. It is clear to me that it is a most important speech and it is better to put it off and get it right. We Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): Talking had a little hint today, Mr Speaker, when he said for the about membership of the European Union, did the first time that he was against an immediate in/out Prime Minister pick up, although no doubt it was not referendum and I think the British people can wait until on the formal agenda, whether or not an independent January for their Christmas present. Scotland would have to reapply to join, and if so, whether it would have to join the euro? The Prime Minister: I am not sure that I will be able satisfy my hon. Friend or, indeed, the other members of The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important his household, but I will try my best. As I have tried to point. There was no formal discussion, but the issue explain this afternoon, the change process in Europe was discussed in the margins, as it were, because a requires some tactical and strategic patience in the UK number of countries take an interest in it. The letter to see how that change will pan out so that we can get from José Manuel Barroso is pretty clear: Scotland our response to it right. That will be the time at which would have to apply to join the European Union. Obviously, we will have the maximum amount of influence: when Britain is the only country that has a legal, binding, Europe is making big changes itself. copper-bottom opt-out from the euro. All the other Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): In countries, by and large, are committed to join the euro— answer to a previous question, the Prime Minister said [Interruption.] And Schengen, as the hon. Gentleman that he is in favour of the expansion of the European says. That is important for the Scottish debate. Union. How big does he want the European Union to get and what are the implications for the movement of Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): The Prime Minister populations across Europe? said that Syria is attracting and empowering elements linked to al-Qaeda, presumably to help the Government The Prime Minister: I would argue in favour of, as side. What evidence does he have for that? some would put it, a Europe that extends from the Atlantic to the Urals and includes all those countries The Prime Minister: Tragically, the elements that are that are currently applying, such as the countries of the linked to al-Qaeda are actually linked to elements of the western Balkans—I would very much like to see Macedonia opposition. There is strong evidence that groups such as and others become members of the European Union. the al-Nusra front take an unacceptable view about One of the European Union’s greatest successes has Islamic extremism. There are very real concerns about been that countries wanting to join have entrenched the issue, which lead to the argument about how involved their democracy and their belief in open and free markets. we should get with the Syrian opposition. There is a It has been a very successful policy in that regard. strong argument that by being more involved with Britain has always argued for enlargement and we should like-minded allies we could try to support the elements continue to do that. We should always put in place of the Syrian opposition that most want to see a free, transitional controls, which I am afraid the last Government democratic and inclusive Syria. failed to do. Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): Given Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): Many Syrians the push for ever-closer union in the eurozone, does the will welcome robust European support for the mainstream Prime Minister believe that the status quo for Britain— opposition, but will the EU, like the UK Government, outside the eurozone but inside the EU—has a viable urge the involvement of Kurdish as well as Alawite long-term future? Christian and other minorities in opposition councils. That seems vital for future peace. The Prime Minister: The short answer is yes. The European Union is going to have to manage with some The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a vital countries that are in the eurozone, some countries that point; we should be encouraging an inclusive transitional are not in the eurozone and are pretty unlikely to join authority, as we have done in all the meetings of my for a pretty considerable time and some countries, such 579 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 580 as Britain, that in my view will never join. When we capital spending in the immediate years, and also taken look at opinion polls in the Czech Republic or Sweden, some difficult decisions on welfare spending—decisions or in some other countries outside the eurozone, there is which I know the hon. Gentleman’s party is unprepared no sign of them joining the euro any time soon, so to support—to make sure that we can focus on those Europe will have to manage in that way. My argument is things that will help with growth. But when we look that it needs to be flexible now, and perhaps even more across Europe, we can see that because we set out a flexible in the future, so that all countries can be content long-term plan for getting on top of the problems in with the membership they have. our public finances, we are able to take it in reasonable stages and at a reasonable pace—one of the advantages Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): When the Prime of not being trapped in a system where we are told what Minister finally delivers his long-delayed speech on to do by the European Commission. Europe, will it be the policy of the UK Government that he sets out, or will it be the policy of part of the Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con): I refer the Prime UK Government excluding the Education Secretary, Minister to an earlier question about certain countries the policy of part of the UK Government excluding the adopting their own currencies. He said that if we believe Liberal Democrats or the policy of part of the Conservative in democracy, the right decision will be made. Does he party—or will it just be his own personal opinion? agree that there is no democracy in this federalist state at all? Does he also agree that true democracy can only The Prime Minister: I am so pleased the hon. Gentleman be the repatriation of all the powers to sovereign countries? is looking forward to my speech. He will obviously read it very closely, which will be worth while. Clearly, this The Prime Minister: The point that I was trying to country has some choices to make about Europe within make in response to the earlier question is that we have this Parliament, and we have already made some big to respect the outcomes of elections in other countries. choices. We have said no to more powers being passed In Greece elections have been held. In Spain elections from Westminster to Brussels, and unlike the previous have been held. We may think that those countries have Government, there have been no powers passed. We taken the wrong decisions with respect to the euro or have said let us get some powers, such as the bail-out whatever, but those are decisions for them to take, not powers, back from Brussels, and we have got those for us to take. We in this country, through this House of back. We have said let us get a better financial deal, and Commons elected by the British people, should determine I am confident that we will get a far better financial deal the right approach for Britain, but I do not think it is than anything negotiated by the Opposition. But of possible to say that we have a right in this House to course there will be a choice for all political parties, the decide the right approach for Greece, Spain or Italy. We hon. Gentleman’s included. As the eurozone changes, may have strong views, but the idea that we can go to as Europe develops, there will be a choice to make in the the European Council and just tell all those people that run-up to the 2015 election to set out how we are going they are not listening properly to their own publics is to take the British people with us to make sure that we incredible. get the best future for Britain in Europe. Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): Is it not the reality Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): After the last European that the Prime Minister has not made his long-awaited Council, the Prime Minister indicated that he favoured speech because he is the head of a party that is entirely an in/in referendum. Further to the point from my hon. ungovernable on Europe? Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone), in reply to which the Prime Minister seemed to oppose an immediate in/out referendum, may we take it that he The Prime Minister: No, I completely disagree. The now supports an in/out referendum, perhaps in the next Conservative party’s position is absolutely in line with Parliament? If he does introduce that policy, I can the position of the British public, which is that we know assure him that he will have a great deal of support we need to be in the single market because we are a from those on the Government Benches and also from trading nation and our businesses benefit and our economy the public at large. benefits from that, but we are not happy with every element of our membership of the European Union. The Prime Minister: I am grateful, as ever, for my Unlike the Labour party, which just caved in, gave in on hon. Friend’s advice, which is always candid and common agricultural policy reform, gave in on the straightforward. I will make sure that he gets a copy of rebate, gave in on the bail-out, we are prepared to stand my speech in the middle of January and he will able to up and get what we want. study it closely. Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon) (Con): Reform, Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): The for most EU states, seems to be focused on banking Council conclusions call upon member states to pursue reform, but for many of us this extends to cutting waste “growth-friendly, fiscal consolidation”. Does the Prime and spending, CAP reform, and repatriation of powers—all Minister accept that with our economy shrinking this things which will certainly be thrown into the reckoning year, the eurozone economy predicted to shrink next in an in/out referendum or indeed any kind of referendum, year, and 25 million people across the EU out of work, so could my right hon. Friend explain how these wider the plan is not working over there and it certainly is not issues are being addressed by the European Council working here? members?

The Prime Minister: I think the reference to growth- The Prime Minister: In terms of the UK, I think that friendly consolidation is right. That is why, for instance, the balance of competences review is a good exercise for in the autumn statement, we have put more money into looking at all our engagement with Europe and its costs 581 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 582

[The Prime Minister] views on that, but we have to allow them to make that determination. The point I would make, having attended and benefits. Within the European Union, all those these things for two and a half years, is that we should issues are addressed and different countries come to not underestimate the sense of mission that those European different conclusions. We should not be frightened of countries and leaders have about their own currency standing up and saying very clearly what we think is in and wanting to make it work. Britain’s interests. Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): In supporting Mr Speaker: I fear that the Annunciator is rather my right hon. Friend’s struggle for British interests and, over-excited. I can assume only that it has not yet become in particular, his identification of the crisis in the eurozone accustomed, as I have not, to the spectacle of the hon. as the key driver for change, may I urge him to put free Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) using an iPad in the movement of labour at the top of the issues for potential Chamber. It is quite a remarkable state of affairs on renegotiation because, as a number of Members on the which he is, of course, to be congratulated. Government Benches, including the Front Bench, have pointed out, it might not be only the recent entrants Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I ask the Prime with whom we have problems if the crisis in southern Minister: on actual, tangible economic growth, how is it Europe worsens over the next year or two? going? The Prime Minister: I will look carefully at what my The Prime Minister: In the last quarter the British hon. Friend has said. Clearly, the freedoms of the economy grew by 1%, the fastest growth of any major European Union—the freedom to trade, free movement country in the European Union. Clearly, though, right of capital and free movement of people—have all been across Europe there are immense growth challenges. important in trying to deliver the economic growth and The eurozone is back in recession. What we see with the success we want to see. I will make two points. First, British economy, despite all the difficulties, is that there when new members have joined we have been able to are over 1 million extra people in private sector jobs put in place transitional controls, and in my view we compared with when we came into office. should always do that. Secondly—this was examined when there was a greater sense of crisis in the eurozone— Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): A few weeks ago I there are rules that can be invoked in a time of crisis if held a conference with my local small and medium-sized we need to abrogate those freedoms in some way. enterprises, along with UK Trade & Investment, focusing on increasing exports. Will my right hon. Friend say Gavin Shuker (Luton South) (Lab/Co-op): Can the a little more on how he has been able to protect small Prime Minister ever imagine Britain leaving the EU? and medium-sized enterprises from unnecessary and burdensome European regulation? The Prime Minister: That is not a position I support, so I do not spend my time thinking about it, but clearly The Prime Minister: What we have managed to do is all futures for Britain are imaginable—we are in charge get the European Commission not only to instruct—it of our own destiny and can make our own choices. I is quite fond of doing this—other European countries believe that the choice we should make is to stay in the to look at deregulation, but to look at its own rules and European Union, to be a member of the single market regulations. I think that it is quite striking that the and to maximise our impact in Europe, but when we are communiqué, the Council conclusions, actually uses the unhappy with parts of the relationship we should not word “scrap” in relation to some European regulations, be frightened of standing up and saying so. As I have particularly those that are no longer of use. The Europe said, we have got out of the bail-out power. I think that Minister, who is sitting next to me, is gesticulating we made a mistake joining the social chapter. We should because he knows that getting the bureaucrats in Brussels be prepared to have these discussions. The fact that we to use a word like “scrap” is an achievement. are not in the Schengen agreement is not a disaster for Britain; it is a bonus for Britain. The fact that we are not John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab): Will the in the single currency is not a disaster for Britain; it is a process of increasing centralisation and integration, bonus for Britain. That is the sort of Europe we should which the Prime Minister mentioned at the beginning of be pushing for. his statement, lead inevitably to a loss of democratic accountability, and what future implications will that Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): Ahead of my have for the security of democracy in many western right hon. Friend’s speech on Europe, and given his very European countries? busy schedule to which he referred, may I, in the spirit of Christmas, offer him a helping hand on his Europe The Prime Minister: I think that the hon. Gentleman speech and say that I will be fully available all over the makes an important point. It is for those countries that Christmas holidays? are contemplating that integration and that loss of sovereignty to answer that question. I would not be The Prime Minister: That is an alluring prospect, and comfortable with it, as someone who believes in the I am sure that many hands will make light work. importance of national Parliaments, national democracy and national decision making, but it is for Greek voters Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I thank the Prime and politicians and Spanish voters and politicians to Minister for his statement. I refer him to the growth and have that debate themselves. Are they content to give up competitiveness part of it and the sentence about “new that much sovereignty in return for a single currency safeguards that will protect the interests of those countries that works? That is their decision. We can all have our outside the eurozone.” The United Kingdom of Great 583 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 584

Britain and Northern Ireland has strong economic and Union military command headquarters, particularly as trading contact with the Commonwealth countries. Will five major nations in Europe want it to be established, he assure this House that the historic trading links with and I do not think we do? the Commonwealth will be encouraged to continue and grow within Europe? The Prime Minister: I am happy to repeat that we are against the idea of an operational headquarters. This The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman makes an came up again tangentially at the European Council, important point. Half our trade is with the European with some attempts to change the language about what Union, but the other half is with countries outside the was required, and I said that that was not acceptable. European Union. In recent years we have obviously The focus of the European Council conclusions is rightly seen very fast growth in that trade with some of the about capacity. We are all interested in European countries fast-growing BRIC countries—the Brazils, the Russias, having greater capacity to deal with these issues, but we the Indias and the Chinas—but we also have very do not want duplication of headquarters and challenges strong relations with our Commonwealth partners. We to NATO. should be encouraging our trade relations with all those countries. There is also the EU-Canada free trade Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): May I welcome agreement, which is under negotiation and could bring the Prime Minister’s very clear statement that we will real benefits to both sides. never support a European army? In an increasingly multi-polar and fast-changing world, and given his Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): answer to the question about Commonwealth trading, Will the Prime Minister comment on reports that Turkey does he agree that it would also be against Britain’s has made a new proposal to Russia for a transition in interests as a trading nation to give up its independent Syria? foreign policy and support a full common foreign policy?

The Prime Minister: Discussions are always under The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important way between the leading powers who are concerned point. I think we can have the best of both worlds, about the future of Syria. Obviously both Turkey and where we work with European partners to have common Russia play quite influential roles in terms of this issue, positions on issues such as sanctions against Iran or and everything we can do to encourage contact, particularly Syria, which can maximise our potential and our influence; with the Russians, to encourage them to think about but, at the same time, we are an independent power and how we can achieve a transition in Syria is worth while. are able to have independent policies and forge independent relations with some of the fastest growing countries of the world, and we should continue to do that. Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): I refer the House to my declaration of interest. Was Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): Will the Prime there any discussion at the Council about co-operation Minister clarify whether, if he does not get his preferred with China to accelerate the reductions in cost in a position on renegotiation, he would consider leaving transition to a low-carbon economy? Will the Prime the European Union? Minister meet me and other members of GLOBE UK to discuss this issue? The Prime Minister: As I have said, I think that Britain will do best if we can maintain not just our The Prime Minister: There were no discussions about access to the single market, but, crucially, our ability to our relations with China on this occasion, nor were help set the rules of that single market. That is where I there discussions on energy policy, which take place at part company with those people who want to leave different European Councils, but I am always happy to altogether, because it seems to me that it is absolutely meet my hon. Friend and hear his concerns. vital that a nation that is as reliant on trade and that is as open as Britain does not just have access to those Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): My right hon. Friend markets, but helps write the rules of those markets as will be aware of the idea that in future City of London well. That is the future we should seek. traders could deal in yen and in dollars but perhaps not in euros. Do the safeguards that he won in Europe Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): I praise my protect the City of London from that risk? right hon. Friend for raising the issue of the EU defence policy, because there is confusion and duplication in The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important relation to command and control. I have seen the operations point. There have been moments over previous years in the horn of Africa, for example, which has the EU’s when it looked as though, because of a location policy, Operation Atlanta and NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield. it would have been possible to say that Britain could With that in mind, is he concerned, like me, about the clear deals in pounds, in yen and in dollars but not in proliferation of costly EU embassies, which are popping euros. As a member of the European Union, which is up all over the planet? about free trade and a single market, this would have been a ridiculous state of affairs. The guarantee that The Prime Minister: On the issue of the embassies of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor secured on a the European External Action Service, we in this party no-discrimination policy takes us largely down the road did not support them in the first place. We should limit we want to be on. them and try to make them as cost-effective as possible. There is always a risk of potential duplication, which Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Will my right hon. is why Britain and the other strong supporters of NATO Friend reaffirm his position with regard to the European should always stand up firmly and say that we do not 585 European Council17 DECEMBER 2012 European Council 586

[The Prime Minister] Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): Does the Prime Minister agree that a banking union want costly bureaucracies and new headquarters that should never be able to ride roughshod over those are all about flags and politics. Obviously, however, we outside the eurozone? want other European countries to step up to the plate with greater capacity, so that in areas such as the horn The Prime Minister: I do agree with my hon. Friend. of Africa or Kosovo we are able to get the effect that we A banking union is necessary for the countries of the need on the ground. single currency. As I have said, we have a single currency in the pound and there is a banking union between Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): One of the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The many problems arising from our membership of the countries with the single currency need a banking union, European Union is that UK businesses are burdened but it should not ride roughshod over others. That is with rules and regulations from Brussels that hinder why it is important not only that we are outside the their ability to compete in the global race that my right banking union, but that we have secured the voting hon. Friend rightly says we are in. To follow on from the rules so that the “outs” have a say over things that could point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley affect them. (Henry Smith), paragraph 18 of the Council conclusions refers to reducing the regulatory burdens from Brussels. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): Realistically, however, what cuts in red tape does my In response to an earlier question, my right hon. Friend right hon. Friend expect to be proposed when the said that he believes it will take a considerable time for matter is next brought before the Council in March next the eurozone countries to negotiate full fiscal union. year? Given the acuteness of the eurozone crisis, does he really believe that they will have the luxury of having The Prime Minister: What I hope for is that we will the time that they need? put pressure on the Commission between now and March to come up with a serious list of European The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend asks a good directives and regulations that can be radically amended question. Because of the success of the European Central or cut. We are doing that in the UK through the Bank in calming the markets, there is perhaps less regulatory changes being led by the Government—we pressure on the eurozone countries to take the steps that have identified about 3,000 regulations to get rid of—and many analysts believe they need to take. The reason why we want the same process to take place in Brussels. I I think it will take time is that these are difficult issues mentioned paragraph 18 earlier. It says: for sovereign countries. As I have said, one issue that was discussed only in outline form at the Council was “The European Council welcomes the proposals by the Commission to reduce regulatory burdens and scrap regulations the idea of contracts between Governments and the that are no longer of use”. European Commission. I do not know how such contracts will go down in other European countries, but I suspect I do not think that the word “scrap” has ever appeared that they would go down rather badly if we proposed in European Council conclusions before and I am rather them here. These are difficult issues that it will take time proud to be the person who put it there. to discuss. We need to think about that as we calibrate our response. Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): Was my right hon. Friend able to raise with his fellow leaders the question Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): Anders Borg, of the fulfilment of the pledges they made to international the Swedish Finance Minister, said that when the financial development in 2005? transaction tax was introduced in Sweden, “between 90%-99% of traders in bonds, equities and derivatives The Prime Minister: We did not discuss international moved out of Stockholm to London”. development at this Council, because it was largely What steps has the Prime Minister taken to ensure that about the eurozone, but we did discuss briefly the effect we do not find that such a tax is imposed in the UK, of European aid, particularly in Syria, where Britain is which is what the Labour party wants, and that our playing a key role, as is the EU, with its aid budget, traders do not all go to New York and Zurich? which is making sure that we ease the scale of the humanitarian crisis, and that is good and important The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important work. point. Anders Borg is an excellent Finance Minister. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and I work very Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): Better tantric closely with him. I believe that if a financial transactions than premature—we have all seen where that got the tax is not introduced simultaneously around the world, Leader of the Opposition on Leveson. We are waiting the transactions will just go to the lowest-cost destinations. breathlessly for my right hon. Friend’s speech in mid- That is why it is totally self-defeating. The European January. Will he include in it a statement on the impact Commission’s own piece of work on such a tax showed on employment in this country of an influx of Bulgarian that it would cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and and Romanian workers? millions of pounds of revenue, not just in the UK, which has a large financial services industry, but in the The Prime Minister: Given my hon. Friend’s medical rest of Europe. background, I think that I will leave all such remarks to her and not make them myself. She makes an important Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Prior to the point about the end of transitional controls. Obviously, entry of a large number of eastern European countries I will look at that issue carefully. to the EU a few years ago, the previous Government 587 European Council 17 DECEMBER 2012 588 made the hideously inaccurate forecast that just 13,000 Points of Order eastern Europeans a year would come to our shores. The total is now 1.5 million and rising. Next Christmas, 4.43 pm the transitional controls for Bulgaria and Romania will Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab): On a point cease, but the Home Office has refused to make an of order, Mr Speaker. Last Thursday, the Secretary of estimate—on the principle of once bitten, twice shy—of State for Wales attended an event at Airbus in my how many people will come to our shores. Have the constituency. He did not have the good grace to advise Bulgarian or Romanian Governments apprised the Prime me of it. I know that he has one of the busiest jobs in Minister of their estimates of how many of their citizens government, but do you agree that he should advise may be coming our way? Members when he goes on such visits?

The Prime Minister: To answer my hon. Friend directly, Mr Speaker: Yes. Visits on official business are subject I have not asked those Governments for an estimate. He to the requirement of advance disclosure to the Member is right to say that the transitional controls are coming whose constituency is affected. The busyness of a Minister off and that the previous forecasts were wrong. I will is not a material factor. Often, these very busy, senior discuss this important issue with the Home Secretary in and respected Ministers have a significant number of the months ahead. people available to help them. We will leave it there for today. Mr Speaker: I thank the Prime Minister, the Leader Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab) rose— of the Opposition and all 58 Back Benchers who questioned the Prime Minister. Mr Speaker: The day would not be complete without a point of order from the hon. Gentleman. Chris Bryant: Well, I have not had one for quite a while, Mr Speaker. Youmay have noticed that on occasion Ministers make speeches outside the House. We have no notice of them until we read about them in The Telegraph, but sometimes they are important developments of new policy. We now know for a certain fact that the Prime Minister will make a speech on Europe in the new year, and I think it will probably have some policy in it. Would it not be a good idea if that speech were made in the House rather than anywhere else? Mr Speaker: I think the new year will bring new challenges, and it would be wise to embark on them then, but not now. In the hallowed words of the late Lord Whitelaw, “I generally find that it is better to cross bridges only when I get to them.” [Laughter.] Chris Bryant: How will they put that in Hansard? Mr Speaker: I don’t know, and I cannot very well ask Lord Whitelaw, I am afraid, but we will have to make do for today. 589 17 DECEMBER 2012 590

Growth and Infrastructure Bill Growth and Infrastructure Bill (Programme) (No. 2) Consideration of Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Motion made, and Question proposed, Committee. That the Order of 5 November 2012 (Growth and Infrastructure Bill (Programme)) be varied as follows: New Clause 5 1. Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Order shall be omitted. PURPOSE OF PLANNING 2. Proceedings on consideration shall be taken in the order ‘In Part 2 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 shown in the first column of the following Table. insert— 3. The proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) “13A The Purpose of Planning be brought to a conclusion at today’s sitting at the times specified in the second column of the Table. (1) The purpose of the planning system is to positively promote the long term spatial organisation of land in order to TABLE achieve sustainable development. Time for conclusion of (2) In the Planning Act 2008, sustainable development means Proceedings proceedings managing the use, development and protection of land and natural resources in a way, or at a rate, which enables people New Clauses other than new 5.45 pm. and communities to provide for their legitimate social, economic Clauses standing in the name and cultural wellbeing while sustaining the potential of future of a Minister of the Crown; generations to meet their own needs by respecting environmental amendments to Clause 1; limits. amendments to Schedule 1; amendments to Clauses 2 to 5. (3) In achieving sustainable development, planning should— Amendments to Clause 6; 7.00 pm. (a) positively identify suitable land for development in line amendments to Schedule 2; with the economic, social and environmental objectives amendments to Clauses 7 to 9; so as to improve the quality of life, wellbeing and amendments to Schedule 3; health of people and communities; amendments to Clauses 10 to (b) contribute to sustainable economic development; 12. (c) protect and enhance the natural and historic environment Amendments to Clause 25; 9.00 pm. and quality of existing communities and the countryside; amendments to Clauses 13 (d) ensure long term sustainable patterns of resource use; and 14; amendments to (e) positively promote civic beauty through high quality Schedule 4; amendments to and inclusive design; and Clauses 15 to 17; new Clauses (f) ensure the planning system is open, transparent, participative standing in the name of a and accountable.”.’.—(Roberta Blackman-Woods.) Minister of the Crown and related to Clause 18; Brought up, and read the First time. amendments to Clauses 18 to 23; new Clauses standing in 4.47 pm the name of a Minister of the Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab): I Crown and related to Clause beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. 24; amendments to Clause 24; amendments to Clauses 26 to Mr Speaker: With this it will be convenient to discuss 30; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on consideration. the following: New clause 6—Local powers to establish permitted 4. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at today’s sitting at 10.00 pm. development rights— —(Michael Fallon.) ‘(1) Section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is amended as follows. 4.46 pm (2) In subsection (3) after second “order”, insert “issued by the local planning authority”. Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab): (3) After subsection (3) insert— The House will see that we have a large number of amendments and a very short time in which to debate “(3A) Where a local planning authority proposes to make an them, and I do not want to eat into that time any order under this section it shall first prepare— further by saying any more at the moment or opposing (a) a draft of the order; and the programme motion. (b) a statement of its reasons for making the order. (3B) The statement of reasons shall contain— Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): Excellent. (a) a description of the development which the order would permit; and Mr Speaker: Somebody says “Excellent”. [Interruption.] (b) a plan or statement identifying the land to which the Oh, it was the hon. Member for New Forest East order would relate. (Dr Lewis). We are grateful to him for his views. (3C) Where a local planning authority has prepared a draft local development order, it shall consult, in accordance with Question put and agreed to. regulations, persons whose interests it considers would be affected by the order.”.’. New clause 7—Town and Country Planning Act 1990 pre-application case oversight— ‘Section 74 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (Directions etc. as to method of dealing with applications) is amended by the addition of the following paragraph at the end of subsection (1). 591 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 592

“(g) for requiring the local planning authority, in relation “(ba) the cumulative effect of development consents on to a proposed application for planning permission the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change for development of a type prescribed by the order, to set out in the report published by the Secretary of oversee (including by the giving of advice and State under section 13A;”. opinions) the preparations and consultation being (4) In section 105, at the end add— made and carried out by the applicant in relation to the proposed application, requiring the applicant and “(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(ba), the reference to any other person specified by the order to participate the report published by the Secretary of State under section 13A in the oversight arrangements made by the local means the last report published under that section.”.’. planning authority, including by attendance at Amendment 42, page 1, line 2, leave out clause 1. pre-application hearings conducted by or on behalf of the authority, and requiring the payment of fees Government amendment 5. by the applicant for the oversight arrangements for a Amendment 43, page 36, line 2, leave out schedule 1. maximum period to be set out in regulations.”.’. Amendment 49, in clause 8, page 10, line 31, leave out New clause 8—Pre-application stage of major infrastructure regime— ‘economic growth in the United Kingdom’ ‘Section 51 of the Planning Act 2008 (Advice for potential and insert applicants and others) is amended by the addition at the end of ‘sustainable development and economic growth in the United the following subsection— Kingdom through the Government’s broadband programme.’. “(5) Regulations under subsection (3) may also make provision Government amendment 6. for the oversight (including the giving of advice and opinions) by a person appointed by the Secretary of State of the preparations Government new clause 3—Variation and replacement being made by an applicant in relation to a proposed application of pre-Planning Act 2008 consents. and the applicant’s compliance with the provisions of this Part Government amendments 7 to 21, 33 and 34. and those having effect under it, and in doing so the regulations may require the applicant and any other person to participate in the oversight arrangements made by the person appointed by the Roberta Blackman-Woods: The Minister will know Secretary of State, including by attendance at case management that some time was spent in Committee debating the conferences, and the payment of fees by the applicant and for a true purpose of clause 1 and its inherent anti-localist, maximum period to be set out in regulations.”.’. centralising agenda. We sought to test whether the New clause 9—Consents under Electricity Act 1989: Government had intended to produce a clause that powers of the Welsh Ministers— would enable major planning discussions and decisions ‘(1) The Electricity Act 1989 is amended as follows. in designated authorities to be taken by the Secretary of State—usually by the Planning Inspectorate on his behalf— (2) After section 36C insert— thus significantly reducing the influence that local people “36D Consents under section 36 relating to generating have on planning decisions affecting their area. stations in Wales Astonishingly, that did seem to be their intention. Their In relation to generating stations in Wales, sections 36 to 36C love affair with localism seems to have been short-lived. and Schedule 8 (so far as it relates to sections 36 to 36C) have effect as if references to the Secretary of State were references to A second major issue in Committee was the nature of the Welsh Ministers.”.’. the designation itself, whether the criteria to be used New clause 11—Infrastructure requirement— were fair and whether the Government should be going ‘(1) Section 39 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase down the route of designation at all. If their purpose is Act 2004 (sustainable development) is amended as follows. really to improve decision making in local authorities, (2) After subsection (2) insert— that does not appear to be the appropriate or sensible route. “(2A) The person or body must exercise the function with the objective of identifying that there is, or will be, sufficient We were somewhat hampered by the fact that the infrastructure to support new development that is proposed in consultation document relating to the designation of a development plan document, or in a subsequent revision to a failing planning authorities appeared only a very short development plan document.”. time—in fact, less than an hour—before the Committee (3) In subsection (3) omit “subsection (2)” and insert commenced discussion of clause 1. Since then, we have “subsections (2) and (2A)”. had the opportunity to consider the document in more (4) After subsection (3) insert— detail. Unfortunately, the consultation document does “(4) In this section ‘infrastructure’ has the same meaning as in not make happy reading, and I feel that I need to urge section 216 of the Planning Act 2008.”.’. local authorities and others to respond to it by 17 January. New clause 12—Cumulative effects of development An authority’s track record of speed is to be measured consents on climate change— over a two-year period, based on the percentage of ‘(1) The Planning Act 2008 is amended as follows. major applications determined within statutory limits, (2) After section 13 (legal challenges relating to national policy and quality is to be measured by the percentage of statements) insert— decisions on major applications that are overturned on “13A Cumulative effects appeal. Both criteria have their problems, but overall the approach seems to be a sledgehammer to crack a (1) The Secretary of State shall publish on 6 April each year a report setting out the cumulative effect of development consents nut. As we know, application of the first will draw in granted under this Act on the mitigation of, and adaptation to, only a handful of authorities—even then, we are not climate change. sure how many—and the second none at all. (2) A statement designated under section 5 must contain a The Minister knows there is no evidence base for the statement to the effect that it is the Secretary of State’s view that measures in the clause, and they could put additional the requirement of subsection (1) is ratified.”.’. pressures on local authorities to agree to applications (3) In section 105 (decisions in cases where no national policy that, on balance, they might have refused. We know that statement has effect), after subsection (2)(b), insert— is the case because of what happened in Committee. 593 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 594

[Roberta Blackman-Woods] on the clause would lead us. We are saying that we need to define what requiring local authorities “to do things” The Minister was given alternative criteria for designation could possibly mean. I will not rehearse our long and that were much more in line with the localist agenda, interesting discussion in Committee about what that such as being designated for failure to make decisions in could mean, but it is truly extraordinary that we are line with the local plan. Unsurprisingly, he refused to being asked to adopt legislation allowing the Secretary accept the amendment. of State “to do things” that are as yet ill-defined. As we heard in Committee, however, it is much worse I raise those points to demonstrate the need for than that. The Government are consulting on criteria, amendments 42 and 43, which would remove clause 1 but the clause allows the Secretary of State to alter and schedule 1 respectively. The Opposition consider them, seemingly on a whim. The Minister was vague in this an extremely important matter, and, if possible, unless Committee on whether changes would occur only after the Minister provides reassurances that have not yet a period of consultation, and I hope he will be able to been forthcoming, we will, at the appropriate point, give us more clarification today. The power-grabbing seek to divide the House on amendment 42. We are tendencies of the Secretary of State, as endorsed by the totally against local authorities being designated as clause, were also a continual theme of our deliberations. failing in the way he suggests and we do not believe At no stage have improvements been made, despite the that it will improve the performance of local planning Minister being given numerous opportunities to do so authorities. Instead, it is very likely to lead to inappropriate through our amendments, and that should be regretted. development, as the Town and Country Planning I ask the House to excuse me, as I have a terrible cold. Association said so powerfully in its evidence. It also pointed out—he needs to take this on board—that it Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): I am sorry could lead to a breakdown in trust in the planning to interrupt the hon. Lady’s flow to pick her up on a system. As the consultation paper looks to be seeking to minute, but nevertheless important, point for those of rubber-stamp the criteria put forward for designation us who love the English language. She will no doubt and as the Government have made no effort to improve respond that this is purely a drafting error, but new the clause to make designation and its operation more clause 5 states: democratic, we had no alternative but to table an “The purpose of the planning system is to positively promote amendment to remove this thoroughly bad clause. the long term”. New clause 5 would provide an alternative approach In other words, there is a split infinitive written into her to planning that we think the planning Minister needs new clause. Does she approve of that, or would she like to adopt as soon as possible. It would include in the to change it on reflection? Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 a definition of the purpose of planning. As hon. Members have Roberta Blackman-Woods: I am grateful to the hon. pointed out, it is important to change the whole debate Gentleman for his intervention, not least because he has about planning. Instead of being presented simply as a enabled me to have a coughing fit. I hope he agrees that brake on growth or somehow preventing growth, we the matters before us are much more serious than a split want planning to be used to develop sustainable infinitive. communities. The new clause would set out the need for planning policy to Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): On a more “positively identify suitable land for development in line with the serious matter, new clause 5 states that planning should economic, social and environmental objectives so as to improve create sustainable development, and that “sustaining” the quality of life, wellbeing and health of people and communities”. means “the potential of future generations to meet their own needs by Mr Redwood: I would be grateful if the hon. Lady respecting environmental limits.” could explain who would judge civic beauty, which I Does the hon. Lady think there is a limit to how many understand is an important criterion in her proposed people England can accommodate, and does she think system. her Government exceeded that limit? Roberta Blackman-Woods: The right hon. Gentleman Roberta Blackman-Woods: The right hon. Gentleman raises an interesting point. It might be helpful if we makes an interesting intervention, but I will not be discussed how to judge what is beautiful in civic terms. I distracted and talk about that issue, because we have a will happily engage with the Minister on how we might serious matter in front of us—the measures contained set up such a system. We could have citizens’ panels and in clause 1. they could get advice from relevant bodies around the As I was saying, despite the Minister being given a country. If the Minister were to adopt the new clause number of opportunities to improve the clause in and discuss with us how the measures in it could be Committee, alas he did not take any of them on board. delivered, it would be a helpful and constructive way That was a pity, because our amendments sought to forward, so I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman make the designation system more transparent and for his intervention. more accountable than just relying on the thoughts of As I was saying, we think that the system should look the Secretary of State. As we know from Communities at and Local Government questions earlier, those thoughts “the quality of life, wellbeing and health of people and communities... can at times be a bit alarming. He was telling us today contribute to sustainable economic development…protect and that green is brown and brown is green, and he has enhance the natural and historic environment and quality of often told us that down is up and up is down, so I am existing communities and the countryside…ensure long term not at all sure where the Secretary of State’s thoughts sustainable patterns of resource use” 595 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 596 and, as I said and as the right hon. Gentleman just the Minister how that will be achieved without a planning highlighted, it should system to negotiate between the two neighbours involved. “positively promote civic beauty through high quality and inclusive The Minister will know that on a number of occasions design; and…ensure the planning system is open, transparent, councils have had to step in and use their planning participative and accountable.” powers to ask that extensions be removed, because None of that, however, has been taken on board by the people have gone ahead and built them without planning Minister. In fact, in their rush and desperation to be permission. That has greatly upset the neighbours by seen to be doing something to produce growth, the intruding on their amenity and the reasonable use of Government have forgotten the real purpose of planning. their property. My point is that the planning system had Planning is a tool for people to shape places positively to step in and sort out the problem, but the Minister is and for communities to ensure that they have homes for giving people up and down the country a licence to their children and developments that are beneficial to build completely inappropriate extensions that will have them and the economy.The Government seem determined to be sorted out by a planning authority at a future to characterise planning solely as an obstacle to growth— date. New clause 6 therefore seeks to give local authorities clearly an attempt to disguise the fact that their policies the power to decide whether to extend permitted are the real brake on growth and what we should be development rights and whether the proposal should go resisting. ahead at all. The Opposition believe that the new clause is important. It is in keeping with localism, which the 5pm Minister says he supports, and we therefore cannot see New clause 6 deals with the separate issue of changes any reason he would not accept it. to permitted development rights. It is an extremely important measure so I will spend a couple of minutes That is also the view of the LGA, which the last time going through its purpose. Let me take the House back I checked, which was not that long ago, was under to the written statement by the Secretary of State for Conservative control—[Interruption.] I am prompted Communities and Local Government on 6 September by my right hon. and hon. Friends to say that it is under 2012. It was one of the panic measures brought forth on Conservative control for the time being. The LGA has that day to suggest that the Government were doing noted that local authorities should be allowed to set something to address the need for growth, and the Minister their own permitted development rights. The LGA states: has referred to the statement on numerous occasions. “The current system allows central government to set out The Secretary of State said: permitted development rights and provides local authorities limited” “We will consult shortly on changes to increase existing permitted mechanisms development rights for extensions to homes and business premises “to amend this.” in non-protected areas for a three-year period.”—[Official Report, 6 September 2012; Vol. 549, c. 34WS.] It would like the current system to be reviewed. It says The Minister will know that the policy has met with that allowing permitted development rights to be set at widespread derision, not least from his own Back Benchers local authority level would allow for the consideration who are extremely worried about suddenly having permitted of individual local issues and could lead to a boost in development—and the extensions and conservatories development overall, and that the new clause would be that go alongside it—extended from 4 metres to 8 metres a truly localist measure, further empowering democratically for detached properties, and from 3 metres to 6 metres elected representatives. I could not agree more. If the for semi-detached or terraced properties. As we know, Minister is not prepared to pay attention to the Opposition, that policy applies also to business premises. I hope he might at least pay attention to his Conservative Conservative Back Benchers are concerned about local authorities, which clearly ask that he acts on those huge extensions. I know that, because while wandering localism and gives them the power to decide whether to along the corridors they have told me that they agree extend permitted development rights. with the Labour party’s stance on the issue, and that Lastly, amendment 49 deals with a completely different they are pleased I am asking the Government for a issue—as I said a number of times in Committee, the greater explanation of why these measures are being Bill is a rag-bag of measures that the Government have proposed. Does the Minister really intend to press proposed in the hope that they suggest that they are ahead with these ideas given the huge outrage they have doing something about growth, so it necessitates jumping led to across a range of local authorities, including— from one issue to another. We have concerns that clause significantly—the Local Government Association? I will 8 will make it easier for telecommunications equipment come to some of the points made by the LGA in a to receive planning consent even in areas of outstanding minute or two. natural beauty and national parks. The intention is for In his written statement, the Secretary of State said the measure to apply only to broadband cabinets and that he would bring forward a consultation document, related infrastructure. The Opposition fully support which he has done. That allows me to say that this steps to increase access to broadband, but there is a lack interesting Bill has, I think, been accompanied by more of clarity in clause 8, which relates not specifically to consultation documents than any other in history; we broadband but covers all telecommunications equipment. are up to four—or is it five? I am nervous about Amendment 49 would ensure that the clause is restricted mentioning consultation documents when the Minister to broadband, and to broadband that is developed is about to reply, because I usually find that yet another sustainably. It would leave out one will just have been announced. With that caveat, “economic growth in the United Kingdom” however, I will plough on. The consultation document states that the policy is to and insert allow people to build conservatories and the like while “sustainable development and economic growth in the United respecting the amenity of neighbours. Once again I ask Kingdom through the Government’s broadband programme.” 597 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 598

Given the Government’s commitment to sustainable impact of the clause on those beautiful areas, because development and their stated intent to limit the clause’s we do not believe that it strikes the right balance at the application to broadband equipment, I hope the Minister moment. supports such an amendment. The hon. Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt) asked me The promotion of broadband is vital. The amendment about new clause 11. I have looked at the proposal in does not seek to prevent the roll-out of broadband, and some detail, and it makes a number of interesting particular the roll-out in rural areas, but simply seeks to points, but we feel that they are already dealt with in the limit the scope and potential damage that could be planning system. Indeed, the hon. Gentleman might inflicted on such beautiful areas by the clause. If the like to have a word with the Minister responsible for Minister accepts the amendment, he would reassure the planning about how he will ensure that the national many campaign groups that are justifiably concerned planning policy framework addresses the issue of planning about the lack of clarity in the clause and about how it policy shaping communities. I would say that our new could cover a huge amount of communications equipment. clause 5 does a better job, because asking for such a Indeed, the Communications Act 2003 describes a positive view of planning and using it to shape our “wide range of electronic communications services”, communities would mean that, in addition to looking at and it is that that gives us and a number of campaigning the need for new housing, we would look at the need for groups concern about clause 8 as drafted. schools, jobs, a proper roads network for public transport, and so forth. It therefore seems to me that our new Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): Will the hon. Lady clause 5 positively supports new clause 11. I shall leave tell the House what preliminary view she has taken of my comments there for the moment. new clause 11, tabled by my right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert), 5.15 pm and whether she is broadly sympathetic to it? I realise Nick Herbert (Arundel and South Downs) (Con): I that she has not yet had a chance to hear my right hon. rise to speak to new clause 11, which is in my name and Friend’s arguments, but is she open to the proposals in supported by 16 right hon. and hon. Government Members, the new clause? including Liberal Democrat Members, several former Ministers and senior Members of Parliament, who Roberta Blackman-Woods: I thank the hon. Gentleman share my concern about the adequacy of local infrastructure for that intervention, and I will deal with that point in to support new development. My right hon. Friend the just a moment. Member for Mid Sussex (Nicholas Soames), who feels I was talking about the wide range of infrastructure strongly about this issue, and my right hon. Friend the that could be allowed to develop in areas of outstanding Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell) have natural beauty, in our national parks and in conservation asked me to give their apologies for being unable to be areas, if clause 8 were not amended. Many Members on here: they have expressed their concern about the both sides of the House would be gravely concerned issue and have supported my new clause. Since I tabled if broadband masts, wires and cabinets—let alone any the new clause late on Thursday evening, a number of other communications equipment—were suddenly allowed other Members have indicated that they would like to to spring up all over our national parks, and the support it. Government have not yet given sufficient reassurance The starting position is one I wish to make completely on the issue. We have no idea how local authorities clear, and I believe it is shared by my right hon. and would be able to oppose inappropriate siting of overhead hon. Friends: new housing is necessary. The Minister cables or broadband cabinets if they had to make with responsibility for planning, the Under-Secretary of economic development their overriding criterion. I have State for Communities and Local Government, my made it clear that we are not against the roll-out of hon. Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford broadband; we just think that the clause is incorrectly (Nick Boles) is absolutely right to remind the House worded at present. and the public of the necessity to ensure that there is The Minister claimed in Committee that it was not housing provision, particularly for young people who possible to specify broadband in the Bill owing to are unable to get their foot on the housing ladder at the European legislation. I asked him at the time to point to moment, and to get house building going again. the precise area of European legislation that prevents There is no desire on my part to challenge that the Government from specifying it in that way, but I am argument, but the principle enshrined in the Localism still waiting for that clarification. I hope that he will be Act 2011, to which I believe all Members subscribe, is able to answer the question today. that development should be sustainable. That means by Some groups, including the Campaign to Protect definition—I share the Government’s definition—that Rural England, have called for clause 8 to be deleted in the enjoyment given to the current generation should not its entirety, not least because it would set a worrying make life worse for successive generations. Many of my precedent in legislation. It seems to propose the scrapping constituents, and parish and district councils in particular of the special and rightful protection that is offered to have expressed concern that the local infrastructure is our national parks and areas of outstanding natural insufficient to support the additional development that beauty, and to allow telecoms companies to install has already been undertaken. cabinets and masts in a free-for-all without securing I mentioned on Second Reading that the drainage in permission from the relevant local authority. That would my constituency is so inadequate that after heavy rainfall be unacceptable, and I hope that the Minister will take households face the problem of sewage rising in their on board our concerns and those of the many organisations gardens or running in the streets, and people have to that have written to us about the proposal. I hope that ensure that their loos do not back up. That is an he will give us an idea of how he intends to limit the intolerable situation for residents in my constituency. 599 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 600

Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): Does Nick Herbert: My hon. Friend is exactly right. It is a the right hon. Gentleman have a view about building on related issue. Although regional spatial strategies are floodplains, which has been a big issue over the past few being abolished—which is overdue but nevertheless weeks given all the flooding? welcome—there is a widespread fear among local authorities that planning inspectors will overturn their own assessments Nick Herbert: The hon. Gentleman certainly raises a of the level of need in local areas, and that they will be related issue. It is essentially part of the same principle, unable to balance what could, in many areas, be a which is whether the development that takes place is or near-infinite level of demand with their ability to provide is not sustainable. There is obviously a great deal of housing. concern about building on floodplains as well. Even where building takes place and it is not on a floodplain, Mr Redwood: My right hon. Friend has made an it is essential to ensure that there is sufficient local interesting point about need and demand. The Government infrastructure to support that development. It is not have stated clearly that they will cut net inward migration just a question of adequate local drainage, as it is also a from a quarter of a million a year to a few tens of question of ensuring that there are sufficient local school thousands. Presumably councils should take into account places and that the road network is sufficient to support the sharp deceleration in the need for new households. the additional population. In villages throughout my constituency, we have found that that infrastructure has Nick Herbert: That raises the question of the process not been provided despite the additional development, whereby councils are now assessing need, and the potential and it is feared that further development would exacerbate confusion between need and demand. I think that the problems. communities will feel cheated if, having been promised the abolition of the top-down housing target that was set by the last Government—effectively by means of the Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): Is my hon. regional spatial strategies—they see it returning through Friend aware of the Ridgeway Farm development in the back door in the shape of a planning inspector, and Purton, in my constituency, where it was agreed this if local authorities find that they have no choice but to week that 700 houses would be built in an area where provide a level of housing that they consider to be there are no schools, where the roads are tiny country unsustainable. lanes and there is no access, where the hospital is jam-full, and where the local villages have been flooded Mr Blunt: Let me make it clear to my right hon. in the last couple of weeks? It is an entirely unsustainable Friend, and to the Minister, that that is precisely what is development, but the inspector in Bristol has allowed it happening to Reigate and Banstead borough council. to proceed. Its draft plan has been kicked back by the inspector to “show again”, because it simply does not meet what he Nick Herbert: My hon. Friend has given a very good believes to be the required development objectives in example of the local concern that is generated when the green belt. The council is being invited to review the there is inadequate infrastructure to support development. green belt in its area, which is meant to be sacrosanct. It Where is the mechanism requiring planning authorities is not just in the case of ordinary developments that to ensure that the necessary local infrastructure is in localism is being overturned. place when development is permitted? I repeat that the purpose of the new clause is not to prevent necessary Nick Herbert: My hon. Friend makes his point housing from being built, but to ensure that it is built at powerfully. The principle of localism is enshrined in the sustainable levels and in the right places. We have to ask very name of the legislation recently mentioned and why, if the mechanism is adequate now, the circumstances was set out in the coalition agreement. Under that that I have described have already arisen. There is clear principle, local communities should now have the evidence that the existing mechanisms are inadequate. power—on an objective assessment, I agree—to gauge the level of need. They are best placed to determine We are moving from a system whereby the gain from whether there is sufficient local infrastructure and what development was captured under 106 agreements to a the environmental damage would be, and balance that system involving a community infrastructure levy which, against the economic needs of their area. They are best I understand, is intended to ensure that investment can placed to determine the right level of housing in their be made in local infrastructure. My constituents will area. want to hear from the Government how that new system will work, and to be assured that when new housing is Rebecca Harris (Castle Point) (Con): Does my right proposed under the development plans that local authorities hon. Friend agree that often what statutory consultees are now undertaking, there will be a mechanism to such as the utility companies and the Highways Agency ensure that the necessary infrastructure is provided assure people is sustainable for the local infrastructure along with it. does not tie up with the reality of people’s everyday existence on the ground? Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con): As local authorities—a good example being my local authority in Winchester— Nick Herbert: I agree, and one problem is that some develop their new local plans, which they are directed to of the agencies charged with giving a statutory response do under the Localism Act 2011, they are getting perilously to draft development plans do not properly engage with close to the numbers in the south-east regional spatial those plans or give an assessment of the impact on strategy, which my right hon. Friend and I share, or roads, schools, drainage and water supply and so forth almost shared. I wonder whether anxiety about that which accurately grapples with the increase in demand. situation underlies the new clause. There is not a properly joined-up process. 601 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 602

[Nick Herbert] of electricity, yet energy prices in Wales are among the highest. Earlier this year, I presented a simple and I suspect that the Minister will point me to the new reasonable Bill to Parliament to ensure that energy national planning policy framework, which says that local planning policy was devolved to the Welsh Government planning authorities should work with other authorities so that they could plan their energy projects coherently. and providers to It sought to put Wales on an equal footing with Scotland “assess the quality and capacity of infrastructure…and its ability and Northern Ireland, and it was open to other MPs to to meet forecast demands”. amend it and make their own suggestions. It was an The provision does not, however, quite say that local opportunity for the Labour party to introduce proposals authorities should ensure that local infrastructure is from its manifesto, on which the Welsh Government sufficient to match demand, but that is what the new were elected last year, but the vast majority of their clause says. It places a statutory duty on planning MPs in London were strangely keen that Wales should authorities to identify the demand on infrastructure not have those powers. caused by a new development. That is a stronger duty My Bill had cross-party support, but despite a few than under the national policy framework. notable and honourable exceptions it was voted down. I recognise that there is little time left, and I am Labour MPs from Wales voted with the Tories. To be anxious to hear the Minister’s reply, but I want to fair to the Lib Dems, most of their MPs voted to impress upon him that since I tabled the new clause just support the Bill and I look forward to their support a few days ago many Members of this House, as well as later this evening. many members of the public and councillors, have expressed concern about the issue. There is widespread 5.30 pm concern about it. There is insufficient provision in existing Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): Does the hon. legislation to ensure local infrastructure is provided Gentleman therefore consider Labour’s position on the when necessary development is put in place. devolution of projects providing up to 100 MW, which would include the vast majority of wave and tidal Several hon. Members rose— power schemes and many others, to be good and sensible, not least because it recognises that larger UK national Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. As Members infrastructure schemes, such as a Severn barrage scheme, know, our discussion of this group of amendments is were it ever to happen, are of interest to England and timed to conclude at 5.45 pm, and I want to give the Wales? Minister at least 10 minutes to respond. The next speaker will be Mr Jonathan Edwards. I ask him to sit down by Jonathan Edwards: I am grateful for that intervention 5.35 pm. and I welcome the hon. Gentleman to the world of Twitter —he was tweeting in Welsh over the weekend and I was Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) very pleased to see it. I shall come on to Labour’s current (PC): I will cut my speech in half in order to give my policy later in my speech. colleague, the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion As I introduced my Bill, I said that the people of (Caroline Lucas), a chance to speak to her new clause Wales were extremely protective of their natural resources. in this group. Naturally, as a result of the vote there was a public I and my party believe that the natural resources of outcry in Wales, with Labour accused of betrayal. Wales should be harnessed for the benefit of the people Subsequently, the First Minister made a public statement of Wales. I am very concerned that any future exploitation that the Labour party, despite the voting record of its of the ground for its mineral wealth, particularly through MPs, supported total control over energy planning policy. fracking, would see its riches and the money it generates His Government then published an energy policy document leaving Wales, without its people benefiting from any of that highlighted how the sector was key to the future of that potential. the Welsh economy. I could not agree more, which is The people and communities of Wales still bear the why I have introduced my new clause this evening. scars of the coal rush, which fired the British state and I hope that, if pushed to a vote, the Lib Dems will its empire yet there was an abject failure to leave any of maintain their principled position. If Labour MPs sit the fruits of its riches in a legacy of prosperity. My new on their hands or join the Tories in the Lobby, the clause 9 was written with that in mind. It will address an credibility of Carwyn Jones will be shot to pieces. The anomaly in the devolution system across the British shadow Secretary of State for Wales has said today in state, as the powers in question are already devolved the Western Mail, in response to my new clause, that in Scotland and Northern Ireland. If my new clause is Labour in Westminster supports the devolution of planning accepted by the Government or passed following a for energy projects only up to a limit of 100 MW. That Division, Welsh Ministers will have responsibility for all shows a complete lack of coherence between Labour in energy-generating planning applications in my country, London and Labour in Cardiff. It flies in the face of instead of there being the current arbitrary and insulting and contradicts the wishes of the First Minister, who 50 MW limit. said in March that he did Wales is in the bizarre situation of being an energy-rich “not see why 100 MW should be the limit in the future.” country in both mineral and renewable resources yet In addition, in June this year, John Griffiths, the Minister having one of the highest rates of fuel poverty in the for Environment and Sustainable Development, stated UK. According to the Welsh Government, we have the that potential to produce double the electricity we require “the Welsh Government…wishes to have further devolution of for our needs. According to the Department of Energy power over energy” and Climate Change here in London, we are a net exporter and “do not limit” themselves at 100 MW. 603 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 604

During a recent “Sharp End” interview, the First Nick Boles: My hon. Friend anticipates the meat of Minister adopted Plaid Cymru’s position and said that the argument I want to make, but perhaps I could he wanted full control over energy planning policy. If return to my point. It was in response to the failure of energy policy is the key to the future of the Welsh economy the previous planning regime to provide the infrastructure for jobs and growth—I am certain that it is—why to support development and make local authorities should a 100 MW limit be set? Total control over energy and local communities feel empowered to shape their planning policy would allow the Welsh nation best to communities and their future that this Government decide its energy future and would be essential in driving produced the national planning policy framework and growth in our economy. the Bill that became the Localism Act 2011. It is important From a good governance point of view, there needs to understand that while the national planning policy to be consistency in planning policy. Having two different framework is indeed only policy, it is an incredibly authorities responsible for policy is a disincentive for carefully constructed and negotiated balance of measures. investment, leads to a lack of coherence in energy and Taking one measure out of the framework and putting economic strategy and is awfully complicated for my it into primary legislation, when no other part of it would constituents. I have two technical advice note 8, or TAN be there, would be to up-end the balance, and would 8, areas in my constituency, which are designated zones give primacy to one—very important—element at the towards which the Welsh Government direct onshore expense of other important elements of the framework. wind development. The projects under 50 MW are determined by the local planning authority and those Mr Redwood: As the Minister may know, the borough above are determined by Ministers here in Whitehall. unitary I mainly represent—Wokingham—has a local Local people experience a huge difference when dealing plan. It has identified land for 12,500 houses, which is a with both authorities. With the LPA, they have direct massive increase in development and well beyond the access to planning officers and local councillors, whereas number many of my constituents would like. The authority not a single official or Minister has even bothered to has been prepared to argue the plan through; it wants come to north Carmarthenshire to discuss with them to concentrate the development to get money for the the Brechfa Forest West development, which has just infrastructure mainly from private sources, but the Minister landed on the Secretary of State’s desk in London. The decided to grant permission somewhere else, completely arrangements lead to a huge democratic deficit and my undermining the negotiations the authority wants to surgeries are constantly filled with angry and disillusioned hold with the private sector. How does that help to get people. My new clause would help to deal with that. infrastructure? I have tabled a modest and reasonable amendment Nick Boles: My right hon. Friend accuses me of that would enable the people of Wales better to plan things I have not done, but I am happy to take responsibility our energy infrastructure over 50 MW on a par with for all decisions of the Government, whether quasi Scotland. It will also help the Welsh Government play judicial or otherwise. their part in helping the UK Government to achieve the aims of this Bill, leading to greater policy coherence Perhaps I could return to the argument, because it is and unleashing the economic potential of Wales’s energy important. My right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel resources. If Ministers refuse to accept the new clause, and South Downs made the very good argument that I am minded to press it to a Division. over the past 10 to 30 years local authorities have not been in a position adequately to provide the infrastructure TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities improvements required to support housing and other and Local Government (Nick Boles): I apologise to the kinds of economic development. I should like to try to House and to Members who tabled new clauses and persuade him that it is not because the provision is not amendments and have not had a chance to speak. in primary legislation as a duty—as a must, rather than I hope that the House will understand if I focus on a should—that the failure has arisen; it is because there amendments that are new on Report, rather than those have not been dedicated sources of revenue to support tabled in the Bill Committee, where we had a full discussion, infrastructure. It is not that local authorities are out although I will of course return to clause 1 and the there saying, “We want to build 5,000 houses and not justification for it at the end of my brief remarks. build any more roads and primary schools and not put I shall start by addressing new clause 11, proposed by in better sewers.” It has not happened because they have my right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and not had dedicated revenue streams to do it. South Downs (Nick Herbert) and a range of right hon. and hon. Friends. The Government and I share completely Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con) rose— my right hon. Friend’s emphasis on the vital importance of infrastructure to support new development. Indeed, Nick Boles: Perhaps I could finish; I do not have one of our main criticisms of the record of the previous much time. Government was their complete failure to ensure that it The Government have put in place a huge range of was put in place. Ironically at a time when money, both specifically targeted measures to ensure that a funding public and private, was more available than ever before, stream is in place. That is why we supported the previous infrastructure was simply not provided for. Government’s innovation of the community infrastructure levy, which is due to deliver £1 billion a year of infrastructure Mr Blunt: The effect of the new clause tabled by my funding directly to local authorities; they will have to right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and South provide a list of infrastructure improvements so that Downs (Nick Herbert), to which I put my name, is developers know that they are making a contribution “must,” rather than “should,” which is the position I to specific matters, whether roads, drainage, schools or believe the Minister is about to defend, and “must”speaks other things. We have also allocated £730 million to to the arguments he has just made. local enterprise partnerships. 605 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 606

Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): Will the Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): Minister give way? Has the Minister considered giving notice and support to such authorities, before moving to designation? Nick Boles: I have very little time and I need to get on to clause 1. I hope the hon. Gentleman will forgive me if I do not give way right now. Nick Boles: I have good news for my hon. Friend. I had discussions with the Local Government Association The autumn statement a few weeks ago included just a few days ago. Because of the proposal on which another round of £350 million for the regional growth we are consulting, which is that it should be two years fund and a new local infrastructure fund worth up to of data about the timeliness of decisions on major £470 million. I hope my right hon. Friend and my other applications, it will become clear, probably publicly but right hon. and hon. Friends will understand that it is certainly to my officials and to officials in the Local not primary legislation that will ensure that local authorities Government Association, which authorities are heading plan properly, as they should, for infrastructure; it is into the danger zone, even after probably only six months’ money. Part of the way to get that money is to plan data. positively for development, because that development will bring the community infrastructure levy and the I have had discussions with the Local Government new homes bonus. Association, with full support from the Department and my officials putting an arm round those authorities Dr Phillip Lee (Bracknell) (Con): I had the good that are beginning to get into the danger zone and fortune to be born in the Thames valley and I represent helping ensure that they get out before the axe falls—before a constituency in the Thames valley. In my lifetime I the designation becomes real. It is my genuine hope that have watched tens of thousands of homes being built no local authority gets caught by the provision, because and many industrial estates and business parks. The M4 no local authority consistently fails to discharge its motorway has never been widened and the hospital has responsibilities. never been built to serve the community that has grown so much. Can my hon. Friend confirm that the levy to which he refers goes towards a new motorway and a Mr Betts: Has the Minister now solved the problem new hospital? My region desperately needs them. with the keeping of statistics on planning performance agreements, which could twist what a local authority Nick Boles: It will be for my hon. Friend’s local does? Will he take that into account and do it authority to specify the infrastructure. Those are good retrospectively? examples. The money could go towards a hospital, a school, drains or whatever is required. He is right that Nick Boles: The statistics currently capture planning that has not been available previously. performance agreements that are agreed before an Finally, on new clause 11, I make this promise to my application is submitted, but not those that are agreed right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and South after. We will be altering that to ensure that the data are Downs. We are currently looking at all the planning more accurate. Where we cannot do that, what we can guidance that is provided to local authorities about how do, which I think is just as good, is take submissions they should go about interpreting the national planning from local authorities on why the data might not present policy framework and putting that into their local plans. a fair picture of their performance, and we will of Although I do not want to up-end the careful balance course take fully into account the fact that the data of local plans by putting this in primary legislation, I might not be absolutely conclusive for those submissions will look at making sure that the guidance that is in year one. provided in a much reduced set of planning guidance is very clear about the need to plan positively and specifically Finally, new clause 12, tabled by the hon. Member for for infrastructure that is required to support the Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), is incredibly well development and to ensure that it is brought on stream intentioned, but we believe that the national planning in good time for that development. policy framework and the local plans already contain all the emphasis on sustainability, environmental I turn to the general arguments about clause 1. The quality and protection of rights and heritage for future hon. Member for City of Durham (Roberta Blackman- generations— Woods) and I have debated this at some length over the past few months. It has been my sole objective since the autumn to provide satisfaction to her, so it is a 5.45 pm matter of great regret that I seem to have failed in this mission. I will try one last time on clause 1 to persuade Debate interrupted (Programme Order, this day). her that her fears can be allayed and she, too, can The Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Question already embrace this extremely restrained proposal. proposed from the Chair (Standing Order No. 83E), We hope that vanishingly few local authorities will be That the clause be read a Second time. caught by the measure, but just as we accept that some Question negatived. schools fail and require intervention, and that Ofsted is the right judge of whether they are failing, and some The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions hospitals fail and the Care Quality Commission is the necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded right judge of whether they are failing, we believe it is at that time (Standing Order No. 83E). our responsibility as Government to identify where Amendment proposed: 42, page 1, line 2, leave out some—very few—local planning authorities are failing clause 1.—(Roberta Blackman-Woods.) to discharge their responsibilities to local people. That is why we are introducing the clause. Question put, That the amendment be made. 607 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 608

The House divided: Ayes 216, Noes 294. Mahmood, Shabana Rotheram, Steve Division No. 121] [5.45 pm Malhotra, Seema Roy, Lindsay Mann, John Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Marsden, Mr Gordon Sarwar, Anas AYES McCann, Mr Michael Sawford, Andy Abbott, Ms Diane Eagle, Maria McCarthy, Kerry Seabeck, Alison Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Efford, Clive McClymont, Gregg Sharma, Mr Virendra Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Elliott, Julie McDonagh, Siobhain Sheridan, Jim Alexander, Heidi Ellman, Mrs Louise McDonald, Andy Shuker, Gavin Ali, Rushanara Engel, Natascha McDonnell, John Skinner, Mr Dennis Allen, Mr Graham Esterson, Bill McFadden, rh Mr Pat Slaughter, Mr Andy Anderson, Mr David Evans, Chris McGovern, Alison Smith, rh Mr Andrew Ashworth, Jonathan Farrelly, Paul McKechin, Ann Smith, Angela Bailey, Mr Adrian Field, rh Mr Frank McKenzie, Mr Iain Smith, Nick Bain, Mr William Fitzpatrick, Jim McKinnell, Catherine Spellar, rh Mr John Balls, rh Ed Flello, Robert Meacher, rh Mr Michael Straw, rh Mr Jack Banks, Gordon Flint, rh Caroline Mearns, Ian Stringer, Graham Barron, rh Mr Kevin Flynn, Paul Miliband, rh David Stuart, Ms Gisela Bayley, Hugh Fovargue, Yvonne Mitchell, Austin Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Beckett, rh Margaret Francis, Dr Hywel Moon, Mrs Madeleine Tami, Mark Begg, Dame Anne Gapes, Mike Morden, Jessica Thornberry, Emily Benn, rh Hilary Gardiner, Barry Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Berger, Luciana Gilmore, Sheila Morris, Grahame M. Timms, rh Stephen Betts, Mr Clive Glass, Pat (Easington) Trickett, Jon Blackman-Woods, Roberta Glindon, Mrs Mary Mudie, Mr George Twigg, Derek Blenkinsop, Tom Godsiff, Mr Roger Munn, Meg Twigg, Stephen Blomfield, Paul Goggins, rh Paul Murray, Ian Umunna, Mr Chuka Blunkett, rh Mr David Goldsmith, Zac Nandy, Lisa Vaz, rh Keith Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Goodman, Helen Nash, Pamela Vaz, Valerie Brennan, Kevin Greatrex, Tom O’Donnell, Fiona Watson, Mr Tom Brown, Lyn Green, Kate Osborne, Sandra Watts, Mr Dave Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Greenwood, Lilian Owen, Albert Whitehead, Dr Alan Brown, Mr Russell Griffith, Nia Perkins, Toby Williamson, Chris Bryant, Chris Gwynne, Andrew Phillipson, Bridget Wilson, Phil Buck, Ms Karen Hain, rh Mr Peter Pound, Stephen Winnick, Mr David Burden, Richard Hamilton, Mr David Powell, Lucy Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Burnham, rh Andy Hamilton, Fabian Qureshi, Yasmin Wood, Mike Campbell, Mr Alan Hanson, rh Mr David Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Campbell, Mr Ronnie Harman, rh Ms Harriet Reed, Steve Wright, David Champion, Sarah Harris, Mr Tom Reeves, Rachel Wright, Mr Iain Chapman, Jenny Havard, Mr Dai Reynolds, Emma Clarke, rh Mr Tom Healey, rh John Reynolds, Jonathan Tellers for the Ayes: Clwyd, rh Ann Hendrick, Mark Ritchie, Ms Margaret Susan Elan Jones and Coaker, Vernon Hillier, Meg Robertson, John Chris Ruane Coffey, Ann Hilling, Julie Cooper, rh Yvette Hodge, rh Margaret NOES Corbyn, Jeremy Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Crausby, Mr David Hoey, Kate Adams, Nigel Boles, Nick Creasy, Stella Hopkins, Kelvin Afriyie, Adam Bone, Mr Peter Cryer, John Horwood, Martin Aldous, Peter Bottomley, Sir Peter Cunningham, Alex Hunt, Tristram Alexander, rh Danny Bradley, Karen Cunningham, Mr Jim Irranca-Davies, Huw Amess, Mr David Brady, Mr Graham Cunningham, Sir Tony Jackson, Glenda Andrew, Stuart Brake, rh Tom Curran, Margaret Jamieson, Cathy Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Bray, Angie Dakin, Nic Jarvis, Dan Bacon, Mr Richard Brazier, Mr Julian Danczuk, Simon Johnson, rh Alan Baker, Norman Bridgen, Andrew David, Wayne Johnson, Diana Baker, Steve Brine, Steve Davidson, Mr Ian Jones, Graham Baldry, Sir Tony Brokenshire, James Davies, Geraint Jones, Helen Baldwin, Harriett Brooke, Annette De Piero, Gloria Jones, Mr Kevan Barclay, Stephen Browne, Mr Jeremy Denham, rh Mr John Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Barker, rh Gregory Bruce, Fiona Dobbin, Jim Keeley, Barbara Baron, Mr John Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Dobson, rh Frank Kendall, Liz Barwell, Gavin Buckland, Mr Robert Docherty, Thomas Khan, rh Sadiq Bebb, Guto Burley, Mr Aidan Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Lammy, rh Mr David Beith, rh Sir Alan Burns, Conor Doran, Mr Frank Lavery, Ian Beresford, Sir Paul Burns, rh Mr Simon Doughty, Stephen Lazarowicz, Mark Berry, Jake Burrowes, Mr David Doyle, Gemma Leslie, Chris Bingham, Andrew Burstow, rh Paul Dromey, Jack Long, Naomi Birtwistle, Gordon Burt, Alistair Dugher, Michael Love, Mr Andrew Blackman, Bob Burt, Lorely Durkan, Mark Lucas, Caroline Blackwood, Nicola Cable, rh Vince Eagle, Ms Angela Lucas, Ian Blunt, Mr Crispin Cairns, Alun 609 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 610

Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Heaton-Harris, Chris Neill, Robert Stephenson, Andrew Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Hemming, John Newmark, Mr Brooks Stevenson, John Carmichael, Neil Henderson, Gordon Newton, Sarah Stewart, Bob Carswell, Mr Douglas Hendry, Charles Nokes, Caroline Stewart, Iain Cash, Mr William Herbert, rh Nick Nuttall, Mr David Stewart, Rory Chishti, Rehman Hinds, Damian O’Brien, Mr Stephen Streeter, Mr Gary Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Hollingbery, George Offord, Dr Matthew Stride, Mel Clegg, rh Mr Nick Hollobone, Mr Philip Ollerenshaw, Eric Stuart, Mr Graham Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hopkins, Kris Opperman, Guy Stunell, rh Andrew Coffey, Dr Thérèse Howarth, Sir Gerald Ottaway, Richard Sturdy, Julian Collins, Damian Howell, John Paice, rh Sir James Swales, Ian Colvile, Oliver Hughes, rh Simon Parish, Neil Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Cox, Mr Geoffrey Huhne, rh Chris Patel, Priti Swinson, Jo Crabb, Stephen Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Paterson, rh Mr Owen Swire, rh Mr Hugo Crockart, Mike Hurd, Mr Nick Pawsey, Mark Syms, Mr Robert Crouch, Tracey Jackson, Mr Stewart Penning, Mike Teather, Sarah Davies, David T. C. James, Margot Percy, Andrew Thurso, John (Monmouth) Javid, Sajid Phillips, Stephen Timpson, Mr Edward Davies, Glyn Jenkin, Mr Bernard Pickles, rh Mr Eric Tomlinson, Justin Davis, rh Mr David Johnson, Gareth Pincher, Christopher Tredinnick, David Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Jones, Andrew Poulter, Dr Daniel Truss, Elizabeth Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Jones, rh Mr David Prisk, Mr Mark Turner, Mr Andrew Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Jones, Mr Marcus Pritchard, Mark Tyrie, Mr Andrew Dorries, Nadine Kawczynski, Daniel Pugh, John Uppal, Paul Doyle-Price, Jackie Kelly, Chris Raab, Mr Dominic Vaizey, Mr Edward Drax, Richard Kirby, Simon Redwood, rh Mr John Vara, Mr Shailesh Duddridge, James Knight, rh Mr Greg Rees-Mogg, Jacob Vickers, Martin Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Lamb, Norman Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Walker, Mr Charles Dunne, Mr Philip Lancaster, Mark Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Walker, Mr Robin Ellis, Michael Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Robertson, rh Hugh Wallace, Mr Ben Ellwood, Mr Tobias Latham, Pauline Robertson, Mr Laurence Watkinson, Angela Elphicke, Charlie Laws, rh Mr David Rudd, Amber Weatherley, Mike Eustice, George Leadsom, Andrea Ruffley, Mr David Webb, Steve Evans, Graham Lee, Jessica Russell, Sir Bob Wharton, James Evans, Jonathan Lee, Dr Phillip Rutley, David Wheeler, Heather Evennett, Mr David Leech, Mr John Sanders, Mr Adrian White, Chris Fabricant, Michael Lefroy, Jeremy Sandys, Laura Whittaker, Craig Fallon, rh Michael Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Scott, Mr Lee Whittingdale, Mr John Farron, Tim Lewis, Brandon Selous, Andrew Wiggin, Bill Field, Mark Lewis, Dr Julian Shannon, Jim Williams, Mr Mark Foster, rh Mr Don Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Sharma, Alok Williams, Stephen Francois, rh Mr Mark Lidington, rh Mr David Shelbrooke, Alec Williamson, Gavin Freeman, George Lilley, rh Mr Peter Shepherd, Mr Richard Willott, Jenny Freer, Mike Lopresti, Jack Simpson, David Wollaston, Dr Sarah Fuller, Richard Lord, Jonathan Simpson, Mr Keith Wright, Jeremy Garnier, Sir Edward Loughton, Tim Skidmore, Chris Wright, Simon Garnier, Mark Luff, Peter Smith, Miss Chloe Yeo, Mr Tim Gauke, Mr David Lumley, Karen Smith, Henry Young, rh Sir George Gibb, Mr Nick Macleod, Mary Smith, Julian Zahawi, Nadhim Gilbert, Stephen Main, Mrs Anne Smith, Sir Robert Glen, John Maude, rh Mr Francis Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Tellers for the Noes: Goodwill, Mr Robert May, rh Mrs Theresa Spencer, Mr Mark Mark Hunter and Gove, rh Michael Maynard, Paul Stanley, rh Sir John Joseph Johnson Graham, Richard McCartney, Jason Grant, Mrs Helen McCartney, Karl Question accordingly negatived. Gray, Mr James McIntosh, Miss Anne Greening, rh Justine McPartland, Stephen Amendment made: 5, in clause 1, page 2, line 37, after Griffiths, Andrew McVey, Esther ‘authority’, insert ‘or hazardous substances authority’.— Gummer, Ben Menzies, Mark (Nick Boles.) Halfon, Robert Mercer, Patrick Hames, Duncan Miller, rh Maria Hammond, rh Mr Philip Mills, Nigel Clause 6 Hammond, Stephen Milton, Anne Hancock, Matthew Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Hands, Greg Moore, rh Michael MODIFICATION OR DISCHARGE OF AFFORDABLE Harper, Mr Mark Morgan, Nicky HOUSING REQUIREMENTS Harrington, Richard Morris, Anne Marie Harris, Rebecca Morris, David 6.2 pm Hart, Simon Mowat, David Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Munt, Tessa Mr Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Woolwich) (Lab): Hayes, Mr John Murray, Sheryll I beg to move amendment 3, page 6, line 4, after ‘(1)’, Heald, Oliver Murrison, Dr Andrew insert ‘Subject to subsection (1A),’. 611 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 612

Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): With this it and for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray) on the Opposition will be convenient to discuss the following: Front Bench. They seek further amendments to the clause Amendment 4, line 5, at end insert— in order to offset some of its unfortunate consequences. I will not speak to those amendments; I will simply ‘(1A) This section does not apply to any planning obligation relating to development— speak to amendments 3 and 4. (a) in a National Park, The issues were debated in Committee and were (b) in an area designated as an area of outstanding natural raised as a consequence of the evidence presented to us beauty, by Dr Nigel Stone of the English National Park Authorities (c) in an area designated as a rural area pursuant to Association. What was clear during the evidence sessions section 157 of the Housing Act 1985, or was the overwhelming weight of expert opinion against (d) for which planning permission was granted by a clause 6. Planning experts from the Royal Town Planning neighbourhood development order.’. Institute, the Town and Country Planning Association Amendment 45, line 18, leave out ‘means’ and insert and the Planning Officers Society joined representatives ‘is assessed by the local authority to be the foremost from local government, politicians and officers in reason.’. condemning the clause as inappropriate and damaging. In his telling evidence, Dr Stone said that, as currently Amendment 44, line 24, at end insert— drafted, the clause could fatally damage the policy of ‘(3A) The Secretary of State shall make an order by Statutory rural exceptions, which has worked, as I have said, for Instrument setting out the criteria by which viability is to be more than 20 years and allowed the provision of affordable assessed. housing in a substantial number of areas where commercial (3B) An order shall not be made under subsection (3A) unless housing development would not usually be acceptable. he has consulted those persons or organisations he considers to be appropriate and a draft of the Order has been laid before, and The policy is called the exceptions policy because, approved by resolution of, both Houses of Parliament.’. exceptionally, it allows affordable housing—which may Amendment 46, line 40, at end insert ‘or, be social housing for rent, but could equally be low-cost (e) request that the requirement is to be met in part, or in home ownership—on the clear understanding that that full, by central government funding allocated for the housing will, in perpetuity, be kept available for the delivery of affordable homes.’. needs for which it was produced and that it will never be Amendment 47, page 7, line 8, at end insert— converted into market housing. The reason for that is obvious to everyone who cares about national parks, ‘(7A) Where the local authority has reasonable grounds to believe that the value of the land, on which planning consent areas of outstanding natural beauty and rural areas with a planning obligation that contains an affordable housing where the beauty of the landscape would be seriously requirement is placed, has risen and the original obligation has compromised by indiscriminate, speculative development. not been reasonably met at the end of one year they may— Such areas need people to work to help the local economy (a) determine that the requirement is to have effect subject and desperately want to keep existing rural communities to modifications, alive with opportunities for long-term residents to continue (b) determine that the requirement is to be replaced with a to live in the villages in which they were born and different affordable housing requirement, or brought up. (c) determine that the requirement will be subject to review within a given time period.’. Mr Redwood: Does the right hon. Gentleman not Amendment 48, line 31, after ‘market’, insert understand that the Minister’s intention is very simple ‘but not including requirements for land on the site to be reserved and sensible? He does not want a commercial development and transferred at nil cost to a local planning authority or of homes to be prevented by an affordable housing registered provider of social housing.’. target that is not realistic for that development. Surely it is better to have some housing than none. Mr Raynsford: I draw attention at the outset to my interests as declared in the register. Mr Raynsford: If the right hon. Gentleman will bear It is widely agreed, I think, that clause 6 is unsatisfactory. with me, he will realise that, actually, the consequence It is clearly based on conjecture and prejudice, rather of what the Minister is trying to do would be to destroy than evidence. It was put together in a hurry, without a policy that dates back to the days of the Conservative adequate thought about its likely consequences, and Government of the 1980s—I believe that the right hon. there is a wide view that it is likely to have damaging Gentleman was strongly supportive of them—who allowed impacts, not least on the provision of affordable housing. it to come into being in order to ensure that it was Ideally, the clause should be withdrawn. However, if the possible to create affordable housing to meet needs in Government persist in promoting it, it is at the very areas where there would usually be outright opposition least essential that it be amended to prevent some to market housing. The reason for that outright opposition seriously damaging impacts on well-established mechanisms is that such developments would seriously compromise for the delivery of affordable housing. The purpose of the character of an area. The rural areas in question amendments 3 and 4, which have been tabled in my do not want a mass of indiscriminate private sector name, is to prevent the destruction of a mechanism that development, but they do recognise the need for some has been in place for 25 years or more and that has homes for people who need to live and work in those secured a great deal of affordable housing, particularly communities. That was the basis of the policy, which in rural areas. was a product of his party’s Government. It was supported The other amendments in this group have been tabled by my party, has remained in operation for more than in the names of my right hon. Friend the Member for 20 years and has secured a good supply of affordable Leeds Central (Hilary Benn) and my hon. Friends the housing to meet special needs. I would have thought Members for City of Durham (Roberta Blackman-Woods) that he would have welcomed it. 613 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 614

Mr Redwood: That was then and now is now. Then, Sue Chalkley stresses that the process gives confidence we had working banks, a growing economy and people to all parties that such homes will for ever be kept were able to invest and carry the costs. That is not true available for the need for which they were developed, today, thanks to what the right hon. Gentleman’s party and will not simply become market housing by the back did in government. door. The section 106 agreement is crucial to that process. Without it, landowners are inevitably reluctant Mr Raynsford: I am sorry to have to remind the right to provide land, because they can see the risk that sites hon. Gentleman that it is his Government who have that they sell substantially below open market value—I been in office for the past two and half years, over have quoted the figure of £8,000 for enhanced agricultural which time the economy, at the very best, has been value—might produce a windfall gain to some future grinding along on the bottom as the result of his party’s occupier who is fortunate enough to find that the property mismanagement of it. I do not, however, intend to go is saleable on the open market. That is the first problem. down that route. I want to return to a policy that has The second problem is that communities that have received widespread support from Members of all parties, agreed to an element of affordable housing on the basis including some of his hon. Friends, who have specifically that it is for people in need would be horrified if the welcomed my amendment. I hope that after he has policy could be subverted and the properties could listened more to my argument, he will recognise that become available as open market homes, rather than be there is logic to the amendment. used for the specific needs for which they were approved. Landowners and communities would have a crisis of The exceptions policy has evolved to meet special confidence in the policy if clause 6 was passed unamended. needs without opening the floodgates to more indiscriminate development, which would have otherwise happened In Committee, I gave the Minister one example of because the areas concerned are often highly attractive how the policy could be subverted, but I have now and desirable areas where there would be considerable highlighted a number of other ways. The first example financial return from building commercial housing. that I quoted was an individual working in forestry in a national park being helped by a national park authority Hastoe Housing Association is probably the specialist to get permission for an individual, self-built home for body in this field and its chief executive, Sue Chalkley, his needs. If that individual received consent for an joined me and a number of other experts to talk to the exceptions home, but it subsequently became unviable Minister about the issue. I am extremely grateful to him because the builders’ prices had gone up or because he for making time available to hear our case and hope he could not get a loan from the bank because of the was persuaded by it. Hastoe describes its role as mortgage difficulties that the right hon. Member for “a rural specialist housing association” Wokingham (Mr Redwood) mentioned, he could say that has that it was no longer viable to proceed with the development as agreed. Under the provisions of clause 6, he would be “developed affordable homes for local people in more than 200 entitled to ask the planning authority—in this case it villages across the south of England. Most of these schemes are on Rural Exception Sites.” would be the national park authority—to reconsider the section 106 agreement because it was no longer Its briefing goes on to explain how the process works: viable to proceed with building the home. “The Parish Council approaches us for assistance because they The legislation gives no let out. It does not allow the have identified that local people need affordable housing. We planning authority to consider the wider social impacts arrange a housing needs survey to evidence the need. We then or the needs of the community. It simply requires it to walk around the village, with the Parish Council and planners, to identify site options. look at financial viability. If the argument is a sound one—and in the scenario that I have quoted it is—the The sites are very often just outside the village envelope and planning authority will ultimately have to say that the are usually, but not always, farm land. They are ‘exception sites’”, person has a strong case. However, it might decide to as defined by the national planning policy framework. refuse the request because if it agreed, it would subvert The briefing continues: the exceptions policy and destroy the confidence of “We agree the preferred site with the Parish Council and local people in it, meaning that landowners would no planners and discussions are held with the landowner about longer provide land for such developments and local purchase.” communities would no longer agree to them. The following is the crucial part: Then, of course, the next ghastly consequence of the “The price for an ‘exception’ site is an enhanced agricultural clause bites, because at that point the decision is referred value, averaging £8,000 per plot. to the Planning Inspectorate, which has a remit to consider only viability. It does not have a remit to consider whether Tenures can be affordable rent or shared ownership. Shared owners cannot buy more than 80% of the equity, so the homes a development is desirable, whether it would subvert the remain affordable for future, generally local, purchasers. exceptions policy, or whether it would result in inappropriate development in a national park or area of outstanding The NPPF allows a small number of market sale homes on exception sites to help the financial viability of schemes where natural beauty. It is required to look only at viability. If grant subsidy is limited. it does so on the terms that I have described, it will inevitably find that the section 106 agreement has to be The S106 agreement provides landowners and communities with confidence about the future use of the land; that it will amended or set aside because it prevents viability. always be prioritised for local people and always retained as At the moment when the first of those decisions is affordable housing. taken, the rural exceptions policy is dead, because The delivery of new homes on exception sites requires willing shockwaves will go around the country rapidly and landowners and willing communities. There are often only one or word will get around that this policy that has worked two landowners in rural communities and, without their co-operation, for 25 years; that has helped to secure housing in loads no homes will be built. We need their co-operation.” of areas for people in need; that has kept communities 615 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 616 together; and that has given employment opportunities How are we going to break into that conundrum? to people who need to work on a relatively low wage in The Government are trying many things. They are such areas is no longer viable because people can no trying to get a freer flow of mortgage money and cash longer be confident that a section 106 agreement will to people at cheap prices, so that they can afford more. bite and will remain in force. That is the terrible consequence They are also working on the supply side to try to puncture of the Bill. the land bubble at a sensible rate, so that all homes become more affordable. 6.15 pm The danger with concentrating on so-called affordable Amendment 4 is very modest. The Minister knows homes for rent in the public sector is that, as the right that its purpose is very limited. It is restricted to excepting hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich says, there four circumstances from the general impact of clause 6. is a big lottery element to it. If one was born in the right It would exclude developments in national parks, in areas village or has lived in the right village for long enough, of outstanding natural beauty and in rural areas where one might qualify for such property, but if one has the exceptions policy applies, as defined by section 157 moved around too much or has lived in a different of the Housing Act 1985. As a result of my discussion village, there is no such opportunity. The lottery element with the Minister, I have added a fourth circumstance: is one problem with what the right hon. Gentleman is developments approved subject to neighbourhood suggesting. development orders. In the course of our conversation, The right hon. Gentleman said that affordable homes it became clear that some communities that are considering would always be available, but of course they will not, neighbourhood plans may well give consent to a because they will mainly be lived in by the people who development on the basis that it is affordable and would first get them. Those people might decide to live in them not want that to be subverted by the viability test in for 20, 30, 40 or 50 years, so they will not be available to clause 6. anybody else because they will be providing family My amendments are tightly defined and would safeguard accommodation to those people. We might say that that a policy that has been hugely successful and that is is fine, because that is the purpose of such homes, but subscribed to by parties across the House. If they are they cannot both fulfil the intended role for the family accepted, there will be a huge sigh of relief in many who are lucky enough to get them and be available to a rural communities that are rightly concerned that the family that does not have them. Bill will subvert something that is of value to them and to people in housing need. I hope that the Minister is That leads to a distributional problem, because if persuaded by the evidence that he heard from the somebody who takes on a heavily subsidised affordable people I brought to see him and by the logic of the rented house becomes very successful, we rightly do amendments, and will feel free to support them tonight. not tell them that they have to leave. That means that someone quite rich and successful can be living in a Mr Redwood: The Government are right to be concerned heavily subsidised house, which does not seem fair. It is about the poor volume of house building that they better to move to a system of subsidising people rather inherited and that has continued for the past two and than properties, by giving them income support and the a bit years. It is right that they need to facilitate more means to achieve what they need—a house to buy, a flat development of more or less any kind. It will, by to rent or whatever. It is subsidising property that has definition, be affordable because people will now build got us into all these awful arguments, and it is sending houses only if they can see a purchaser or tenant with the wrong signals and drying up the market in all sorts reasonable security. of ways. There are not enough affordable properties, I have difficulty with the amendments proposed by and an awful lot of developers are being put off. the right hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich I hope that the Minister will build on the ideas that (Mr Raynsford). He and I would probably agree that we are currently in circulation to allow some development need more affordable housing of all kinds in this country. to take place, and that he will not allow previous plans The biggest shortage is probably in affordable housing from better financial times to prevent that development. for sale. A large number of people would like to own I hope he will consider the two important points that their own home. It is one of the tragedies of the current I have made—that it is surely better to subsidise people situation that people in their 20s and quite a lot of in need than particular homes, which can lead to the people in their 30s are no longer able to obtain a large maldistribution of results both geographically and by enough mortgage to afford the prices of homes in many individual; and that it is surely better to work on the parts of the country. We therefore have a new generation land market, because it must be our ultimate aim to of people who do not have the access to home ownership have a land market at prices that people can afford. that previous generations have enjoyed and taken advantage Thanks to the mortgage and subsidy boom of the previous of. decade we are a long way from that, with the result that That has come about because of a mighty land and many of our constituents cannot access the housing property price bubble, generated primarily by the mortgage that they need and would like. excesses of the previous decade and, to a lesser extent, by the capitalisation of the subsidies that the Government Roberta Blackman-Woods: I wish to speak to tipped into the housing sector to try to keep pace with amendments 45 to 48. Clause 6 greatly exercised us in the inflationary bubble that the banking and monetary Committee because of the threat that it presents to the policy was creating. We are using public money to chase future supply of affordable housing delivered through a bubble, which makes it very difficult to get affordable the application of section 106 agreements. No evidence housing to people. The public money then does not go has been provided in Committee or elsewhere of the around as far as it should, because land and property necessity of the clause or of why section 106 agreements, prices are so high. as they relate to affordable housing, should be singled 617 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 618

[Roberta Blackman-Woods] It may help the House to understand the full nature of what is wrong with the clause if I briefly go through out for such treatment. Ministers and other Government each amendment and its purpose. Amendment 45 would Members seemed blasé about what the clause could require a local authority to establish first of all that it is mean for the development of housing, and particularly the application of a section 106 housing agreement that about the need to create communities that are both is making a development unviable. As we pointed out in balanced and mixed. Committee, such an amendment would place a sensible I want to make it clear from the outset that we dislike requirement on local authorities to establish that it is clause 6 very much indeed, and that in tabling our the section 106 agreement for affordable housing that amendments we have sought to curtail its worst excesses. means that a development cannot go ahead as planned. The Minister was not able to provide an evidence base It would also allow other types of obligation, such as for it, a point noted by many witnesses, such as the highways contributions, to be put forward to the local National Housing Federation, which stated that authority for renegotiation as part of current section 106 arrangements. Developers can already ask a local authority “no evidence has been provided to suggest that Section 106 generally, and its affordable housing component specifically, are for a renegotiation of section 106 agreements, so we routinely stalling developments.” simply cannot understand why the Government would not want to accept such a basic, common-sense amendment. The Minister has not explained why the clause is necessary given that local authorities are already renegotiating The LGA has continued to press on that point, section 106 agreements. The Local Government Association stating that it does not understand why the clause has emphasised that point, and as I have already pointed addresses only affordable housing when section 106 out to the Minister, the LGA is currently—I stress that agreements also fund other forms of infrastructure. It word to my hon. Friends—under the control of the has asked why social housing is deemed dispensable, Conservative party. It stated that it believed the whole of especially since the current lack of funding has had a clause 6 to be particular impact on the delivery of affordable housing, which is greatly needed. “unnecessary because councils are already responding to changed economic circumstances by renegotiating Section 106…agreements After the May 2010 election, the Government cut the voluntarily.” budget for new affordable homes by 60%. Labour invested Case studies exist from a range of councils, including £8.4 billion in the three years between 2008 and 2011, Cheshire West and Chester, Exeter and Haringey. Given whereas the current Government will invest just over the relatively short time available I will not go into them half of that amount in the four years between 2011 and in much detail, but it is worth pointing out that Cheshire 2015. At the same time, funding for existing affordable West and Chester council has already renegotiated the homes has fallen. As a consequence, shockingly, 37% of section 106 agreement for Winnington urban village, affordable homes do not meet the decent homes standard. and that Exeter city council has done the same for a I say to Ministers in passing that when we discussed the series of new developments. There are a lot of examples matter in Committee, no mention was made of the huge of that across the country, and I am happy to pass the amount of money that went into upholding that standard information on to the Minister if necessary. under the previous Government. Of course, that kept a number of affordable houses in occupation. Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) We know that private rents are soaring. They hit a (LD): Does the hon. Lady accept that there is a problem record high over the summer and are even higher at the with the current system? My local authority is run by moment. The number of homelessness acceptances is the Labour party and has done a deal with the biggest increasing, and over the past year rough sleeping has developer on the estate near the Elephant and Castle, risen by about 23%. Affordable housing is therefore reducing the agreed planning percentage of affordable more necessary than ever, which is why the clause is so housing from 35% to 25%. When I asked, on behalf of dangerous. those I represent, to see the paperwork justifying the The Minister should note that the Local Government viability of that, the council and the developer said no. Association supports amendment 44. It asks the Minister to set out in regulations the criteria by which viability is Roberta Blackman-Woods: The right hon. Gentleman to be assessed, and to consult relevant organisations makes an interesting point, and I hope that he will before doing so—the issue raised by the right hon. persuade Ministers to accept our amendment 44, on Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon how viability is measured. It would require more precise Hughes). The LGA states that the clause encourages guidance to be given to local authorities of whatever have-a-go behaviour for developers, because it offers no political shade so that they know how they should reason for them not to try to seek a reduction in their assess viability. Voluntary agreements, which usually affordable housing obligations from the Planning mean negotiating section 106 requirements downwards, Inspectorate. The LGA has said that the clause could are occurring across the country, so we and local councils delay house building and economic recovery as developers need a better understanding of what is meant by viability wait for the new regime to be put in place, while placing in that context. additional resources centrally with the inspectorate, We know from the evidence provided by the LGA rather than properly resourcing local planning authorities. that on average councils are willing to accept a level of affordable housing about a third lower than the amount 6.30 pm set in their local plan. We also know that all but 2% of Amendment 44 proposes that the Secretary of councils have said that they would be willing to renegotiate State sets out in regulations, on which there has been section 106 agreements. There is therefore a big question consultation, the criteria for assessing economic viability. about the need to include clause 6 at all. The determination of economic viability and the ability 619 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 620 of developers to use non-viability as a means of and land value has risen. It allows for the local authority renegotiating section 106 agreements for affordable housing to determine a new requirement, modify a requirement, is central to the clause, yet at no stage has the Secretary or agree to review it after a given period. of State thought it necessary or reasonable to set out The Government do not seem to have contemplated a clearly to the members of the Committee, the House, situation in which land values are rising. As the Bill is relevant organisations and agencies or developers how supposed to contain measures that support growth, that viability is to be determined. That is simply not acceptable; is extremely worrying. Clearly, the Government have no greater transparency is necessary. Indeed, on this more faith in the ability of the Bill to deliver growth amendment the National Organisation of Residents than we do. The amendment would allow for the Associations asked the Minister what I think is a fair renegotiation of section 106 agreements for housing to question: who decides what is an appropriate profit be made where land values have increased and development margin and how will it be assessed? The association on a renegotiated agreement downwards has not been made the relevant point that it could be a moving feast. delivered within one year. The Minister considered the In Committee, the Minister said: one-year period to be too short. Perhaps he will be able “Of course it is important that local authorities understand to tell the House today what sort of time frame he how viability will be measured and what criteria will be used. The would consider. guidance will be published in due course.”––[Official Report, Amendment 48 is extremely important. If a developer Growth and Infrastructure Public Bill Committee, 27 November 2012; sought to persuade the Secretary of State that a c. 295.] development was not viable because of the application More guidance! I thought the Government said that of a 106 agreement for affordable housing and that it they were seeking to reduce guidance, yet we find, again should therefore be removed, the amendment would and again during consideration of the Bill, that not only ensure that the land remains protected for use by social do we have consultation papers coming out of our ears, landlords, or by the local authority if possible. That but we will have a lot more guidance to deal with too. would protect the development of mixed communities We need to know when the guidance will be published and ensure that social landlords are not denied building and whether the Minister is discussing the matter with opportunities through of the absence of land—a point the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, which, I made to the Minister by a number of housing associations. understand, has already produced some draft guidance. The Minister said that for social housing landlords Amendment 46 would require the Government to use “land is often the thing they find hardest to come by, particularly the £300 million they say they have allocated for affordable land in a larger development, which is necessary to create a mixed housing—I am concerned it may have been allocated a community.”––[Official Report, Growth and Infrastructure Public number of times already—to be used to pay developers Bill Committee, 27 November 2012; c. 306.] to make sites viable. Labour Members are desperately He also said that more guidance will be published. concerned that the removal of affordable housing from I finish on this point and ask him again: when will this development sites will lead to a lack of balance and a new guidance be published? lack of mix in our communities. That is why we think it is better for the Government’s money to be used for Several hon. Members rose— mixed schemes, which are already planned and deliverable, rather than to stop them and put the money somewhere Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. else. We feel strongly about this and at the appropriate Just before I call the next speaker, I want to remind the time will press the amendment to a Division. House that the knife falls at 7 o’clock. The Minister has What the Minister said in Committee is interesting, not spoken yet and it will be necessary to hear him speak. because he seemed to acknowledge my point about the need to develop balanced communities: Simon Hughes: I will be brief. I want to make a “One reason why we all want to retain the rather clumsy 106 couple of comments on clause 6 and affordable housing, system is that there does not seem to be another way of achieving and to follow on from the comments made by the hon. mixed communities whereby new developments of private housing Member for City of Durham (Roberta Blackman-Woods) also include affordable housing. We are genuinely trying to make on her amendments. this work.”––[Official Report, Growth and Infrastructure Public Bill Committee, 27 November 2012; c. 289.] I have concerns about the protection of affordable housing, both as it is traditionally defined—social rents, It therefore seems strange that, having acknowledged council rents or target rents—and as it may be defined the problem in Committee, the Government have come now or in the future, which is at a higher percentage of forward with no proposals to address it on Report. The market rents. I have raised this personally with the Town and Country Planning Association highlighted Minister—he has been very helpful—and the Under- the issue, drawing attention to the fact that Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, “The effect of the reforms to Section 106 agreements will be to my right hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Mr Foster). reduce the quantum of land for affordable housing and risks I would be grateful if the Minister addresses three increased social polarisation on particular sites.” questions. How will the Minister ensure that mixed sites will First, how can I be assured that my constituents, continue if a developer asks for the section l06 agreements local councillors and I, as the MP, will be able to see any on affordable housing to be removed? deal that is done between our local council and the Amendment 47 was also the subject of some discussion developer, and be able to ensure that the argument in Committee, not least because the structure of clause 6 about viability is justified? To be blunt, I do not often allows only for a situation in which land values are believe developers when they say, “The figures don’t falling. The amendment addresses the situation where stack up.” I have reasons for not believing them. On the development has been stalled for more than one year south bank, for example, developers got out of an 621 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 622

[Simon Hughes] lack of customers and the fact that banks, by and large, have withdrawn finance from that section of the industry. obligation with the local authority on the basis that the In that area, there has been almost no growth at all; in figures did not stack up, but, when the properties were fact, the industry is now at a standstill. Once again, that sold, the sale price was much higher than the likely sale is not due to section 106 agreements. price they put down. Clearly, then, their profit was greater and they could have afforded to build many Mr Redwood: The hon. Gentleman is right that the more affordable homes. How can my hon. Friend the main problem is the lack of effective demand because of Minister assure me that we can know publicly what is the banking and mortgage collapse, but does he not see economically viable? that, because of that, there is little or no profit in these Secondly, how can we guarantee input into the prospective developments and that that is why they discussions about the guidance, about which the Minister cannot afford the 106 agreement-type levels common has spoken and written to me, to ensure that it is before the bust? effective? Bills are often outline structures implemented by secondary legislation and guidance, so I would like 6.45 pm reassurance about the effectiveness of guidance in ensuring Mr Betts: I put to the right hon. Gentleman a point viability—accurately defined—and transparency and a that has already been made very effectively: why, then, common way of assessing it that applies all over England. are the Government targeting only the social and affordable It is no good having a viability argument in Southwark housing element of section 106 agreements? What about that is different from one in the north-east; we need a the rest of the obligations on developers? Do they not common formula that developers and councils have to cause a problem too? In an earlier debate—I do not follow. know whether the right hon. Gentleman was present—when My final question relates to a point made, perfectly challenged by his colleagues behind him about the need properly, by the hon. Lady. How can we provide for the to ensure proper infrastructure, the Minister talked deliverability of affordable housing to go up and down? about the need for the community infrastructure levy to If the market drops, I could understand developers provide the resources to ensure that that infrastructure saying, “We can’t deliver,” although they would need to was provided. If developers have a problem with viability, explain their case publicly. But if, as with the case on the why is he championing the community infrastructure south bank, the market goes up and the money to be levy and 106 agreements that are currently providing made by the developer is greater, the community, represented infrastructure for non-housing elements while targeting by the local authority, needs to be able to say, “We want the housing element of 106 agreements? Why is that some money back. We want an additional affordable necessary? Again, we have had no answer from him. housing component.” On the housing element, I want to return to a point I hope that the Minister will put on the record some that we discussed in the Select Committee the other day of what he has written and spoken to me about and and which my hon. Friend the Member for City of what I have discussed with the Under-Secretary, my Durham (Roberta Blackman-Woods) just made very right hon. Friend the Member for Bath. I also hope he strongly. I refer to the crucial issue of mixed housing can reassure us that in the remaining work on the developments. I would have thought that there would Bill—before it becomes law and in subsequent secondary be cross-Chamber support for the idea of mixed housing legislation and guidance—the House can have an input developments. We do not want people in owner-occupied into what is drafted and confidence that we will not lose houses in one place and a smaller number of rented affordable housing because developers that can afford homes completely segregated on a different site. We to deliver on that simply say that they cannot. need mixed schemes where everyone, irrespective of their tenure, can live together side by side. I thought that Mr Betts: I want to raise a number of points on was the Government’s policy. which I hope the Minister can provide the reassurance We had an interesting discussion about that in the Select that, in previous debates in the Chamber and before the Committee. We asked the Minister why, if £300 million Communities and Local Government Committee, he was to be made available to provide additional rented has not provided. homes in order to compensate for the ones lost under First, where is the evidence of a problem? The Homes section 106 agreements, those properties could not be and Communities Agency wrote to me to say that it had built on the same sites as the schemes in question in had no difficulties with section 106 agreements holding order to increase their viability. As I understand it, that up any of its schemes. The volume house builders, to is precisely what my hon. Friend’s amendment 46 would which I presume the Minister talks—I have been at do, so will the Minister respond favourably to it? It meetings with them—say that the problem is not the would simply put into the Bill the idea that he seemed to section 106 agreements or the planning system, but welcome in the Select Committee the other day. I look getting customers who have access to finance and the forward to his response. confidence to spend it walking through their doors I turn to amendment 44, which was also tabled by my wanting to buy their homes. hon. Friend. The right hon. Member for Bermondsey The part of the industry most in difficulty comprises and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes) made the point the small builders; the volume house builders and larger about viability and whether we can trust developers companies have simply reduced how much they are when they say that a scheme is not viable. By what building. The small builders build on small sites which, criteria will they and the Secretary of State be judged if by their very nature, do not have section 106 agreements a scheme is changed and fewer affordable houses are attached to them, yet it is those schemes that have built? The Minister must accept that 106 agreements are largely stopped across the country, again because of a not often backroom deals made in isolation between 623 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 624 council officials and developers; they are often out there affordable housing in key rural exception sites might and scrutinised not merely by councillors, but by the diminish if the clause were to be applied to those public affected by them. genuinely exceptional schemes. I am grateful to the Communities want to know what will be built in their right hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich for areas and whether rented homes will be available for organising a meeting with the housing association and people who cannot afford to buy. They will be very the national park authority, and to my right hon. Friend suspicious if, without such criteria in the Bill, the Secretary the Member for Hazel Grove for attending it. I have of State seems to be doing a deal behind the scenes— been persuaded by the principle of their argument, but whether or not it is called the Planning Inspectorate—which the precise way that the right hon. Gentleman’s amendment results in the withdrawal of the affordable homes that takes account of the issue is not necessarily right and I they thought were being built, and to which they and hope I can persuade him not to press the amendment to their families would have access, and different amounts a vote. I am currently looking at proposals that will be of affordable housing, if any, being agreed for the site. brought forward in the other place to achieve a carve-out That is why it is important that the Minister states for rural exception sites from this provision. upfront the criteria that will be used to change the I have also been persuaded by some of the arguments affordable housing component that communities will about developers achieving a more favourable affordable assume will be negotiated for their areas. housing agreement and then sitting on it. That is why, Finally, the lack of rigorous time scales in the proposals unprompted, the Government have clarified that any is worrying. My hon. Friend the Member for City of affordable housing agreement renegotiated by the Planning Durham mentioned the possibility of revisiting the Inspectorate will survive for three years but return to its issue after one year and reinstating higher levels of previous level at the end of that period. If the developer affordable housing for any scheme. That is a really has not built out on the basis of the new, lower, affordable important point, because the worry that some people housing agreement, the agreement will return to the have about the proposal is that developers will simply previous higher level and they will have to continue to say that schemes are not viable; renegotiate them so that build it out at that level. less affordable housing has to be provided; and sit on the land and wait till times become more propitious—when Simon Hughes: Will the Planning Inspectorate system they can sell the houses for more, sell more houses and ensure that anybody can see the figures as well as the provide fewer for rent. In the meantime nothing will facts? happen. In other words, instead of a stimulus to growth, the proposals could defer development and increase the Nick Boles: I was coming to that. Currently, I am profitability of the schemes so that fewer affordable or glad to say, the Planning Inspectorate is required to rented houses are produced. The Minister needs to consider in its decision only evidence that is published address that worry and include some proper time periods, or available publicly. It is not allowed to take into as my hon. Friend the Member for City of Durham has account anything that it is given on an entirely confidential suggested. basis. We intend to apply that principle to its decisions on viability under this clause, and through guidance we Nick Boles: Everybody is keen for me to explain will urge local authorities as strongly as possible to things and reassure them, but they have not given me a adopt the same policy. Currently there is not quite the great amount of time in which to do so. I hope you will same expectation, but being a proper localist I am not understand, Madam Deputy Speaker, if I canter through in the business of compelling local authorities to do my remarks pretty quickly. such things. However, I reassure my right hon. Friend I am a simple soul and do not have a lot of truck with that we will be nudging them hard. ideology. I want to build more houses now, and I want The further financial support announced at the same the absolute certainty that they will go up, rather than a time as measures in the Bill—£300 million of subsidy vague, tenuous hope of even more houses at a possible and a further £10 billion of guarantees—was also raised. future date. Our discussions in Committee and this As I explained in Committee—it is important to repeat evening have persuaded me even more of the merit of it in the House—the subsidy is awarded to particular this clause, and I am redoubled in my enthusiasm. providers of affordable housing, not particular schemes, and Members across the House will want provision of Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Will the Minister that subsidy and its allocation to different providers to give way? be based on value for money. We all want more, rather than fewer, houses for the amount of money available. Nick Boles: I am sorry, but I will not give way because We cannot allocate money to solve the problem of a many hon. Members have asked me for explanations particular site, because that would not meet the value- and assurances. I am entirely convinced of the merit of for-money test, as some sites will represent worse value this clause, but in Committee I heard good arguments for money than others. It is, therefore, right to retain the from Members across the House about ways in which discretion to give the subsidy where value for money is the legislation might be applied that would not produce greatest, but there is nothing to prevent providers who more houses soon, or could threaten that possibility. I have sites that are affected by such renegotiation from will address two of those arguments, which I hope will coming forward with proposals for that subsidy and offer some reassurance to many hon. Members. guarantee. If they can make the case that a site represents My right hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove a good place to invest the Government’s money, there is (Andrew Stunell) and the right hon. Member for Greenwich every chance they will secure some of that subsidy. and Woolwich (Mr Raynsford) raised the issue of rural What we are trying to achieve is simple. Many local exception sites. I understand that the likelihood of more authorities, of all political stripes, have understood that land being brought forward in the future to supply some agreements were based on market values that no 625 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 626

[Nick Boles] Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendment proposed: 46, page 6, line 40, at end longer pertain, or on market conditions that are no longer insert in place, and are therefore impossible for any developer ‘or, to build out. Those authorities—and I congratulate (e) request that the requirement is to be met in part, or in them on it—have voluntarily renegotiated the affordable full, by central government funding allocated for the housing elements of their section 106 agreements, and delivery of affordable homes.’.—(Roberta Blackman- sometimes other elements, to unlock activity and house Woods.) building now. The Government would like to see every local authority do that willingly, off its own bat, without The House divided: Ayes 220, Noes 271. theapplicationof thisclause,andtransparentlysothatthe Division No. 122] [7 pm localpopulationcanseewhyithastakenthosedecisions. A common thread running through this Bill is that AYES we want many of its measures never to be needed Abbott, Ms Diane Docherty, Thomas because local authorities have acted first. That is true of Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. clause 1 and equally true of this clause. We want local Alexander, Heidi Donohoe, Mr Brian H. authorities to take responsibility, and instead of fetishising Ali, Rushanara Doran, Mr Frank an agreement that sets out a vague target for affordable Anderson, Mr David Doughty, Stephen homes that might be built, we want them to do whatever Ashworth, Jonathan Dowd, Jim Bailey, Mr Adrian Doyle, Gemma it takes, pragmatically and practically, to ensure that Bain, Mr William Dromey, Jack homes are built. I have accepted many suggestions from Balls, rh Ed Dugher, Michael hon. Members on all sides of the House, and I have Banks, Gordon Durkan, Mark learned a great deal from those more experienced than Barron, rh Mr Kevin Eagle, Ms Angela me about such things as rural exception sites and the Bayley, Hugh Eagle, Maria way viability is assessed. Beckett, rh Margaret Edwards, Jonathan I hope I have persuaded hon. Members that the Begg, Dame Anne Efford, Clive Government are genuinely trying to make the legislation Benn, rh Hilary Elliott, Julie work to produce more houses now, while retaining the Berger, Luciana Ellman, Mrs Louise important principle of mixed communities, emphasised Betts, Mr Clive Engel, Natascha Blackman-Woods, Roberta Esterson, Bill by Members across the House. We want mixed communities Blenkinsop, Tom Evans, Chris to remain a key theme; we do not want gated communities. Blomfield, Paul Farrelly, Paul That is why the new section 106 affordable housing Blunkett, rh Mr David Field, rh Mr Frank agreements will return to their previous level after three Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Fitzpatrick, Jim years if they have not been built out fully.The Government Brennan, Kevin Flello, Robert hope and would prefer local authorities, rather than the Brown, Lyn Flint, rh Caroline Planning Inspectorate, to renegotiate affordable housing Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Flynn, Paul agreements. The amendment is a last resort to prevent a Brown, Mr Russell Fovargue, Yvonne very few pig-headed local authorities from doing what Bryant, Chris Francis, Dr Hywel is in the interests of their own people and ensuring that Buck, Ms Karen Gapes, Mike more houses get built quickly, rather than waiting for Burden, Richard Gardiner, Barry some never-never land where that unrealistic agreement Burnham, rh Andy Gilmore, Sheila is finally translated into bricks, mortar and roofs over Campbell, Mr Alan Glass, Pat Campbell, Mr Ronnie Glindon, Mrs Mary people’s heads. Champion, Sarah Godsiff, Mr Roger This debate, and those in Committee and on Second Chapman, Jenny Goggins, rh Paul Reading, have shown that the Government—two parties Clarke, rh Mr Tom Goodman, Helen with very different philosophies—believe in practical Clwyd, rh Ann Greatrex, Tom measures to get things done and make people’s lives Coaker, Vernon Green, Kate better. All too often the Labour party prefers postures, Coffey, Ann Greenwood, Lilian statements and wild aspirations with absolutely no Cooper, rh Yvette Griffith, Nia explanation about how it will deliver them. On that Corbyn, Jeremy Gwynne, Andrew basis, I hope that the right hon. Member for Greenwich Crausby, Mr David Hain, rh Mr Peter and Woolwich will withdraw his well-intentioned and Creagh, Mary Hamilton, Mr David Creasy, Stella Hamilton, Fabian sensible amendment with a view to an alternative being Cruddas, Jon Hanson, rh Mr David brought forward in the other place. I urge the House to Cryer, John Harris, Mr Tom resist the amendments tabled by the hon. Member for Cunningham, Alex Havard, Mr Dai City of Durham and her hon. Friends. Cunningham, Mr Jim Healey, rh John Cunningham, Sir Tony Hillier, Meg Mr Raynsford: I am slightly disappointed that the Curran, Margaret Hilling, Julie Minister cannot accept the wording of my amendments. Dakin, Nic Hodge, rh Margaret I took some care with the wording in Committee—indeed, Danczuk, Simon Hodgson, Mrs Sharon one of my amendments was treated as poetic, which David, Wayne Hoey, Kate was a rather attractive description. On this occasion, Davidson, Mr Ian Hopkins, Kelvin despite the affront to my amour propre and the fact that Davies, Geraint Hunt, Tristram the Minister has not accepted the wording, I accept his De Piero, Gloria Irranca-Davies, Huw good intentions and the fact that he has agreed for the Denham, rh Mr John Jackson, Glenda Government to introduce amendments in another place. Dobbin, Jim Jamieson, Cathy I therefore beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Dobson, rh Frank Jarvis, Dan 627 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 628

Johnson, rh Alan Qureshi, Yasmin Bray, Angie Griffiths, Andrew Johnson, Diana Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Brazier, Mr Julian Gummer, Ben Jones, Graham Reed, Steve Bridgen, Andrew Gyimah, Mr Sam Jones, Helen Reeves, Rachel Brine, Steve Halfon, Robert Jones, Mr Kevan Reynolds, Emma Brokenshire, James Hames, Duncan Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Reynolds, Jonathan Brooke, Annette Hammond, Stephen Keeley, Barbara Ritchie, Ms Margaret Browne, Mr Jeremy Hancock, Matthew Kendall, Liz Robertson, John Bruce, Fiona Hands, Greg Khan, rh Sadiq Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Harper, Mr Mark Lammy, rh Mr David Rotheram, Steve Buckland, Mr Robert Harrington, Richard Lavery, Ian Roy, Lindsay Burley, Mr Aidan Harris, Rebecca Lazarowicz, Mark Ruane, Chris Burns, Conor Hart, Simon Leslie, Chris Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Burns, rh Mr Simon Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Sarwar, Anas Burstow, rh Paul Hayes, Mr John Long, Naomi Sawford, Andy Burt, Alistair Heald, Oliver Love, Mr Andrew Seabeck, Alison Burt, Lorely Heaton-Harris, Chris Lucas, Caroline Shannon, Jim Cable, rh Vince Hemming, John Lucas, Ian Sharma, Mr Virendra Cairns, Alun Henderson, Gordon Mahmood, Shabana Sheridan, Jim Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Hendry, Charles Malhotra, Seema Shuker, Gavin Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Herbert, rh Nick Mann, John Simpson, David Carmichael, Neil Hinds, Damian Marsden, Mr Gordon Skinner, Mr Dennis Carswell, Mr Douglas Hoban, Mr Mark McCann, Mr Michael Smith, rh Mr Andrew Cash, Mr William Hollingbery, George McCarthy, Kerry Smith, Angela Chishti, Rehman Hollobone, Mr Philip McClymont, Gregg Smith, Nick Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hopkins, Kris McDonagh, Siobhain Stringer, Graham Coffey, Dr Thérèse Horwood, Martin McDonald, Andy Stuart, Ms Gisela Collins, Damian Howell, John Colvile, Oliver Hughes, rh Simon McDonnell, John Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry McFadden, rh Mr Pat Cox, Mr Geoffrey Huhne, rh Chris Tami, Mark McGovern, Alison Crabb, Stephen Jackson, Mr Stewart Thomas, Mr Gareth McKechin, Ann Crockart, Mike James, Margot Thornberry, Emily McKenzie, Mr Iain Crouch, Tracey Javid, Sajid Timms, rh Stephen McKinnell, Catherine Davies, David T. C. Jenkin, Mr Bernard Meacher, rh Mr Michael Trickett, Jon (Monmouth) Johnson, Gareth Mearns, Ian Twigg, Derek Davies, Glyn Johnson, Joseph Miliband, rh David Twigg, Stephen Davis, rh Mr David Jones, Andrew Miller, Andrew Umunna, Mr Chuka Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Jones, rh Mr David Moon, Mrs Madeleine Vaz, rh Keith Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Jones, Mr Marcus Morden, Jessica Vaz, Valerie Doyle-Price, Jackie Kawczynski, Daniel Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Walley, Joan Drax, Richard Kelly, Chris Morris, Grahame M. Watson, Mr Tom Duddridge, James Kirby, Simon (Easington) Watts, Mr Dave Duncan, rh Mr Alan Knight, rh Mr Greg Mudie, Mr George Whitehead, Dr Alan Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Lamb, Norman Munn, Meg Williams, Hywel Dunne, Mr Philip Latham, Pauline Murphy, rh Mr Jim Williamson, Chris Ellis, Michael Laws, rh Mr David Murray, Ian Winnick, Mr David Ellwood, Mr Tobias Lee, Jessica Nandy, Lisa Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Elphicke, Charlie Lee, Dr Phillip Nash, Pamela Wood, Mike Eustice, George Leech, Mr John Evans, Graham Lefroy, Jeremy O’Donnell, Fiona Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Osborne, Sandra Evans, Jonathan Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Wright, David Owen, Albert Fabricant, Michael Lewis, Brandon Wright, Mr Iain Perkins, Toby Fallon, rh Michael Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Phillipson, Bridget Tellers for the Ayes: Farron, Tim Lidington, rh Mr David Pound, Stephen Phil Wilson and Field, Mark Lilley, rh Mr Peter Powell, Lucy Susan Elan Jones Foster, rh Mr Don Lopresti, Jack Francois, rh Mr Mark Lord, Jonathan NOES Freeman, George Loughton, Tim Freer, Mike Luff, Peter Adams, Nigel Bellingham, Mr Henry Fuller, Richard Macleod, Mary Afriyie, Adam Beresford, Sir Paul Garnier, Sir Edward Main, Mrs Anne Aldous, Peter Berry, Jake Garnier, Mark May, rh Mrs Theresa Amess, Mr David Bingham, Andrew Gauke, Mr David Maynard, Paul Andrew, Stuart Birtwistle, Gordon Gibb, Mr Nick McCartney, Jason Bacon, Mr Richard Blackman, Bob Gilbert, Stephen McCartney, Karl Baker, Norman Blackwood, Nicola Glen, John McIntosh, Miss Anne Baker, Steve Blunt, Mr Crispin Goldsmith, Zac McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Baldry, Sir Tony Boles, Nick Goodwill, Mr Robert McPartland, Stephen Baldwin, Harriett Bone, Mr Peter Graham, Richard McVey, Esther Barclay, Stephen Bottomley, Sir Peter Grant, Mrs Helen Menzies, Mark Barwell, Gavin Bradley, Karen Gray, Mr James Metcalfe, Stephen Bebb, Guto Brady, Mr Graham Grayling, rh Chris Miller, rh Maria Beith, rh Sir Alan Brake, rh Tom Greening, rh Justine Mills, Nigel 629 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 630

Milton, Anne Smith, Sir Robert (b) the resulting regulations are expressed to cease to have Moore, rh Michael Spencer, Mr Mark effect (other than for transitional purposes) before that date”’.—(Nick Morgan, Nicky Stanley, rh Sir John Boles.) Morris, Anne Marie Stephenson, Andrew Morris, David Stevenson, John Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): I beg to move Mosley, Stephen Stewart, Bob amendment 59, page 32, line 9, leave out clause 25. Mowat, David Stewart, Iain Munt, Tessa Stewart, Rory Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): With this Murray, Sheryll Streeter, Mr Gary it will be convenient to discuss the following: Murrison, Dr Andrew Stride, Mel Newmark, Mr Brooks Stuart, Mr Graham Government amendments 22 and 23. Newton, Sarah Stunell, rh Andrew Amendment 60 in clause 25, page 32, line 13, leave Nokes, Caroline Sturdy, Julian out ‘or becomes’. Nuttall, Mr David Swales, Ian Government amendment 24. O’Brien, Mr Stephen Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Offord, Dr Matthew Swinson, Jo Amendment 37, page 32, line 14, at end insert— Ollerenshaw, Eric Swire, rh Mr Hugo ‘(za) the individual has been an employee of a company Opperman, Guy Syms, Mr Robert for at least two years.’. Ottaway, Richard Teather, Sarah Amendment 61, page 32, line 15, leave out ‘the company’ Paice, rh Sir James Thurso, John Parish, Neil Timpson, Mr Edward and insert ‘a majority of the employees of the company’. Patel, Priti Tomlinson, Justin Government amendment 25. Pawsey, Mark Tredinnick, David Amendment 62, page 32, line 21, after ‘£2,000’, insert— Penrose, John Turner, Mr Andrew ‘if the individual has been an employee of the company for less Phillips, Stephen Tyrie, Mr Andrew than three years, increased by an additional £2,000 for every Pickles, rh Mr Eric Uppal, Paul additional year for which the individual has been an employee of Pincher, Christopher Vaizey, Mr Edward the company’. Poulter, Dr Daniel Vara, Mr Shailesh Prisk, Mr Mark Vickers, Martin Amendment 40, page 32, line 23, at end insert— Pritchard, Mark Walker, Mr Robin ‘(1A) The Secretary of State shall make by statutory Pugh, John Wallace, Mr Ben instrument such regulations as are necessary to safeguard an Raab, Mr Dominic Watkinson, Angela employee who declines to enter into an agreement under Reckless, Mark Weatherley, Mike subsection (1) from any consequential detriment. Redwood, rh Mr John Webb, Steve (1B) The Secretary of State may not make any regulations Rees-Mogg, Jacob Wharton, James under subsection (1A) unless a draft of the statutory instrument Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Wheeler, Heather containing the regulations has been laid before, and approved by, Robathan, rh Mr Andrew White, Chris a resolution of each House of Parliament.’. Robertson, rh Hugh Whittaker, Craig Amendment 41, page 32, line 23, at end insert— Robertson, Mr Laurence Whittingdale, Mr John Rudd, Amber Wiggin, Bill ‘(1C) The Secretary of State shall issue such guidance as is Ruffley, Mr David Williams, Mr Mark necessary to safeguard any person who declines to enter into an agreement under subsection (1) from any consequential Russell, Sir Bob Williams, Stephen Rutley, David reduction or withdrawal of any state benefit to which they are Williamson, Gavin entitled by virtue of their current employment status.’. Sandys, Laura Willott, Jenny Scott, Mr Lee Wollaston, Dr Sarah Amendment 63, page 32, line 23, at end insert— Selous, Andrew Wright, Jeremy ‘(1A) The Secretary of State shall provide by regulations for Shapps, rh Grant Wright, Simon there to be, for every company having employee shareholders, a Shelbrooke, Alec Young, rh Sir George director who is elected by those employee shareholders. Shepherd, Mr Richard Zahawi, Nadhim (1B) Regulations under subsection (1A) shall be made by Simpson, Mr Keith statutory instrument and shall not be made unless a draft has Skidmore, Chris Tellers for the Noes: been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Smith, Miss Chloe Mr David Evennett and Parliament.’. Smith, Julian Mark Hunter Amendment 39, page 32, line 24, leave out from beginning to end of line 11 on page 33. Question accordingly negatived. Government amendments 26 to 31, 64, 65, 32 and 66.

Clause 8 Ian Murray: We now come to the worst clause in a bad Bill. In the words of the Christmas song, ’tis the ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS CODE: THE NEED TO season to be jolly, but sadly this out-of-touch Government PROMOTE GROWTH are dampening the festive spirit with a measure that embodies the characteristics of the classic Dickens character, Amendment made: 6, page 11, line 31, at end insert— the miserly employer Ebenezer Scrooge, at his worst. I ‘( ) At the end of section 14 of the National Parks (Scotland) at would never accuse the Minister of State, the right hon. 2000 (asp 10) (public authorities’ duty to have regard to National Member for Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon), of being such Park Plans when exercising functions in relation to National Parks), the existing text of which becomes subsection (1), insert— a character, but I hope that he will prove to the House that he is not, by removing clause 25 from the Bill. “(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the exercise by the Secretary of State of the power to make regulations under section As in that Christmas tale, let us look back at the 109 of the Communications Act 2003 (conditions and restrictions ghost of Beecroft past. It was back at the beginning of on application of electronic communications code) if— October when, much to everyone’s surprise, the Chancellor (a) the power is exercised before 6 April 2018, and announced the Government’s intention to introduce a 631 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 632 new employment status. A company would be able to become an employee-owner, and despite our tabling offer an employee shares in its business in exchange for constructive amendments in Committee the Government some of that individual’s rights at work. The proposal rejected them outright. I appreciate that the right hon. has had a quick passage since the Chancellor’s speech, Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell) and the in which he spoke of Secretary of State tabled amendments relating to this, “owners, workers and the taxman, all in it together. Workers of but the reality in the workplace is much more difficult. the world unite.” What about people who are claiming jobseeker’s I have to give it to the Chancellor; he has certainly allowance? Members will have received a letter from the fostered a sense of unity.He has unified outright opposition Department of Work and Pensions only last month to this policy from every quarter. It has received a outlining the sanctions available to the Department if lukewarm response, at best, from the business community, people refuse to take a job. It stated that the higher rate and it has been roundly trounced by employee organisations, sanction would be put in place if claimants trade unions, business leaders and charities. Only five of “refuse or fail to apply for a suitable job”. the 219 consultation responses welcomed the proposals. Wouldrefusing an employee-owner-only contract constitute We therefore believe that our amendment 59 is the only refusing to take a suitable job? The Minister said in acceptable option, as we can see no way in which the Committee that that would be up to the discretion of clause could be amended to make it more palatable. I the DWP, and that he would reflect on that discretion. appreciate that amendments have been tabled by my That is simply deplorable. I am keen to hear what hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington measures he will propose, having reflected on the matter, (John McDonnell), who is in his place, but, to be to ensure that the scheme is genuinely voluntary, as the honest, he is trying valiantly to make a silk purse out of Government insist, and that jobseeker’s allowance claimants a sow’s ear. will not be at a disadvantage, should they rightly refuse As my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds to accept a job in which they did not have full rights at Central (Hilary Benn) said on Second Reading, this work. measure is about cash for repeal. For as little as £2,000-worth The Government are also unclear about the valuation of shares, an employee would be able to give up legal of shares and the cost to the businesses themselves. rights such as their right to training, their right to unfair How is the average employee meant assess the true dismissal protections, their right to a redundancy value of the shares being offered? payment—even though their shares might be valued at Let me refer again to the wonderful contributions by less than the statutory redundancy payment—and their Paul Callaghan when he gave evidence in Committee. right to flexible working, which would fly in the face of He highlighted the significant potential costs to business announcements made by the Department for Business, of putting these proposals in place: the costs of valuing, Innovation and Skills only last week. issuing and allotting new shares in small numbers to a great number of employees. He said that small firms 7.15 pm might not wish to dilute their share ownership in this Looking at the proposal more closely, we see that the way in any case, and might have internal restrictions ambiguities are numerous. It is not at all clear whether preventing them from doing so. What happens when the new type of employment contract would be genuinely small businesses have additional investment, as often voluntary. In Committee, the Minister said that nothing happens in the technology sector, at which these proposals in the Bill would make the status mandatory, but I am are directed? not sure that that clarification is good enough. Paul Critically, the loss of unfair dismissal rights may lead Callaghan from the respected legal firm Taylor Wessing to grievances being construed as other claims. This has commented that could lead to an escalation in discrimination and “these contracts will be optional to the extent that eating and whistleblowing claims, which are more time consuming, drinking is optional.” more costly to the employer and take up more tribunal time. This could be catastrophic for business. We know that employers will be able to offer employee- owner status to new recruits, but it is far from clear how Overall, the adverse impacts on employees, the voluntary the scheme will be in reality, or whether disincentives for employers and the inconsistencies with employees or prospective employees will be offered a existing legislation all tend to suggest that this has not real choice. People will be under undue pressure to take been properly thought through, which is really bad for up a position even though they might not be able fully business. There are also issues with insolvency and to appreciate the rights that they will be giving up. In when businesses run into trouble. Given that these truth, few with family responsibilities would want such contracts will mean employees giving up their redundancy a contract. We have consistently posed the question of and unfair dismissal rights in exchange for as little as whether employers would be free to decide to employ all £2,000 in shares, when a company needs to shed staff it new recruits on employee-owner contracts, meaning will surely sack those on employee-owner contracts that individuals would have no choice but to contract because the share value will be at its lowest, or, indeed, out of their basic employment rights if they wanted the be completely worthless. job. The Minister has failed to address those points. What about the hot topic of tax avoidance? The Institute for Fiscal Studies attacked the Government I have also raised the fear that there would be nothing for condemning tax avoidance as they to prevent employers from threatening existing employees “prepare…to put another billion pound lollipop on the table”. that they will retain their jobs only if they agree to sign The IFS said: a new employee-owner contract. Existing employees “Just as government ministers are falling over themselves to could therefore be pressurised into agreeing to move on condemn such... behaviour, that same government is trumpeting a to such a contract. No mention is made in the Bill of new tax policy that looks like it will foster a whole new avoidance safeguards for individuals who decide not to opt to industry.” 633 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 634

In the autumn statement, the cost of the policy was “not what we should be doing”. estimated to be rising to £1 billion. The IFS concluded: He continued: “Much tax policy is made carefully and with extensive consultation. “What do you think the population at large will think of But it doesn’t take very many of these sorts of rushed, ill thought businesses that want to trade employment rights for money? Our out and badly designed bits of policy to undermine the rest of the agenda, if the government want to help us, should be making system.” employing people easier and less costly.” Let us move on to the Business Secretary. In “A Christmas Carol”, the Business Secretary is the Bob Mr David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): My hon. Friend Cratchit to the Chancellor. He came out following the is making a very good case. Is it not clear from what Government’s conference announcement to appease those Conservative Members have said that we know exactly in his own party who recognised how ridiculous the what this is about—it is about the complete disregard policy is. The Business Secretary wrote: for workers’ rights by Government Members? They “This is categorically not a case of us allowing no-fault dismissal—a believe anything can be resolved by waving money at it. scheme championed by Tory donor Adrian Beecroft—by the It is absolutely disgraceful that we even have to discuss back door and condemned by Liberal Democrats as introducing this issue tonight. I hope the Liberal Democrats will a ‘hire and fire’ system.” have some of the courage that they have not shown in The Business Secretary is absolutely right. This is not two and a half years so far and vote against this measure compensated no-fault dismissal by the back door; this is tonight. the ghost of Beecroft present. What we have here is a final attempt by the Chancellor not just to deliver his Ian Murray: My hon. Friend makes an incredibly Beecroft-compensated, no-fault dismissal by the back strong point. If the clause had been drafted to increase door; instead, given the issues around the paper value of employee ownership without the exchange for rights, we shares, particularly in non-quoted companies that might would fully have supported it. What the Government sack employees when business falters, it is a step even are doing, however, is saying to employers, “If you wish further than Beecroft. This is simply no-fault dismissal— to buy out the rights of your employees, you may do so without any compensation. for as little as £2,000 without any regard whatever to the Worst of all is the second “Tory tax bombshell” of protection they have against unfair dismissal and this Parliament, this time involving income tax and redundancy.” Crucially, in response to my hon. Friend national insurance. The Liberal Democrats will remember the Member for Blaydon (Mr Anderson), this flies in the phrase, given that they coined it in 2010 in relation the face of the Government’s flexible working policies to VAT, which they subsequently put up. In Committee, that they were trumpeting just last week. In addition, the Minister read out the section from the autumn the people who will be hit worst by this policy will be statement: those who are not able to seek advice and those who are not members of trade unions or other associations. “The Government is also considering options to reduce income tax and National Insurance contributions…liabilities that arise when employee shareholders receive their shares, including an Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and option to deem that employee shareholders have paid £2,000 for Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): We Labour Members have shares they receive. This option would mean that the first £2,000 enjoyed my hon. Friend’s Dickens metaphor. He will be of shares received under the new status would be free from aware that what Dickens disliked above all else was the income tax and NICs.”––[Official Report, Growth and Infrastructure Liberal party of the late 19th century, which believed in Public Bill Committee, 6 December 2012; c. 490.] a laissez-faire economy—and the devil take the hindmost. This is, quite frankly, in the words of the Government What does my hon. Friend think Dickens would make “bonkers”. An employee who received as little as £4,000- of this Liberal Democrat party supporting such a bonkers worth of shares would be hit with PAYE and national idea? insurance charge of hundreds of pounds in their first pay packet, despite having never realised the value of Ian Murray: That is a worthwhile intervention from these shares—if, indeed, they ever have any value at all. my hon. Friend, who is an historian himself, so I could Share plans expert Matthew Findley of Pinsent Masons not possibly argue against the valuable points he has has said: just made. It is extraordinary that the Liberal Democrats “The Government’s decision to press ahead, despite widespread are bringing forward this proposal and are wholeheartedly criticism, is not surprising given the amount of political capital supporting it. The Business Secretary is not here, and originally invested in the idea…The level of opposition to the the Business Secretary was not here for the Third Reading proposal is clear from the Government’s response to the consultation but little of what has been said so far is likely to improve the or vote of his own Enterprise and Regulatory Reform position. Critically, the income tax position of employee owner Bill, in which provisions affecting the rights of workers shares has yet to be finalised.” were pushed through. If the Liberal Democrats do not This is simply not good enough. see that this is Beecroft by the back door, they should have a look at some of the information being put out by In conclusion, we fully support employee ownership, the business community and others. but this policy has the potential to undermine all the good employee schemes that exist. There has been little I was quoting Justin King a few moments ago. He or no proper consultation, as the Government rushed said that we this through in eight weeks in order to produce a “should be making employing people easier and less costly.” response and an impact assessment before we got here That sounds very much like our national insurance today. holiday, which is part of Labour’s five-point plan. Justin King, chief executive of Sainsbury, who until I referred in my opening remarks to Ebenezer Scrooge—a last week served on the Prime Minister’s business advisory cold-hearted, tight-fisted and greedy character who treated group, cautioned that the policy is his employees appallingly. I believe that the overwhelming 635 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 636 majority of hard-working and entrepreneurial businesses that those who are receiving benefit and are directed to in the UK are exactly the opposite, and understand that vacant posts have a duty to consider them, and, if they the relationship between employers and employees in constitute reasonable offers of employment, to accept the workplace is critical for good business. them. If they do not do so, their benefits will be We know the Minister has no appetite to take these suspended or withdrawn. My amendment proposes that “shares for rights” proposals forward, and I think he if people refuse jobs because they are offered an employee- knows that the Government are opening the opportunity owner contract, that will not be grounds for the suspension for Scrooge-like employers. Let us remember, however, of their benefits and for them to be put at a disadvantage. the tale of that character’s redemption when he sees the If they do not have some protection of that sort, it will error of his ways. This is a Christmas tale: the Minister be impossible for the Government to fulfil their clear and Government Members should take heed and bin commitment, which was confirmed by the Minister in the ghost of Beecroft future. They still have the chance Committee, that no one would be forced into such a to remove this nasty, Dickensian clause from the Bill, relationship. Again, I look forward to hearing from the and I look forward to them joining us in the Lobby this Minister, and, having done so, I may or may not choose evening. to press amendment 41. I hope it is clear to the House that my central objection 7.30 pm is not to a new or alternative type of employment Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) (LD): I tabled amendments 40 contract. I have no problem with that. The problem will and 41. I look forward to hearing what my right hon. Friend arise if the power relationship between employer and the Minister has to say about Government amendments 64 employee is so out of balance that the employee does and 65, which go a long way towards meeting the not have the discretion and the free will to refuse and to concerns that lie behind amendment 40. do something else instead. What I wanted to do, and I agree with the hon. Member for Edinburgh South what my Liberal Democrat colleagues wanted me to do, (Ian Murray) in one respect. When the Committee took was ensure that neither those currently in employment evidence, we heard from a succession of Jonahs. Neither nor those prospectively in employment would suffer any the TUC nor the CBI was exactly over the moon about detriment in relation to the state benefits system. I look the Government’s proposals, and, indeed, all the outside forward to hearing the Minister’s response. organisations that gave evidence had criticisms to make. I particularly noted the words of a senior employment John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I lawyer, who said, in plain terms, that he would not heard what my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh encourage any of his clients—that is, employers—to South (Ian Murray) said about the inability to amend take advantage of the measure. The CBI described it as this part of the Bill, and I sympathise with his view, but a very small niche product. However, my amendments I thought that it would be useful for us to test whether are intended to deal not with circumstances in which it the Government’s intention was to adopt a genuine will be a niche product, but with circumstances in which approach to developing the concept of employee ownership all the evidence that the Committee received turns out or whether this was merely an attack on employment to have been too pessimistic about its success. If that rights. I thought that it would be useful to set out how proves to be the case, it is important that the Minister’s an employee ownership scheme could be introduced, plainly expressed intentions are clearly met, and that no and that if the Government’s intention was indeed to employees are forced to accept a deal that they do not develop the concept of employee ownership they would consider to be suitable for them and their circumstances. support my amendments, or at least commit themselves Amendment 40 makes it clear that there should be no to tabling amendments to the same effect. detriment to such employees. The argument about employee ownership relates to I am happy to say that Government amendments 64 economic democracy. I believe that we should socialise and 65 appear to cover exactly the same territory, our economy. I believe that individual workers at every and—as is the way with Government drafting, as opposed level should have control over their own working lives, to Back-Bench drafting—probably more thoroughly and that that means democratic control of the firm, the and comprehensively than I did. I therefore do not intend region and the nation. Over the years, the House has to press amendment 40, although whether I do so will debated a variety of methods of bringing that about. depend on what the Minister says about the Government We have discussed public ownership, and nationalisation amendments. I assume that they are intended to provide as part of that; co-operation; mutualisation, by which I safeguards against two possible outcomes. Amendment 64 mean true mutualisation and not the alternative description would prevent an employee who turned down a contract of privatisation employed by the present Government; of this kind from discrimination or other disadvantages and worker ownership models, which have included the in the workplace, while amendment 65 would ensure extension of employee ownership. A range of models have that the dismissal of such an employee constituted an been discussed over the years, including the Scandinavian unfair dismissal in employment law. That more or less model—in which share entitlements are given to the covers what I was trying to do in amendment 40. workers and then put in trust, gradually amounting to I have not yet been able to detect a Government control of the firm itself—and the individual employee amendment that matches amendment 41, but, again, I ownership model proposed in the Nuttall review. look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say. My amendment is designed to deal with circumstances Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): Will my hon. in which a vacancy arises in a firm that has adopted the Friend confirm that none of the interesting employee proposed structure, and a jobcentre sends someone to ownership and co-operative models that exist throughout the firm to apply for the job. As was pointed out by the the world depend on individual employees giving up hon. Member for Edinburgh South, the current policy their statutory rights to redundancy, maternity pay or of the Department for Work and Pensions is, rightly, access to an employment tribunal? 637 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 638

John McDonnell: Quite the reverse, and as employee and Parenting Institute and Working Families. They ownership has developed in this country, all the arguments described the consultation response as anti-democratic, have been about the enhancement rather than the rushed and poor quality, even containing a series of withdrawal of rights. However, that can succeed only on factual errors. the basis of an open, transparent commitment to a The Office for Budget Responsibility found that the partnership in the company concerned. The purpose of Government proposal is more likely to be a cost for the the amendments is to offer an alternative to the Government Exchequer than a gain for the overall economy. The if they are serious about employee ownership. OBR said it will cost £1 billion by 2017-18. Others have As I was saying, my proposals are very much in line described it as not particularly welcome. Businesses with the Nuttall review, published in July this year. I have certainly not welcomed it. Out of 184 responses to propose that when someone has worked for a company the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, for two years, which is the normal qualifying period, only two individuals and one organisation voiced support, and the majority of the other employees agree, that saying they may take it up. There is hardly a clamour for person can become an employee owner and can be these measures, therefore. awarded the first £2,000-worth of shares. As in normal In none of the evidence submitted in the consultation employee ownership schemes, the longevity of the did anyone describe the giving up of employment rights employee’s commitment to the company is rewarded in this way as being likely to remove barriers to significant with the further allocation of shares, usually on an annual increases in employment. The Government’s reform basis. flies in the face of the Nuttall review, too. We thought I suggested there should be a further £2,000-worth of that there was to be a lengthy period of negotiation and shares for every year of service. I am unsure about the discussion, and the Government would then come forward nature of the shares that will be offered, but employee with proposals for the extension of employee share ownership shares are normally full voting rights shares; ownership, which would, in fact, probably receive cross-party that would be the normal way of developing an overall support. co-operative. My amendments also suggest employee owners should have the right to elect a director employee Gregg McClymont: My hon. Friend mentions the owner on to the board, to represent the employee astonishing fact that the OBR says this reform will cost owners. That, too, is in accordance with the standard money at a time when, as the Government keep telling model of employee ownership. My amendments would us, money is so very tight. Is my hon. Friend surprised also ensure there is no relationship between the award that this bonkers reform will cost money? The reform is of shares and any reduction of employment rights; based on the work of Mr Beecroft, who admitted under I have deleted the measures relating to the exchange of examination that there was no evidence whatever to employee rights for the award of shares. support his proposals, and that they were mainly based The model my amendments propose is the standard on anecdotes and personal experiences. model for an employee ownership scheme, as called for in a wide range of consultations over the years, and 7.45 pm recently by the Employee Ownership Association. If the Government do not accept this model, I will fear that John McDonnell: I am trying to find a Dickensian their proposals are, in fact, designed to attack and analogy; perhaps it should be great expectations met by undermine employment rights. In fact, I am now convinced hard times. that that is the case, on the basis of the Government’s I was interested in the TUC response which was responses to the consultation. The time scale for the supplied to Members. It addressed the potential for this consultation was extraordinary.The Government proposal reform to be used for tax-avoidance purposes, through was announced on 8 October, and the consultation people switching their share schemes and entering into started on 18 October and was completed on 9 November. new ones. It appears, therefore, that although there will That is one of the fastest consultations for a major be no gain in terms of increased employment, this proposal under any Government in recent times, apart reform will be used as yet another tax dodge. from for emergency legislation. These proposals also threaten flexible working. As the Fawcett Society says, they will discriminate in particular Ian Murray: That is an important point. Furthermore, against women and those who are carers. I thought not only did the consultation response come in on the Members across the House supported flexible working, morning we were debating these measures in Committee, but it is now suddenly seen as a burden that is to be but the Government completely ignored it, because the negotiated away and lifted off businesses. The Equality only amendment they committed to introduce was to and Human Rights Commission also expressed concerns change the name from employee owners to employee about the potential of the Government’s proposals to shareholders. allow discriminatory behaviour. My overall assessment is therefore that these proposals John McDonnell: The fact that there was just one are not intended to promote employee ownership at all; cosmetic change shows that the consultation was ignored. rather, they are an attack on employment rights. If the In support of my amendments, it is worth putting on Government were serious about promoting employee record exactly what the consultation proposed. It found ownership, they would either accept my amendments or that the majority view was that no one should be asked work them up into a more definitive scheme. I am to exchange their employment rights for shares. The convinced we would then achieve cross-House consensus Employee Ownership Association forged an alliance in favour of such a scheme. There must not be any link with the Fawcett Society, Family Lives, the Chartered to an exchange of employment rights, however. As I Institute of Personnel and Development, the Family have said, far from serving to promote employment and 639 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 640 therefore be a benefit to the economy, it appears these have singularly failed to give any guarantee that a reforms will be an expensive tax avoidance scheme, with prospective employee in receipt of JSA who does not up to £1 billion lost to the Exchequer. wish to take up such employment will not be penalised I urge the Government to think again and to bring for not wishing to take a job without basic fundamental forward proper proposals. As on all such occasions, I rights. That is, in fairness, the point that the right hon. give them this warning: legislate in haste and regret at Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell) has made: leisure. That is what will occur as a result of these we have received no guarantees whatsoever. How can proposals. I am extremely disappointed that the debate the hon. Member for Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle) say has been dragged into the gutter, with attacks on working that this is voluntarily, if people could face such sanctions? people. Over the years, so many of us have advocated democratising companies, the benefits of worker Gordon Birtwistle: I thank the shadow Secretary of involvement in companies and the benefits of extending State for his observation. My name is on the amendments ownership in companies so people have greater control tabled by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hazel of their working lives. The Government have demeaned Grove (Andrew Stunell) and I am waiting for the Minister themselves by tacking such proposals on to this Bill in to answer the questions they raise. I am sure he will give this way. Fresh thought is required if we seriously want us some advice. If a the jobcentre advertisement for a to legislate for employee ownership schemes. job makes it clear that it involves giving away rights in return for shares, the person going for it will know that Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD): My first question before they apply and will be completely open to the is: where are all the Members who are supposed to be idea. If the jobcentre does not advertise those conditions, supporting this Bill? and the applicant is told about them only when he goes in for interview, my concern is whether he will still get I believe in freedom of choice. If an individual wishes his benefits when he tells the job centre the conditions to work for a company on a contract such as that which he has been offered. I hope that the Minister will advise is proposed, they should be able to do so. That will not me that that applicant will still get their benefits, and if be the case in the big industries. Rolls-Royce and Jaguar he does not I shall be extremely concerned and will have Land Rover are not going to get involved. This scheme to consider which way to go. However, I am sure that is for small niche companies in the high-risk sectors, the queries raised by our amendments will be answered. such as high-tech firms and website designers, which employ recent graduates who want to get involved in such firms because they hope they will become a second Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): The hon. Google. These companies are the gamblers that grow Gentleman does not appear to be aware that even if and create jobs in the future. I cannot understand why someone refuses to go for an interview for a job because this Parliament should stand in the way of these people they have read the details and seen that they would have and say, “I’m sorry, but you can’t do that, even if you to give up their rights, they could be sanctioned—that wish to do so.” is, they could lose benefit—because of that. I think back to the 1960s when I was 24 and I had just Gordon Birtwistle: The hon. Lady will be anxious to come out of my apprenticeship. I went for a job as a hear the Minister’s answer to that question, which our contract draughtsman. I was offered two alternatives by amendments put to him. We have tabled the amendments the company. It was a good company, and it said I could to tease the answers out of him—if she had proposed have all the schemes it had, such as holiday pay and a an amendment, she would have received an answer to contract for 44 hours of work a week—those were the her question, but she has obviously merely turned up hours we used to work in those days—and I would have today to try to stir things up. a fixed rate. Alternatively, the company said I could have none of those schemes and have four shillings an Amendment 41 will, I hope, clear this question up. I hour more than everybody else was getting. I was keen hope the Minister can give us an answer, and if he does to earn extra money, because I wanted to save up and not we will have to ask other questions at another time. put a deposit down on a house, so I decided not to have My main concern is about an applicant who is sent for a any of the conditions laid down by the company. I job by the jobcentre and finds out only when they arrive decided, on my own back, as I had the freedom to do so, that it is a share-ownership job. Will their jobseeker’s to take extra money for working as many hours as I allowance be affected if they refuse it? I am reasonably wished while having no contractual employment. I did confident that it will not. that for two years and managed to raise enough money This will only happen in small niche companies. I do to put down a deposit on a house. That was my choice not think that we have the right to stand in the way of and it was the company’s choice to offer it to me. Other people who wish to get involved in such businesses, to people worked there who wished to carry on with the get on, to take a gamble or to be involved in a company conditions they had, but other young guys like me that will grow, so that their £2,000-worth of shares wanted to raise as much money as they could to put grows with it. There might well be a second Google down deposits on houses, buy new cars and so on, and somewhere, but I do not want to tell people that although they went ahead and did it. They were free to do they might have wanted to make those decisions, I did it—there was no pressure. not want to give them the opportunity. That is why I support these proposals. Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman’s central argument is that the proposed scheme Ian Murray: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman is voluntary, but my problem, in addition to all the for giving way, as he is being incredibly generous in comments made by my hon. Friend the Member for doing so. Does he not accept that in his example from Edinburgh South (Ian Murray), is that the Government the 1960s—50 years ago—taking extra money in return 641 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 642

[Ian Murray] do not feel valued if they do not have that development. We have seen what a difference investing in people for rights was completely voluntary? He could have makes to firms. refused that, but many of the examples we are hearing The whole scheme smacks of inequality and goes involve cases that will not be voluntary, as people might completely against the equal opportunities that have be coerced to give up their rights for worthless shares. been so hard-fought for. We could go on: the loss of maternity rights would be something else that disadvantages Gordon Birtwistle: I accept that in my case it was women. voluntary. I could have taken holiday pay, but I would The clause should be deleted. It is completely against rather have had the four shillings an hour more, which is the rights of workers and it will do nothing to grow very little today but was a lot of money in those days, to businesses. save up. I am reasonably confident that what I will hear from the Minister will lead me to believe that the proposal 8pm is voluntary enough. I am sure that it is voluntary and Mr Iain McKenzie (Inverclyde) (Lab): I firmly believe what I have read in the Bill does not suggest that people that there is nothing in the Bill to address the root cause will be forced. I think the proposal is okay, but it is a of the problem that faces us—the Government’s economic small idea for niche businesses. Major companies will failure. Our economy is only just back to the size it was not be offering the option, only small companies, and a year ago, and we have seen a double-dip recession and we do not have the right to stand in the way of people’s increased Government borrowing. Adding “growth” to freedom to take it up if they wish. the title of the Bill will not make it so. Even the Prime Minister admits that we cannot legislate for growth. Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): I want to As we have seen, the Government’s economic plan speak about this group of amendments because in recent has plunged Britain into the longest double-dip recession weeks, like many other hon. Members in the Chamber, I since the second world war. To cover that, they have have been contacted by a number of my constituents hurriedly pulled together this flawed piece of legislation. who are concerned about the Bill and would rather see There is nothing in the Bill to address our problems of it rejected. In the past week, I received a constant flow economic failure; instead, the clause on employee owner of correspondence specifically on clause 25 and not one shares for rights will only make it an attack on workers’ of those people had anything good to say about it. rights. My hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington The proposals announced by the Chancellor will (John McDonnell) made a good case for his amendments allow businesses to offer individuals contracts and a and the coalition partners, the right hon. Member for new employment status to make them employee owners. Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell) and the hon. Member Under that new status, employee owners will receive for Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle), have tried to ease the shares in the employer’s company. However, as we know, severity of the clause with their amendments. As my there is always a catch: in return, employee owners will constituents have identified, however, the clause has no have to give up certain employment rights, including saving graces. The recent consultation showed that as those on unfair dismissal, statutory redundancy pay few as five out of 200 businesses say that they would and requesting flexible working and training. The scheme want to use such a scheme, but the Government want has not won support from the business community; a to see it rolled out. They want employers to take it up, 33-week consultation had more than 200 responses but as they would get a far greater pool of employees to only five businesses said they would be interested in choose from, and it is hoped that potential employees taking it up. would have a better opportunity of finding employment— Labour is in favour of employee ownership, but not but at what cost? If someone has to forfeit their rights coupling it with slashing employment rights. Doing on unfair dismissal and to redundancy pay, that cannot away with people’s rights at work is wrong in principle be a price worth paying. and will do nothing to bring about growth in our economy. My constituents have asked time and again what the There are concerns about the full cost of the scheme. real value of shares could be. Once the shares are paid It has been said that for, national insurance and pay-as-you-earn taxation “the cost is expected to rise towards £1 billion,” will come into play. Forfeiting all those rights for a hefty and: tax bill does not make sense. One of the strongest “Uncertainties abound like assumptions on take up rates, the arguments for me is that the clause is bad for women, as average value of shares that are entered into the scheme, the parents, and carers, who need flexible employment to extent of tax planning and the timing of disposals.” have the dignity of working while they carry out their According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, a valuable roles. Such employment gives them the opportunity quarter of the £1 billion additional cost—£250 million—is to be outside the home and to feel not only that they expected to arise from tax avoidance as a result of the contribute by looking after their loved ones but that scheme. they play a valuable role in society, as well as providing Slashing the rights of people at work is wrong in them with a social link with the wider world. principle and will not help bring about jobs and growth; By not having flexible working, people also forfeit the the proposal is yet another example of how out of right to training. How does that fit into a Bill about touch this Government are. The scheme has not won growing the economy? Training for personal and support from business; it has received at best a lukewarm professional development is crucial for firms to grow reception. Not even the CBI supports the proposals and and expand. We cannot have a standstill work force called them who do not keep up with all forms of training. People “niche…and not relevant to all businesses.” 643 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 644

As we have heard, the chief executive of Sainsbury’s was recruiting from a smaller pool of talent, which will risk not exactly over the moon about them either. He was their not being able to take advantage if ever a real hardly embracing them when he said: recovery comes about. “This is not something for our business...What do you think People giving up their hard-fought employment rights the population at large will think of businesses that want to trade in return for a few shares beggars belief and takes this employment rights for money?” country back to the dark ages of employment practice. We all know what we think about that. I ask that the clause be dropped.

Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): Earlier on, there The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation was a reference to Ebenezer Scrooge. Is it not more a and Skills (Michael Fallon): We have had a good and case of the grim reaper going deep into the rights of reasonably balanced debate about the merits of the new employees? employment status created by clause 25. I fully accept that there are concerns about it. Some of them are Mr McKenzie: The hon. Gentleman makes a very genuine and I hope to address them a little later. Some good point. There are stark connotations for employees are based on a misunderstanding of the intent behind across the country if the scheme is put into practice. the new employment status and others take no account of the Government amendments that have already been Jeremy Corbyn: My hon. Friend is making an important tabled. point. Does the proposal not indicate the Government’s I will try to address all the points raised by hon. thinking? They are quite prepared to offer the carrot to Members, but I first want to resist the casting of the many companies that they can simply buy out rights at hon. Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray), who any time in the future. Next time it might be a cash offer suggests that I represent Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.” or something like that. We legislate to protect all workers. Perhaps I could refer him to a better character, Scrooge’s We legislate for all women to have maternity rights. We older employer, Fezziwig, who was noted for the legislate for everybody. It is not up to a company or a magnanimity he displayed towards apprentices and young Government to pick and choose who should be eligible workers and for the generosity of his Christmas party. for those rights. Such generosity, I suggest to the House, is reflected in the new opportunities we are extending for share ownership Mr McKenzie: My hon. Friend makes a very good and in the very generous tax relief that comes with it. point; I could not agree more. Clause 25 creates a new employment status—employee The Chancellor proclaimed that the proposal represented shareholder—in addition to the existing employment “owners, workers and the taxman, all in it together,” statuses of worker and employee. The United Kingdom but the measure is divisive, goes against the spirit of one already has differing types of employment status with nation and risks creating a two-tier labour market across different levels of rights and different obligations, to the country. allow businesses and individuals to choose the right type of contract that suits their particular circumstances. Offering employee owner contracts, where employees It is important, therefore, before we come to consider effectively sell their employment rights for shares, is the new status, that the House understands the differences unlikely, if ever, to deliver the highly motivated, engaged between existing employment statuses, because each work force employers need. Ministers should be making has different employment rights. it easier to hire employees, not easier to fire them. Employees, for example, have all employment rights, Labour’s jobs plan includes tax breaks for small firms whereas workers do not have unfair dismissal rights, do taking on extra employees. Labour supports employee not enjoy the right to statutory redundancy pay and ownership, but not coupling it with slashing employment do not have other statutory rights. Workers, however, rights. The US National Centre for Employee Ownership, do have the right to the national minimum wage and do one of the world’s leading groups promoting share have protection against unlawful deductions from their ownership, has also criticised the scheme. The proposal pay, paid annual leave, rest breaks and protection against smacks of fire at will. Although Ministers, including the discrimination, including on the ground that they work Business Secretary, have claimed they are not going to part-time. The statuses of worker and employee are take forward Mr Beecroft’s fire at will proposals, in distinguished by the level of control and obligation that practice they are introducing them by the back door. the employer has over the individual. The employer Ministers are trying to introduce the scheme without has a higher level of control over an employee—he can proper consultation or discussion, or indeed any real dictate how, when and what an employee does, whereas support. an employer cannot dictate in the same terms how a The way the scheme will operate in practice and its worker carries out his work. ramifications are unclear. There are concerns about The new status that we are considering carries the other ways in which the scheme could have an adverse same level of control as an employee, but links employment impact on employees. Will jobs be advertised as being with shareholding in the company. Individuals in the only employee owner and will employers be able to new status will have similar rights to employees, but impose the scheme on individual employees or groups they will not have the right to statutory redundancy pay, of employees? What safeguards will there be to ensure the statutory right to request flexible working unless that the scheme is voluntary for existing employees, as they have returned from parental leave, time off to Ministers claim? train, or unfair dismissal rights except for automatically The clause is a disaster for all, be they employees or unfair reasons. The new status is designed to give companies employers, and it will not deliver growth in our economy. more choice in the type of employment contracts they Businesses that utilise the scheme in recruiting will be can use to structure their work force. But the flexibility 645 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 646

[Michael Fallon] 8.15 pm Amendment 62, also in the hon. Gentleman’s name, that businesses have is not restricted to different types links the minimum amount of shares needed to qualify of employment status. Businesses may already choose for an employee shareholder contract to the amount of to take on somebody as part-time, full-time, permanent time that an existing employee has spent in the company. or for a fixed period. The important principle underlying That would introduce a heavy burden on companies the Government’s approach is flexibility. We want to wishing to use the new status and is contrary to the allow businesses a choice of which type of employment objective of the measure, which is designed to create contract to use. This new status gives companies an flexibility and choice. We want companies to be able to additional option, should they wish to use it. They do offer the amount of shares that they consider will not have to use it if it does not fit their business model. enable them to attract or retain the right person. We do We consulted in October and November on how we not want to prescribe the amount of equity each company could best implement the new employment status. Our should give to employee shareholders. That should be at consultation lasted for three weeks and we received the discretion of the company and for agreement with more than 200 responses. Those were very helpful, the individuals. along with the discussions that we had on Second However, I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman in one Reading and in Committee, and helped us address the respect. The amendment helps us to remind the House areas of the policy that need improving with the set of that the value of the shares must not be below £2,000. Government amendments before us. Before I deal with This is a very important point. If a company issues those, let me consider the points raised on the other shares worth less than £2,000 for an employee shareholder amendments. contract, the criteria for the contract would not be The hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John fulfilled and the person is likely, therefore, to have a McDonnell) tabled amendments 37 and 60, which would normal employment contract. This is an important limit how companies can use the new employment safeguard, and companies must be confident that the status so that, in effect, they could offer it only to shares are worth at least £2,000 when they are granted existing employees with at least two years’ service. The to the employee shareholder. Government are creating a further employment status The amendment would have two detrimental effects, to provide additional flexibility and choice for companies first on the company, and secondly and more importantly in managing their work force. Allowing businesses greater on the individual. It would force companies to offer flexibility in how they manage their work force encourages employee-shareholder contracts only to newly hired growth and confidence, and the difficulty that I have employees or those who have been in the company for with the hon. Gentleman’s amendments is that they less than three years. That would tie the hands of are restrictive and remove choice from employees and companies when choosing who they wanted to share employers. their equity with. Under the amendment as drafted, an The employee shareholder status is a novel way for individual who had been working with the company for companies to arrange their work force. From its inception, a long time would be far too expensive for a small it was principally intended—I think this was the point company wishing to share its profitability and growth made by my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley prospects with its work force. (Gordon Birtwistle)—for fast growing new companies. The second problem with the amendment is that it The amendment to limit the new status to existing would also hurt existing employees. An individual who employees would deter or even prevent many newer had worked for a company for many years might be companies from making use of this innovative and excluded from taking up the opportunity of becoming flexible model. It would also prevent new or newly an employee shareholder as the company may not be recruited employees from taking advantage of the status able to grant such a significant number of shares to one that existing employees might already enjoy. As I have individual. That is unfair on people, and would have just reminded the House, we decided to create a new serious negative consequences for how companies structure employment status to give companies additional choice their work force and share their equity when they wish about the contract types they can use for those who to do so. work with them and for them. Amendment 61 would cause inflexibility in the decision- I turn to the hon. Gentleman’s final amendment, 63. making process for companies by giving their existing If I understand the amendment correctly, its aim is to work force a veto over the type of employment status require the Government to make a significant change to which the company may choose to use. The result of the the constitution of companies and corporate governance inflexibility caused by amendment 61 would come at a more generally. The change would give employee time when companies need to be agile and innovative to shareholders the right to appoint a director. That goes respond to changing economic circumstances. Furthermore, against the general thrust of all company law by forcing we do not force companies to consult in this way if they a company to structure itself in a particular way. That is decide to take on people as workers or as employees. I unnecessary. Company law in the United Kingdom is suggest to the hon. Gentleman that the new status designed to be flexible. It allows companies to choose should be no different. The decision on how to structure the structure which best meets their needs. a work force is for companies to make. They are the Under current law, a company may have directors ones best placed to determine how they go about employing who are appointed by employees or employee shareholders. staff, and the responsibility for deciding which employment We consider that a responsible company will have the status to offer should rest with them. Nor would the directors it needs to operate the company effectively. amendment be fair to employees in the work force who The means of appointing those directors will be set out may wish to take up the option. in the articles of association of the company. There may 647 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 648 also be agreements between shareholders which determine It is not the Government’s intention that employee how individual shareholders will exercise their rights shareholders should be left with shares that they can sell when appointing directors. back to the company only at prices that are unfair or I have said on many occasions and I repeat that it is where the buy-back arrangements would leave the employee not the Government’s intention with this new status to at a financial disadvantage if there is no other way of force a company to use it, but rather to offer flexibility disposing of the shares for value. We therefore believe and a new and creative option for companies. We do not that it is prudent to seek a power in the Bill to allow the want to force companies to appoint any director in a Government to set a minimum value for the buy-back particular way, but if a company believes that it would of shares if the company and employee shareholder benefit from a director appointed only by employee enter into a buy-back agreement. Amendment 30 creates shareholders, that is entirely an internal matter for the that power. Let me be clear for the House that the company and UK company law permits that. power will be used only if it is needed to safeguard employee shareholders in the unlikely event that employers Let me now turn to the Government amendments. behave unscrupulously.

John McDonnell: I tabled a further amendment, Bob Stewart: I have a simple question. If an employee amendment 39, on the breaking of the link between shareholder wants to keep his or her shares, am I right employee share ownership and the exchange of employment in assuming that he or she can do so and sell them on rights. Is the Minister going to deal with it? the open market later?

Michael Fallon: That will depend on the particular Michael Fallon: The hon. Gentleman is right to chide arrangement that the company has. me, because I have missed out that amendment. If I discover it in time, I will try to return to it. Amendment 31 will provide clarity and certainty to employers and individuals who are considering accepting The Government amendments form a package of a position as an employee shareholder, as it spells out comprehensive measures that will strengthen the Bill’s how shares will be valued. It aids employers who want provisions for companies and people. They respond to to be certain that the contract will not be void because important points raised during the consultation, on too few shares in value have been given. It will therefore Second Reading and in Committee. I hope that they reassure individuals that they are getting at least £2,000- fulfil the undertaking I gave the shadow Secretary of worth of shares in consideration for becoming an employee State to ensure that amendments, whether or not he shareholder. agrees with them, were at least produced before the Bill leaves the House. Mr Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley) (Lab): Can the First, amendments 22 to 28 would amend the Bill to Minister tell me what happens to a worker’s £2,000-worth change the name of the new status to “employee of shares if the company goes bankrupt? shareholder.”—[Interruption.] Hon. Members cannot have it both ways; they cannot criticise the consultation Michael Fallon: If the company goes bankrupt, the and say that we did not listen to it when we did. When shares will clearly not have their original value. organisations asked us to change the name, we did exactly I must respond to the hon. Member for Hayes and that. During the consultation we received comments on Harlington on amendment 39—I apologise for not doing the name “employee owner”. I recognise that “employee so earlier. The amendment would remove the distinguishing owner” might be seen as confusing in relation to the wider feature of the new employment status and deprive employee ownership agenda. It is important that we do companies of the flexible way of taking people on, because not confuse people. The name “employee shareholder” it would link directly back to employment rights. is far better at describing the new status, as it links the concept of employment and shareholding. I will now turn to the serious points raised by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Secondly, amendment 29 ensures that employee Stunell) and my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley, shareholders who are parents can request flexible working first in relation to amendment 41. The amendment once they return from parental leave. The parental leave seeks to ensure that individuals in receipt of benefits directive requires that parents should be able to request should not be disadvantaged if they turn down an flexible working after their return from a period of employee-shareholder contract. I would like to reassure parental leave. The amendment ensures that the UK the House about what the Government have done to will be compliant with the directive. We have decided ensure that employee-shareholder status does not lead that employee shareholders should have to make a to jobseekers being deprived of benefits if they decide request for flexible working within two weeks of their not to take a job they have been offered on the basis of return. The time limit gives companies employing employee the new status. shareholders certainty about the working patterns of My right hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove their work force. proposed in Committee that the Government should Let me turn to the issue of shares and what happens issue guidance to ensure that an individual’s refusal to to them at the end of the employment relationship, on enter the status voluntarily is not used as grounds for which we sought views during our consultation. We withdrawing or reducing state benefit. He suggested believe that employers and employee shareholders are that that should be made explicit in the Bill. The likely to agree sensible terms for the disposal and buy-back Government recognise that the status should not be of shares in order to ensure that the shares have the regarded as suitable for all businesses or individuals and necessary value to meet the conditions for employee- should therefore be entered into voluntarily and with a shareholder status. The Bill is drafted on that basis. clear understanding of what it will mean for them. 649 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 650

[Michael Fallon] and the actual practice at individual offices. I would like to hear a little more from the Minister about that link Although I made it clear in Committee that his proposed between good intentions and good outcomes. amendment would not work, I accepted that it is a serious matter and undertook to consider it carefully. I Michael Fallon: I certainly accept that point. What think that the matter was also raised on Second Reading comes between the intentions and the outcome is the by the shadow Secretary of State. guidance. There is currently guidance to all staff in The Government have therefore considered what jobcentres, and I have already undertaken for my right safeguards would be needed to ensure that the individuals hon. Friend that we will amend it. However, we will not receiving benefits are not deprived of them if they reject simply amend it to put my words of tonight into it; we a job offer as an employee shareholder. I can confirm will consult all the various stakeholders involved on that the Employment Minister, my hon. Friend the how we can make sure that it properly reflects what Member for Fareham (Mr Hoban), has also looked at both he and I want to do. that carefully. The Government believe that jobseeker’s allowance claimants must actively seek and be available for work. That must include consideration of all suitable Mr Umunna: I am not very comforted by the Minister’s vacancies, and it is right that employee-shareholder jobs comments, because he seems to be suggesting that there should be as much a part of that consideration as any would be circumstances in which it would be unreasonable other. If a claimant applies for an employee-shareholder for a prospective employee to turn down a job offer if it job and is offered a position, they should normally were conditional on employee-owner status. Will he, for accept the offer. If they do not, their benefit payments the benefit of Jobcentre Plus employees, make it clear might be sanctioned if they do not have good reason for that if they have a jobseeker’s allowance claimant who refusing the offer. Exactly the same rule applies now. refuses to take a job offer because they do not wish to have employee-owner status and lose their rights, no However, in considering whether the claimant does sanctions should be levied on that prospective employee or does not have good reason, the decision maker will in terms of the deduction of any benefit or any other take into account the claimant’s individual circumstances adverse consequence? Will he make that clear for the and the specific terms and conditions on offer under the record? company’s employee-shareholder scheme. It is certainly possible to envisage situations where a job that is appropriate for one person may not be for another. For example, the Michael Fallon: I am happy to make it as clear as I right to request flexible working could well be crucial can. By the way, I think that it is somewhat unlikely that for a parent with young children and that may therefore the jobcentre applicant in this case will be offered a be good reason for that parent to turn the job down if significant number of shares and then still find himself they cannot negotiate flexibility. unable to take up the position. Let us be clear about how the jobcentre system works: these decisions about So that advisers are able to help claimants to make sanctions are taken on an individual, case-by-case basis. the right decision about employee-shareholder positions, What I am announcing tonight is that the guidance will we will provide guidance and information to them on make it very clear as to the reasons that the employee what the status means and the factors that a claimant had to have before having his benefit sanctioned. will need to take into account before making the decision. We will want to ensure that claimants make the right Let me turn to the second point raised by my right decision, which might be that they decide voluntarily to hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove, which is the accept a job on employee-shareholder status. I confirm only really serious issue about this new employment to my right hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove status. As he and my hon. Friend the Member for and to the House that we will provide guidance for Burnley have said, it is a voluntary status. No one on decision makers to help them to reach consistent decisions the Government Benches wants employees to be pressurised, in this area, and we will now seek views from key harassed or bullied into accepting it. We therefore want stakeholders to make sure that that guidance is fit for to ensure that no individual can be coerced into accepting purpose. an employee-shareholder contract. Throughout all the discussions since the policy was announced, there have The current guidance for decision makers, “Decision been concerns that existing employees—not new employees, Makers’ Guide”, is on the Department for Work and but existing employees—might be coerced into accepting Pensions website. We propose to amend chapter 34 of these contracts. I have been very clear that the new that guidance to ensure that it is available to decision status is entirely voluntary, but I wholly accept that it makers in jobcentres. That safeguard can be put in needs to be seen as such. place without the need for legislation, and the necessary changes will be made when employee-shareholder status Amendment 40, tabled by my right hon. Friend the is legally implemented. Member for Hazel Grove, seeks to ensure that existing employees are not coerced into the new employment status. The principle behind the amendment is right and 8.30 pm the Government support that principle. Indeed, we think Andrew Stunell: My right hon. Friend is being very there is a stronger way of ensuring that no detriment will helpful. I think I heard him say that there was to be a arise in the Bill than by relying on secondary regulation, process of consultation with stakeholders. Will he say a and that is why we have tabled amendments 64 and 65. little more about that? I am sure that Members around Government amendment 64 creates a new right not the House would want to convey to the Department for to suffer detriment if an employee refuses to sign an Work and Pensions that there is sometimes a gap between employee-shareholder contract. This means that if an the intentions of Ministers and the advice that they give, employee has been overlooked for promotion or has 651 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 652 been disadvantaged in any other way because of that refusal, I finish by echoing the Business Secretary, who said he may then be able to present a claim to an employment that this provision would not be compensated no-fault tribunal. dismissal by the back door. I could not agree with him Government amendment 65 creates a new unfair more: this proposal is no-fault dismissal without any dismissal right. This means that if an employee is compensation. Anybody who cares about business and sacked because he has refused to accept an employee- employees in this country will join us in the Lobby. shareholder contract, this will be regarded as automatically Question put, That the amendment be made. unfair. Importantly, both of these rights will apply from The House divided: Ayes 225, Noes 260. day one of an employee’s contract. That means that employees are protected from the first day of their Division No. 123] [8.39 pm service. I want to place that beyond doubt. Employees cannot be taken on and then, on day two, be forced to AYES become employee shareholders. Abbott, Ms Diane Doran, Mr Frank Abrahams, Debbie Doughty, Stephen Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Dowd, Jim Sheila Gilmore: Will the Minister give way? Ali, Rushanara Doyle, Gemma Anderson, Mr David Dromey, Jack Michael Fallon: I will not, because of the time. Ashworth, Jonathan Dugher, Michael Bailey, Mr Adrian Durkan, Mark Finally, let me turn to amendment 59, tabled by Bain, Mr William Eagle, Ms Angela Opposition Front Benchers, and deal with their opposition Balls, rh Ed Eagle, Maria to the clause. I have already outlined how the creation Banks, Gordon Edwards, Jonathan of the new employment status adds to the existing Barron, rh Mr Kevin Efford, Clive statuses of worker and employee. The new status gives Bayley, Hugh Elliott, Julie companies a new way of taking on individuals, giving Beckett, rh Margaret Ellman, Mrs Louise both companies and individuals greater choice and Begg, Dame Anne Engel, Natascha flexibility. Removing the clause in its entirety would Benn, rh Hilary Esterson, Bill remove the opportunity for new flexibility and choice Berger, Luciana Evans, Chris for companies. Using the new employment status, just Betts, Mr Clive Farrelly, Paul like using the existing status of worker and employee, is Blackman-Woods, Roberta Field, rh Mr Frank a choice for both companies and individuals. By increasing Blenkinsop, Tom Fitzpatrick, Jim the range of employment statuses, companies limited Blomfield, Paul Flello, Robert Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Flint, rh Caroline by shares will have a greater choice about how to grow Brennan, Kevin Flynn, Paul and adapt their work force. It will also create opportunities Brown, Lyn Fovargue, Yvonne for an individual to take up an employment status that Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Francis, Dr Hywel may allow them to share in the rewards of a company. Brown, Mr Russell Gapes, Mike It is for the company to decide what type of contract Bryant, Chris Gilmore, Sheila will be most suitable for it to offer, depending on its Buck, Ms Karen Glass, Pat requirements and circumstances. The clause does not Burden, Richard Glindon, Mrs Mary prevent employers from offering more rights to their Burnham, rh Andy Godsiff, Mr Roger Campbell, Mr Alan Goggins, rh Paul staff, such as a contractual right to request flexible work Campbell, Mr Ronnie Goodman, Helen or contractual redundancy pay, just as they can now do Champion, Sarah Greatrex, Tom with all other existing employment contracts. Chapman, Jenny Green, Kate This is not about taking away employment rights; it is Clark, Katy Greenwood, Lilian about creating a new employment status with a different Clarke, rh Mr Tom Griffith, Nia set of rights, just as there are different rights associated Coffey, Ann Gwynne, Andrew with being an employee or a worker. This Government Cooper, rh Yvette Hain, rh Mr Peter want companies and people to share in the risks and Corbyn, Jeremy Hamilton, Mr David Crausby, Mr David Hamilton, Fabian rewards that share-ownership offers, and this is a new Creagh, Mary Hanson, rh Mr David way to do so. The clause should remain part of the Bill, Creasy, Stella Harman, rh Ms Harriet to give people and companies a new way of working Cruddas, Jon Harris, Mr Tom together, and I urge the House to reject Opposition Cryer, John Havard, Mr Dai amendment 59. Cunningham, Alex Healey, rh John Cunningham, Mr Jim Hillier, Meg Ian Murray: The Minister said that he was not Ebenezer Cunningham, Sir Tony Hilling, Julie Scrooge, but Fezziwig. Wikipedia explains that Fezziwig Curran, Margaret Hodge, rh Margaret is Dakin, Nic Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Danczuk, Simon Hoey, Kate “a happy, foppish man with a large Welsh wig.” David, Wayne Hopkins, Kelvin Let us see whether that description fits the right hon. Davidson, Mr Ian Horwood, Martin Gentleman. Davies, Geraint Hunt, Tristram De Piero, Gloria Irranca-Davies, Huw The employee-shareholder schemes will not be voluntary Denham, rh Mr John Jackson, Glenda and will have absolutely no value. How can the Minister Dobbin, Jim Jamieson, Cathy tell the House that he knows better than the 204 respondents Dobson, rh Frank Jarvis, Dan to the consultation who said that this policy was, as Docherty, Thomas Johnson, rh Alan Dizzee Rascal would say, to give a more contemporary Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Johnson, Diana reference, “Bonkers”? Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Jones, Graham 653 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 654

Jones, Helen Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Bray, Angie Harrington, Richard Jones, Mr Kevan Reed, Steve Brazier, Mr Julian Harris, Rebecca Jones, Susan Elan Reeves, Rachel Bridgen, Andrew Hart, Simon Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Reynolds, Emma Brine, Steve Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Keeley, Barbara Reynolds, Jonathan Brokenshire, James Heaton-Harris, Chris Kendall, Liz Ritchie, Ms Margaret Browne, Mr Jeremy Hemming, John Khan, rh Sadiq Robertson, John Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Henderson, Gordon Lammy, rh Mr David Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Buckland, Mr Robert Hendry, Charles Lavery, Ian Rotheram, Steve Burley, Mr Aidan Herbert, rh Nick Lazarowicz, Mark Roy, Lindsay Burns, Conor Hinds, Damian Leslie, Chris Ruane, Chris Burns, rh Mr Simon Hollingbery, George Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Burstow, rh Paul Hollobone, Mr Philip Long, Naomi Sanders, Mr Adrian Burt, Lorely Hopkins, Kris Love, Mr Andrew Sarwar, Anas Cable, rh Vince Howell, John Lucas, Caroline Sawford, Andy Cairns, Alun Hughes, rh Simon Lucas, Ian Seabeck, Alison Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Huhne, rh Chris MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Shannon, Jim Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Hurd, Mr Nick Mahmood, Shabana Sharma, Mr Virendra Carmichael, Neil Jackson, Mr Stewart Malhotra, Seema Sheridan, Jim Carswell, Mr Douglas Javid, Sajid Mann, John Shuker, Gavin Chishti, Rehman Jenkin, Mr Bernard Marsden, Mr Gordon Simpson, David Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Johnson, Gareth McCann, Mr Michael Skinner, Mr Dennis Coffey, Dr Thérèse Johnson, Joseph McCarthy, Kerry Smith, rh Mr Andrew Collins, Damian Jones, Andrew McClymont, Gregg Smith, Angela Colvile, Oliver Jones, rh Mr David McDonagh, Siobhain Smith, Nick Cox, Mr Geoffrey Jones, Mr Marcus McDonald, Andy Straw, rh Mr Jack Crabb, Stephen Kelly, Chris McDonnell, John Stringer, Graham Crouch, Tracey Kennedy, rh Mr Charles McGovern, Alison Stuart, Ms Gisela Davies, David T. C. Kirby, Simon McGovern, Jim Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry (Monmouth) Knight, rh Mr Greg McKechin, Ann Tami, Mark Davies, Glyn Laing, Mrs Eleanor McKenzie, Mr Iain Thomas, Mr Gareth Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Lamb, Norman McKinnell, Catherine Thornberry, Emily Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Latham, Pauline Meacher, rh Mr Michael Timms, rh Stephen Doyle-Price, Jackie Laws, rh Mr David Mearns, Ian Trickett, Jon Drax, Richard Leadsom, Andrea Miliband, rh David Twigg, Derek Duddridge, James Lee, Dr Phillip Miller, Andrew Twigg, Stephen Duncan, rh Mr Alan Leech, Mr John Moon, Mrs Madeleine Umunna, Mr Chuka Dunne, Mr Philip Lefroy, Jeremy Morden, Jessica Vaz, Valerie Ellis, Michael Leigh, Mr Edward Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Walley, Joan Ellwood, Mr Tobias Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Morris, Grahame M. Watson, Mr Tom Elphicke, Charlie Lewis, Brandon (Easington) Watts, Mr Dave Eustice, George Lewis, Dr Julian Mudie, Mr George Weir, Mr Mike Evans, Graham Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Mulholland, Greg Whitehead, Dr Alan Evans, Jonathan Lidington, rh Mr David Munn, Meg Williams, Hywel Fabricant, Michael Lilley, rh Mr Peter Murphy, rh Mr Jim Williamson, Chris Fallon, rh Michael Lord, Jonathan Murphy, rh Paul Winnick, Mr David Farron, Tim Loughton, Tim Murray, Ian Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Field, Mark Luff, Peter Nandy, Lisa Wishart, Pete Foster, rh Mr Don Macleod, Mary O’Donnell, Fiona Wood, Mike Francois, rh Mr Mark Main, Mrs Anne Freeman, George Maynard, Paul Osborne, Sandra Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Owen, Albert Freer, Mike McCartney, Jason Wright, David Perkins, Toby Fuller, Richard McCartney, Karl Wright, Mr Iain Phillipson, Bridget Garnier, Sir Edward McIntosh, Miss Anne Pound, Stephen Tellers for the Ayes: Garnier, Mark McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Powell, Lucy Phil Wilson and Gauke, Mr David McPartland, Stephen Qureshi, Yasmin Heidi Alexander Gibb, Mr Nick McVey, Esther Gilbert, Stephen Menzies, Mark NOES Glen, John Metcalfe, Stephen Goodwill, Mr Robert Miller, rh Maria Adams, Nigel Beith, rh Sir Alan Graham, Richard Mills, Nigel Afriyie, Adam Bellingham, Mr Henry Grant, Mrs Helen Milton, Anne Aldous, Peter Beresford, Sir Paul Gray, Mr James Moore, rh Michael Amess, Mr David Berry, Jake Greening, rh Justine Morris, Anne Marie Andrew, Stuart Bingham, Andrew Griffiths, Andrew Mosley, Stephen Bacon, Mr Richard Birtwistle, Gordon Gummer, Ben Munt, Tessa Baker, Norman Blackman, Bob Gyimah, Mr Sam Murray, Sheryll Baker, Steve Blackwood, Nicola Halfon, Robert Murrison, Dr Andrew Baldry, Sir Tony Blunt, Mr Crispin Hames, Duncan Newmark, Mr Brooks Baldwin, Harriett Boles, Nick Hammond, Stephen Newton, Sarah Barclay, Stephen Bone, Mr Peter Hancock, Matthew Nokes, Caroline Barwell, Gavin Bradley, Karen Hands, Greg Nuttall, Mr David Bebb, Guto Brake, rh Tom Harper, Mr Mark O’Brien, Mr Stephen 655 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 656

Offord, Dr Matthew Stewart, Rory with the day on which the employee shareholder returns to work Ollerenshaw, Eric Streeter, Mr Gary from a period of parental leave under regulations under Opperman, Guy Stride, Mel section 76.’. Ottaway, Richard Stuart, Mr Graham Amendment 30, line 13, at end insert— Paice, rh Sir James Stunell, rh Andrew Parish, Neil Sturdy, Julian “(7A) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that Patel, Priti Swales, Ian any agreement for a company to buy back from an individual Pawsey, Mark Swayne, rh Mr Desmond the shares referred to in subsection (1)(b) in the event that the individual ceases to be an employee shareholder or ceases to be Penrose, John Swinson, Jo an employee must be on terms which meet the specified Phillips, Stephen Swire, rh Mr Hugo requirements.’. Pickles, rh Mr Eric Syms, Mr Robert Pincher, Christopher Teather, Sarah Amendment 31, line 24, at end insert— Poulter, Dr Daniel Thurso, John “( ) The reference in this section to the value of shares in a Prisk, Mr Mark Timpson, Mr Edward company is a reference to their market value within the meaning Pritchard, Mark Tomlinson, Justin of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (see sections 272 Pugh, John Tredinnick, David and 273 of that Act).”’. Raab, Mr Dominic Turner, Mr Andrew Amendment 64, line 24, at end insert— Randall, rh Mr John Tyrie, Mr Andrew ‘( ) After section 47F of the Employment Rights Act 1996 Reckless, Mark Uppal, Paul insert— Redwood, rh Mr John Vaizey, Mr Edward Rees-Mogg, Jacob Vara, Mr Shailesh “47G Employee shareholder status Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Vickers, Martin (1) An employee has the right not to be subjected to a Robertson, rh Hugh Walker, Mr Charles detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by the Robertson, Mr Laurence Walker, Mr Robin employee’s employer done on the ground that the employee Rudd, Amber Wallace, Mr Ben refused to accept an offer by the employer for the employee to Ruffley, Mr David Watkinson, Angela become an employee shareholder (within the meaning of Russell, Sir Bob section 205A). Rutley, David Weatherley, Mike Sandys, Laura Webb, Steve (2) This section does not apply if the detriment in question Scott, Mr Lee Wharton, James amounts to dismissal within the meaning of Part 10.” Selous, Andrew Wheeler, Heather ( ) In section 48(1) of that Act (presentation of complaint to Shapps, rh Grant White, Chris employment tribunal), for “or 47F” substitute “, 47F or 47G”.’. Shelbrooke, Alec Whittaker, Craig Amendment 65, line 24, at end insert— Shepherd, Mr Richard Whittingdale, Mr John Simpson, Mr Keith Wiggin, Bill ‘( ) After section 104F of the Employment Rights Act 1996 insert— Skidmore, Chris Williams, Mr Mark Smith, Miss Chloe Williams, Stephen “104G Employee shareholder status Smith, Henry Williamson, Gavin An employee who is dismissed is to be regarded for the Smith, Julian Willott, Jenny purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if Smith, Sir Robert Wollaston, Dr Sarah more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that Soames, rh Nicholas Wright, Jeremy the employee refused to accept an offer by the employer for the Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Wright, Simon employee to become an employee shareholder (within the Spencer, Mr Mark Young, rh Sir George meaning of section 205A).” Stanley, rh Sir John Zahawi, Nadhim Stephenson, Andrew ( ) In section 108(3) of that Act (exceptions to provision on qualifying period of employment), after paragraph (gl) insert— Stevenson, John Tellers for the Noes: Stewart, Bob Mr David Evennett and “(gm) section 104G applies,”.’. Stewart, Iain Mark Hunter Amendment 32, line 26, leave out ‘205A(5A)’ and insert ‘205A(7) or (7A)’.—(Michael Fallon.) Question accordingly negatived. Amendments made: 22, page 32, line 11, leave out Roberta Blackman-Woods: I beg to move amendment 50, ‘owner’ and insert ‘shareholder’. page 45, in schedule 4, leave out lines 21 to 27. Amendment 23, line 12, leave out ‘owners’ and insert Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): With this it ‘shareholders’. will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 24, line 14, leave out ‘owner’ and insert Amendment 51, page 45, leave out lines 38 to 47. ‘shareholder’. Amendment 52, page 46, leave out lines 27 to 34. Amendment 25, line 16, leave out ‘owner’ and insert ‘shareholder’. Roberta Blackman-Woods: In Committee, we discussed Amendment 26, line 24, leave out ‘owner’ and insert at length the process of registering town and village ‘shareholder’. greens, and the value of such spaces. My hon. Friend Amendment 27, line 32, leave out ‘owner’ and insert the Member for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk) reminded ‘shareholder’. the Minister of the speech by the previous Conservative Prime Minister, who spoke about warm beer, swallows Amendment 28, line 44, leave out ‘owner’ and insert overhead and cricket on the village green. We were led ‘shareholder’. to think how odd it was, and how much coalition must Amendment 29, page 33, line 2, at end insert— have changed the Conservative party, that Opposition “( ) The reference in subsection (2)(b) to making an Members were having to protect precious town and application under section 80F does not include a reference to village greens. Clearly, hon. Members on both sides making an application within the period of 14 days beginning have open spaces in their constituencies that they and 657 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 658

[Roberta Blackman-Woods] lists of assets of community value and under which any village green candidate could be listed. That has nothing their communities want to preserve. Unfortunately, it to do with neighbourhood plans. I also draw her attention was made clear to the Committee that there are instances to sections 76 to 79 of the national planning policy of vexatious applications for town and village green framework. I think she is going for overkill on this one. registration that are intended to stymie development, rather than to protect open space. Although such instances Roberta Blackman-Woods: I am afraid that the Open are relatively few in the grand scheme of things, they do Spaces Society simply does not agree with the right hon. delay much-needed development. That is why the Local Gentleman. It made it clear in its briefing to Members Government Association and other organisations that, on Report: like us, want to encourage sustainable development are “The government claims that people would know of the threats in favour of placing some limits on the registration of through the neighbourhood planning process, but this process is town and village greens, but we think that schedule 4, in in its infancy and is not widespread. Those who use and enjoy their local open spaces are usually doing just that and are not particular, goes much too far along that road. necessarily clued up about, or involved in, the planning process, The Open Spaces Society has helpfully provided us and they cannot be expected to know or realise that there is a with a long list of cherished greens that would not have potential threat to their rights. Moreover those who may be aware been registered had the Bill been in place. I urge Members of the neighbourhood planning process may not be the same to think about land that might be lost if the schedule is people enjoying the use of a particular piece of land and thus passed unamended, before they vote in support of it. would not be in a position to know that such land is being used as of right.” Some of the triggers in schedule 4 are reasonable. For instance, trigger 6 states that, if a neighbourhood It seems odd to give communities the right to register village development plan identifies a piece of land for development, greens under the Localism Act and the neighbourhood it cannot be registered. If a neighbourhood plan is in planning process—rights that have not yet been firmly place, it will have been drawn up by residents, published, embedded in all communities—while in the Bill taking consulted on and agreed by local people, and land that away rights to register village greens. We ask the Minister they have democratically identified for development to think again. should be kept as such, but some of the triggers go too Michael Fallon: The amendments are identical to far, and it is these that the amendments would delete to those that were moved in Committee, and I explained ensure that local people can still protect land that is then that they would weaken the Bill by bringing in important to them. trigger points far later in the planning process. The Government do not understand why that is needed and John Howell (Henley) (Con): The hon. Lady talked we think it undermines the ability of local authorities about warm beer, village greens and all that, but the sort and neighbourhoods to contribute to their own plans. of land we are talking about would not be wide enough The amendments were misguided when they were moved even for a bowler to stand at one end. in Committee and they are equally misguided this evening. If the hon. Member for City of Durham (Roberta Roberta Blackman-Woods: In the spirit of localism, I Blackman-Woods) suggests pushing the amendment to think it is up to local communities to decide what piece a vote, I urge my hon. Friends to reject it— of land, no matter its size, is important to local people and not to take the hon. Gentleman’s word for it. 9pm Debate interrupted (Programme Order, this day). Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): If the hon. Lady The Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Question already believes in localism, would she not encourage local proposed from the Chair (Standing Order No. 83E), communities to use the new local green space designation That the amendment be made. introduced in the national planning policy framework, which can be made use of at the time of plan-making Question negatived. and so is a more reliable route to protecting local valued The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions green spaces than the village green process, which is a necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded bit haphazard at the best of times? at that time (Standing Order No. 83E).

Roberta Blackman-Woods: The hon. Gentleman makes New Clause 3 an interesting point that was also made by the right hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell) in VARIATION AND REPLACEMENT OF PRE-PLANNING ACT Committee, but he ignores the fact that a number of 2008 CONSENTS communities have not yet been able to draw up a ‘(1) After section 237 of the Planning Act 2008 insert— neighbourhood plan. We are terribly concerned—this is “237A Variation and replacement of section 33 consents: the reason for the amendments—to ensure that simply transitional provision publishing a draft neighbourhood plan does not mean (1) This section applies where a section 33 consent (“the that a village green cannot be registered. That is really original consent”) has been given or made as a result of an important. We asked the Minister to think about delaying application made before Part 4 came into force. the operation of the triggers to enable all communities (2) Nothing in section 33 prevents the original section 33 to develop neighbourhood plans, but sadly I was consent, or a section 33 consent that replaces it, from being varied disappointed once again by his response. or replaced. (3) Subsection (5) applies if the original consent, or a Andrew Stunell: I thank the hon. Lady for giving section 33 consent that replaces it, is varied or replaced, and the way—I know that time is short—but I draw her attention remaining development is development for which development to section 87 of the Localism Act 2011, which deals with consent would otherwise be required. 659 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 660

(4) “The remaining development”— New Clause 4 (a) in a case where the consent is varied, is the development to which the consent as varied relates, to the extent it has not already been carried out; POWER TO POSTPONE COMPILATION OF WELSH RATING LISTS (b) in a case where the consent is replaced, is the development to which the replacement consent relates, to the extent ‘(1) Before section 55 of the Local Government Finance Act it has not already been carried out. 1988 (but after the italic heading before that section) insert— (5) Section 31 does not apply to the remaining development “54A Postponement of compilation of Welsh lists for (and so development consent is not required for it). 2015 onwards (6) A section 33 consent replaces an earlier section 33 consent (1) The Welsh Ministers may by order provide that the lists to for the purposes of this section if (but only if)— which this section applies must be compiled on a date specified in (a) it is granted or made on an application for consent for the order (“the specified date”) rather than on 1 April 2015. development without complying with conditions (2) The lists to which this section applies are— subject to which the earlier section 33 consent was granted or made, and (a) each local non-domestic rating list that would (b) it is granted subject to, or made on, different conditions, otherwise have to be compiled on 1 April 2015 for a or unconditionally. billing authority in Wales, and (7) In this section “section 33 consent” means a consent, (b) the central non-domestic rating list that would authorisation, order, notice or scheme mentioned in section 33(1), otherwise have to be compiled for Wales on that date. (2) or (4).” (3) The specified date must be 1 April in 2016, 2017, 2018, (2) This section is deemed to have had effect since Part 4 of the 2019 or 2020; and the same date must be specified for each list to Planning Act 2008 came into force.’.—(Michael Fallon.) which this section applies. Brought up, and added to the Bill. (4) If an order has effect under this section, section 41 (local rating lists) applies in relation to billing authorities in Wales as if subsection (2)— Clause 18 (a) did not require a list to be compiled on 1 April 2015 and on 1 April in every fifth year afterwards, but VARIATION OF CONSENTS UNDER ELECTRICITY ACT (b) instead required a list to be compiled on the specified 1989 date and on 1 April in every fifth year afterwards. Amendments made: 7, page 18, leave out lines 40 and (5) If an order has effect under this section, section 52 (central 41. rating lists) applies in relation to Wales as if subsection (2)— Amendment 8, page 19, line 25, leave out subsection (3). (a) did not require a list to be compiled on 1 April 2015 —(Michael Fallon.) and on 1 April in every fifth year afterwards, but (b) instead required a list to be compiled on the specified date and on 1 April in every fifth year afterwards.” Clause 19 (2) In section 41 (local rating lists), after subsection (8) insert— CONSENTS UNDER ELECTRICITY ACT 1989: DEEMED “(9) This section in its application to Wales is subject to PLANNING PERMISSION section 54A (postponement of compilation of Welsh lists for Amendments made: 9, page 19, line 41, leave out 2015 onwards).” ‘Before subsection (2) insert’ and insert ‘For subsection (2) (3) In section 52 (central rating lists), after subsection (7) substitute’. insert— Amendment 10, page 19, line 42, leave out ‘(1A)’ and “(8) This section in its application to Wales is subject to insert ‘(2)’. section 54A (postponement of compilation of Welsh lists for Amendment 11, line 44, after ‘England’, insert ‘or 2015 onwards).” Wales’. (4) In section 143 (orders and regulations), after subsection Amendment 12, page 20, line 5, leave out ‘(1B)’ and (3B) insert— insert ‘(2ZA)’. “(3C) The power to make an order under section 54A is Amendment 13, line 6, after ‘England’, insert ‘or exercisable by statutory instrument, and no such order is to be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and Wales’. approved by resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.”’.— Amendment 14, line 8, leave out ‘(1A)’ and insert (Michael Fallon.) ‘(2)’. Brought up, and added to the Bill. Amendment 15, line 10, leave out ‘(1A) or’. Amendment 16, line 20, leave out subsection (3). Amendment 17, line 23, leave out ‘subsections (1A) Clause 29 and’ and insert ‘subsection’. Amendment 18, line 23, leave out ‘references’ and COMMENCEMENT insert ‘reference’. Amendments made: 33, page 34, line 24, after ‘6,’, Amendment 19, line 24, leave out ‘do’ and insert insert ‘8, 17, 23,’. ‘does’. Amendment 34, line 26, leave out ‘, 17’. Amendment 20, line 27, after ‘England’, insert ‘or Amendment 35, page 34, line 26, leave out ‘and 24’ Wales’. and insert Amendment 21, line 28, after ‘England’, insert ‘or ‘, 24 and [Power to postpone compilation of Welsh rating lists]’.— Wales’.—(Michael Fallon.) (Michael Fallon.) 661 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 662

Title if we are to ensure that their local areas do not lose out Amendment made: 66, line 5 leave out ‘owners’ and in the recovery that is now under way. The Bill is insert ‘shareholders’.—(Michael Fallon.) therefore not about removing local people’s involvement in planning decisions. Where a decision is made by the Third Reading Planning Inspectorate, local people will still have their Queen’s consent signified. say in the same way as they would if the decision were made by their local planning authority, but slow decisions 9pm are bad for local communities as well as for the wider Michael Fallon: I beg to move, That the Bill be now economy. read the Third time. The Bill also seeks to broaden the scope of the The Bill is about the coalition’s priority: promoting nationally significant infrastructure planning regime to economic growth. It contains a range of practical measures promote investment, so that developers of large-scale to boost infrastructure, increase housing supply and business and commercial schemes will have the option simplify planning rules, and all those things will make a to request to use the infrastructure regime. Given that difference now. I am grateful to the House for acting so the speed with which large-scale major applications are swiftly in considering the Bill and I thank all colleagues determined is falling, it is right to offer developers an who have contributed today, in Committee and on alternative. Second Reading. I particularly wish to thank the Under- The need for affordable housing remains high, and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the coalition is committed to unlocking stalled sites my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford where affordable housing obligations make them unviable (Nick Boles), who shouldered most of the burden, and because they are economically unrealistic or were negotiated the Opposition for ensuring that, although we did not during Labour’s housing bubble. Let me repeat: affordable come to agreement on all the main issues, they were at housing that is stalled is not affordable housing; it is least properly ventilated and discussed. non-existent housing. The Bill will enable developers to As amended, the Bill will provide for commencement challenge the affordable housing elements if they make on Royal Assent for clauses that support stalled sites the site unviable. being unblocked, broadband being rolled out, the removal As well as making those reforms to the planning of legislative blocks on the gas innovation network system, the Bill will facilitate infrastructure investment, competition, and broadening the major infrastructure which is crucial for jobs and growth. Our ambition is regime—key reforms to promote growth, on which the for the UK to have the best superfast broadband of any Government are acting decisively. It is regrettable that major European country by 2015. It is vital that the the Labour party stands alone in failing to appreciate deployment of broadband is fast-tracked to support the the urgency of the Bill and continuing to oppose it. UK’s long-term economic future, but roll-out is being delayed or blocked because of planning requirements. Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): Does the Minister As a result of this Bill alone, we estimate that 4.4 million agree that where the landowner blocking a development more people will have access to superfast broadband. happens to be a Government Department—that is the Without that measure, many hard-to-reach areas would case with the national health service and the missing be left unserved. link of road infrastructure in north Colchester—other The Bill also amends the Electricity Act 1989 so that Departments must bring pressure to bear and have developers of power generating stations that want to joined-up governance so that the land can be released, apply to change their projects will in most cases need to rather than other less-desirable land going instead? undertake only a three-month consultation, rather than going through the whole process of applying for consent Michael Fallon: I understand that and it is a piece of again. That could unlock investment decisions across a constituency pleading so skilful that I fear I may have to range of technologies, bringing thousands of new jobs address it in greater detail in writing. I will do that in the and millions of pounds of investment to the UK economy. next few days if the hon. Gentleman will allow me. As well as making the reforms I have mentioned, the Local councils and communities are at the heart of Bill cuts red tape to speed up processes. In particular, it the planning process and we have no intention of changing carries forward recommendations from the Penfold review that. We reject the flawed approach of top-down Whitehall of non-planning consents, most significantly the reforms housing targets and it is for local councils to determine to the town and village green registration system, which where development should go and how best to meet we discussed albeit briefly just before Third Reading. housing need. That is why our policy is to revoke As well as making the reforms to the planning system Labour’s regional strategies as soon as possible. Indeed, and unlocking infrastructure investment, the Bill contains we have laid an order in Parliament to revoke the east of two important economic measures. First, it postpones England regional strategy, which will come into force revaluation 2015 in England to avoid local firms and on 3 January. shops facing unexpected hikes in their business rate bills Our reforms have given significant additional power over the next five years. As business rates are linked to to councils and communities but with that comes the inflation, there will be no real-terms increase in rates responsibility to exercise planning functions properly. over the period. That reform will provide certainty for The measures in the Bill for tackling poor performance business to plan and invest, supporting local growth. are aimed squarely at councils that are failing to deliver Secondly, as we have discussed at some length, the Bill an effective service. Applicants can reasonably expect creates a new employee-shareholder status to increase timely and good quality decisions—justice delayed is the range of employment contracts that businesses and justice denied. Most councils deal with planning applications employees can use. The measure is about increasing efficiently, but a small minority need to raise their game choice and flexibility in the employment relationship. 663 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 664

The Bill makes it absolutely clear it will be for the time taken to make a decision on major applications employer to choose to offer the new status, and for an and the proportion of major decisions overturned on individual to choose whether to accept it. appeal—will result in a focus on blunt targets, driving In conclusion, the House this evening has the chance unintended consequences and behaviours. to vote for practical measures to boost growth. The Bill The LGA goes on to say that the Bill goes against the will unblock delays in the planning system, encourage localism agenda by shifting authority and resources faster roll-out of superfast broadband, bring forward away from local planning authorities and over to the investment in energy projects, and give employers and Planning Inspectorate. I could not agree more. We said employees more choice and flexibility. The Opposition several times in Committee that if the Minister was repeatedly attack the Government for failing to do serious about improving the performance of planning enough on growth, as if some magic wand could repair authorities, he should, instead of imposing the measures at a single stroke the terrible damage they inflicted on in clause 1, fund the kind of projects that were clearly our economy. In the Leader of the Opposition’s speech outlined in our evidence sessions by the Royal Town to the CBI last month, he said: Planning Institute, the Town and Country Planning “Enterprise and job creation are fundamental to the good Association and others. Such projects would provide economy and good society, and I will lead a party that understands intensive support to local planning authorities, and that at its core”, evidence has clearly shown that they can turn authorities but businesses that back the Bill will see that, when his around. The Campaign to Protect Rural England has party has the chance to live up to those words and also said that, although the Government say that they support reforms to promote growth, it votes against want to improve the performance of local councils on them. Government Members instinctively understand planning, the Bill’s approach will be counterproductive. enterprise and will back the risk-takers and those willing We have not yet said anything today about clause 5, to invest in creating jobs and growth. We want to help or about the changing demands for information from to modernise our economy, our infrastructure and our local authorities when determining applications, but we planning system. Only one part of this country resists must ensure that those authorities get the information modernisation—the Labour party. Better planning, more that they need to make good determinations. Speed affordable housing, faster broadband, bigger investment does not necessarily make for a better decision, and a in infrastructure and a boost for share ownership are lack of relevant information will simply hold up the the core of the Bill, and I commend it to the House. determination process. As we said earlier, the introduction of clause 6 is 9.10 pm simply disgraceful when the country is so short of Roberta Blackman-Woods: I, too, want to begin by affordable housing. Figures make clear the desperate thanking all Members who have contributed to the need for affordable housing clear. As we noted, there debate and by acknowledging all the hard work undertaken was a 9% increase in statutory homelessness between in Committee. In particular, I thank my fellow shadow April and June this year, and a 23% increase in rough Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh sleeping over the last year. It is simply outrageous that South (Ian Murray), for his highly effective dissection the Government should be bringing forward measures of key clauses. I also want to thank my right hon. that seek to reduce the supply of affordable housing in Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich this country. Any measure that would reduce the level of (Mr Raynsford) and my hon. Friends the Members for affordable housing, other than sensible renegotiations Scunthorpe (Nic Dakin), for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk), being undertaken by local authorities, should be rejected for North Tyneside (Mrs Glindon) and for Sheffield by this House. Central (Paul Blomfield) for their excellent comments I hope that Members in the other place manage to in Committee and today. persuade the Government of the error of their ways, as The best thing that I can say of the Ministers is that we have not managed to do so here. In particular, the they have been extremely gracious in rejecting all my Minister should give serious consideration to keeping suggestions for improving the Bill. Let us be clear: the land for affordable housing in place and using money Bill will do little to promote growth or to encourage allocated by the Government for affordable housing to the delivery of infrastructure. As the shadow Secretary enable schemes deemed unviable to go ahead. The Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds has refused to look at this today, but I hope he will look Central (Hilary Benn), said in Committee, it is a “rag-bag at it again. The failure to accept any of today’s amendments of measures” put out in haste in September as one of a leads me to question the motive behind clause 6. It number of panic measures to suggest that the Government looks more and more like a device to let unscrupulous were doing something to address the flatlining economy. developers renege on their section 106 obligations. There are so many things wrong with the Bill that I The Bill also risks huge damage to our environment simply do not know where to start, but I shall highlight by giving inadequate protection to areas of outstanding some of the worst offenders. natural beauty, national parks, conservation areas As I have said, it has not proved possible to improve and so on. It is not acceptable to reduce the current the Bill in Committee or on Report today, and that is a protection by allowing economic criteria to be part of matter of regret. The centralising, anti-localist processes the determination. This could reduce the ability of local that underpin clause 1 are still there. Let us be clear: this authorities to ask for sensitively sited cabinets, no overhead will lead to local communities losing their ability to cables and the like. influence planning decisions that relate to their areas. The Conservative-controlled Local Government Association Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): I represent the has stated that clause 1 could be “counterproductive”, Vale of Clwyd, which has an area of outstanding as the proposed criteria for measuring performance—the natural beauty. One of the chief people in charge of it, 665 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 666

[Chris Ruane] The Government have also given no reason for the delay in business rate revaluation. They must provide Howard Sutcliffe, asked me to relay to Parliament his evidence of winners and losers, because otherwise it will concerns about this issue. We have a beautiful area in be suspected that the Bill was designed simply to help the Vale of Clwyd, and the laws proposed by the Tories businesses in more prosperous areas. will diminish it. Asking workers to give up substantial employment rights won over many decades in return for a few shares Roberta Blackman-Woods: My hon. Friend makes is simply deplorable. Despite the amendments that we the point well. The Government have given absolutely have discussed today, the Bill could lead to pressure on no evidence in support of this case. We noted in Committee employees to sign up. In Committee and again today, that BT had said a number of cabinets had been delayed, the Minister has shown no real understanding of the but what had led to that delay was not made clear. No lengths to which people will go to save or retain their evidence has been provided to show that it was because jobs, or to apply for jobs. He needs to take that on local authorities were not considering economic criteria; board. it was simply that they did not wish their areas to be During our debate on clause 25, a number of Members ruined by unsightly and inappropriate siting of broadband on both sides of the House gave examples—real examples cabinets and overhead cables. from their constituencies—illustrating our concern about We need to limit clause 8 so that it covers broadband the clause. We fear that, rather than being voluntary, only. As I said earlier, we support broadband roll-out the arrangement that it proposes will cause many people and did much in government to facilitate it, but this Bill to be persuaded to take up this new employment status— does not have the balance right. It is playing fast and perhaps against their short-term of long-term interests—and loose with our areas of outstanding natural beauty and to give away rights which, as I said earlier, have been our national parks, and it is putting at risk the development fought for over generations, in return for a few shares. of tourism in some of those areas. As such, this could Incidentally, the shares will not necessarily have been be a profoundly anti-growth measure when it comes to valued. The Minister has still not made clear what will developing the tourist economy in a number of areas. happen to them, or, indeed, to the employment rights of A range of organisations have made a number of the people who have bought them, should the company points to the Government, so I hope they will take this go into liquidation. issue away and look at it again. We need to take great I listened carefully to what the Minister said about care with our areas of outstanding natural beauty and amendment 59, but I heard nothing that allayed my national parks. I am sure Government Members do not concerns. Indeed, I heard quite the opposite. The Minister wish to have these areas cluttered up with mobile masts, was asked to give a categorical assurance that people overhead cables and unsightly cabinets; I am sure they seeking employment through a job centre who refused would want to think again in the interest of protecting to attend an interview because the job would require our wonderful natural environment and developing tourism them to take up employee shares would be entitled sensitively in those areas. to refuse to attend without a sanction being applied to The balance is also not right with regard to the their benefits. The Minister told us this would be assessed registration of village greens. Communities need time—we on a case-by-case basis. That means there must be a set accept that the period could be short so that development of circumstances in which an individual who refuses to is not held up—to register a green once it appears in a attend an interview for a position that will lead to their draft plan. We want to limit the trigger-happy tendencies being an employee share owner will have their benefit of the Secretary of State, so clause 15 needs to be looked removed. at again. If the Government are serious about using major Chris Ruane: The Minister did, indeed, say it would infrastructure projects to promote growth, they must do be judged on a case-by-case basis. He also said there better than the measures in the Bill. Simply allowing would be guidelines. Does my hon. Friend know whether developers to bypass local communities in decision they have been published, and whether we can have a making will not necessarily lead to new development. look at them? We need to establish that the planning inspectorate system will be quicker, that there will be criteria enabling Roberta Blackman-Woods: My hon. Friend makes an it to speed up work, and that it can be applied consistently interesting point that I will address later. At the last across the country. count, the number of consultations underpinning this Business needs access to finance and markets need to Bill had risen to four—or perhaps five—and we have grow, but strangely there is no mention of that in the had at least six sets of guidance. As far as I am aware, Bill. Tinkering around with planning is not the solution however, the final guidance has not yet been produced. to the need for more infrastructure or economic growth. We will wait to hear what the Minister has to say on The Town and Country Planning Association has said that. that the Bill “has the potential to undermining public legitimacy without Michael Fallon: I have said that we will provide fresh dealing with core barriers to growth which are primarily the guidance to decision makers to help them make consistent availability of credit (both development finance and mortgage decisions. The current guidance is referred to as the availability) and the capacity and skills of the planning service.” decision makers guide. We will consult with all the key That is an excellent point, but the Government have not stakeholders involved to make sure the new guidance raised such issues in the Bill or in the discussions that properly reflects the position I have outlined and the have accompanied it. reassurances I have given. 667 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 668

Roberta Blackman-Woods: I heard what the Minister 9.31 pm said about the guidance, but Opposition Members are Mr Raynsford: Let me start by agreeing with the looking for a categorical assurance that people who Minister of State’s opening remarks. He said that the refuse to attend an interview for a job that will lead to Bill is about the Government’s priorities and I agree their having to give up all their employment rights will with him: it is about obfuscation, smoke and mirrors, not have their benefits stopped as a consequence. That waffle and self-delusion. It seeks to give the impression requires a yes or no answer. If the Minister wants to of activity when the Government are doing next to make it clear that the answer is no, I will happily take an nothing to stimulate growth in the economy and to intervention from him now. As he does not rise, I think ensure there is the infrastructure investment we need. It we can assume that no such assurance can be given. That might be entitled the Growth and Infrastructure Bill, shows why have so many grave concerns about clause 25. but I would be astonished if five years down the line We will certainly be voting against the Third Reading anyone could identify a significant economic consequence of this horrible, nasty little Bill that does little to promote for either growth or infrastructure investment. growth, but risks employees’ rights and the protection The Bill essentially reflects Government prejudice of our environment, while also reducing the amount of rather than evidence. That is the biggest single charge affordable housing. The Wildlife Trusts’ comments are against the Government: rather than evidence-based pertinent: policy making, we have been fed a diet of prejudices “Our primary concern is that the Bill perpetuates the myth that about the supposed failure of the planning system, the planning is responsible for holding back growth rather than focusing on the significant issues of financial restraint and borrowing discredited Beecroft agenda, how regulation and workers difficulties. We believe that this approach to growth, risks putting rights are somehow impeding growth and the fear of our natural capital at risk and undermining future prosperity.” revaluation—I shall come back to that, because it is a I hope the Minister listens to the Wildlife Trusts, even if curious question that reflects something in the Government’s he will not listen to us. This Bill changes the basis on psyche that they would do well to begin to think about. which planning applications are determined by breaking Let us turn to planning first. Everyone who gave the trust with local communities, and thus we must vote evidence to the Public Bill Committee said quite clearly— against it. Ministers know this—that we are not getting development, housing and economic growth not because of the planning 9.28 pm system but because of the lack of confidence and lack of lending, as well as because of the fact that people Sir Bob Russell: As the Bill’s title suggests, it is about are very nervous about investing because they are growth and infrastructure, but, as I pointed out earlier, uncertain about the future of the economy. That is the problems arise when we have growth without infrastructure. fundamental problem and the Government ignore it at The rhetoric on the national stage is one thing, but the their peril. reality in individual constituencies is quite another when the Government own the land where infrastructure As everyone has heard, planning is a useful whipping development is being stopped. boy blamed by the Government for any problems. As we listened to Ministers, we heard them changing their Let me explain the situation in respect of the northern tune as the debate went on. They started by saying that approach road from junction 28 of the A12 to Colchester all the planning problems were holding back growth, mainline station. Sections one and three have been but by the end they were saying that only a small number constructed, but section two, which goes through NHS of councils were not acting as well as they should. They land, has not, because the NHS trust has so far failed to said that the intention was to incentivise those councils take it forward. I urge the Under-Secretary of State for and that it would not impact heavily on or affect many Communities and Local Government, the hon. Member of them, as not many were failing. The fascinating thing for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles), to visit my about that is that when they were challenged they could constituency, following on from the excellent work of not name a single such authority. The Secretary of the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert State, who sadly is no longer in the Chamber, had a go Neill), who met members of the Myland community on Second Reading, but got it spectacularly wrong, council to see what can be done there. naming an authority that was not in any way failing. The population of the borough of Colchester has That is the measure of the Government; they really do increased by 17,278 in the decade between the 2001 and not know what they are talking about. It is prejudice 2011 censuses. That is an increase of 11%, almost rather than evidence. double the Essex increase, and as the Minister of State When we come to Beecroft, the situation is exactly suggested, the east of England is the fastest growing the same. I have to say this to the Liberal Democrats: region in the country.To put it simply, we need infrastructure what a disgrace that they have gone along with the so that land elsewhere in the town is not used when that Beecroft prejudice about employee rights when their would be undesirable. By that, I mean the fields of west Business Secretary said that he had stopped the Mile End, which the Secretary of State has personally implementation of the Beecroft agenda. Would that he viewed. had, but he has not, and the rephrased employee ownership In summary, observers are warning that the town’s option—changed to shareholder ownership because the expansion is happening too fast for its facilities and Government realised that calling it employee ownership infrastructure to cope. I therefore urge Ministers to would probably contravene the Trade Descriptions Acts—is consider local examples, such as the ones I have given, universally condemned by people who really care about to ensure that infrastructure goes in where people want employee ownership. All the organisations who gave it and to avoid the alternative, which is the largest evidence to us—the people who have worked for years housing estate in the country, with 1,600 houses, served to build up employee ownership—said, “Don’t do this.” by a cul-de-sac more than 1 mile long. They told us that it would discredit the whole process of 669 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 670

[Mr Raynsford] I pointed to surveys showing the overwhelming impression among business that planning was the great preventer getting employees more involved in the running of their of development. businesses and the measure was a fraudulent product Both the Opposition and the LGA entirely missed that would do harm, not good. the point about localism. Localism was always a double That was the second prejudice. I have already referred devolution. The first devolution was down to local to the third one—the extraordinary postponement of councils, whether they were district or borough councils. the business rate revaluation. Why is there somewhere The second devolution, which was just as important, in the psyche of the Conservative party a fear of revaluation? was down to local people, principally through their The Conservatives think it is somehow going to cause parish and town councils, but generally to the people at them harm. I suppose it is because the revaluation is large to deal with. due to take effect in 2015, and they probably think it It is not surprising that the LGA is interested only in might be bad news and that if they can halt it they the first of these. It is not interested in devolving power might be able to turn it around. Once again, they have from itself down to community groups. It is interested acted on the basis of bogus figures that no one believes. in retaining that power. The purpose of the Bill is to When the rating experts gave evidence—Gerald Eve, deal with district or borough councils that cannot or the British Property Federation and the British Council will not let go and complete the devolution process. of Shopping Centres—they all said that they did not Clause 1 partly deals with that aspect of localism. It is believe the figures from the Valuation Office Agency. an incentive for those councils to get it right and to get Ministers have trotted the figures out again today—800,000 their act together. potential gainers, compared to 300,000 losers. No one I want briefly to discuss a couple of other points. In believes it. When we proposed the simple amendment Committee and in the earlier debates today we heard a that the Government should publish serious estimates great deal about section 106 agreements, but nothing more and consult the interested parties before taking a decision, powerful has been said about the proposal for section 106 they would not accept it. They wanted to proceed on than that a share of nothing is still nothing. It is to the the basis of their prejudice rather than on evidence. credit of my hon. Friend the planning Minister that we In between the bookends of prejudice that characterise have pushed forward the renegotiation of section 106 in the Bill, there are one or two worthwhile and sensible order to ensure that a share of something is something. provisions, and I welcome them. The Penfold agenda Similarly, let us not forget that the reason we were for the rationalisation of conflicting planning and consent discussing the clauses on village greens is that they are a regimes is a sensible move forward, and there are some direct result of the Penfold review. It is a treatment of a good things in that area, but it is hard to find them with situation in which a non-planning regime for village those awful, unjustified, un-evidence-based prejudices greens rubs up against a planning regime in neighbourhood on either side of them. planning and, as the right hon. Member for Hazel It is to the Government’s credit—this is a seasonal Grove (Andrew Stunell) made clear, in assets of community comment as we approach Christmas—that Ministers value. It is instructive that the Opposition have tried to have realised that there are some turkeys in the Bill that confuse the two and not kept them separate. The village had to be changed. I thank the planning Minister, the greens legislation is separate from the planning legislation. Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local It should not be used to confound planning proposals. Government, the hon. Member for Grantham and It is right that we have split it as we have and that we Stamford (Nick Boles), for agreeing to reconsider the should be given credit for doing that. rural exceptions policy; the Government were going to There are many other aspects of the Bill that I could make a serious mistake, but they have backed away and trespass on to, but I will give other Members a chance I am grateful to them for that. But those are small to speak. The Bill is a perfectly formed example of its mercies in a Bill that is fundamentally flawed and will type. It could not be more different from the description do nothing about the two subjects that it is supposed to given by the right hon. Member for Greenwich and stimulate—growth and infrastructure—and will actually Woolwich. It is a perfectly formed Bill that we should perpetuate a series of myths that do nothing for good vote for with absolute confidence. government or development in this country. 9.43 pm 9.38 pm Mrs Glindon: Serving on the Bill Committee confirmed John Howell: It is a great pleasure to follow the to me that all of us in the House are human, to a greater right hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich or lesser extent. I genuinely believe that the coalition (Mr Raynsford), but it will come as no surprise to the Government want to see growth, but their approach is House that I do not agree one jot with what he said. wrong. I spoke on Second Reading, I participated in the It has already been said that this is not a Bill for Committee and it is a pleasure to speak on Third growth. I am sad to hear Members on the Government Reading. Before that, I was intimately involved in the Benches decry what has been said by the Local Government production of the Localism Act 2011 and the national Association, an association that is trusted by all the planning policy framework, so I can assure the right councils throughout the land and their representative hon. Gentleman that planning was no whipping boy. In body. What could be more representative of our local “Open Source Planning” I set out a vision of how the communities and the elected bodies that represent them planning system should operate and the Government than that body? The Government would really have have more or less faithfully fulfilled it in their reforms. shown a commitment to growth if they had listened to Planning was not a whipping boy; it was given proper the LGA’s suggestions on the Bill. It said that planning status, as it was in my Second Reading speech when is not why no construction work is going on; the reason 671 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 672 is that banks are not lending and people are not buying. I applaud the objectives of the Bill. We inevitably That is what is stalling and stopping development. need a multi-pronged approach to achieving growth in Until the Government listen, no progress can be made. the sort of economic climate that we are in at the Drawing on my past as a member of a local authority moment. We have to work with the banking system to planning committee—having been a councillor for 15 years, make credit available and to help first-time buyers. We I sometimes find it hard to leave things behind—I know need land to be available, although I do like to protect how committed councillors are when making planning the green belt. We need the public sector land availability decisions, how they can listen directly to local people that my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Sir Bob and how local community groups or individuals often Russell) mentioned. There is much more scope for that make representations about their planning concerns. on the way, whether it be for infrastructure or for What could be worse than, as might happen because of housing itself. We need investment from the Government, clause 1, a council that is deemed to be a failed council, although the £10 billion contribution is most welcome, whatever that might mean—we are still unsure about as is the direct £300 million. the definition—finding that its planning decisions are Not so long ago, I was standing here arguing against being taken away and swept off to either the Secretary regional spatial strategies. In a relatively short space of of State or the Planning Inspectorate? How will the time, we have had the Localism Act 2011 and the people who have been voted in to represent local people national planning policy framework, which are really feel? How will local people feel when they have no right good steps forward. The Bill has brought about further of appeal? It is that stark. debate on localism versus centralism, and it is important I have a further concern. The Planning Inspectorate that we get the right balance. Today we have had some makes household decisions within seven weeks and non- important reassurances, particularly on the designation household decisions within 17 weeks, but local authorities of planning authorities, to say that there will be early make household decisions within eight weeks and non- intervention and support. It is very important to work household decisions within 13 weeks, and that is the with local authorities and local people, not in conflict case for more than 89% of councils. It seems that the with them. I am worried that we have not quite sorted majority are being punished for the failings of the few. out quantity and quality as regards planning decisions, but there is scope for more debate on that. In relation to section 106 agreements and affordable housing, I have referred to the fact that in North On section 106 agreements, we have had some Tyneside alone around 4,000 people are currently waiting reassurances about the transparency of any renegotiations for council housing. That does not include those who and a really firm test of viability. I am also reassured by are hoping to buy and struggling to raise money to put the time-limited aspect. We have all been calling for down a deposit for a mortgage. I have constituents outstanding planning permissions to be implemented coming to me who simply cannot buy a house and rather than developments going out into our green cannot get affordable housing and so are looking to the fields, so this time limit has potential. I am sure that we council. However we define affordable housing, the all care about affordable housing and mixed housing need is as great, whether it is for someone looking for a developments. We have to use all the tools at our disposal, house they can afford to buy or to rent. Taking away the not just in this Bill but right across Government. housing element and the 106 agreements will leave those I am concerned that the measures in the Bill should people even more desperate. not be counter-productive. It will be important to have I spoke before about employee ownership, or share more scrutiny in the other place. It is also important ownership as it is currently called. Many constituents that we all respond robustly and encourage others to have contacted me about that over the past week because take part in the many consultations that the hon. Member they are so concerned about it, as well as about the rest for City of Durham (Roberta Blackman-Woods) of the Bill. They see what is wrong with it. They see how mentioned. I shall certainly be participating on behalf it undermines workers’ right and takes away women’s of the Liberal Democrats, and I hope that the listening rights and carers’ rights to flexible working. I have process will continue. stressed the need for training and the fact that it is not right that people will lose their right to training. Training 9.52 pm enhances and helps companies grow in professionalism Simon Hughes: I thank the Under-Secretary, my hon. through personal development, and that can really make Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick employers proud of their employees. Boles), for what he said about making sure that we have I have mentioned those three points. It is rather like a much more open system for assessing the viability of someone going to confession to recite their sins for a applications for developments with affordable housing. period of time and saying, “That’s all I can remember, We have lived in a world where people in communities Father.” I am looking back at my time on the Bill such as mine have gone to their local authority and Committee and in the House today, but it is not my sins developers and asked why the case has been made for a that I am concerned about; it is the Government’s reduction in the original plan for affordable housing, transgressions and what they are doing with the Bill. and they have been told that it is all confidential and I hope that we reject it. nothing can be seen. The good news that comes from today’s debate is that the process will be much more 9.49 pm visible and transparent. That was called for by Labour Annette Brooke: I thank everybody who has been Front Benchers, and it was certainly undertaken by my involved in the scrutiny of this Bill, particularly my hon. Friend. right hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew I encourage Ministers to consider the fact that we Stunell) and my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley absolutely need to respond to the demand out there in (Gordon Birtwistle). all our constituencies and to go on looking for new 673 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 674

[Simon Hughes] Burley, Mr Aidan Harrington, Richard Burns, Conor Harris, Rebecca ways of finding more affordable housing. I do not think Burns, rh Mr Simon Hart, Simon that there is a single constituency in England where Burstow, rh Paul Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan there is not a huge demand for affordable housing, and Burt, Lorely Heald, Oliver we have pressures that the Government need to work Cable, rh Vince Heaton-Harris, Chris Cairns, Alun Hemming, John out ways of resisting. In London, we have lots of Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Henderson, Gordon purchases from abroad of land to be used primarily for Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Hendry, Charles marketing abroad, not for marketing at home. Foreign Carmichael, Neil Herbert, rh Nick investors will buy to build and then leave the properties Carswell, Mr Douglas Hinds, Damian unoccupied. That is unacceptable. It forces up prices, it Chishti, Rehman Hollingbery, George reduces availability, and it may be new housing but it is Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hollobone, Mr Philip not new affordable housing. As my hon. Friend the Coffey, Dr Thérèse Hopkins, Kris Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell) said, public Collins, Damian Howell, John sector land, not only in Greater London but elsewhere, Colvile, Oliver Hughes, rh Simon is not being brought back into use. Cox, Mr Geoffrey Huhne, rh Chris Crabb, Stephen Hurd, Mr Nick I hope that the Department for Communities and Crockart, Mike Javid, Sajid Local Government will work with the Department for Crouch, Tracey Jenkin, Mr Bernard Business, Innovation and Skills to realise the benefits of Davies, David T. C. Johnson, Gareth house building in terms of growth and jobs. It is one of (Monmouth) Jones, Andrew the most certain ways of getting maximum numbers Davies, Glyn Jones, rh Mr David of jobs and apprenticeships into the economy. I hope Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Jones, Mr Marcus that the Department will also work with our colleagues Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Kawczynski, Daniel in the Treasury to make sure that we have a tax regime Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Kelly, Chris that incentivises people to develop brownfield land, not Doyle-Price, Jackie Kennedy, rh Mr Charles to sit on it. Too many sites in constituencies such as Drax, Richard Kirby, Simon mine have been sitting idle and not used for anything for Duddridge, James Knight, rh Mr Greg too long. People want affordable housing and imagination Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Laing, Mrs Eleanor from the Department for Communities and Local Dunne, Mr Philip Lamb, Norman Government, but I hope that this Bill is only the beginning Ellis, Michael Latham, Pauline Ellwood, Mr Tobias Laws, rh Mr David of a development that produces far more affordable Elphicke, Charlie Leadsom, Andrea housing under this Government than was ever developed Eustice, George Lee, Jessica during five years of the Labour Government. Evans, Graham Lee, Dr Phillip I did not come to this place just to be critical of a Evans, Jonathan Leech, Mr John Labour Government who developed far fewer council Evennett, Mr David Lefroy, Jeremy properties than any preceding Government; I want to Fabricant, Michael Leigh, Mr Edward encourage this Government to make sure that they do Fallon, rh Michael Letwin, rh Mr Oliver better than our predecessors and develop homes that Farron, Tim Lewis, Brandon meet the aspirations of my constituents, who want Field, Mark Lewis, Dr Julian housing that they can afford and who do not want the Foster, rh Mr Don Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Francois, rh Mr Mark Lidington, rh Mr David only available offer to be the ridiculous costs of some of Freeman, George Lilley, rh Mr Peter the new housing currently being built. Freer, Mike Lopresti, Jack Question put, That the Bill be now read a Third time. Fuller, Richard Lord, Jonathan The House divided: Ayes 273, Noes 231. Garnier, Sir Edward Luff, Peter Garnier, Mark Macleod, Mary Division No. 124] [9.55 pm Gauke, Mr David Maude, rh Mr Francis George, Andrew Maynard, Paul AYES Gibb, Mr Nick McCartney, Jason Adams, Nigel Bingham, Andrew Gilbert, Stephen McCartney, Karl Afriyie, Adam Birtwistle, Gordon Glen, John McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Aldous, Peter Blackman, Bob Goldsmith, Zac McPartland, Stephen Amess, Mr David Blackwood, Nicola Goodwill, Mr Robert Menzies, Mark Andrew, Stuart Blunt, Mr Crispin Graham, Richard Mercer, Patrick Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Boles, Nick Grant, Mrs Helen Metcalfe, Stephen Bacon, Mr Richard Bone, Mr Peter Gray, Mr James Miller, rh Maria Baker, Norman Bottomley, Sir Peter Grayling, rh Chris Mills, Nigel Baker, Steve Bradley, Karen Greening, rh Justine Milton, Anne Baldry, Sir Tony Brady, Mr Graham Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Moore, rh Michael Baldwin, Harriett Brake, rh Tom Griffiths, Andrew Morris, Anne Marie Barclay, Stephen Bray, Angie Gummer, Ben Mosley, Stephen Barker, rh Gregory Brazier, Mr Julian Gyimah, Mr Sam Munt, Tessa Baron, Mr John Bridgen, Andrew Halfon, Robert Murray, Sheryll Barwell, Gavin Brine, Steve Hames, Duncan Murrison, Dr Andrew Bebb, Guto Brokenshire, James Hammond, rh Mr Philip Newmark, Mr Brooks Beith, rh Sir Alan Brooke, Annette Hammond, Stephen Newton, Sarah Bellingham, Mr Henry Browne, Mr Jeremy Hancock, Matthew Nokes, Caroline Beresford, Sir Paul Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Hands, Greg Nuttall, Mr David Berry, Jake Buckland, Mr Robert Harper, Mr Mark O’Brien, Mr Stephen 675 Growth and Infrastructure Bill17 DECEMBER 2012 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 676

Offord, Dr Matthew Stewart, Iain Cruddas, Jon Irranca-Davies, Huw Ollerenshaw, Eric Stewart, Rory Cryer, John Jackson, Glenda Opperman, Guy Streeter, Mr Gary Cunningham, Alex Jamieson, Cathy Ottaway, Richard Stride, Mel Cunningham, Mr Jim Jarvis, Dan Paice, rh Sir James Stuart, Mr Graham Cunningham, Sir Tony Johnson, rh Alan Parish, Neil Stunell, rh Andrew Curran, Margaret Johnson, Diana Patel, Priti Sturdy, Julian Dakin, Nic Jones, Graham Pawsey, Mark Swales, Ian Danczuk, Simon Jones, Helen Penrose, John Swayne, rh Mr Desmond David, Wayne Jones, Mr Kevan Percy, Andrew Swinson, Jo Davidson, Mr Ian Jones, Susan Elan Phillips, Stephen Swire, rh Mr Hugo Davies, Geraint Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Pickles, rh Mr Eric Syms, Mr Robert De Piero, Gloria Keeley, Barbara Pincher, Christopher Teather, Sarah Denham, rh Mr John Kendall, Liz Poulter, Dr Daniel Thurso, John Dobbin, Jim Lammy, rh Mr David Prisk, Mr Mark Timpson, Mr Edward Dobson, rh Frank Lavery, Ian Pritchard, Mark Tomlinson, Justin Docherty, Thomas Lazarowicz, Mark Pugh, John Tredinnick, David Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Leslie, Chris Raab, Mr Dominic Turner, Mr Andrew Doran, Mr Frank Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Reckless, Mark Uppal, Paul Doughty, Stephen Long, Naomi Redwood, rh Mr John Vaizey, Mr Edward Dowd, Jim Love, Mr Andrew Rees-Mogg, Jacob Vara, Mr Shailesh Doyle, Gemma Lucas, Caroline Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Vickers, Martin Dromey, Jack Lucas, Ian Robertson, rh Hugh Walker, Mr Charles Dugher, Michael Mahmood, Shabana Robertson, Mr Laurence Walker, Mr Robin Durkan, Mark Malhotra, Seema Rudd, Amber Wallace, Mr Ben Eagle, Ms Angela Mann, John Ruffley, Mr David Watkinson, Angela Eagle, Maria Marsden, Mr Gordon Russell, Sir Bob Weatherley, Mike Edwards, Jonathan McCann, Mr Michael Rutley, David Webb, Steve Efford, Clive McCarthy, Kerry Sandys, Laura Wharton, James Elliott, Julie McClymont, Gregg Scott, Mr Lee Wheeler, Heather Ellman, Mrs Louise McDonagh, Siobhain Selous, Andrew White, Chris Engel, Natascha McDonald, Andy Shapps, rh Grant Whittaker, Craig Esterson, Bill McDonnell, John Shelbrooke, Alec Whittingdale, Mr John Evans, Chris McFadden, rh Mr Pat Shepherd, Mr Richard Wiggin, Bill Farrelly, Paul McGovern, Alison Simpson, Mr Keith Williams, Mr Mark Field, rh Mr Frank McGovern, Jim Skidmore, Chris Williams, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Jim McKechin, Ann Smith, Miss Chloe Williamson, Gavin Flello, Robert McKenzie, Mr Iain Smith, Henry Willott, Jenny Flint, rh Caroline McKinnell, Catherine Smith, Julian Wollaston, Dr Sarah Flynn, Paul Meacher, rh Mr Michael Smith, Sir Robert Wright, Jeremy Fovargue, Yvonne Meale, Sir Alan Francis, Dr Hywel Mearns, Ian Soames, rh Nicholas Wright, Simon Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Gapes, Mike Miliband, rh David Young, rh Sir George Spencer, Mr Mark Gardiner, Barry Miller, Andrew Zahawi, Nadhim Stanley, rh Sir John Gilmore, Sheila Moon, Mrs Madeleine Stephenson, Andrew Tellers for the Ayes: Glass, Pat Morden, Jessica Stevenson, John Joseph Johnson and Glindon, Mrs Mary Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Stewart, Bob Mark Hunter Godsiff, Mr Roger Morris, Grahame M. Goggins, rh Paul (Easington) NOES Goodman, Helen Mudie, Mr George Greatrex, Tom Munn, Meg Abbott, Ms Diane Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Green, Kate Murphy, rh Mr Jim Abrahams, Debbie Brennan, Kevin Greenwood, Lilian Murphy, rh Paul Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Brown, Lyn Griffith, Nia Murray, Ian Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Gwynne, Andrew Nandy, Lisa Ali, Rushanara Brown, Mr Russell Hain, rh Mr Peter Nash, Pamela Anderson, Mr David Bryant, Chris Hamilton, Mr David O’Donnell, Fiona Ashworth, Jonathan Buck, Ms Karen Hamilton, Fabian Osborne, Sandra Bailey, Mr Adrian Burden, Richard Hanson, rh Mr David Owen, Albert Bain, Mr William Burnham, rh Andy Harman, rh Ms Harriet Perkins, Toby Balls, rh Ed Campbell, Mr Alan Harris, Mr Tom Phillipson, Bridget Banks, Gordon Campbell, Mr Ronnie Havard, Mr Dai Pound, Stephen Barron, rh Mr Kevin Champion, Sarah Healey, rh John Powell, Lucy Bayley, Hugh Chapman, Jenny Hendrick, Mark Qureshi, Yasmin Beckett, rh Margaret Clark, Katy Hepburn, Mr Stephen Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Begg, Dame Anne Clarke, rh Mr Tom Hillier, Meg Reed, Steve Benn, rh Hilary Coaker, Vernon Hilling, Julie Reeves, Rachel Berger, Luciana Coffey, Ann Hodge, rh Margaret Reynolds, Emma Betts, Mr Clive Cooper, rh Yvette Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Reynolds, Jonathan Blackman-Woods, Roberta Corbyn, Jeremy Hoey, Kate Ritchie, Ms Margaret Blenkinsop, Tom Crausby, Mr David Hopkins, Kelvin Robertson, John Blomfield, Paul Creagh, Mary Horwood, Martin Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Blunkett, rh Mr David Creasy, Stella Hunt, Tristram Rotheram, Steve 677 Growth and Infrastructure Bill 17 DECEMBER 2012 678

Roy, Lindsay Trickett, Jon Small Business Growth (Hazel Grove) Ruane, Chris Turner, Karl Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Twigg, Derek Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House Sarwar, Anas Twigg, Stephen do now adjourn.—(Mr Syms.) Sawford, Andy Umunna, Mr Chuka Seabeck, Alison Vaz, Valerie 10.8 pm Shannon, Jim Walley, Joan Sharma, Mr Virendra Watson, Mr Tom Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) (LD): I am pleased to Sheerman, Mr Barry Watts, Mr Dave have the opportunity to bring this debate to the House. Sheridan, Jim Weir, Mr Mike Although it relates specifically to my constituency, I am Shuker, Gavin Whitehead, Dr Alan certain from the remarks I have heard from other Members Skinner, Mr Dennis Williams, Hywel over the past few months that the problem is universal, Smith, rh Mr Andrew Williamson, Chris and that we could easily have another 649 such debates Smith, Angela Winnick, Mr David relating to other constituencies. The problem is that Smith, Nick Winterton, rh Ms Rosie there is a huge gap between what the retail banks tell the Spellar, rh Mr John Wishart, Pete Government is going on, what they tell Members of Straw, rh Mr Jack Wood, Mike Parliament is going on and what they tell small and Stringer, Graham Woodward, rh Mr Shaun medium-sized businesses in my constituency is going Stuart, Ms Gisela Wright, David on. As soon as it was known that I had secured the Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Wright, Mr Iain Tami, Mark debate, a number of organisations got in touch with me Thomas, Mr Gareth Tellers for the Noes: to say words to the effect of, “Good on yer, get on with Thornberry, Emily Phil Wilson and it, and there’s lots more to follow.” The British Chambers Timms, rh Stephen Heidi Alexander of Commerce e-mailed me to say: “Across Britain, there is strong evidence of a serious market failure around access to finance, especially for fast-growing and Question accordingly agreed to. newer businesses.” Bill read the Third time and passed. The e-mail went on: “The introduction of state-backed support schemes to increase Business without Debate the availability of finance to SMEs has been impeded by a lack of coherence, poor roll-out, poor communication, and over-dependence DELEGATED LEGISLATION on existing bank infrastructure.” Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing By that, the BCC means that the existing banks are Order No. 118(6)), being expected to deliver it. The Federation of Small Businesses got in touch to OIL TAX say that as part of its quarterly economic index it asked That the draft Qualifying Oil Fields Order 2012, which was laid members whether they had requested credit, and other before this House on 13 November, be approved.—(Mr Syms.) related questions. In the third quarter of this year, Question agreed to. 21.6% of those questioned had applied for a loan—in other words, more than a fifth of businesses—and of BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE those 42.4% were rejected and 14.8% still await a decision. Ordered, In addition, 74.7% of firms rated credit availability That, in respect of the Succession to the Crown Bill, notices of as quite poor or very poor, with only 6.9% rating it as Amendments, new Clauses and new Schedules to be moved in good. In other words, half of those who applied had Committee may be accepted by the Clerks at the Table before the their loans rejected, and three quarters of all firms Bill has been read a second time.—(Mr Syms.) thought that credit availability was poor or very poor. The FSB went on to tell me that it had also recently ADJOURNMENT (FEBRUARY, EASTER, carried out a survey of its members in Hazel Grove WHITSUN, SUMMER, CONFERENCE RECESS, regarding their main concerns. Approximately one third NOVEMBER AND CHRISTMAS) said that getting bank lending or lending from other Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing sources was their biggest concern—a third of the businesses Order No. 25), they polled in my constituency. It provided a quote That this House- from one of its members: (1) at its rising on Thursday 14 February 2013, do adjourn “the high street banks are not the vehicle for engaging small until Monday 25 February 2013; business due to their aggressive policies and their inability to (2) at its rising on Tuesday 26 March 2013, do adjourn until discuss/consider risk based lending. What we need is not lots of Monday 15 April 2013; different schemes that try to get the banks to do their job, but rather one scheme that does not involve the high street banks.” (3) at its rising on Tuesday 21 May 2013, do adjourn until Monday 3 June 2013; Not everybody shares the pessimism about retail (4) at its rising on Thursday 18 July 2013, do adjourn until banks. I was drawn to remarks made in the newspaper Monday 2 September 2013; City A.M. on 6 December by Anthony Browne, the (5) at its rising on Friday 13 September 2013, do adjourn until chief executive of the British Bankers Association. His Tuesday 8 October 2013; commentary was: (6) at its rising on Tuesday 12 November 2013, do adjourn “It is time politicians wake up to the fact that, when it comes to until Monday 18 November 2013; and returning the economy to growth, banks are no longer the problem–but (7) at its rising on Thursday 19 December 2013, do adjourn part of the solution.” until Monday 6 January 2014.—(Mr Syms.) That is why it is so important for us to have this debate Question agreed to. and to hear the Minister’s response. There is a huge gap between the perception of the banks as they represent 679 Small Business Growth (Hazel Grove)17 DECEMBER 2012 Small Business Growth (Hazel Grove) 680 themselves to the Government and MPs—we all get engineering company in my constituency, JD Hughes, monthly or quarterly newsletters from each of the big Europe’s largest manufacturer of emergency safety showers, retail banks in which they point out that everything is as eyebaths and decontamination equipment. A lot of its good as it ever possibly could be, they are trying hard equipment goes into chemical plants and petrochemical and nothing is going wrong—and my constituency inbox, plants so that, in the event of spillage or some other in which every month small and medium-sized enterprises problem, workers can get immediate relief. The company’s tell me of their problems. products are used throughout industry and by civil and I want to spend a little time on four specific cases. In military authorities worldwide, including by our own each case, I have spoken to the companies concerned fire and rescue services. They are sold directly to end and they are happy and ready for me to use them as users and contractors or sometimes through an international examples in this debate. The first case is Isaac Hirst network of distributers, and they are sold through Fine Furniture, which I think is best described as a specialist safety equipment suppliers. micro-business—it is a one-man furniture making This case came to my attention when I attended the proposition. Mr Hirst has been running since 2011 and company’s awarding of the Queen’s award for export banks with Lloyds. At the beginning of the year, he was given to it by the lord lieutenant of Greater Manchester offered a £10,000 contract from a big company specialising in the presence of me, as the constituency MP, and the in high-end commercial kitchens. He approached the mayor of Stockport borough. At that point, it became bank for an overdraft to provide working capital. When clear that it, too, had a quite a serious problem. Its he opened his account with Lloyds in 2011, he was told turnover is £12 million a year, it employs 90 people and that he would be eligible for consideration of an overdraft 70% of its product is exported. Some 97% of the after a few months. In fact, his overdraft application materials it uses are UK-supplied, and a dozen or more triggered a refusal and a robust challenge from the bank of those companies are based in Stockport. It provides over how he got a business account in the first place, local jobs, and has a local purchasing policy but worldwide and, because of the bank’s response, his company had trade. However, it cannot get the money and support it to turn down the contract. needs from the banks. The same company that had offered my constituent JD Hughes started with RBS—we can add that to the the £10,000 contract then offered him a £2,000 contract. rogue’s gallery—but it was not much use so the company He realised that cash flow could still be a problem, switched to HSBC. That did not work so it switched to because he was finishing off a piece of furniture for a NatWest. In the course of that process it received a client in Valencia—export business, you see—so on mysterious £250,000 cut to its overdraft, a reduction 2 July this year he approached the bank for a short-term in invoice discount rate, and an offer of factoring overdraft of £500 to help pay for the materials for the for outstanding bills which, given that it was dealing new commission, but the bank refused. with internationally known major corporations, was That is when I came into the picture. I took up the inappropriate. That cost the company £50,000 to sort out. case and received a letter from Lloyds TSB dated In July this year I am happy to report—I am sure the 11 September that, apart from some explanatory stuff about Minister will be pleased to note this—that the Export its decision making, said: Credits Guarantee Department offered the company “I’ve also asked Leigh Taylor to contact your office to arrange 50% for its export project. However, that must be matched the meeting which was previously discussed.” by the bank, although five months later the bank has By the end of November, Leigh Taylor had not not agreed to do that. The money is there but cannot be contacted me, but on the other hand I had got an invite released. JD Hughes needs an underwriting of its bond to breakfast from Lloyds TSB and to meet Annette facilities but at the moment that is costing it £1 million Barnes, whose job title was “ambassador for the north”—a in money held back by clients because it cannot get the suitably grand title and perhaps worth compromising bond in place. The company’s finance director estimates my ethical position for by accepting a breakfast from that it is £1 million behind where it could be in terms of her. I thought she might be at least dimly aware of the turnover—the equivalent of 10 jobs. It has recently fact that I had raised a complaint about the bank’s been approached by a foreign bank that is offering a behaviour in relation to Isaac Hirst Fine Furniture, but better deal than any of the domestic banks. Its plea is that turned out not to be the case—she was completely for the banks to adopt not a no-risk but a low-risk way unsighted—although she said she would make some of evaluating propositions they receive. On Friday I met inquiries. She made them and came back saying, Mr Steve Sankson, the regional director at NatWest “Everything’s okay, I think.” Well, I am still waiting for commercial banking, and to be fair he left the meeting the call from Leigh Taylor, and it is now 17 December. with a clear understanding of my concerns. It remains I have, however, got endless briefing notes from Lloyds to be seen whether that will lead to action. bank. I have a note telling me it employs 9,000 people, My third example concerns Tribourne Catering Services, has got 350 branches and gives £4.9 million to charity. and the villain of the piece is HSBC. Tribourne recently It sent me a “state of the economy”pack and a constituency secured a 10-year contract to run catering facilities at a factsheet that, among other things, tells me what the newly opened private sports centre in my constituency, average child’s savings are in my constituency, but it has Woodley Sports. The company has been banking with avoided telling me how many SMEs there are in my HSBC since 1996 but to get the contract under way it is constituency, how many applications for loans it has necessary for the successful catering company to equip received from SMEs in my constituency and how many the kitchen, which requires the purchase of capital have succeeded. materials. Tribourne asked for a loan of £100,000, I would not want the House to think that I have a which was refused. When it approached the bank to say, particular gripe about Lloyds bank, so it is right to “Okay, if not £100,000, how much?” the answer was, introduce my second example, which relates to an “None at all.” When I spoke to Brenda Hopkins of 681 Small Business Growth (Hazel Grove)17 DECEMBER 2012 Small Business Growth (Hazel Grove) 682

[Andrew Stunell] or two of the people to whom I have referred into that room, so that we can short-circuit the gap between what Tribourne she said that the response may have something the banks tell the House and the Government and to do with the fact that she is now in contact with her what really happens on the ground. We must get to a ninth relationship manager in 16 years of banking with point at which we get real action, instead of talking on HSBC, although she has not heard from most of them two different planets about two different situations in her time with the bank. while jobs go begging. I am looking forward to what What does HSBC have to say about that? A letter on I know the Minister will tell me. 13 September stated that “in the North West region we are pleased to report that we have in 10.28 pm the first six months of the year: agreed in excess of £657 million gross new lending to over 13,650 small and medium sized The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid): businesses—an increase on the same period last year.” I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Hazel No doubt that is true; I am sure the bank would not Grove (Andrew Stunell) for securing this debate and for deceive MPs in its correspondence, but it certainly presenting his case so eloquently. missed one company in which it should have invested— All hon. Members are keen to see successful businesses another example of things that go wrong. in our constituencies, whether in Hazel Grove or Fourthly, just to get a full suite of banks let us look at Bromsgrove. We recognise the importance of businesses. Barclays. Childcare Products has had a 15-year business Whether they are small, medium or multi-national, they relationship with Barclays bank. In January 2012 there provide jobs for our communities. Indeed, only with the was a change of bank manager—or relationship manager help of successful British businesses will we be able to as they seem to be called these days—and the boss was deal with the economic challenges that our country called into talk about his overdraft facility and how faces. I am therefore glad to have the opportunity to the bank could make things a bit easier for him. The discuss retail banks and small businesses, and business company has an £18,000 overdraft facility that could be finance more generally. extended to £20,000 via a phone call to the bank manager. My right hon. Friend has shared some interesting The new proposition was to turn that into a loan, with a case studies of the difficulties that some of his constituency change in interest from 8% to 14% over five years. When companies have faced. He mentioned four companies, the company refused, nothing very much happened including Isaac Hirst Fine Furniture, JD Hughes and until it discovered that the £18,000 overdraft was reduced Tribourne Catering. I am sure he understands that it to £10,000 without anybody bothering to notify it. would not be appropriate for me to try to address the company issues he has, but his message comes through The Federation of Small Businesses was tipped off clearly from the illustrative examples he has picked. by Childcare Products and an all-party group has considered the matter, but what did Barclays have to say to me? It I would like to start by talking about some of the wrote on 29 November to say that it is running action that the Government have already taken, and then to answer some of the excellent questions that my “a series of clinics and seminars…to encourage entrepreneurship and help businesses boost skills, overcome challenges and widen right hon. Friend has asked. The Government have their networks.” taken a number of steps, and the first that they took on coming to power was to set up Project Merlin, which It has a strange way of doing that. began in 2011. In that year, UK banks lent a total of I have given an overview from the British Chambers £214 billion to British businesses. That represented a of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and 20% increase on 2010, exceeding the lending target by the British Bankers Association and asked the House £24 billion. On top of that, the national loan guarantee to judge which has got it more right in the real world. I scheme enabled businesses to receive a 1% discount on gave examples of four different companies in my loans, compared with the price of loans outside the constituency that approached me—I did not seek them scheme. As a result, over 28,000 cheaper loans, worth out—to say, “Mr Stunell, can you not do something over £4.6 billion, have been committed to businesses. Of about how the banks are treating small businesses?” All those loans, over £2.7 billion has already been used by had the option and capacity to create more jobs in businesses to help them to invest and grow. Hazel Grove doing productive work, and all have been One of the Government’s most ambitious schemes is blocked as a result of decisions taken on their applications. the funding for lending scheme. Also referred to as the What do I want to hear from the Minister tonight? I FLS, this joint project between the Government and the want to hear his assurances on the Government’s good Bank of England was launched in July this year. It intentions. I share them, and I know he has worked works by reducing banks’ funding pressures in return hard. I want to hear the report on progress and to know for increased lending to businesses and households. The how soon we will have the business bank. I want to FLS creates strong incentives for banks to increase know whether and how soon we can channel more of lending to UK households and businesses, and as a the Government’s and public taxpayers’ resources through result of the scheme, we have already seen a number of the non-retail banking sector, for which the British participating banks launch new and discounted SME Chambers of Commerce has asked. loan products. The scheme is transparent, and the Bank I want to ask the Minister for just one practical step. of England will publish data on the amount that each I would like him to convene a meeting at which the bank has drawn from the scheme and how much they British Bankers Association and senior representatives have lent to UK households and businesses. of each of the banks I have named in the debate are in Other Government measures include the enterprise the same room with him as the Minister and me as the finance guarantee scheme, which enables lenders to affected MP. I also want the opportunity to bring one provide debt finance to small businesses that can 683 Small Business Growth (Hazel Grove)17 DECEMBER 2012 Small Business Growth (Hazel Grove) 684 demonstrate that they have capacity to repay the loan in any reason, to the participating bank concerned. If an full but do not have sufficient security. The EFG has appeal is raised, the decision will be reviewed by a already supported £300 million of lending in 2011-12 second person from the bank who was not involved in and, subject to demand, is due to provide over £2 billion the original decision. The results of the first year of the in total over the next four years. process show that in 40% of cases in which a decline My right hon. Friend mentioned the newly announced was appealed against, a lending agreement with which business bank, which is in the process of being created. both parties were satisfied was reached. A number of the bank’s functions will be operational I am not sure whether the four companies in my right from spring 2013, with the institution becoming fully hon. Friend’s constituency have tried to use the process, operational by the following autumn. The bank aims to but if not, I certainly recommend it. He said in his address gaps in business finance by drawing together speech that he had raised the issue with some of the the Government’s existing initiatives under one roof in banks, and mentioned the “ambassador to the north” an integrated service to all firms, and £1 billion of from Lloyds TSB. I hope he agrees that it is worth while additional capital has been allocated to the business for the Government to advertise the appeals process bank to stimulate the market for long-term capital. At and ensure that enough people know about it. Better least £300 million of that will be co-invested over the promotion is needed, so that every firm knows that it next two years in channels that will diversify the sources has somewhere to turn. of finance available to SMEs, such as non-bank lenders. We must bear in mind, however, that banks and other As my right hon. Friend has rightly pointed out, the lenders must make sensible decisions about whether public want to know that the money from all those to lend, how much to lend and on what terms to lend. schemes is finding its way from banks to businesses, Lenders consider a number of factors when making so let me say a word or two about the importance of such decisions, including the cost of obtaining funds transparency. I believe that we are going further than and the risk that some borrowers will default. Both any Government to ensure transparency in lending, these factors have been heightened by the financial especially in relation to the lending that the Government crisis in the eurozone, and that may have contributed to are helping to provide. The Government will be working changes in the way in which some banks have approached with industry—through the British Bankers Association their lending activities. Decisions about whether to lend and other interested parties—to get a commitment from to specific businesses remain commercial decisions for the banks that they will publish more granular data. We banks to make. It is important for them to have in place have agreed to work with industry to collate and publish the correct lending criteria, so that we do not see a lending data that are disaggregated by institution and return to the excessive balance sheet growth that we saw presented on a postcode-level basis. The Government during the financial crisis. will take this forward as an urgent and pressing matter. Towards the end of his speech, my right hon. Friend In reiterating our commitment to make progress in suggested that a meeting could be convened between this area, I confirm tonight that, should our negotiations him—along with, perhaps, some representatives from with industry fail to deliver for any reason, the Government his constituency—and members of the British Bankers will introduce amendments to the Banking Reform Bill Association, including some of the banks that he mentioned to ensure that the data, in disaggregated and postcode- this evening. I would be more than happy to write to the specific form, are published. That will enable my right BBA and try to convene such a meeting on his behalf, hon. Friend to see exactly how much the banks are because I believe that it is a sensible idea. Perhaps we lending to small businesses in Hazel Grove. Indeed, it can take that up directly later. will allow all Members to see similarly detailed data. I The Government believe that it is important for hope that my right hon. Friend agrees that that will be a viable businesses that want to invest and grow to have welcome development. access to the finance that they require in order to do so, I want to say something about the appeals process, and we are therefore pursuing a substantial agenda. I which I do not think is given enough air time and which thank my right hon. Friend again for raising this important is not as well known as it should be. It is important for issue. The Government are well aware that banks play a businesses that fail to secure loans to be given clear and vital role in serving the economy, and I assure him that honest information about the reasons for that. In April we take this issue very seriously. 2011, the major UK banks established the appeals Question put and agreed to. process as one of the 17 commitments of the business finance taskforce. The process allows any business with a turnover of up to £25 million that has been declined 10.38 pm any form of lending to appeal against the decision, for House adjourned.

69WS Written Ministerial Statements17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 70WS

The review will examine options for savings both within and Written Ministerial beyond the current spending review period, including through: Firefighter training; Statements Flexible staffing and crewing arrangements; The use of retained firefighters; Monday 17 December 2012 Procurement; Shared services; Collaboration with emergency services and other organisations BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS on service delivery and estates; Sickness management; Fifth Statement of New Regulation Sharing of senior staff; Locally-led mergers and operational collaborations; The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation New firefighting technology; and Skills (Michael Fallon): The Government are today Preventative approaches; publishing the fifth statement of new regulation. This Working with local businesses. statement reports on regulations within the scope of the Public safety is always our first concern and this review will “one-in, two-out” rule which are expected to come into make sure no stone has been left unturned in the quest for the force between 1 January and 30 June 2013. The statement most efficient and effective front-line fire service there can be. also reports on the red tape challenge measures expected The review will commence in January with Sir Ken Knight to come into force and progress on the targets. It also talking to key partners, and will report in the spring of 2013. includes, for the first time, EU measures which are implemented by UK regulations. In parallel, Departments are each publishing a summary of the regulations they intend to introduce. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT I am laying copies of the statement in the House Libraries. Telecommunications Council TREASURY The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 MediaandSport(MrEdwardVaizey):TheTelecommunications Council will take place in Brussels on 20 December The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Clark): 2012. The Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, My noble Friend the Commercial Secretary to the Shan Morgan, will represent the UK at this Council. Treasury, Lord Sassoon, has today made the following The first item is a progress report from the presidency, written ministerial statement: followed by an orientation debate (an exchange of views Mr David Anderson QC has completed his second annual steered by the questions from the presidency) on the report as independent reviewer of terrorist asset-freezing legislation. proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament The report covers a 12-month period (year to 16 September 2012) and of the Council on electronic identification and trust of the operation of the Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 and services for electronic transactions in the internal market will be laid before the House today. (EMI0977/12). The first question asks what areas from The Government are grateful to Mr Anderson for his thorough this proposal should member states focus on to ensure report and will carefully consider the recommendation he has the progress of this complex piece of legislation. Here, made. The Government’s response to this report will be placed in the UK will say that in order to make progress on this the Libraries of both Houses on or before 14 February 2013. proposal, the focus must be on: agreeing the specific details, including technical standards about how this COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT regulation will work in practice; actively consulting and involving service providers and end-users, including business users; and in this process ensuring that this Fire and Rescue Services proposal builds on what has already been developed across member states in respect of standards and systems. TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities The second question asks whether we would agree andLocalGovernment(BrandonLewis):OnFriday14December that setting harmonised minimum security levels for 2012, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary e-identification ensures adequate security for cross-border of State,DepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment, transactions across Europe. Here, we will say that we Baroness Hanham, made the following written ministerial must ensure that what is finally agreed is based on a statement: risk-assessment of the appropriate levels of security I am pleased to announce that Sir Ken Knight will be undertaking required. a review into the operational efficiency of the services delivered The Council will then receive progress reports from by fire and rescue authorities in England. the presidency on proposal for a directive of the European This review, conducted by Sir Ken Knight, former firefighter Parliament and of the Council amending directive 2003/ and outgoing Government chief fire and rescue adviser, will seek to identify ways fire and rescue authorities can pinpoint sensible 98/EC on the reuse of public sector information (PSI) savings and practical improvements without reducing the breadth and proposal for a directive on guidelines for trans- and quality of life-saving services that the country’s firefighters European telecommunications networks (EM 16006/11). are known for. We will not intervene on either of these items. 71WS Written Ministerial Statements17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 72WS

The Council will then undertake a full “tour de table” The spectrum to be sold will contribute towards the debate guided by two questions from the presidency on Government’s target that at least 500MHz of public the priorities going forward for the digital agenda for sector spectrum will be released by 2020. Europe (DAE-EM9981/10). This item will also include The sale will give private operators the opportunity presentations on the mid-term review of the DAE (with to acquire more capacity to support, for example, the a communication due to be published on 19 December) introduction of fourth-generation mobile services to and the Commission’s annual growth survey 2013. people in cities, towns and villages across the United In the debate, the first question asks for an assessment Kingdom, or to expand wireless access to broadband of progress made on the priorities emanating from the services, both of which are vital to the UK’s prosperity. DAE. The UK will say that there appears to be good progress by many member states on meeting the DAE broadband targets. The UK is supportive of these targets FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE and we are aiming to increase both the level of penetration and the availability of higher broadband speeds through a combination of measures. The aim of these is to Private Security Companies remove barriers to investment in infrastructure deployment by private companies and develop targeted financial support in those areas of the country—particularly The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign rural areas—where the unaided market will not provide and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds): The a service. Greater EU broadband coverage will also Government aim to raise the global standards of private increase the potential client base for EU businesses in security companies (PSCs) working in complex and the digital single market. However, there appears to be high-risk environments overseas. To this end, we have less progress made in respect of information and been working closely with interested partners, including communications technology (ICT) services. To improve industry and civil society, to establish a voluntary, the chances of success, member states should consider independently audited and internationally recognised the opportunities that cross-border services offer to EU regulatory system that is practicable, effective and affordable. businesses and citizens. The Commission should also Certification to professional standards is the next consider intensifying its efforts in working more closely step towards effective voluntary regulation. First the together across directorate-generals. Government endorsed the Montreux document in 2008, The second question asks member states to highlight in which states commit to observe existing international areas where they see the need for more intensive efforts legal obligations relevant to the operations of PSCs in to address perceived challenges. Here the UK will say areas of armed conflict. Secondly, in 2010, an international that the priority for the EU’s ICT agenda should be the code of conduct for private security service providers establishment of a single market for the digital economy (ICOC) was created. This provides a set of principles to and actions to boost cross-border e-commerce. To achieve guide companies. The ICOC has now been signed by this aim, the top three priorities should be: modernising over 500 PSCs, around a third of them British. We have the EU intellectual property framework; securing a reviewed options on setting new professional standards balanced legal framework for data protection; and to make the code effective. We now intend to issue an improving infrastructure and encouraging broadband HMG publication specifying that ASIS PSC 1-2012 is roll out. the applicable standard for UK-based PSCs working in Any Other Business (AOB) complex environments on land overseas. I will place a copy of the publication in the Libraries of both There are only three items under AOB. We do not Houses. Companies, independent auditors and the UK currently foresee the need to intervene on any of these Accreditation Service (UKAS) will then take the further items. The first is a progress report from the presidency steps to enable auditing against these standards to on proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament begin. and of the Council concerning the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA-EM 14358/10). The ICOC mandated the development of auditable The second item is a presentation by the Commission standards to ensure that signatory companies are on a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament implementing their commitments under the code. In and the Council on the accessibility of public sector response to this requirement, the international security bodies’ websites, which was published on 4 December trade association (ASIS) was funded by the Department 2012. of Defence to develop the standard—“PSC1”—for the regulation of private security companies operating on Finally, the Irish delegation will inform the Council land in complex environments overseas. This standard of their priorities for their forthcoming presidency. was drafted in a multinational and multi-stakeholder forum in which UK Government, UK industry and UK civil society fully participated. It was published in March DEFENCE 2012 as an approved American National Standard and is the only standard currently available for companies Spectrum Release operating in this field. PSCs seeking certification in the UK to this new standard will have to be audited by independent third-party auditors accredited by the UK The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Accreditation Service (UKAS). Our trade association (Mr Philip Dunne): I wish to inform the House that the partners, the Security in Complex Environments Group Ministry of Defence intends to auction around 200MHz (SCEG), will, in consultation with Government, develop of its radio spectrum usage rights; the preparations for guidance to help British PSCs meet the requirements of the auction are expected to start at the end of 2013. the new standards. 73WS Written Ministerial Statements17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 74WS

Our ambition is to have a single, internationally planning to be led centrally. A number of member agreed standard and we therefore welcome the fact that states emphasised that they felt that it was better for the PSCl was recently submitted to the International Standards co-ordination of preparedness planning to be led by Organisation (ISO) to be considered for adoption as an member states within the Health Security Committee. international standard for PSCs working in complex The Council conclusions on organ donation and environments. This process may take some time. We will transplantation were adopted without substantive review the need for a separate HMG publication of this discussion. A number of member states, including the standard once the ISO process has been completed. UK, intervened in relation to the healthy ageing across We are also working with other states, industry and the lifecycle conclusions in order to underline their civil society internationally to ensure that there should support for a future EU strategy on alcohol-related be globally recognised standards and that UK companies harm. are not unfairly disadvantaged by raising their standards. We expect that the ICOC governing board, when Under any other business, the presidency provided established, will advise that certification to the PSC1 information about the proposal for health for growth, standard by suitably accredited independent auditors the third multi-annual programme of EU action in will meet the code’s requirements for PSCs to have health for 2014-20. Information was provided by the auditable professional standards. We are still consulting presidency on the transparency directive, with several with industry and civil society partners on what additional member states indicating their opposition to the proposals steps PSCs might need to take to obtain full certification during the discussion. The information point on medical by the ICOC that they are meeting the code’s principles devices was the subject of some discussion, with but I can confirm that there will be no need for PSCs to interventions from a number of member states in support go through duplicate auditing procedures to become of the Commission proposals. During the information certified. point on food intended for infants and young children The ICOC was drafted with land-based PSCs in and food for special medical purposes, the UK stated its mind. However, since 2010 there has been a rapid rise in opposition to the use of delegated acts in the proposal. the number of PSCs working on anti-piracy operations The final points under any other business on salt reduction, at sea. Although many of the principles relating to cross-border healthcare, the WHO framework convention PSCs working on land and at sea are similar, there are on tobacco control, the working party on public health important legal and practical differences. The Government at senior-level and asbestos were concluded without are therefore also contributing to an international drafting discussion. Ireland then outlined the priorities for its process under the ISO for an equivalent professional upcoming presidency. standard for PSCs working in the maritime sector. A Finally, there was a lunchtime discussion of the joint draft maritime standard was introduced at the International action plan on medical devices, which was brought Maritime Organisation (IMO) in late November. If and forward by the Commission earlier this year. All member when this standard is adopted, UKAS will start the states outlined the progress they had already made, and process of accrediting suitably qualified independent emphasised the need for a strong EU regulatory framework third-party auditors to certify UK-based maritime PSCs for medical devices. under it. Clarity on the standards against which PSCs should be audited is an important step forward in the drive to NHS Consultants and Junior Doctors’ Contracts raise standards in this industry through voluntary action, but independently audited. It is also a practical illustration of the Government’s commitment to human rights and The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): to working with business and civil society to find effective I am responding on behalf of my right hon. Friend the ways to implement our commitments even in the most Prime Minister to the report by the Review Body on challenging environments. Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) “Review of compensation levels, incentives and Clinical Excellence and Distinction Awards schemes for NHS Consultants”. HEALTH The report has been laid before Parliament today (Cm 8518). The report was to all four UK Health Departments. I am grateful to the chair and members of the DDRB Health Council for their report. The recommendations in the report are wide ranging. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health As well as making recommendations on a new approach (Anna Soubry): The Health part of the Employment, to national and local awards, it suggests the contract Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) needs to recognise different stages in a consultant career Council met on 7 December 2012 in Brussels. I represented by introducing a break point in the pay scale and a new the UK. principal consultant grade, that would cover up to 10% The Council unanimously agreed a general approach of the consultant work force at any one time. on the breakfast directives, following the lifting of the The report sets out the case for change and the Government UK’s parliamentary scrutiny reserve. There was a discussion accept the key principles underlying the report. In particular, of the serious cross-border health threats proposal, we agree that clinical excellence awards should recognise during which the Cyprus Presidency gave a summary of current not past excellence and that there is a compelling progress made on this dossier during their presidency. case for changes in the consultant contract. Local NHS The European Commission reiterated their view that it organisations need to have a consultant contract that was important for the co-ordination of preparedness meets their needs and is fit for purpose for the future. 75WS Written Ministerial Statements17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 76WS

I recognise that there may be some concerns within Administrations, this will be taken forward on a UK-wide the medical profession over the report. The Government basis, while respecting any differences arising from devolved are therefore committed to work with the profession on responsibilities. these recommendations with a view to reaching agreement Copies of both reports are available to hon. Members with doctors’ representatives on how they should be from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the implemented. Printed Paper Office. The report on the junior doctors’ I am particularly mindful of the position of doctors contract has been placed in the Library. who hold current pensionable and consolidated awards and on the impact of the DDRB’s proposals for national HOME DEPARTMENT awards on the most senior doctors including clinical academics. It will be important to ensure that their Arab Spring Asset Recovery Task Force reward packages remain competitive so that we continue to recruit and retain the most able consultants in the UK and provide appropriate incentives to encourage The Minister of State, Home Department (Mr Jeremy clinical excellence and innovation; not only in patient Browne): On 26 September the Prime Minister announced care but also in medical research and teaching. at the UN General Assembly that the UK will create a The Government do not necessarily accept that new cross-Government taskforce to return assets stolen consultants should be prohibited from holding awards by members of the former regimes of the Arab spring simultaneously in the old and new schemes. This will countries. The taskforce has now started work to accelerate depend on the final scheme design and should be considered our existing effort to return stolen assets to the Egyptian, as part of transition planning to ensure that all consultants Libyan and Tunisian people. retain appropriate incentives for continued excellence We have established a multi-agency team, under a while avoiding paying twice for the same activities. single operational-lead, involving staff from the Home Office, Serious Organised Crime Agency, Metropolitan I am also prepared to consider the issue of pensionability Police and Crown Prosecution Service. Leading members of future awards as there is nothing inherent in a career of the team have already visited Cairo to forge links average pension scheme that prohibits this. I therefore with their counterparts in the Egyptian authorities. As believe that longer-term national awards can remain well as posting a CPS prosecutor and a Metropolitan pensionable. I would also be prepared to consider affordable police financial investigator to Egypt, we will also post proposals on pensionability of future local awards. a regional asset recovery adviser to the region to assist In advance of these discussions, we intend shortly to the authorities in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. launch a specific consultation about discontinuing two In addition to the operational response, I want to anomalies in the current schemes. make sure that we have the necessary tools and powers We wish to work with the profession and employers to ensure that the UK is not a safe haven for the to ensure that pay arrangements for doctors are affordable proceeds of corruption. We have already pushed for and sustainable in the long term. We will therefore also changes to the EU sanctions regulations, which came be seeking to agree changes to doctors’ contracts to into effect on 27 November. They have been amended better support seven-day working in the NHS. A move to allow better information sharing between EU member to seven-day working must be approached alongside states and Arab spring countries. better availability of community services and primary The taskforce will also conduct a review of the UK’s care. An NHS fit for the future needs to be delivering legal framework for providing assistance to other countries the same quality of service at the weekend as it does seeking to repatriate stolen assets. Michael Beloff QC during the week and pay arrangements need to reflect has been instructed to provide independent expert advice this. to inform the review. We are also today publishing a report commissioned The taskforce will lead diplomatic work to rebuild the from the NHS employers organisation by the four UK UK’s good reputation on asset recovery, and we will Health Departments on the junior doctors’ contract. seek opportunities through our G8 Presidency in 2013 The incentives in the current contract operate in a way to encourage greater partnership working between the that militates against the best quality training and restrict G8, Arab spring countries and other regional allies. the service contribution made by doctors in training. This is important work, and we are making good We therefore wish to agree changes to ensure pay progress, but it will take time to achieve the results we arrangements for juniors are also fit for purpose. want. Asset recovery requires painstaking work to identify I am ambitious to see early progress on implementing and trace hidden assets, while ensuring the proper judicial these changes. I would wish to see a heads of agreement processes are followed to confiscate them. There is a reached by the spring of 2013 on changes across both moral imperative for this work to be carried out swiftly; contracts with the intention of implementation beginning the taskforce brings a new energy and focus to this from April 2014. With the agreement of the devolved endeavour. 5P Petitions17 DECEMBER 2012 Petitions 6P Petition Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport: The Department for Transport is supporting Nexus in delivering an 11-year programme of works to renew Monday 17 December 2012 and improve tine Tyne and Wear Metro. This work is being funded with up to £350 million of grant from OBSERVATIONS DFT and includes refurbishment of the Metrocar fleet, modernisation of 60 stations, introduction of new “smart” ticketing machines, barriers and technologies, and a TRANSPORT new communications system. Nexus is also overhauling Extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington and maintaining structures such as bridges and tunnels, track and overhead power lines, as well as modernising The Petition of residents of Washington and other infrastructure and technology. Sunderland West constituency and the surrounding areas, Declares that there are inadequate public transport Further improvement and expansion of the Tyne and links for residents in Washington to access the rest of Wear Metro will be considered by Nexus as part of its the Tyne and Wear area, increasing reliance on personal planning for the next phase of work, for the period after transport and reducing employment and economic 2022. opportunities for the town and its residents. I understand that an extension to Washington is one The Petitioners therefore request that the House of area which may be looked at as part of this. Nexus has Commons urges the Secretary of State for Transport to begun planning for this it will include a comprehensive seriously explore the feasibility of extending the Tyne analysis of factors including network integration with and Wear Metro to the town of Washington utilising land use and other modes, future technologies and the old Leamside railway line. funding. The Initial work programme to develop an And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mrs outline business case will take about two years and be Sharon Hodgson, Official Report,13 November 2012; subject to local support and development costs being Vol. 553, c. 282.] met. [P001131]

491W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 492W

At the end of September 2012, 1,078 Afghan asylum Written Answers to applications for main applicants were pending an initial decision, appeal or further review. Questions Asylum: Sudan

Monday 17 December 2012 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the potential risk to failed Sudanese asylum seekers of being tortured by the Sudanese security services after NORTHERN IRELAND removal from the UK; and if she will make a statement. [131854] Devolution Mr Harper [holding answer 6 December 2012]: The Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern UK Border Agency’s Country of Origin Information Ireland pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2012, (COI) Service monitors the situation in all the countries Official Report, column 358W, on devolution, what that generate asylum seekers to the UK, including the meetings she has had on devolution; who attended such Sudan. Information is compiled from material produced meetings; what was discussed; and what steps she took by a wide range of external information sources, such as after each such meeting. [132332] the United Nations agencies, human rights organisations, Government and NGOs and the news media. This Mrs Villiers: Since being appointed I have had regular enables the agency’s decision-makers to have access to meetings with a number of Ministers in the Irish accurate, up-to-date, balanced and impartial country Government covering a range of issues. information. Guidance on handling applications for protection is also provided to case owners in an Operational Guidance Note for Sudan. Thus the agency ensures that claims for HOME DEPARTMENT protection are considered in light of objective information. Asylum City of London Police Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for determine how asylum seekers are allocated to the the Home Department how much funding the City of detained fast track process. [131055] London Police has received from the private sector in each year since 2010. [133357] Mr Harper [holding answer 5 December 2012]: Entry to the detained fast track is strictly determined by the Damian Green: This information is not collected by application of published policy, “Detained Fast Track the Home Office. Processes”: Closed Circuit Television http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/ policyandlaw/asylumprocessguidance/detention/guidance/ detained_fast_processes?view=Binary Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for the In summary, an applicant may enter into or remain in Home Department what change there has been in the detained fast track processes only if there is a power in level of CCTV coverage in local authority areas since immigration law to detain, and only if on consideration May 2010. [131083] of the known facts relating to the applicant it appears that a quick decision is possible and if none of the James Brokenshire: This information is not held centrally. detained fast track suitability exclusion criteria (which The Government does not hold a view on what might relate to categories of particularly vulnerable people) be the right number of CCTV cameras in public places. apply. What is more important is that, wherever there is a necessity to deploy CCTV in a public place, the system Asylum: Afghanistan operator gives careful consideration to both the proportionality and effectiveness of a CCTV system in David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for meeting its intended purpose. The Surveillance Camera the Home Department how many Afghan nationals Code of Practice being prepared as part of the living in the UK are asylum seekers. [129810] implementation of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 will provide guidance on doing this for local Mr Harper: The number of asylum applications pending authorities and other operators of overt surveillance a decision by nationality is published on a quarterly camera systems in public places. basis. Latest figures are available in table as.01.q of the release “Immigration Statistics, July to September 2012” Detention Centres which is available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science website at: Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- Home Department what the capacity is of each immigration statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/ removal centre operated by the UK Border Agency. immigration-q3-2012/ [132949] 493W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 494W

Mr Harper [holding answer 10 December 2012]: The at 30 September 2012, the latest date for which information following table shows the capacity of immigration removal is published. All people held are detained in the United centres and residential short-term holding facilities. The Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers and UK Border Agency also established in 2011 pre-departure exclude those in police cells, Prison Service establishments, accommodation to support the Government’s new short-term holding rooms at ports and airports (for less approach to returning families without permission to than 24 hours), and those recorded as detained under be in the UK. both criminal and immigration powers and their dependants. Bed capacity People in detention by place of detention, as at 30 September 2012 Immigration removal centres Detainees Brook House 426 Immigration removal centres Campsfield House 216 Brook House 413 Colnbrook 408 Campsfield House 214 Dover 316 Colnbrook 367 Dungavel 217 Dover 303 Harmondsworth 615 Dungavel 185 Haslar 160 Harmondsworth 592 Morton Hall 392 Haslar 149 Tinsley House 157 Morton Hall 381 Yarl’s Wood 368 Tinsley House 114 Yarl’s Wood 351 Residential short-term holding facilities Yarl’s Wood 38 Short-term holding facilities Larne House 19 Colnbrook Short Term 4 Pennine House 32 Lame House 7 Pennine House 11 Pre-departure accommodation Cedars1 44 Pre-departure accommodation Total 3,408 Cedars 0 1 Accommodating up to nine families. Total 3,091 Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are being held in each immigration removal centre operated by the UK Entry Clearances Border Agency. [132950] Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Harper [holding answer 10 December 2012]: The Home Department how many cases the UK Border requested information is released quarterly in table Agency has dealt with in each visa tier in each year dt.10.q of Immigration Statistics and is available from since 2006; and how many such cases were dealt with the Library of the House and from the Home Office’s (a) in-country and (b) elsewhere. [133217] Science, Research and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- [holding answer 12 December 2012]: statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/ Mr Harper The immigration-tabs-q3-2012/detention-q3-2012- points based system (PBS) was introduced in 2008. Tier tabs?view=Binary 1 was phased in between April and July 2008, Tier 2 and The following table shows the number of people 5 in November 2008 and Tier 4 in April 2009. detained in immigration removal centres, short-term The figures in the tables are from 2008 and for main holding facilities and pre-departure accommodation as applicants only.

(a) In-country: decisions on applications for an extension of stay by category (main applicants) Category Decisions Grants Refusals

2008 Tier 1 & pre-PBS equivalent 73,762 66,048 7,714 2009 Tier 1 & pre-PBS equivalent 81,364 65,962 15,402 2010 Tier 1 & pre-PBS equivalent 59,335 54,328 5,007 2011 Tier 1 & pre-PBS equivalent 70,245 66,508 3,737

2008 Tier 2 & pre-PBS equivalent 43,825 42,468 1,357 2009 Tier 2 & pre-PBS equivalent 30,336 27,851 2,485 2010 Tier 2 & pre-PBS equivalent 23,145 21,269 1,876 2011 Tier 2 & pre-PBS equivalent 19,566 18,205 1,361

2008 Tier 4 & pre-PBS equivalent 115,601 110,226 5,375 2009 Tier 4 & pre-PBS equivalent 125,019 108,548 16,471 2010 Tier 4 & pre-PBS equivalent 140,562 119,928 20,634 495W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 496W

(a) In-country: decisions on applications for an extension of stay by category (main applicants) Category Decisions Grants Refusals

2011 Tier 4 & pre-PBS equivalent 116,876 102,561 14,315

2008 Tier 5 & pre-PBS equivalent 960 916 44 2009 Tier 5 & pre-PBS equivalent 675 469 206 2010 Tier 5 & pre-PBS equivalent 607 471 136 2011 Tier 5 & pre-PBS equivalent 735 646 89

(b) Elsewhere: decisions on entry clearance visa applications by category (main applicants) Category Decisions Issued Refused

2008 Tier 1 & pre-PBS equivalent 22,617 17,427 4,626 2009 Tier 1 & pre-PBS equivalent 23,891 18,851 4,822 2010 Tier 1 & pre-PBS equivalent 20,207 16,003 4,011 2011 Tier 1 & pre-PBS equivalent 10,027 8,655 1,304

2008 Tier 2 & pre-PBS equivalent 58,260 55,837 1,895 2009 Tier 2 & pre-PBS equivalent 40,646 36,287 3,928 2010 Tier 2 & pre-PBS equivalent 43,133 39,923 2,995 2011 Tier 2 & pre-PBS equivalent 39,760 38,062 1,462

2008 Tier 4 & pre-PBS equivalent 301,966 207,774 92,180 2009 Tier 4 & pre-PBS equivalent 373,695 273,207 93,278 2010 Tier 4 & pre-PBS equivalent 344,804 253,786 77,450 2011 Tier 4 & pre-PBS equivalent 283,421 237,028 41,565

2008 Tier 5 & pre-PBS equivalent 67,215 40,998 25,197 2009 Tier 5 & pre-PBS equivalent 42,762 36,318 5,875 2010 Tier 5 & pre-PBS equivalent 39,349 36,540 2,430 2011 Tier 5 & pre-PBS equivalent 39,116 36,622 1,963 Source: Tables ex.01 and be.01, Immigration Statistics July-September 2012

The published data on decisions, grants and refusals Fraud of extensions of leave to remain and on grants and refusals of entry clearance visas, by tier of the PBS, is published in the quarterly Immigration Statistics, a Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for copy of which is available from the Library of the the Home Department how many specialist fraud House of Commons or from the Home Office’s website officers there were in the police forces of England and at: Wales in each of the last five years. [133358] www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/ migration/migration-statistics1/ Damian Green: The number of fraud officers (full-time equivalent) by police force area in England and Wales in each of the last five financial years can be seen from Entry Clearances: Pakistan the following table. Number of fraud officers, by police force area in England and Wales, as at 31 March 2008 to 20121,2,3,4 Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for As at 31 March: the Home Department how many visas were issued to 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Pakistani nationals in each of the last three years. Avon and Somerset 8 7 12 13 13 [131772] Bedfordshire 76965 Cambridgeshire 10 7034 Mr Harper: There were 83,835, 96,455 and 124,818 Cheshire 13 3 8 8 18 entry clearance visas issued to Pakistani nationals (including Cleveland 20 18 18 20 18 dependants) in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Cumbria 33256 Derbyshire1312111515 The latest Home Office immigration statistics on Devon and 15 16 15 15 2 entry clearance visas issued is published in the release Cornwall ‘Immigration Statistics’, which is available at: Dorset 15 14 15 14J 6 Durham 10 8 7 8 10 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/ Dyfed-Powys32543 immigration-q3-2012/ Essex 011914 Gloucestershire 10 10 8 8 0 A copy of the latest release, ‘Immigration Statistics Greater 29 29 32 29 48 July-September 2012’ has been placed in the House Manchester Library. Gwent 77767 497W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 498W

Number of fraud officers, by police force area in England and Wales, as at 31 single points of contact in each force area. To date, 34 1,2,3,4 March 2008 to 2012 forces have appointed a single point of contact for As at 31 March: human trafficking cases. 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Hampshire 114613 Immigration: EU Nationals Hertfordshire 0 14 16 16 18 Humberside 20 20 21 19 15 Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Kent 77786 the Home Department what measures are in place to Lancashire 00000 monitor the numbers of EU nationals entering into the Leicestershire 15 16 12 12 0 UK and the purpose for which they have entered the Lincolnshire 43222 UK. [123468] London, City of 78 89 98 109 136 Merseyside 26 24 19 16 20 Metropolitan Police 247 225 230 233 212 Mr Harper: We monitor EU arrivals through the Norfolk 11 8 9 8 11 Office of National Statistics (ONS) International Passenger Northamptonshire 7 5 21 20 14 Survey (which provides the core data for the ONS Northumbria 14 16 22 16 14 estimates of Long-term International Migration as well NorthWales22212as overall estimates of admissions). These are published NorthYorkshire000811quarterly on the ONS website and provide estimates for Nottinghamshire 21 21 15 13 27 the numbers of migrants arriving and departing for South Wales 3 14 0 0 10 work, study or to accompany/join another person. Data South Yorkshire 14 12 4 5 5 is also separately available on the large numbers of Staffordshire 10 10 7 5 9 people who come to the UK as visitors. Suffolk 23233DWP also publish new registrations for National Surrey 74877Insurance Numbers annually. Sussex 1116141514While these will include short-term migrants who are Thames Valley 13 13 14 17 15 not permanently resident, this data can be an indication Warwickshire 99763of changes in numbers of foreign nationals coming to WestMercia109570the UK principally to work. West Midlands 44 42 48 24 43 WestYorkshire4632272125E-Borders is a Home Office programme designed to Wiltshire 54598improve border security by screening travel document 1 Staff with multiple responsibilities (or designations) are recorded under their information (TDI) on people travelling to, and from, primary role or function. The deployment of police officers is an operational the UK. Although e-Borders is designed for border matter for individual chief constables. security purposes, the data collected also has the potential 2 This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. to deliver improvements to migration and population 3 Fraud policing function is defined as staff who predominantly investigate statistics. fraud cases. Does not include staff who are predominantly employed in asset confiscation duties and includes those officers or staff in supporting roles. The most significant benefit would be to use e-Borders 4 Figures over time may be affected by organisational changes within forces. data to produce migrant counts. However, there are a This may affect comparability over time and between forces. number of potential issues and the feasibility of producing these will require further assessment. Reliable migration G4S counts would also require virtually complete coverage and so this potential benefit is some years away. If Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the feasible, these counts would not be available before Home Department what the status is of the G4S 2018. contract to re-house asylum seekers in private sector accommodation in Yorkshire. [131070] Interpol Mr Harper: G4S were awarded the contract for the provision of accommodation and transport services for Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the asylum applicants in June 2012. Since this time, there Home Department (1) what assessment she has made has been a period of transition during which asylum of the governance of Interpol; [133454] applicants have been moved from the previous housing (2) how much the UK contributed to Interpol in (a) provider to G4S accommodation. This transition completed 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and how much is planned to on 4 December. All asylum applicants in the Yorkshire be contributed in (i) 2012-13 and (ii) 2013-14. [133519] area are now accommodated by G4S. James Brokenshire: The Government considers the Human Trafficking governance structure of Interpol to be satisfactory. The Government is regularly consulted on the selection of Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for senior appointments and is content with its ability to the Home Department how many police forces in deliver a high quality service working with its member England and Wales have appointed a single point of countries to support international police co-operation contact for human trafficking cases. [129076] and tackle transnational crime. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) hosts Mr Harper: The Association of Chief Police Officers the UK National Central Bureau (NCB) for Interpol. have identified single points of contact for each police SOCA made the following subscriptions to Interpol in region in England and Wales and is seeking to appoint 2010-11 and 2011-12. 499W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 500W

Number of police officers within Dorset constabulary and Financial year Subscription (£ million) Bournemouth as at 31 March 2003 to 31 March 20121, 2, 3, 4, 5 2010-11 2.862 As at 31 March each year Dorset constabulary Bournemouth 2011-12 2.821 2003 1,422 318 The estimated subscriptions for 2012-13 and 2013-14 2004 1,453 322 are as follows. 2005 1,475 317 2006 1,512 319 Estimated subscription 2007 1,526 315 Financial year (£ million) 2008 1,518 317 2012-13 2.681 2009 1,512 506 2013-14 2.710 2010 1,486 481 2011 1,452 — 2012 — —

Olympic Games 2012: Security Number of police community support officers within Dorset constabulary and Bournemouth and Poole as at 31 March 20101, 2, 3, 4, 5 Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the As at Home Department what recent discussions she has had 31 March each Dorset on the non-payment of contractors by G4S for London year constabulary Bournemouth and Poole 2012 Olympic security. [133455] 2010 164 79 1 These figures are based on full-time equivalents that have been James Brokenshire: No representations about non- rounded to the nearest whole number. payment of contractors by G4S for the London 2012 2 Figures include those officers on career breaks or maternity/paternity Games have been received by the Home Office. G4S’s leave. contract for security at Olympic and Paralympic venues 3 As at 31 March 2011 Dorset constabulary was restructured and was with the London Organising Committee for the basic command units redefined part way through the period, as a result this data is not available. Olympic Games (LOCOG). However, I understand from 4 Figures at basic command unit level ceased to be collected from G4S that they have settled claims from 16 sub-contractors 2011-12 following Lord Wasserman’s assessment. and are in commercial negotiation with the remaining 5 As at 31 March 2009, the basic command units Bournemouth and three. Poole merged. Police and Crime Commissioners Police Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Department if she will make it her Department’s policy Home Department what account is taken of the popularity to allow candidates freepost deliveries in future elections of a location as a tourist destination in the calculation for police and crime commissioners. [129864] of police numbers; and if she will make a statement. Damian Green [holding answer 26 November 2012]: [133969] There is no such thing as a free mailshot—to send information, as is the case in general elections, would Damian Green: The size and composition of a police cost over £30 million of taxpayers’ money. Information force’s workforce are determined by the relevant chief about every candidate was published online and delivered officer and police and crime commissioner. free of charge to the hundreds of thousands of people who requested it in hard copy. The Government awaits the publication of the Electoral Police and Community Support Officers: Dorset Commission’s report in February 2013 to inform decisions about future elections. Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police community Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the support officers there are in (a) Dorset Constabulary Home Department which police and crime commissioners and (b) Bournemouth; [133968] she met on 3 December 2012; whether travel expenses (2) how many police officers there were in (a) Dorset were reimbursed following attendance at this meeting; constabulary and (b) Bournemouth in each of the last and what the total amount was of any such expenses [133409] 10 years. [133970] paid. Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home Damian Green: The number of police officers within Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Dorset constabulary and Bournemouth as at 31 March Maidenhead (Mrs May), and her ministerial team met 2003 to 2012 can be seen within the tables. Also shown 39 of the 41 police and crime commissioners (PCCs) on in the second table is the number of police community 3 December. The PCCs for Cambridgeshire and Surrey support officers for the latest year figures were available were unable to attend. The Deputy Mayor for Policing for Dorset constabulary and Bournemouth (full-time and Crime in London and the Chair of the City of equivalents). London’s Common Council Police Committee also Figures at basic command unit level ceased to be attended. The Home Office did not pay expenses to collected from 2011-12 by the Home Office. PCCs who attended the day. 501W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 502W

Police and Crime Commissioners: Fire Services Police: Training

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she has given to Home Department what basic training is given to new merging the role of fire authorities with that of police recruits to police forces in England and Wales; and at and crime commissioners for the purposes of achieving what locations such training takes place. [133967] better integration. [133847] Damian Green: Newly recruited police officers undergo Damian Green: Given the broad remit and powers of a two year programme known as the Initial Police police and crime commissioners, and in light of the fact Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP). The that they have only very recently assumed office, no College of Policing, on behalf of police forces in England further consideration has been given to extending their and Wales, manages the national regulatory framework role to encompass fire authority responsibilities. and a quality assurance monitoring system of the IPLDP. Training is carried out locally by forces. Police Stations Respirex Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations were Mr Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home open and operated by police forces in England for each Department when Respirex International Limited will of the last five years. [133844] receive a substantive reply from the National Post Seizure Unit of the UK Border Force based at Plymouth to Damian Green: The requested information is not their email of 14.57 hours on 25 October 2012 and collected by the Home Office. follow-up emails with reference to consignment reference CPT 345/12 and Export Licence Reference MBW-227703. Police: Convictions [129306]

Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Harper [holding answer 22 November 2012]: The Home Department how many (a) police officers, (b) National Post Seizure Unit provided a detailed reply to police community support officers and (c) police Respirex on 12 November 2012 confirming that the civilian staff in each police force have a (i) criminal consignment would be released on payment of a restoration conviction, (ii) conviction for a violent offence and (iii) fee. The payment was confirmed on 19 November 2012. Due process was followed and decisions provided within conviction for an offence of dishonesty. [132640] agreed timelines. Damian Green: This information is not collected by the Home Office. Guidance issued by the Association of Riot Damages Act 1886 Chief Police Officers states that police forces should not recruit people with convictions which may call into Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the question the integrity of the applicant or the police. Home Department whether she has any plans to Police officers who are convicted of a criminal offence reform the Riot Damages Act 1886. [133418] can face disciplinary action including dismissal. Action in each individual case is the responsibility of the relevant Damian Green: We are currently reviewing the Riot chief constable and the police and crime commissioner. (Damages) Act 1886 to ensure that it reflects the requirements of today’s modern policing world. We Police: Prosecutions plan to commission an independent review and further details will be announced early in 2013. The results from this independent review will be used to shape any Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for possible future public consultation. the Home Department how many hours of police time have been spent leading prosecutions in each of the last Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for the five years. [134078] Home Department what representations she has received on initiating an independent review of the Riot Damages Damian Green: The Home Office does not collect this Act 1886; and if she will make a statement. [134084] information, Damian Green: There have been no representations Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for received seeking an independent review of the Riot the Home Department how many criminal (Damages) Act 1886. Ministers took the decision to prosecutions have been led by police officers in each of commission an independent review and an announcement the last five years. [134092] is expected in the new year. Damian Green: Figures on the numbers of police led prosecutions are not collated centrally, but it is estimated Social Services: Cambridgeshire that around 310,000 minor road traffic cases each year are dealt with by police forces as specified proceedings. Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the If is up to police forces whether such cases are dealt Home Department if she will assess the effect of the with by a police officer or a civilian member of police removal of care staff from the Shortage Occupation staff. List on care services in Cambridgeshire. [132737] 503W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 504W

Mr Harper [holding answer 10 December 2012]: Care UK Border Agency average staffing for each financial year workers were removed from the Shortage Occupation (excludes Border Force) List used in connection with the admission of skilled Total 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 workers from outside the EEA under Tier 2 of the Staff engaged on capital 141 126 121 Points Based System. This action was taken on the projects advice of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in Total 15,880 15,234 13,762 its report of March 2011, which found that this occupation did not meet the National Qualifications Framework The total average staffing number for 2011-12 in the Level 4 skills threshold applied to Tier 2 and concluded annual report for that period was adjusted to 14,112 to that labour shortages in the sector would have to be take account of approximately 350 case-working staff addressed through other means. This threshold has working in Border Force on UK Border Agency casework. since been raised to National Qualifications Framework The UK Border Agency’s (A) planned budget and Level 6, and the Home Office has no plans to invite the (B) projected staffing level for 2013-14 are currently MAC to specifically consider the re-inclusion of this being agreed as part of the annual planning round with occupation on the list. the Home Office and are not yet available.

Telephone Services Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers with the power of arrest have been Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the employed by UKBA in (a) the latest financial year and Home Department what estimate she has made of the (b) the previous three financial years. [132945] likely cost of her Department’s 0800 1070708 telephone number for the period since its commencement to 16 Mr Harper [holding answer 10 December 2012]: November 2012. [127584] Management information indicates that there are approximately 1,150 arrest trained officers in the UK James Brokenshire [holding answer 8 November 2012]: Border Agency’s (UKBA’s) Crime and Enforcement The final cost of the 0800 1070708 telephone number Group. Accurate comparative data for previous financial was £73,384.05 which covers the period 5 October up years is not available. until 4 pm on 14 November. This figure is exclusive of VAT but includes initial set up and development of the service, call charges, costs WALES for call handling and transcription of messages left via EU Law the automated orderline. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales UK Border Agency (1) which EU directives his Department transposed in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 to date; which EU directives his Department expects to transpose in (i) 2013 and (ii) the Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home next two years; and what estimate he has made of the Department what the UK Border Agency’s target time cost of each such directive to the (A) public purse and is to (a) complete an investigation of missing documents (B) private sector; [133717] and (b) inform the applicant of the outcome. [130071] (2) which regulations his Department introduced as Mr Harper: The UK Border Agency does not have a a result of EU legislation in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 to general process or target time for investigating missing date; which regulations his Department expects to documents and informing the applicant of the outcome. implement as a result of EU legislation in (i) 2013 and However, if a customer makes a complaint about a (ii) the next two years; and what estimate he has made missing document the target time to respond to them is of the cost of each such regulation to the (A) public 95% within 20 working days. purse and (B) private sector. [133718] Mr David Jones: None. In order to increase transparency, Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for the in the forthcoming Statement of New Regulation (SNR5) Home Department what the (a) budget and (b) staffing the Government will, for the first time, be publishing level of the UK Border Agency was in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, those new European Union (EU) measures which are (iii) 2011 and (iv) 2012; and what its (A) planned budget being implemented in UK law and have a direct effect and (B) projected staffing level is for 2013. [130761] on business. Mr Harper: The (a) budgets and (b) staffing levels Migration for the UK Border Agency for each financial year from Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 are detailed in the annual Wales what assessment he has made of levels of migration reports that can be found on the Home Office website (a) from Scotland, England and Northern Ireland to via the following link. Wales and (b) from Wales to Scotland, England and http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/ Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [133523] aboutus/annual-reports-accounts/ UK Border Agency average staffing for each financial year Mr David Jones: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the (excludes Border Force) answer given to him by the Parliamentary Secretary for Total 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 the Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), on Directly employed 13,086 12,902 11,583 12 December 2012, Official Report, columns 378-80W. Other 2,654 2,206 2,058 No assessment of these figures has been undertaken. 505W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 506W

SCOTLAND Visits Abroad Battle of Flodden: Anniversaries Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what overseas travel (a) he, (b) other Scotland what plans he has to commemorate the five Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Flodden in Department have undertaken since taking office; what 2013. [133420] the destination and purpose of each such visit was; and what the total cost to his Department was of all such Michael Moore: The Scotland Office has no plans to overseas travel. [133438] commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of the battle of Flodden in 2013. In my capacity as Member of Michael Moore: Since taking office, the Under-Secretary Parliament for the adjacent constituency, from which of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for many of the Scots soldiers were drawn, I will be participating Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale (David Mundell), in a series of engagements to commemorate the battle. and I have undertaken the following international visits:

Trip Minister and group Purpose Total cost (£)

USA: 3 to 9 April 2011 David Mundell Attend Tartan Week events and promote Scottish 2,685.71 businesses Brussels: 14 to 15 June 2011 Michael Moore (plus 2) Meetings with European Commission, MEPs and 841.19 businesses Brazil: 26 November to 1 December 2011 Michael Moore (plus 2) Lead Scottish trade delegation, meeting businesses, 22,844.98 Brazilian Government and others Vatican City: 14 to 15 February 2012 Michael Moore (plus 1) UK Government delegation to the Vatican 1,166.80 USA: 9 to 14 April 2012 David Mundell (plus 1) Supporting Scotland Week, a UKTI trade 12,657.44 delegation and promoting Scottish small and medium-sized enterprises Brussels: 5 to 6 December 2012 Michael Moore (plus 2) Meetings with European Commission, MEPs and 1— businesses USA/Canada: 9 to 12 December 2012 Michael Moore (plus 3) To promote trade and meet with companies with an 1— interest in Scotland and the UK, and to carry out other Government business 1 Costs being finalised.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has four Casework Divisions, one of which is the Consultants Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division (SCCTD). Cases involving suspected corporate manslaughter are Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how many referred to the Special Crime unit within SCCTD, unless full-time equivalent staff were employed on consultancy the suspect is an unincorporated partnership, as these contracts of the Law Officers’ Departments on the cases will be referred to a Complex Casework Unit. The latest date for which figures are available; how many number of cases referred to SCCTD and recorded as such staff were employed on the same date 12 months being “corporate manslaughter”since the commencement ago; and if he will make a statement. [132202] of the Act is 141. The CPS does not hold this data broken down by referring agency. The Corporate Manslaughter The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 does not apply to (CPS) has a consultancy contract with one individual as pre-Act deaths, thus some cases may have been recorded at 30 November 2012. The contract is for approximately as gross negligence manslaughter rather than corporate 20 days work between the periods 1 August 2012 to manslaughter. The CPS figures are based on a single 31 July 2013. No staff had been employed on a consultancy categorisation of the case type and so, some cases that contract on 30 November 2011. include a corporate manslaughter element will not As at 31 October the Serious Fraud Office was not necessarily be recorded as a case of that type. employing any staff on consultancy contracts. In October 2011, a full-time equivalent of 2.3 staff were employed Fraud on a consultancy basis. The remaining Law Officers’ Departments do not Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General currently employ anyone on a consultancy contract and what conviction rates have been secured by the Crown the same position applied as at 31 October 2011. Prosecution Service for fraud in each of the last five years. [133355] Corporate Manslaughter The Solicitor-General: The records held by the Crown Paul Burstow: To ask the Attorney-General how Prosecution Service (CPS) provide an analysis of the many cases for potential prosecution of offences under outcome of proceedings, divided into 12 principal offence the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide categories indicating the most serious offence with which Act 2007 have been referred to the Crown Prosecution the defendant was charged at the time of finalisation. Service by (a) police forces and (b) the Health and The following table shows, in each of the last five years, Safety Executive since the commencement of the Act. the conviction rates for defendants whose principal [133972] offence was fraud and forgery. 507W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 508W

The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service Percentage (CPS) has allocated £15,400,000 of its annual budget, 2007-08 89.7 in both 2011-12 and 2012-13, to tracing and recovering 2008-09 90.0 the proceeds of crime. 2009-10 87.9 2010-11 87.1 2011-12 86.2 Prosecutions

As well as offences of fraud, the conviction rate Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant figures include bankruptcy offences, forgery and to the answer of 10 December 2012, Official Report, counterfeiting, and fraud and forgery associated with columns 18-9W, on the Crown Prosecution Service, vehicle or driver records. The figures represent all convictions how many prosecutions were launched by the Crown for fraud and forgery handled by the 13 areas of the Prosecution Service’s (a) Special Crime and Counter CPS and, from April 2010, cases prosecuted by the Terrorism Division, (b) Organised Crime Division, (c) specialist Central Fraud Division established following Welfare, Rural and Health Division and (d) Central the merger of the CPS’s Fraud Prosecution Division Fraud Group in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12 (A) in total with the Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office. and (B) in each region of England; and if he will make a statement. [133820] Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what conviction rates were secured by the Crown Prosecution The Solicitor-General: The information requested is Service for frauds worth (a) between £10,000 and £100,000, as follows. Due to the specialised nature of the cases (b) between £100,000 and £500,000, (c) between £500,000 dealt with by these divisions, expertise is centred in and £1 million and (d) more than £1 million in each of specific locations and so a breakdown by geographic the last five years. [133356] region is not available. Figures for offices located outside of London are provided where available. The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service maintains no central record of the values of frauds (a) The Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division prosecuted. Such data could not be reasonably obtained was set up on 4 April 2011 and merges the formerly locally or nationally other than by undertaking a manual separate Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Divisions. exercise of reviewing individual case files at a The Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division disproportionate cost. commenced the following number of prosecutions in England in 2010-11 and 2011-12: Plymouth Brethren 2010-11 2011-12

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Attorney-General if he will Special Crime London 61 32 recommend that appeals by the Plymouth Brethren be Special Crime York 62 131 heard in the Upper Tribunal. [133667] Counter Terrorism 58 74 London The Attorney-General: I have considered joining as a Total 181 237 party to the current appeals to the Charity Tribunal relating to the registration of Brethren meeting halls. I have decided that, at this stage, it is not necessary for me (b) The CPS Organised Crime Division (OCD) was set to do so. The appropriate forum for the appeal is up in 2005 in order to provide a one-stop shop for therefore a question for the tribunal. I will be keeping investigators from the Serious Organised Crime Agency my position under review as the case progresses. (SOCA) and its affiliate, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). OCD has offices in Dr Offord: To ask the Attorney-General what London, Birmingham, Manchester and York. OCD representations he has received on the charitable status commenced the following number of prosecutions in of the Plymouth Brethren; and what response has been England in 2010-11 and 2011-12: given. [133904] 2010-11 2011-12 The Attorney-General: As of 14 December 2012 I have received papers relating to an ongoing appeal to OCD London 304 387 the Charity Tribunal, 28 letters from Members of OCO Birmingham 110 130 Parliament and four letters from members of the public. OCD Manchester 272 165 I have responded informing correspondents that I have OCD York 134 48 considered joining as a party to the ongoing appeal and Total 820 730 have decided that, at this stage, it is not necessary for me (c) The Welfare, Rural and Health Division (WRHD) to do so. I will, however, be keeping that position under was set up in its present form on 1 April 2012 following review as the case progresses. the merger of the prosecution function of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with the already established Proceeds of Crime Welfare, Rural and Health Division dealing with prosecutions from the Department for Environment, Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). WRHD has been much of its annual budget the Crown Prosecution responsible from April 2012 for prosecuting certain Service spends on tracing and recovering the proceeds types of crime on behalf of the DWP, the Department of crime. [133354] of Health and some local authorities. 509W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 510W

Cases prosecuted on behalf of the Department of Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General Health (DH) are brought forward by NHS Protect or what investigations have been carried out into the the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Serious Fraud Office’s use of consultants since 2010; if (MHRA). he will place in the Library the findings of any such As WRHD was created in its present form on 1 April investigations; and if he will make a statement. [133666] 2012 it did not commence any prosecutions in 2010-11 or 2011-12, but instead inherited cases that had been The Attorney-General: There has been one such commenced by other authorities and units. On 1 April investigation during this time period. Sir Alex Allan 2012, it took on responsibility for 3,706 prosecutions as was asked by the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell, detailed in the following table. to review the SFO’s use of consultants in autumn 2011 and he reported back in November 2011. This review 2011-12 was commissioned following a number of allegations DEFRA 57 made by some members of staff. Sir Alex Allan interviewed and collected evidence from those who made the allegations, DWP Birmingham 1,059 from the SFO’s senior management team, from the DWP Cardiff 884 non-executive directors and from a number of outside DWP Leeds 519 bodies including the National Audit Office and Cabinet DWP Liverpool 713 Office’s Efficiency and Reform Group. DWP London 459 Medicines and Healthcare 15 He found no evidence of improper conduct in respect products Regulatory Agency to the processes by which consultancy contracts were (MHRA) awarded, but identified that there was a lack of Total 3,706 documentation for some decisions, and different processes for handling consultancy contracts and other contracts. (d) The Central Fraud Group (CFG) was set up He recommended that all payments to consulting firms, within the CPS in April 2010 to provide a specialist whether for consultancy or for interim managers, are prosecution and advisory service for complex, sensitive aggregated and treated as part of a single, continuing and high value fraud cases throughout England and contract. Wales, and for all fiscal fraud and export control cases I would like to publish the findings of Sir Alex’s investigated by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. report in full and am currently considering any legal CFG commenced the following number of prosecutions reasons as to why that may not be possible. in England and Wales in 2010-11 and 2011-12:

2010-11 2011-12 Sexual Offences CFG North 267 485 CFG South 523 598 Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General Total 790 1,083 what the Crown Prosecution Service’s conviction rate for crimes committed under section 1 of the Sexual Serious Fraud Office Offences Act 2003 was in each of the last five years. [134079] Mike Wood: To ask the Attorney-General how many staff are employed by the Serious Fraud Office; and of The Solicitor-General: The records held by the Crown these, how many are (a) senior civil servants and (b) Prosecution Service (CPS) identify the number of offences special advisers. [133650] in which a prosecution commenced and reached a first hearing in magistrates courts, rather than the number of The Solicitor-General: The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) defendants prosecuted and convicted. It is not possible does not employ any special advisers. As of 30 November to ascertain the number of convictions obtained without there was a full-time equivalent (FTE) of 297.39 staff examining individual case files which would incur a employed at the SFO, of which a FTE of 11.56 were disproportionate cost. senior civil servants. CPS collects information about the number of defendants Mike Wood: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecuted for rape: offences contrary to sections 1 and investigators are employed in the Serious Fraud Office. 5 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956, sections 1, 5 and [133651] 30(3) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and attempts, incitement or conspiracy to commit the above offences. The Solicitor-General: As of 30 November there was The percentage of convictions of such defendants is a full-time equivalent of 116.09 investigators employed shown in the following table. at the Serious Fraud Office. Percentage Mike Wood: To ask the Attorney-General how much was spent on the away day for senior civil servants in 2007-08 57.7 the Serious Fraud Office held between 17 and 19 2008-09 57.7 October 2012. [133653] 2009-10 59.4 2010-11 58.6 The Attorney-General: The cost of the event was 2011-12 62.5 £5,090 plus VAT. 511W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 512W

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how Consequently DEFRA officials have had to make a many prosecutions the Crown Prosecution Service has number of difficult decisions on the continuation of conducted under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act funding for various projects, including the Solent bass 2003 in each of the last five years. [134080] survey, based on prioritisation of where scientific research and development is needed the most, value for money The Solicitor-General: The records held by the Crown and whether the projects are a requirement of our wider Prosecution Service (CPS) identify the number of offences UK, EU and global commitments. in which a prosecution commenced and reached a first hearing in magistrates courts, rather than the number of Fisheries: Atlantic Ocean defendants prosecuted. The following table shows, in each of the last five years, the number of offences Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for charged under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his 2003 (Rape). Department is taking to protect deep-sea fish stocks in the North East Atlantic. [133502] Number Richard Benyon: In November, EU Ministers reached 2007-08 3,357 political agreement on fishing opportunities for certain 2008-09 3,499 deep-sea stocks for 2013 and 2014. This included continuing 2009-10 4,106 zero total allowable catches (TACs) for particularly 2010-11 4,555 vulnerable species such as deep-sea sharks and orange 2011-12 4,218 roughy, thus making it clear that these species are not to be targeted. Earlier this year, the Commission issued a proposal to update the current EU deep sea access regime and ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS this includes setting limits on the number of vessels that can target deep-sea fish. DEFRA fully supports the key Environment Protection: Telecommunications objectives that underpin this proposal and anticipates contributing to the development of this dossier when Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for active consideration begins under the Irish presidency Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions in 2013. he has had with his Ministerial colleagues on the In addition the Centre for Environment, Fisheries potential effect of communications infrastructure on and Aquaculture Science continues to provide advice National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural on deep-sea issues and is a key partner in the EU project Beauty. [133237] DEEPFISHMAN, which is due to report this year. This project aims to develop a monitoring and management Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, framework for deepwater fisheries in the NE Atlantic. Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), is meeting Humber Estuary regularly with the Secretaries of State for Culture Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Basingstoke (Maria Miller), and Communities and Local Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many flood Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for defence schemes in the Humber Strategy have (a) Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), and other key secure external funding and (b) funding from non- ministerial colleagues to discuss issues relating to broadband public sector sources. [132652] and mobile provision. This includes the interests of national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty Richard Benyon: The Humber Flood Risk Management in the rollout programme. Furthermore, on 13 November, Strategy includes nine flood risk management schemes I met with the Under-Secretary of State for Culture, which have either been delivered or are in progress. Media and Sport, my hon. Friend the Member for Eight schemes have been fully funded using flood defence Wantage (Mr Vaizey), to discuss broadband and mobile grant in aid through the Environment Agency and one coverage and the impacts in all rural communities, £5.5 million scheme delivered in Brough received £1.95 including in protected areas. million external funding contributions from BAE Systems. Fish: Solent Primates: Conservation

Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what work is his Department has not provided funding to the Centre being done internationally to (a) stop the hunting of for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science mountain gorillas, (b) help support the training of for the continuation of the annual Solent bass surveys. rangers to detect and safely remove snares and (c) help [133398] protect vital gorilla habitat. [133372]

Richard Benyon: The coalition Government’s first Richard Benyon: A wide variety of international priority is to reduce the public sector deficit and so we conservation activities are ongoing to help ensure the are looking at all options that would ensure the continued long-term survival of the gorilla. These include through delivery of essential services within a reduced budget the auspices of international fora such as the agreement from Government. on the conservation of gorillas and their habitats, the 513W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 514W convention on the conservation of migratory species, Water: Pollution Control the Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) and the convention on international trade in endangered species Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for (CITES). Work is also being carried out by gorilla Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he range states, United Nations agencies, non-governmental has made of the potential additional cost to household organisations, research institutions and other supporters water bills of the EU Commission’s proposals to add of gorilla conservation. estradiol, ethinylestradiol and diclofenac to the priority In the UK, we focus our efforts to conserve great substances list. [132748] apes, including gorillas, through GRASP and CITES. GRASP aims to lift the threat of extinction faced by Richard Benyon: In January 2012, the European gorillas and other great apes. The UK is a staunch Commission published a proposal that would set supporter of the partnership, and recently contributed environmental quality standards for a number of substances, £100,000 to fund its second Council meeting. By bringing including estradiol (naturally excreted by humans and together range states and other key stakeholders, the animals as well as being used as a medicine), ethinylestradiol meeting reenergised international effort to conserve great (used in the birth control pill) and diclofenac (an anti- apes. inflammatory commonly used to treat conditions such Through CITES, of which the UK is a party, as arthritis). international, commercial trade in gorillas is prohibited The Commission estimated costs for meeting the apart from in exceptional circumstances. Under CITES, standard for estradiol to be ¤18/head/year (about £15/ a number of initiatives are being taken to tackle the head/year) for wastewater treatment in the UK, totalling problem of illegal trade in gorillas and other great apes, ¤20billion (about £16 billion) over 20 years. The for example technical missions by the CITES secretariat Environment Agency undertook more detailed modelling to gorilla range states (Uganda, Cameroon and Gabon) and estimates it will cost about £27 billion to £31 billion to review the implementation and enforcement of CITES over 20 years to treat wastewaters so that surface waters controls and the protection of great ape habitats. in England and Wales meet the required standard for ethinylestradiol and estradiol. We are also working with other EU member states to tackle the trade in illegal timber, which destroys habitats The breakdown of costs by water bill payer has yet to and threatens species. This includes bilateral agreements be established by the Government. The Commission’s with African countries including Cameroon, Republic proposal is still under negotiation and so standards are of Congo and Central African Republic to develop yet to be agreed. Meanwhile, detailed consideration their legality systems, and a broader regulation, the EU of local conditions will be needed to assess where timber regulation, which addresses all timber imports. and when advanced wastewater treatment should be implemented. These considerations can be incorporated into existing investment planning cycles. Salmon: Northumberland

Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the future of coastal salmon Regional Planning and Development fisheries in Northumberland; and if he will make a statement. [133472] Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent estimate he has made of the cost of establishing Richard Benyon: I have recently reviewed the future of the Cities Policy Unit; and what estimate he has made Northumberland salmon fisheries as part of new legislation of the likely annual cost of running the unit. [131244] limiting net fishing for salmon and sea trout along the north-east coast. The Deputy Prime Minister: The Cities Policy Unit was established in August 2011 and is part of the The north-east coast fishery exploits salmon and sea Political and Constitution Reform Group within the trout from several rivers, thus making it difficult to Cabinet Office. protect the weakest river stocks. We have been progressively phasing out fisheries such as these and such a phase out The Cabinet Office publishes Annual Reports and already applies to the drift nets operating on the north-east Accounts which outline the costs of Cabinet Office coast. A phase out will now also apply to theT&Jnet Departments. The costs associated with the Political fishery. and Constitution Reform Group can be found in the Cabinet Office Annual Reports and Accounts 2011/12 I have instructed the Environment Agency to close (HC56) on page 91. the north-east coast drift net fishery in September 2022. Until then currently-licensed netsmen will still be able to fish but no new netsmen will be licensed. I have also instructed the Environment Agency to JUSTICE review the Net Limitation Order in five years and evaluate the potential for maintaining net fishing for Administration of Justice: Expenditure salmon and sea trout in the region, other than with drift nets, if stock levels allow and if it can be demonstrated Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice to be consistent with national policy and international what capital expenditure there was since 2007 in all (a) guidance. prisons and (b) courts closed since May 2010. [134137] 515W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 516W

Jeremy Wright: The details of capital expenditure Criminal Injuries Compensation since 2007 in all prisons and courts closed since May 2010 are given in the following table: Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for £ million Justice how many of the recipients of an award under Type of capital the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme resident in expenditure Prisons Courts (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) outside the UK also received an award for compensation for Major capital costs 15.6 10.4 loss of earnings in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) Local capital acquisitions 0.5 0.9 2011-12, by each tariff band of the scheme; and what Total 16.1 11.3 the total amount received as compensation for loss of earnings was by recipients in each of those tariff bands. [132608] Charities Mrs Grant: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Authority (CICA) only holds information about applicants’ how much funding his Department allocated to (a) residency in individual files, and so could compile the Centrepoint, (b) Crisis, (c) Skill Force and (d) Shelter answer only at disproportionate cost. They can, however, in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13 to date; and provide a close approximation by giving figures based if he will make a statement. [132464] on which police force was investigating the incidents that gave rise to claims. Mrs Grant: The Department’s funding allocation to I have placed figures in the Library of the House Crisis and Shelter is given in the following table. showing how many awards were paid in each tariff band in each of the specified years, broken down by the £ million police force from which CICA received a report about Organisation 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 the incident giving rise to the claim. No figures are Crisis 0 0.020 0 available for outside the UK because CICA only Shelter 0.621 1.055 11.176 compensates for injuries sustained in, and attributable 1 Year-to-date position. to a crime that took place in, Great Britain.

No funding was given to Centrepoint and Skill Force Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for in the last three years. Justice pursuant to the contribution by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice of 1 November 2012, Official Report, Seventh Delegated Legislation Companies: Prosecutions Committee, column 6, (1) which organisations will be able to assist victims of crime in (a) England, (b) Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland and (c) Wales in making an application to the Justice if he will set out the statutes under which a hardship fund; [134090] corporate entity would be liable to prosecution in criminal (2) whether victims of crime resident in (a) England, law for neglect or abuse of a vulnerable person; and if (b) Scotland and (c) Wales will be eligible to make he will make a statement. [134116] applications to the hardship fund. [134091] Damian Green: In accordance with the Interpretation Act 1978 a body corporate or unincorporate can commit Mrs Grant: Victims of crime who sustained an injury any offence which applies to a “person” unless the in England and Wales on or after 27 November 2012 contrary intention appears. Where a corporate body and who meet the other eligibility criteria are able to cannot commit the offence as principal, it may still be make applications to the hardship fund. liable as a secondary participant depending on the The hardship fund is administered by the Criminal circumstances. Injuries Compensation Authority following the referral In extreme cases which result in death an organisation of an application based on an initial assessment of can be found guilty of the offence under the Corporate eligibility by Victim Support. Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 if the The hardship fund does not cover victims of crime way in which its activities are managed or organised who sustained an injury in Scotland. causes a death and amounts to a gross breach of a relevant duty of care to the deceased. Debt Collection Credit Cards John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Justice when his Department plans to publish the how much has been spent by officials in his Department results of the Transforming Bailiff Action consultation on Government-issued credit cards in the last six months. launched in February 2012. [133123] [133675] Mrs Grant: The Ministry of Justice is currently finalising Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice does not use the Government response to this consultation paper credit cards so has no recorded spend against them. and will issue this in due course. 517W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 518W

European Court of Human Rights vacant posts. Additionally there were three (full-time equivalent) press officers in HM Courts and Tribunals Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Service. what the average delay is between the first petition and As at 30 April 2010, there were 40 (full-time equivalent) final judgment for cases before the European Court of press officers in the Ministry’s press office and two Human Rights in the last 30 years; and what the vacant posts. There were also two (full-time equivalent) longest such delay was. [133829] press officers working across HM Courts Service and the Tribunals Service and two vacant posts. (HM Courts Damian Green: Information published on the Court’s and Tribunals Service was created on 1 April 2011 by website states that between 1959 and the end of 2011 it combining Her Majesty’s Courts Service and the Tribunals delivered 14,854 judgments. Information on the length Service.) of time it took between the initial application and the Judiciary final judgment, including the longest such delay, is not available to the Government. Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Freedom of Information (1) what proportion of the judiciary in England and Wales were male in each year from 1 April 1997 to 2012; [133578] David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward legislative proposals to (2) what proportion of the judiciary were (a) white require that a person making a request under the Freedom British, (b) black Caribbean, (c) black African, (d) of Information Act 2000 be identified. [133498] Pakistani, (e) Indian, (f) Bangladeshi and (g) of another ethnicity in each year from 1 April 1997 to 2012; Mrs Grant: Section 8 of the Freedom of Information [133579] Act 2000 (the Act) requires that an applicant provides (3) what proportion of the judiciary were (a) Christian, their name when making a request under the Act. The (b) Muslim, (c) Jewish, (d) Hindu, (e) Sikh, (f) of no future direction of policy in relation to the Act is made faith and (g) of another faith in each year from 1 April clear in the Government’s response to post legislative 1997 to 2012. [133580] scrutiny published on 30 November 2012. We do not intend to bring forward legislative proposals to require Mrs Grant: The data on the gender and ethnicity of any further identification of applicants. the Judiciary are held and published by the Judicial Office. These data are available at: Information Officers for 2012: http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/ Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview how many full-time equivalent press office staff his from 2001 to 2011: Department employs; and how many such staff were http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/ employed in April 2010. [133543] statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/archived-diversity- stats Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice press office The data available for the period between 2001 and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dealing with all 2006 only include the percentage of women judges and media relations for the Department, including the National the percentage of those from a Black, Asian or Minority Offender Management Service (NOMS), from the Ethnic (BAME) background. As such, the only available international, national, regional, local and specialist series for both the gender and ethnicity of judges since media. 1998 is that presented in table 1. Data from 2007 As at 30 October 2012, there were 31 (full-time equivalent) onwards include the gender breakdown and the five press officers in the Ministry’s press office and four point self-identified ethnicity classification.

Percentage of judges by gender and ethnicity Table 1: Percentage of women judges and judges from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), 1998 to 2012 Percentage BAME out of Percentage BAME out of Total number of judges Women (percentage) known ethnicity1 total number of judges

1998 3,174 10.3 n/a 1.6 1999 3,312 11.2 n/a 1.7 2000 3,441 12.7 n/a 2.1 2001 3,535 14.1 n/a 1.9 2002 3,545 14.5 n/a 2.0 2003 3,656 14.9 n/a 2.2 2004 3,675 15.8 n/a 2.5 2005 3,794 16.9 n/a 2.9 2006 3,774 18.0 n/a 3.8 2007 3,545 18.7 n/a 3.5 2008 3,820 19.0 5.0 4.1 2009 3,602 19.4 4.5 3.6 2010 3,598 20.6 4.8 3.9 2011 3,694 22.3 5.1 4.2 519W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 520W

Percentage of judges by gender and ethnicity Table 1: Percentage of women judges and judges from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), 1998 to 2012 Percentage BAME out of Percentage BAME out of Total number of judges Women (percentage) known ethnicity1 total number of judges

2012 3,575 22.6 5.2 4.2 n/a = not available 1 The black and minority ethnic figure is calculated as a percentage of those members of the judiciary who provided ethnicity data. Notes: 1. The database of the ethnic origin of the judiciary may be incomplete as (a) candidates are asked to provide the information on a voluntary basis and (b) such details have only been collected since October 1991. Further ethnicity data were collected from judiciary in post through a diversity survey undertaken by the Judicial Office in 2007. In May 2009 the Judicial Office began collecting ethnicity data from all new judicial appointees with the help of Ministry of Justice. 2. Figures from 2008 onwards are not directly comparable with earlier years as the data have been widened to include four new types of judicial post. Source: Historical data from Judicial Office website and archived website of the Department for Constitutional Affairs http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview http://www.dca.gov.uk/dept/depstrat.htm

Information on the religion of the Judiciary is not (2) how many memory sticks issued to members of routinely collected by the Judicial Office. his Department have been reported lost in the last six months; and what the cost to the public purse was of such incidents. [133677] Litter Jeremy Wright: Members of the Ministry of Justice Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice have reported the loss of 23 laptops and three memory how many people were (a) charged, (b) prosecuted sticks for the two latest quarters of 2012-13 (April to and (c) convicted for dropping litter in (i) 2010-11 and September 2012). The costs of these losses fall into the monthly service management costs, and are not reported (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [132073] separately. Jeremy Wright: The number of defendants proceeded All Ministry of Justice laptops are encrypted and against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all protected with a complex password. The Ministry also courts for littering offences in England and Wales, from implements security incident management procedures 2009-10 to 2010-11 by financial year, can be viewed in to ensure that the impacts of incidents are risk managed the following table. and investigations are undertaken to seek, where possible, to retrieve lost/stolen assets. Charging data are not collected by the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry adopts government security policy framework requirements to securely protect its assets. Annual court proceedings data for 2012 are planned for publication in May 2013. Clear processes are in place for notification of any loss, including reporting it to the police. The compliance Persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all of staff with policy and guidance is a line management 1 courts for littering offences , England and Wales, by financial year responsibility, and in the event of any breach, disciplinary 2009-112, 3 action may be taken. Specific sanction is applied to the 2009-10 2010-11 removal of unencrypted laptops or other official IT Proceeded against 4,784 4,796 equipment containing personal or protectively-marked Found guilty 3,758 3,777 data from a secure location and in the event of this 1 An offence under s. 87, 93, 94, 94(8)(9) Environmental Protection occurring disciplinary action will be taken which may Act 1990, as substituted by s. 21 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment result in dismissal. Act 2005. 2 The figures given relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant Magistrates has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most what proportion of magistrates in England and Wales severe. (1) were male in each year from 1 April 1997 to 2012; 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate [133581] and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by (2) were (a) white British, (b) black Caribbean, (c) the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken black African, (d) Pakistani, (e) Indian, (f) Bangladeshi to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are and (g) of another ethnicity in each year from 1 April taken into account when those data are used. 1997 to 2012; [133582] Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice. (3) were (a) Christian, (b) Muslim, (c) Jewish, (d) Hindu, (e) Sikh, (f) of no faith and (g) of another faith in each year from 1 April 1997 to 2012. [133583] Lost Property Mrs Grant: The data on the gender and ethnicity of Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the magistracy is held and published by the Judicial (1) how many laptops issued to members of his Department Office. Data for 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012 can be found have been reported lost in the last six months; and what at the cost to the public purse was of such incidents; http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/ [133676] statistics/magistrates-statistics 521W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 522W

The Judicial Office also provides data on gender and Table 1: Percentage of magistrates by gender, 31 March 2008 to 2012 ethnicity for inclusion, respectively, in the Ministry of Women Men Justice’s publications ″Statistics and Women and the (percentage) (percentage) Total (number) Criminal Justice System″ and ″Statistics and Race and the Criminal Justice System″. The most recent editions 2008 50.1 49.9 29,419 of these publications include data for the most recent 2009 50.6 49.4 29,270 five years available at the time of publication (2008 to 2010 50.8 49.2 28,607 2012 for gender, and 2007 to 2011 for ethnicity). These 2011 51.1 48.9 26,966 can be found at 2012 51.3 48.7 25,170 http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/criminal-justice/women http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/criminal-justice/race Combining these data sources, Table 1 as follows Table 2 as follows presents the breakdown of magistrates presents the breakdown of magistrates by gender, 2008 by self-identified ethnicity (five point classification), to 2012, as at 31 March. 2007 to 2012, as at 31 March.

Table 2: Percentage of magistrates by self identified ethnicity, 31 March 2007 to 2012 Chinese or other White (%) Mixed (%) Asian (%) Black (%) (%) Not stated (%) Total (number)

2007 93.0 0.4 2.3 3.7 0.6 0.1 29,816 2008 92.7 0.4 2.4 3.8 0.7 0.0 29,419 2009 92.4 0.5 2.5 3.9 0.7 0.0 29,270 2010 92.3 0.5 2.5 3.9 0.7 0.0 28,607 2011 92.0 0.5 2.7 4.1 0.8 0.0 26,966 2012 91.9 0.5 2.6 4.1 0.8 0.0 25,170

There is limited information available for some years Significant savings are expected from Prison Competition on the gender and ethnicity of magistrates before 2008 Phase 2 which is still under way. We announced to the and 2007, respectively. Please note that that comparisons House on 8 November that we will reduce costs without across the years must be done with care, as some compromising public safety across the whole system to measures and definitions may have changed through improve outcomes and deliver value for money by setting time. This information can be found in the archived a new benchmark for running prisons which we will editions of “Statistics on Women and the Criminal now apply to all public sector prisons in order to Justice System” and “Statistics on Race and the Criminal maximise savings over the next two spending review Justice System”: periods. This approach flows directly from the competition http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110109132045/ and enables us to utilise the market to drive down costs http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ and provides the potential to rapidly expand the payment- womencriminaljusticesystem-archive.htm by-results approach to improve rehabilitation outcomes. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:// We estimate an additional £450 million savings will be www.justice.gov.uk/publications/raceandcjs-archive.htm generated over the next six years by applying this new Reports prior to 2007 were published by the Home public sector benchmark and by competing ancillary Office and can be found here: and through-the-gate resettlement services across all http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110204191850/ public sector prisons. rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/section951.html There is also evidence of how the benefits can be Information on the religion of magistrates is currently applied to non-custodial services. not collected by the Judicial Office. The recent competition for community payback in London resulted in a winning bid that delivers substantial National Offender Management Service savings to the taxpayer of £25 million (37%) over the life of the four-year contract working closely with a Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice range of providers to deliver the service, including what evidence his Department has that competition in London Probation Trust. offender services can lead to (a) greater efficiency and We are currently running a competition for Electronic (b) greater value for money. [131583] Monitoring. Previous competitions have seen financial benefits. In 2004-05, the Home Office spent £102.3 million Jeremy Wright: Competition for offender services has on the electronic monitoring of curfews. The contracts been shown to have significant benefits and has delivered let in 2005 made an average saving of £950 per subject both greater efficiency and greater value for money. monitored which equated to a reduction of 40% on the Prison Competition Phase 1 has driven efficiencies 2004-05 expenditure (£40.92 million). The Department in the prisons which were competed. Contracts for has since negotiated further cost reductions with the Birmingham, Doncaster and Buckley Hall are forecast contractors of: £3.6 million in 2009-10; £4.8 million in to save over £200 million relative to previous spend over 2010-11; and £5.5 million in 2011-12. The increase in the life of the contracts: a 16% saving against previous the overall cost of electronic monitoring, setting aside spend. The competition also secured better value as inflation, is attributable to volume increases. result of the public sector winning HMP Buckley Hall We will be setting out plans shortly for how we intend where there was a significant improvement in delivery to apply competition more broadly to non-custodial requirements from the public sector. offender services. 523W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 524W

Official Hospitality These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for system, are subject to possible errors with data entry Justice how much his Department has spent for hospitality and processing. purposes on (a) Champagne, (b) wines, (c) spirits, (d) soft drinks, (e) flowers, (f) laundry, (g) porterage, (h) china, (i) cutlery and (j) venue hire since May 2010. Prisons: Security [132849] Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Mrs Grant: The Department does not hold central what estimate he has made of the number of occasions records for expenditure on hospitality. Our accounting where due to the loss or theft of keys a prison has had systems do not identify separate expenditure on items to be re-locked since May 2010; and what the cost to of hospitality. To obtain information on departmental the public purse was of such incidents. [133764] expenditure on specific items would involve disproportionate cost. Jeremy Wright: There have been four occasions when a prison has had to be re-locked since 2010, The cost to The Department’s policy on the provision of alcohol the public purse was £337, 551 (excluding VAT). prohibits the supply of any alcohol paid from taxpayers’ money on in-house hospitality. For external hospitality, given the significant savings being delivered by the Department and the stringent financial controls in place, Sentencing such discretionary expenditure is incurred only on the rare occasions in which director-level approval is granted. Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many child sex offenders have received an The following restrictions apply to all staff in respect indeterminate sentence for public protection in each of expenditure on refreshments. category of offence in each of the last 15 years. [132289] No lunches, tea or coffee can be ordered for any internal meeting (i.e. a meeting between MOJ staff). Water and jugs are freely available in most of our offices. Jeremy Wright: The sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) was created by the Criminal For all external meetings (i.e. a meeting between MOJ staff Justice Act 2003 and implemented for offences committed and external stakeholders), lunch, tea and coffee purchases require director-level sign-off and are only allowed in exceptional after 4 April 2005. circumstances. Offenders given an indeterminate sentence for public protection at all courts for child sexual offences in England and Wales, from 2005-11, can be viewed in the Prisoners: Foreign Nationals following table. Offenders given an indeterminate sentence for public protection, at all courts, for 1, 2, 3 Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for sexual offences against children, England and Wales, 2005-11 Justice how many foreign national prisoners there are 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 in UK prisons from each of the five countries with the Sexual 25 209 259 243 186 183 161 largest number of nationals in UK prisons. [134087] offences against children4 Jeremy Wright: The following table includes the number 1 The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were of foreign national prisoners by nationality for each of the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, it is the offence for which the heaviest the five countries with the largest volume of nationals penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more in England and Wales, as at 30 September 2012. These offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum figures are published quarterly in table 1.6 of the ‘Offender penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and Management Statistics Quarterly Bulletin’ available at: complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/ from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police prisons-and-probation/oms-quarterly.htm forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those Issues arising in Scotland and Northern Ireland are data are used. 3 Imprisonment for public protection became available from April 2005. matters for the Scottish Government and Northern 4 Includes sexual offences against a child where the age of the victim has been Ireland Executive respectively. recognised: Sexual Offences Act 2003, s1, s5, s6, s7, s8. s9, s10, s11, S12, s14, s15, S16, s17, s18, s19, s25, s26, s47, s48, s49, s50. Population in prison by nationality, for each of the five countries with the largest Criminal Justice Act 1988, s160 volume of nationals, England and Wales, 30 September 2012 Protection of Children Act 1978, s1 Country Population in prison establishments Indecency with Children Act 1960, s1 Sexual Offences Act 1956, s28 Jamaica 868 Source: Poland 861 Justice Statistics Analytical Services: Ministry of Justice. Irish Republic 767 Romania 571 Work Capability Assessment: Appeals Nigeria 560 Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for All nationalities 86,457 Justice how many appeals to work capability assessments British nationals 73,651 where the appellant had received zero points in the Foreign nationals 10,951 original assessment were upheld by the Tribunal Service Nationality not recorded 1,855 in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. [133497] 525W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 526W

Mrs Grant: The First-tier Tribunal—Social Security Table 1. Number of deaths where the underlying cause was alcohol-related, Haltemprice and Howden parliamentary constituency, East Riding of Yorkshire and Child Support (SSCS), administered by Her Majesty’s unitary authority, and Yorkshire and the Humber region, 2009 to 20111, 2, 3, 4 Courts and Tribunals Service, hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions decisions on entitlement Deaths (persons) to employment and support allowance (decisions in which the work capability assessment is a key factor) rather than appeals against work capability assessment 2009 2010 2011 decisions themselves. The SSCS Tribunal only holds information on the Haltemprice and Howden 587 number of points an individual has received in the work parliamentary constituency capability assessment within individual case files, not in its database. The information requested could, therefore, 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD 10). The specific conditions which are included only be provided at disproportionate cost by manually in the National Statistics definition of alcohol-related deaths, and their checking individual files. corresponding ICD-10 codes, are shown in Box 1 as follows. 2 Based on boundaries as of November 2012. 3 Figures exclude deaths of non-residents. 4 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Box 1. National Statistics definition of alcohol-related deaths Description ICD 10 codes CABINET OFFICE Mental and behavioural disorders due F10 to use of alcohol Degeneration of nervous system due G31.2 Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs: Yorkshire and the Humber to alcohol Alcoholic polyneuropathy G62.1 Mr David Davis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Alcoholic cardiomyopathy I42.6 Office (1) how many alcohol-related deaths there have Alcoholic gastritis K29.2 been in (a) Haltemprice and Howden constituency, Alcoholic liver disease K70 (b) East Yorkshire and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere K73 in each of the last three years; [134018] classified (2) how many drug-related deaths there have been in Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver K74 (a) Haltemprice and Howden constituency, (b) East (Excluding K74.3-K74.5, Billiary cirrhosis) Yorkshire and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber in each Alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis K86.0 of the last three years. [134019] Accidental poisoning by and exposure X45 to alcohol Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Intentional self-poisoning by and X65 responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have exposure to alcohol asked the authority to reply. Poisoning by and exposure to alcohol, Y15 Letter from Glen Watson, dated December 2012: undetermined intent As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Table 2. Number of deaths related to drug poisoning, Haltemprice and Howden have been asked to reply to your recent questions. parliamentary constituency, East Riding of Yorkshire unitary authority, and Yorkshire and the Humber region, 2009 to 20111, 2, 3, 4 The following tables provide the number of deaths where the Deaths (persons) underlying cause was alcohol-related (Table 1) and related to drug poisoning (Table 2), for (a) Haltemprice and Howden parliamentary 2009 2010 2011 constituency, (b) East Riding of Yorkshire unitary authority and Yorkshire and the Humber 270 244 233 (c) Yorkshire and the Humber region, for the years 2009 to 2011 Region (the latest year available). East Riding of Yorkshire 14 9 12 Alcohol-related deaths are reported consistently across the unitary authority United Kingdom using an agreed National Statistics definition Haltemprice and Howden 311 that only includes those causes regarded as being most directly parliamentary constituency due to alcohol consumption (see Box 1 as follows). Alcohol-related 1 Cause of death for was defined using the International Classification of death figures for the UK and its constituent countries are available Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD 10) codes shown in Box 2 as follows. 2 on the ONS website at: Based on boundaries as of November 2012. 3 Figures exclude deaths of non-residents. www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all- 4 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year releases.html?definition=tcm%3A77-29395 Box 2. ICD-10 codes for deaths related to drug poisoning Figures on the number of deaths related to drug poisoning Description ICD 10 codes registered in England and Wales are available on the ONS website Mental and behavioural disorders F11-F16, F18-F19 at: due to drug use (excluding alcohol www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-health3/deaths-related- and tobacco) to-drug-poisoning/index.html Accidental poisoning by drugs, X40-X44 medicaments and biological Table 1. Number of deaths where the underlying cause was alcohol-related, substances Haltemprice and Howden parliamentary constituency, East Riding of Yorkshire unitary authority, and Yorkshire and the Humber region, 2009 to 20111, 2, 3, 4 Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, X60-X64 medicaments and biological Deaths (persons) substances 2009 2010 2011 Assault by drugs, medicaments and X85 biological substances Yorkshire and the Humber 666 672 717 Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and Y10-Y14 Region biological substances, undetermined East Riding of Yorkshire 30 40 40 intent unitary authority 527W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 528W

Big Society Capital work in (i) Glasgow North West constituency, (ii) Glasgow, (iii) Scotland and (iv) the UK in (A) 2009, (B) 2010, (C) 2011 and (D) 2012. (133787) Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether Big Society Capital will lend money to ONS compiles Labour Market Statistics following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions for areas smaller than the community development finance institutions; and if he UK from the Annual Population Survey (APS). will make a statement. [133966] The tables show the number of people who were employed part-time or full-time in their main job, according to interviews Mr Hurd: Big Society Capital (BSC) is an independent held during the period July 2011 to June 2012, the latest period organisation. Further information on Big Society Capital; available, and the corresponding periods ending in June 2011, including its investment criteria can be found on the Big June 2010 and June 2009. Society Capital website: As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject www.bigsocietycapital.com to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates accompanies the estimates for the latest period. Charities: Fraud National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at: Graham Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) if he will assess the adequacy of the powers http://www.nomisweb.co.uk available to prevent fraud by UK-based charities that Table 1: Number of people employed part-time1 operate primarily abroad; [133087] Thousand (2) what assessment he has made of the role of the 12 months June Charity Commission in monitoring the employment ending: June 2009 June 2010 June 2011 20122 rights of overseas workers employed by UK-based Glasgow n/a n/a n/a ****n/a charities. [133098] North West Glasgow 56 67 64 **70 Mr Hurd: It is for trustees to ensure that the charity Scotland 632 657 672 *687 complies with the relevant laws in the countries in which UK 7,508 7,697 7,785 *7,855 it operates. Where UK-based charities operate abroad, n/a = estimate not available the trustees must put in place measures to ensure the 1 Respondent considers themselves employed part-time. charity’s funds are used for charitable purposes. The 2 Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as Charity Commission promotes charities’ compliance an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality. with their legal obligations by providing charities with Source: Annual Population Survey guidance on relevant matters of charity law; The Table 2: Number of people employed full-time1 Commission can intervene and use its regulatory powers Thousand where there is serious misconduct or mismanagement 12 months that puts at risk a charity’s assets or beneficiaries. ending: June 2009 June 2010 June 2011 June 20122

Conditions of Employment Glasgow 37 31 31 ***26 North West Glasgow 209 190 195 **190 Ann McKechin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Scotland 1,880 1,804 1,796 *1,779 Office what proportion of officials in his Department UK 21,429 21,002 21,084 *21,124 have requested (a) part-time, (b) job-share or (c) 1 Respondent considers themselves employed full-time. other flexible working arrangements in each of the last 2 Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as five years; and how many such requests were granted. an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality. [133657] Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely Mr Maude: Flexible working will only be granted to lie within +/- twice the CV – for example, for an estimate of 200 subject to business need. As at November 2012, 6.5% of with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within my Department’s work force work part time. the range 180-220. Key: *0≤ CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise Employment ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise John Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered Office how many people were employed in (a) part-time acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too and (b) full-time work in (i) Glasgow North West unreliable for practical purposes constituency, (ii) Glasgow, (iii) Scotland and (iv) the Source: UK in (A) 2009, (B) 2010, (C) 2011 and (D) 2012. Annual Population Survey [133787]

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Internet responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. John Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Letter from Glen Watson, dated December 2012: Office what recent estimate he has made of the number As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I of people with access to the internet in (a) Glasgow have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking North West constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) Scotland how many people were employed in (a) part-time and (b) full-time and (d) the UK. [133929] 529W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 530W

Mr Hurd: The information requested fails within the As part of the Civil Service Reform Plan, Ministers responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have are now able to feed into the appraisals of civil servants asked the authority to reply. whose work they see. This will help ensure that appraisals Letter from Glen Watson, dated December 2012: of civil servants better reflect the dual leadership of As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Departments. have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what estimate has been made of the number of people Plymouth Brethren with access to the internet in (a) Glasgow North West constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) Scotland and (d) the UK. (133929) Estimates of Internet use by adults aged 16 years and over are Caroline Flint: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet published quarterly by the Office for National Statistics and are Office (1) what his policy is on the inclusion of The available on our website. These estimates are derived from the Brethren’s Trust in the charity register of England and Labour Force Survey (LFS) and have United Kingdom (UK) Wales; [133139] coverage. The latest available estimate (in respect of 2012 Q3) of the number of adults who have ever used the Internet in Glasgow (2) what representations he has received from The is 375,000. The estimate for Scotland is 3,592,000, whilst the Brethren’s Trust on its request to be registered as a estimate for the UK is 42,792,000. Estimates at parliamentary charitable organisation. [133140] constituency level are not available. Mrs Gillan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Olympic Games 2012: Anniversaries Office if he will consider bringing forward legislative proposals relating to public benefit to ensure that previously Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet accepted religious charities are not threatened with Office if he will organise a celebration of the London removal of their charitable status. [133071] 2012 Olympics games makers and other Olympic volunteers to mark the first anniversary of the Games; Mr Hurd: I refer the right hon. Members to the and if he will make a statement. [133369] answer I gave on 26 November 2012, Official Report, column 89W, to the hon. Member for South Antrim Mr Hurd: Various plans are under way to commemorate (Dr McCrea). the 2012 games. Further details will be announced in due course. Strategic Defence and Security Review In addition, the Prime Minister has written to thank the thousands of Games Makers for their work in th Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet London 2012 and awarded them the 50 Big Society Office (1) with reference to the Strategic Defence and Award at a reception at Downing street in November. Security Review, how many times the Strategic Defence Her Majesty the Queen has recognised the work of and Security Review Implementation Board has met; the LOCOG Games Makers by awarding them a Queen’s [134048] Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012 this month. (2) which Minister in his Department chairs the Strategic Defence and Security Review Implementation Pay Board. [134122]

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Mr Letwin: The Strategic Defence and Security Review Office how much was paid in (a) year end and (b) Implementation Board has met seven times. in-year bonuses to officials in his Department in each The Strategic Defence and Security Review of the last two years. [132868] Implementation Board is a committee of senior officials chaired by the Cabinet Office and reporting to the Mr Maude: As part of this Government’s transparency National Security Council chaired by the Prime Minister. programme, last year for the very first time, all Departments published analysis of non-consolidated performance related payments. Information for 2010-11 is available Unmanned Air Vehicles at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/payroll- Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet costs-and-non-consolidated-pay-data Office pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2012, Awards for 2011-12 are being finalised and the data Official Report, column 703W,on unmanned air vehicles, will be published at the above link shortly. if he will undertake a risk assessment of the potential Since May 2010 the Government has reversed the “all threat to national security of (a) the proliferation of must have prizes” culture which saw the majority of drone technology and (b) its use by governments and civil servants awarded bonuses. Bonuses have been restricted non-state actors. [133524] to the top 25% of performers for the senior civil service (down from an average of 65% across Departments in Miss Chloe Smith: The National Security Risk previous years), saving the taxpayer around £15 million. Assessment (NSRA) provides a comprehensive assessment They are only paid to reward excellence, for example to and prioritisation of all major extant and emerging recognise and incentivise those delivering high quality risks which seriously threaten the UK’s national security public services and savings to the taxpayer. In 2009-10 interests. The way in which potentially hostile government the Cabinet Office paid awards to 48.3% of its senior and/or non-state actors could employ an array of offensive civil service, compared to 25% of its senior civil servants technologies, including drones, is considered as part of in 2011-12. this assessment. 531W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 532W

Voluntary Work: Young People Mr Hayes: Capital funding of £l billion remains available to support carbon capture and storage (CCS) Mr Blunkett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet projects and the mechanism for making that capital Office pursuant to the answer of 10 September 2012, grant available for successful bids within the CCS Official Report, column 120W,on voluntary work: young competition has been agreed with HM Treasury. I expect people, what best practice from 2012 pilots of the CCS projects to come forward in this spending review National Citizen Service his Department has shared period and for expenditure to be committed as part of with future providers. [133837] that process.

Mr Hurd: In order to capture best practice from the Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012 pilots of National Citizen Service (NCS), the Energy and Climate Change when his Department will Cabinet Office visited 41 programmes across the country, confirm to the EU the UK’s commitment to co-fund ran workshops with 2012 providers and collected feedback any successful project arising from the carbon capture from participants, parents and staff. This information and storage competition currently under way. [132273] was used to produce guidance on recruitment techniques and programme design and content. The guidance is Mr Hayes: As set out in the written ministerial statement being shared with 2013 NCS providers through workshops, made by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate one to one meetings and written toolkits. In addition Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton the vast majority of the 2013 providers delivered NCS (Mr Davey), on 30 October 2012, Official Report, programmes in 2012. columns 10-12WS, DECC officials have confirmed (to the Commission) UK support for the three UK Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) New Entrant Reserve 300 ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE (NER300) applicants remaining in the UK CCS competitive process. This support is subject to success in the UK Building Research Establishment process.

Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Conditions of Employment Energy and Climate Change if he will visit the Building Research Establishment Innovation Park in Watford. Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for [133406] Energy and Climate Change what proportion of officials in his Department have requested (a) part-time, (b) Gregory Barker: I visited the Building Research job-share or (c) other flexible working arrangements in Establishment Innovation Park on the 30 April 2012. each of the last five years; and how many such requests Carbon Sequestration were granted. [133658]

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Gregory Barker: DECC offers a variety of flexible Energy and Climate Change how many of the projects working such as part-time working, job-sharing and shortlisted for the carbon capture and storage competition flexible working hours. The Department does not record have provided evidence that they could be fully requests for flexible working and so cannot provide the commissioned and generating power by 31 December number of requests or the number that were granted. In 2016. [132270] September 2012 7.8% of DECC employees worked part-time which includes job-sharing. Mr Hayes: In order to remain eligible for the competition, projects had to demonstrate the potential to be operational Electricity Generation between 2016 and 2020. The Carbon Capture and Storage Competition continues and it would be inappropriate to disclose details regarding the bids, as doing so might Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for undermine competition. Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph 2.7 of his Department’s Gas Generation Strategy, published Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for on 5 December 2012, what his Department’s policy is Energy and Climate Change if he will publish his evidence on carbon intensity of 50G carbon dioxide/KWh for submitted to the Cabinet Office Project Assessment the power sector in 2030. [133243] Review Panel as part of its due diligence on his Department’s carbon capture and storage competition. Mr Hayes: The Government will take a power to set a [132271] legally binding decarbonisation target for the electricity sector specifically, as a Government amendment to the Mr Hayes: The evidence submitted is commercially Energy Bill. sensitive as it refers to the current competition and will not be released into the public domain at this stage. The The level of the decarbonisation target will be set PAR report will be published at the appropriate time. when the Committee on Climate Change has provided advice on the 5th Carbon Budget covering the Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for corresponding period (2028-32), and when the Government Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has set the level of this budget (in 2016). has set aside during the current spending review period Before then, to ensure clarity, we will be issuing to fund any successful project arising from the carbon guidance to National Grid consistent with the least cost capture and storage competition. [132272] approach to achieve our overall 2050 carbon target. 533W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 534W

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraphs Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph 2.26 to 2.29 of his Department’s Gas Generation Strategy, 6.2 of his Department’s Gas Generation Strategy, published published on 5 December 2012, what assessment his on 5 December 2012, whether his Department has Department has made of the effect of (a) 50G carbon made an estimate of the proportion of the gas generation dioxide/KWh, (b) 100G carbon dioxide/KWh and (c) mix that will need to be equipped with carbon capture 200G carbon dioxide/KWh grid carbon intensity on and storage technology by 2030. [133247] overall carbon dioxide emission levels in (i) 2030 and (ii) 2050. [133244] Mr Hayes: There is considerable uncertainty over not only how the electricity sector will develop to 2030, but Mr Hayes: The estimated emission levels from the also how low carbon technologies will develop. The GB power sector in 2030 under the three grid carbon Government is committed to supporting carbon capture intensity sensitivities in 2030, for an assumed level of and storage (CCS). However the level of CCS that will GB electricity demand, are shown in the following table. be deployed by 2030 will be dependent on whether CCS projects are cost competitive with other low carbon Estimated emissions from the generation projects. CO /kWh power sector in 2030 (Mt CO 2 2) Given this DECC carried out scenario analysis, which 50g 17 was presented in the Gas Generation Strategy. This 100g 35 analysis suggested that CCS could contribute up to 200g 68 13GW by 2030. How this is deployed between coal and gas plant will be for the market to determine. The three different grid carbon intensity trajectories to 2030 considered in the Gas Generation Strategy do John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy not impact on overall carbon dioxide emission levels in and Climate Change what his policy is on the 2050. Analysis for the Carbon plan suggested that in generation of electricity by local authorities; and if he order to achieve the 2050 carbon target cost effectively, will make a statement. [133614] the power sector would need to be largely decarbonised in the 2030s. Gregory Barker: In 2010, we gave local authorities the power to sell electricity generated from renewable Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for sources. It is therefore up to local authorities to generate Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph and sell electricity if they wish and we are encouraging 3.60 of his Department’s Gas Generation Strategy, them to do so where this is appropriate. We have also published on 5 December 2012, what the evidential facilitated this through ‘lite’ electricity supply licence, basis is for the statement that in September 2012 45 per which would allow a local authority district heating cent of GB power was traded through auction. [133245] operator to sell electricity at retail rates to consumers. We are also supporting community ownership of Mr Hayes: Paragraph 3.60 of the Gas Generation localised renewable energy projects through the Feed-in- Strategy states that 45% of GB power was traded through Tariffs scheme. Local projects engage neighbourhoods day-ahead auctions in September 2012. and communities in becoming involved with generating In September 2012, total GB electricity generation local heat and power e.g. Combined Heat and Power was 23.05 terawatt hours. This is based on Elexon’s data with District Heating (CHP-DH) networks in Woking, on Initial National Demand Out-Turn (INDO), which Southampton, Nottingham and Sheffield. is the half-hour average megawatt transmitted electrical Local authorities also have a role in encouraging energy metered by National Grid Electricity Transmission energy efficiency take up, including the Green Deal, plc. and looking after consumer interests, for example, through According to DECC calculations based on APX the pioneer places and core cities initiatives and through Power UK Auction and Nord Pool Spot data in the supporting or running collective switching schemes. same month, 10.39 terawatt hours were traded though day-ahead auctions. This equates to 45.07% of GB Energy: Finance generation. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for and Climate Change what funding his Department has Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph allocated directly to investment in (a) renewable, (b) 5.25 of his Department’s Gas Generation Strategy, gas, (c) nuclear and (d) coal energy in (i) 2010-11, (ii) published on 5 December 2012, what the responsibilities 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a will be of the Office for Unconventional Gas and Oil; statement. [133168] and if he will make a statement. [133246] Mr Hayes: It is estimated that replacing and upgrading Mr Hayes: As was explained in the Gas Generation our electricity infrastructure and closing power stations Strategy, DECC will set up an Office for Unconventional over the next decade will require approximately £110 Gas and Oil, which, working with relevant Departments billion of capital investment: and agencies, will join up responsibilities across http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/policy-legislation/ Government, provide a single point of contact for investors, EMR/5349-electricity-market-reform-policy-overview.pdf and ensure a simplified and streamlined regulatory Much of this investment will come from the private process. DECC will be consulting with the relevant sector with Government putting in place the right market Departments and agencies on how to take this forward. incentives. 535W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 536W

DECC also provides some direct funding, primarily Environment Protection for the purpose of reducing the costs of commercial deployment: Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) Renewable energy Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral statement Actual, and planned spend through the Renewable of 29 November 2012, Official Report, column 389, on Heat Incentive (RHI) is: energy policy, what his Department’s forecast is of (a) 2010-11: £1.56 million• energy efficiency savings and (b) support for low-carbon electricity generation in 2020. [132681] 2011-12: £6.8 million 2012-13: £37.5 million Gregory Barker: According to the current projections, These figures are based on accruals calculated using the existing package of energy efficiency policies is applications received and an estimate of what the financial projected to save 163 TWh in 2020 relative to the commitment would be if these all were accredited onto business as usual baseline. the scheme and generated heat as per our assumptions. Support for low-carbon electricity, generation is funded Actual spend by DECC in innovation for renewables through the Levy Control Framework. Total levy support in 2010-11 was £29 million through the Environmental for 2020-21 has been set at £7.6 billion (real 2011-12) Transformation Fund (ETF) and Low Carbon Investment and will help fund low-carbon generation from a range Fund (LCIF). of technologies. This level of support is consistent with In addition, in this Spending Review, (2011-12 to delivering the Government’s ambition to generate 30% 2014-15) the following DECC funding is available for of electricity from renewable sources in 2020, while also innovation in renewable technologies: supporting generation from both nuclear and carbon capture and storage plants. Up to £20 million for marine technology Up to £30 million for offshore wind technology On 29 November, we launched a consultation to explore what more can be done to reduce electricity Up to £17 million for bioenergy systems demonstration projects demand across the UK economy. This consultation is a DECC has also committed £60 million to support key part of our national Energy Efficiency Strategy offshore wind manufacturing through the Grant for published last month. Business Investment scheme. EU Law (b) Gas and (d) coal There was no direct DECC funding for gas or coal Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy per se, but there is funding for carbon capture and and Climate Change which EU directives his Department storage (CCS) technologies. transposed in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 to date; which EU In 2010-11, £3.1 million was spent on CCS R&D directives his Department expects to transpose in (i) projects. 2013 and (ii) the next two years; and what estimate he In addition, in this Spending Review, (2011-12 to has made of the cost of each such directive to the (A) 2014-15), up to £20 million is available for innovation in public purse and (B) private sector. [133699] carbon capture and storage technologies; Gregory Barker: The information is as follows: (c) Nuclear energy (a) DECC transposed the following directives in In 2012-13 DECC has direct funding available for: 2011: £1.132 million for an early R&D programme on the fuel cycle Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy by the National Nuclear Laboratory from renewable sources An estimated £17.0 million investment into facilities and skills Directive 2009/31/EC on the geological storage of carbon to support future R&D activities. dioxide There was nil spend on nuclear energy in 2010-11 and Directive 2009/72/EC concerning common rules for the internal 2011-12. market in electricity Directive 2009/73/EC concerning common rules for the internal Energy: Meters market in gas No new legislation was needed to transpose directive Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy 2009/7l/Euratom establishing a community framework and Climate Change what assessment his Department for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations in the UK. made of the different types of smart meters available in (b) Transposition of the following directive was advance of the national roll-out of smart meters. completed in 2012: [132606] Directive 2009/29/EC to improve and extend the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme of the community. Gregory Barker: The Department has assessed smart meters offered by manufacturers in Britain and The following directive is expected to be transposed internationally. Our assessments have covered: the range by the end of 2012: of functionality supported by each type; the standards Directive 2009/119/EC imposing an obligation to maintain used to ’talk’ to meters remotely; security requirements; minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products. and the support that different types of smart meter will (i) Directives to be transposed in 2013: provide to smart grids. This analysis has informed the The Department is considering whether legislation Department’s work to develop the technical specification will be required to transpose directive 2011/70/Euratom for the smart meters to be used in Britain, which has establishing a community framework for the responsible been progressed in conjunction with meter manufacturers, and safe management of spent fuel and radioactive consumer bodies and other stakeholders. waste. 537W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 538W

(ii) The following directive is expected to be transposed Gregory Barker: The coalition Government is committed in 2014: to tackling fuel poverty and supporting vulnerable Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency consumers to heat their homes at an affordable cost. A and B: The Warm Home Discount scheme will provide over Published Impact Assessments provide an estimate of 1 million of the poorest pensioners with an automatic costs. Impact Assessments for directive 2009/28/EC, Core Group discount of £130 off their electricity bills directive 2009/72/EC, directive 2009/73/EC, directive this winter. Other low income vulnerable households 2009/31/EC and directive 2009/119/EC can be found at: may also be assisted through the scheme. Overall we expect 2 million low income vulnerable households a http://www.ialibrary.bis.gov.uk/uploaded/ 1_20090715120705_e_@@_UKRenewableEnergyStratey2009Overall year to be assisted through the Warm Home Discount ImpactAssessmenturn09D683150609.pdf scheme. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/ We continue to fund the Warm Front scheme, providing govt_response/govt_response.aspx low income vulnerable households, living in energy http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/ inefficient properties, with energy efficient heating and cons_co2_stor/cons_co2_stor.aspx insulation measures. Since 2005 Warm Front has assisted 1 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/all?title- 1,423 households in the Leeds North West constituency . Oil%20Stocking%200rder%202012%20 From January 2013, the new Energy Company An Office for Nuclear Regulation Impact Assessment Obligation, which will run alongside the Green Deal, for the changes to nuclear site licence conditions to will ensure that help goes to low income and vulnerable implement directive 2009/71/Euratom—letter from Dr households to enable them to heat their homes more Mike Weightman Re: Nuclear Safety Directive 2009/71/ affordably on a long term basis. Through the Affordable Euratom—can be found at: Warmth and Carbon Saving Communities Obligations http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/news/2011/may-consultation- together should generate expenditure in home thermal letter.htm efficiency improvements worth around £540 million per Impact Assessments for directive 2009/29/EC can year, supporting around 230,000 low income households also be found above. each year. DECC will be consulting on implementation of directive In addition, the Department for Work and Pensions 2012/27/EU in 2013. This will be accompanied by an provide pensioner households with winter fuel payments Impact Assessment. to help with additional heating costs during the winter. Cold weather payments are also made to low income Exhaust Emissions: Aviation and vulnerable households where there is an average temperature of 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for These payments have been permanently increased to Energy and Climate Change what agreements were £25 per week and in winter 2011-12 over 5 million cold made at the UN Climate Change Conference in Doha weather payments were paid in Great Britain worth an on reducing emissions from global aviation. [133907] estimated £129 million. 1 This figure is as at end of November 2012. Data is not available Gregory Barker: No decisions were made at the UN prior to 2005. Climate Change Conference in Doha on reducing emissions from global aviation, although the issue was discussed at length. However, the Government remains committed Gas Fired Power Stations to tackling the climate change impacts of international aviation and will continue to work through the International Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Civil Aviation Organization to push for a global agreement Energy and Climate Change if he will make the approval on measures to address emissions from this sector. of applications for consent for new gas-fired power stations conditional on such stations being equipped Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for with carbon capture and storage technology. [133644] Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the inclusion of international aviation in the Climate Change Act 2008. [134180] Mr Hayes: The Government believes carbon capture and storage technology can play a significant role in Gregory Barker: International aviation emissions are achieving the decarbonisation of the UK economy at not currently included within the UK’s net carbon least cost. That is why we are supporting the deployment account. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate of this technology through our Commercialisation Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton Programme. (Mr Davey), is taking into account the advice provided All new thermal power stations at or over 300MWe, by the Committee on Climate Change on this matter and of a type covered by the EU large combustion plant and will respond by end 2012 as required by section 30 directive, including gas, are required to be carbon capture of the Climate Change Act 2008. ready (CCR), meaning that they must demonstrate it to be technically and economically feasible to retrofit CCS Fuel Poverty: Leeds to the power station in the future and retain control over sufficient additional space on which to install the Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for carbon capture equipment. There are no plans to make Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to consent for new gas-fired power stations conditional on address levels of fuel poverty in Leeds North West them being equipped with carbon capture and storage constituency. [133505] (CCS) technology. 539W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 540W

The regime created under EMR will incentivise further (2) how many accidents have occurred at or near investment in CCS equipped generation plant, alongside each junction on the A14 in (a) Suffolk and (b) in other forms of low-carbon generation such as renewables total in each of the last three years. [133746] and nuclear. Renewable Energy Stephen Hammond: The Department only collects information relating to personal injury accidents, and Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for therefore does not include damage-only accidents in its Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the written statistics. ministerial statement by the Minister of State for Energy In each of the last three years the number of reported of 10 December 2012, on Post-Energy Council, Brussels, personal injury accidents occurring at, or within 20 3 December 2012, what his Department’s policy is on metres of, each junction of the A14, in (a) Suffolk and post-2020 renewables targets. [133483] (b) in total, were as follows: Mr Hayes: The UK Government is committed to Reported number of personal injury accidents occurring at, or within 20 metres meeting EU and UK decarbonisation targets up to of, a junction of the A141 by nearest junction number, 2009-11 2050. As part of this we envisage substantial growth in Number of accidents renewable energy deployment, with a binding target for Junction Junction located in 2020. However, we do not believe that it is appropriate number Suffolk 2009 2010 2011 to set specific renewables targets in the period post-2020. This is because of the need to take account of issues 1 341 such as technology competitiveness, energy security, 2 736 environmental sustainability, value for money, and support 3 —22 for less mature renewable technologies. It is more 433— appropriate to focus on meeting legally-binding carbon reduction targets in the most cost-effective way, with 51—1 flexibility about precise levels of renewables deployment. 7 434 8 122 Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State 913— for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Co-operative movement on its clean 10 511 energy revolution campaign. [134113] 11 — 1 — 12 — 1 — Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston 13 — 1 — and Surbiton (Mr Davey), met with the Community 14 — — 1 Energy Coalition at a roundtable event in October. This 15 1 — 1 brought together some of the UK’s most influential 17 2 1 — civil society organisations and the Co-operative Group 19a 2 — 1 to talk about co-operative and community energy. 21 897 DECC officials are scoping a Community Energy Strategy for release in late spring 2013, and they will be 22 1 2 — working closely with the Department’s expert advisory 23 — 2 — group, the Community Energy Contact Group, and the 24 1 3 — Community Energy Coalition in the coming months to 25 —11 develop the strategy. 26 —22 Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State 27 311 for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on 28 — — 2 support for community-owned renewable energy 29 1 2 — schemes. [134114] 30 2—— Gregory Barker: The Government recognises the power 31 621 of community enterprise and institutions to effect change 32 2 1 — in society, and the coalition agreement included a 33 221 commitment to supporting community energy projects. 34 — 1 — We are scoping a Community Energy Strategy at the request of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate 35 1—— Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton 36 — — 1 (Mr Davey), that will be released in late spring 2013. 37*222 38 1—— 42 * 2 3 — TRANSPORT 43 * 1 2 — A14 44*211 45 * 1 — 1 Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for 47*—11 Transport (1) how many (a) road traffic accidents and 49 * 1 3 — (b) road fatalities there have been on the A14 in 50*322 Suffolk in each of the last three years; [133745] 51 * 1 — 1 541W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 542W

Reported number of personal injury accidents occurring at, or within 20 metres of, a junction of the A141 by nearest junction number, 2009-11 Section AADT Number of accidents Junctions 11 to 12 42,266 Junction Junctions 12 to 13 42,237 Junction located in number Suffolk 2009 2010 2011 October 2011 to September 2012 52*413 53*—33Junctions 13 to 21 38,618 54 * — — 1 Junctions 21 to 23 44,436 55*462Junctions 23 to 24 67,435 56 * 2 — 3 Junctions 24 to 26 67,168 57 * — 3 — Junctions 26 to 31 80,132 58*212Junctions 31 to 32 61,680 59 * 2 2 — Junctions 32 to 35 51,324 60*324Junctions 35 to 36 79,321 61 * — 1 — Junctions 36 to 37 58,746 62 * 1 — 1 Unknown2 737January to December 2011 of which in 425Exning to Waterhall 66,000 Suffolk Waterhall to Higham 32,422 Suffolk total 35 35 32 Higham to Westley 43,891 A14 total 96 89 70 Westley to St Saviour’s 39,772 1 Includes Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire. St Saviour’s to Moreton Hall 44,250 2 Accidents occurring at road junctions that do not have junction numbers or Moreton Hall to Beyton 37,651 where the precise location of the accident is unknown or uncertain. Beyton to Woolpit 38,574 Note: Where a junction number is missing from the table this indicates that there were Woolpit to Stowmarket North 34,980 no accidents at this junction during this time period. Stowmarket North to Cedars 27,857 Police reports of accidents do not contain junction Cedars to Beacon Hill 36,445 numbers. The accidents have been allocated to the closest Beacon Hill to Claydon 48,760 junction using the grid reference of the accident. In Clayton to Whitehouse 47,184 some cases the grid reference provided on the accident Whitehouse to Sproughton 46,073 report form cannot be used to allocate the accident to Sproughton to Copdock 48,164 specific junction number or the accident occurred at a Copdock to Wherstead 51,592 road intersection without a junction number. These Wherstead to Nacton 54,204 accidents are recorded as being at an “unknown”junction. Nacton to Levington 43,710 In each of the last three years the number of reported Levington to Trimley 38,133 personal injury accidents, and the number of fatalities, Trimley to Dockspur 32,656 on the A14 in Suffolk, were as follows: Dockspur to Felixstowe Dock 19,892 Reported number of personal injury accidents and fatalities occurring on the A14 in Suffolk, 2009-11 Biofuels 2009 2010 2011 Accidents 100 118 121 Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Fatalities 4 2 5 Transport (1) what recent assessment his Department has made of the level of imported ethanol from the US Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for being supplied under the Renewable Transport Fuels Transport what the most recent traffic flow data is for Obligation (RTFO); and what action his Department is each section of the A14. [133748] taking to ensure that the RTFO supports the UK biofuels industry; [133990] Stephen Hammond: The following table shows the (2) if his Department will consult on the effect that latest annual average daily traffic flow (AADT) figures the joint obligation for the use of both biodiesel and for the sections of the A14 between M1 Junction 19 and ethanol under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation Felixstowe Docks, where figures are available: is having on the supply of imported ethanol. [133991]

Section AADT Norman Baker: The Department for Transport administers the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation January to December 2011 (RTFO) and produces statistics on the supply of biofuel M1 Junction 19 to A14 Junction 1 44,480 and biogas in the UK by country of origin and feedstock, Junctions 1 to 2 44,634 and reports performance. Data is available at: Junctions 2 to 3 n/a https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department- Junctions 3 to 4 n/a for-transport/series/biofuels-statistics Junctions 4 to 6 65,301 For data reported under the RTFO from December Junctions 6 to 7 n/a 2011 to April 2012, 69% of bioethanol reported was Junctions 7 to 8 73,489 sourced from US corn oil. For the first quarter of Junctions 8 to 9 68,055 2012-13 (14 April to 15 July 2012) this figure was 76%. Junctions 9 to 10 57,935 However, this latest data only covers biofuels for which Junctions 10 to 11 42,520 Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) have 543W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 544W been issued. Suppliers do not need to apply for RTFCs Crossrail Ltd requires all companies working on the until the end of each year. The data may not therefore project to comply with the law, which includes compliance be fully representative of actual supply. with the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) The RTFO scheme is designed to reduce carbon Regulations 2010. The Department understands that emissions and promote the supply of sustainable biofuels. Crossrail Ltd is seeking written assurances from its The RTFO operates as a market-based instrument which contractors that they are aware of and complying with gives suppliers the flexibility to meet their obligation at these obligations. least cost. It is our primary mechanism for implementing High Speed 2 Railway Line the transport elements, of the EU Renewable Energy Directive. The Directive does not provide for differential Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for levels of support for domestic supply.All ethanol produced Transport what assessment his Department has made from US corn oil supplied under the RTFO since December of the effect of the construction and operation of High 2011 has had to meet mandatory sustainability criteria Speed 2 on the short-term and long-term operation of in order to. benefit from incentives under that scheme, the Hangar Lane Gyratory. [133823] supported by independent verification. The Department for Transport has committed to a Mr Simon Burns: HS2 Ltd’s initial assessment of the review of the double certificate scheme and support effect on traffic and transport near the proposed route provided under the RTFO in 2013. will be published as part of the Draft Environmental In carrying out the review we will continue to take Statement in spring 2013. into account the views of suppliers reporting under the HS2 Ltd is working hard to ensure that the alignment RTFO, including views on whether there should be a of the railway through the Hanger Lane area does not split or joint obligation. result in a significant loss in road capacity. This work includes data provided by Transport for London as well Bus Services: Private Sector as HS2 Ltd’s own traffic assessments. HS2 Ltd is also working in partnership with Transport Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for London to explore the possibility of making for Transport what share of the deregulated bus market improvements to the junction once the works required was operated by private transport companies with for HS2 are complete. operations in more than one country in each year since Israel 1986-87. [133937] Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Norman Baker: I regret that this information is not Transport what the content is of the agreement held by the Department for Transport. between the Government and the Government of Israel regarding the authority of Israeli security agents Consultants on UK soil. [133807]

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Simon Burns: The Department for Transport has Transport how many full-time equivalent staff were made no such agreement, nor are we aware of any such employed on consultancy contracts in his Department agreement. on the latest date for which figures are available; how Public Transport: Crime many such staff were employed on the same date 12 months ago; and if he will make a statement. [132215] Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what categories of crime have (a) increased Norman Baker: The Department does not employ and (b) decreased on (i) railways and (ii) buses in each staff on consultancy contracts. However, the Department year since 2005. [134151] does engage staff via ″contingent labour″ contracts. The latest figures can be found at the following website: Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does http://data.gov.uk/dataset/dft-workforce-management- not routinely hold rail crime information, as the British information Transport Police (BTP) is the national police force for the railways. BTP statistics show that crime on Britain’s Crossrail Line railways fell by 9.1% over the last year. This was the eighth consecutive year of falling crime on the network. Crime on the railways over the past five years fell by Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for over 30%. Transport if he will investigate reports that blacklists (a) were and (b) are being used by contractors Information relating to bus crime is not held by the completing construction work on public contracts Department for Transport. relating to the delivery of Crossrail. [133680] Railways: Norwich

Stephen Hammond: Crossrail Ltd is responsible for Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the delivery of the Crossrail project and the management Transport on how many occasions trains between of its contractors. Norwich and London Liverpool Street were more than Crossrail Ltd is not aware of, and has seen no evidence (a) 15 minutes, (b) 30 minutes and (c) one hour late in of, blacklisting of any kind in connection with the arriving at their final destination in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 Crossrail project. and (iii) 2012 to date. [133993] 545W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 546W

Norman Baker: The Department does not hold the Stephen Hammond: The Department only collects information requested. However, Network Rail publishes information relating to personal injury accidents, and performance data on its website. therefore does not include in its statistics damage-only accidents, or cases where a police officer attended an Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for accident but did not report it. Transport what the average age of rolling stock used on In each of the last three years, the number of reported the Norwich to London railway line was during (a) personal injury accidents and the number of those 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012 to date. [133994] accidents involving a fatality, where a police officer attended the scene and obtained report details, in (a) Mr Simon Burns: A variety of train types, of differing the Suffolk police force area, and (b) England, were as ages, use the Norwich to London line. The average age follows: of train operator’s entire fleets is available from the Reported number of personal injury accidents in the Suffolk police force area, Office of Rail Regulation’s website, here: and England, where a police officer attended the scene and obtained report details, 2009-11 http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/ Number of Accidents 53dcc4e1-3223-48f9-9e9c-10d51359cdd7 2009 2010 2011 However, this is not broken down by route. Suffolk Fatal 37 19 28 Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Total 1,640 1,523 1,598 (1) on how many occasions trains or rolling stock used on the Norwich to London railway line failed routine England Fatal 1,715 1,431 1,491 safety inspections in each of the last three years; Total 115,531 110,033 108,895 [134008] (2) how many instances have been identified of employees In-year totals for 2012 have only been published at (a) operating vehicles and (b) managing infrastructure Great Britain level. The latest published figures cover on the Norwich to London railway line without the the period to June 2012 and are available at: appropriate safety certificate or authorisation during https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/ras45- each of the last three years. [134009] quarterly-statistics Figures for geographic areas within Great Britain for Mr Simon Burns: This information is not held by the the year 2012 are due for publication in June 2013. Department for Transport and is a matter for the individual train operator and the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). Roads: East of England I suggest my hon. Friend contacts the Chief Executive Office of the ORR at the following address for further Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for information: Transport how much funding his Department has Chief Executive allocated for road safety improvements in (a) Suffolk, Office of Rail Regulation (b) Bedfordshire, (c) Cambridgeshire, (d) Essex, (e) One Kemble Street Hertfordshire and (f) Norfolk in each of the last three years. [133747] London WC2B 4AN Stephen Hammond: The Department does not make separate allocations for road safety improvements but Railways: Tees Valley such improvements can be funded via the Integrated Transport Block capital allocation. Over the last three years, the capital allocation for these specific authorities Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for is as follows: Transport what recent discussions he has had with (a) Northern Rail and (b) Network Rail about improving All figures £ million infrastructure and rolling stock on the Tees Valley 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Line. [133978] Suffolk 5.061 4.508 4.122 Central 1.995 1.464 1.339 Mr Simon Burns: Ministers have had no recent Bedfordshire discussions with Northern Rail or Network Rail about Cambridgeshire 6.104 .4.439 4.059 improving infrastructure or rolling stock on the Tees Essex 10.445 9.150 8.366 Valley line. However, departmental officials are in regular Hertfordshire 8.755 6.804 6.221 contact with the Tees Valley Metro promoters to help Norfolk 8.224 5.824 5.324 them achieve their objectives. In addition, authorities are able to use revenue funding Roads: Accidents from the Department for Communities and Local Government’s formula grant for road safety measures. Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic collisions were responded to by Severn River Crossing police in (a) the Suffolk police force area and (b) England in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011 and (iv) 2012 to Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for date; and how many such collisions involved a fatality. Transport what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his [133659] Department and (c) officials in his Department have 547W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 548W had with the Welsh Government on the management of The Government is aware of concerns, including the Severn river crossings once they pass into concerns about increased road freight journeys and Government ownership. [132635] reduced freight movements by sea, which have been raised by some elements of industry. On 22 October, I Stephen Hammond: As yet, there have been no ministerial hosted a round table discussion with a range of industry discussions with the Welsh Government on the management stakeholders to consider cost-effective and technical of the Severn crossings after the end of the current solutions which could be used to meet the new requirements. concession agreement. At that meeting, I explicitly invited the shipping, freight logistics and ports industries to provide evidence to the Officials meet regularly with colleagues in the Welsh Department to support claims about negative impacts, Government and have discussed the future of the crossings. either in aggregate or concentrating on specific routes. Following on from this meeting, I am pleased to say that elements of the shipping industry have commissioned Shipping: Exhaust Emissions a study to consider the economic and social impact of the new requirements. In parallel, the Government is John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for looking at ways of helping the industries to meet the Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the effect new regulatory requirements. on the level of the shipping industry’s compliance with The Government will also publish a draft impact the sulphur provisions of the revised Annex VI of the assessment as part of the transposition of the new International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution directive next year. The deadline for transposing the from Ships of (a) Ship Energy Efficiency Management directive into domestic legislation is 18 June 2014. Plans and (b) an energy efficiency design index for Transport for London ships; and if he will make a statement; [134033] (2) whether guidance on Ship Energy Efficiency Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Management Plans has been issued by (a) his Department, pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2012, Official (b) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and (c) Report, column 195W, on Transport for London, what other Government Departments; [134034] payments for (a) capital and (b) revenue funding have (3) what recent assessment he has made of the effect been made to Transport for London under the Bus the sulphur provisions of the revised Annex VI of the Service Operators Grant in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution (iii) 2012-13; what such payments will be made in (A) from Ships will have on shipping freight movements 2013-14 and (B) 2014-15; for what purpose such payments from the UK to Europe; [134035] are made; and if he will make a statement. [134073] (4) if he will take steps to ensure that UK compliance with the sulphur provisions of the revised Annex VI of Norman Baker: Bus Service Operators Grant is currently the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution paid direct to bus operators and as such no payments from Ships does not (a) increase road freight journeys were made to Transport for London under the Bus and (b) reduce freight movements by sea; [134036] Service Operators Grant in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13. (5) when he expects the amended EU Directive 1999/ 32/EC on the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels and At present bus service operators in London have both reducing sulphur emissions from maritime transport to a contractual relationship with Transport for London be transposed into UK law. [134037] and claim Bus Service Operators Grant from the Department for Transport. From October 2013, Bus Service Operators Grant will be devolved to Transport Stephen Hammond: The aim of Ship Energy Efficiency for London for services tendered by Transport for London. Management Plans and the Energy Efficiency Design The exact sum to be transferred to Transport for London Index is to improve energy efficiency of ships and has yet to be determined. thereby reduce the amount of CO2 they emit. Improving the energy efficiency of a ship will normally result in Transport: Floods lower fuel consumption, which will have the effect of proportionately reducing all gaseous emissions, including Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for sulphur oxides. However, this would not achieve compliance Transport how much his Department has spent on with the sulphur limits in the revised Annex VI of the repairing flood damaged (a) roads and (b) railways in MARPOL Convention, or with the new EU directive the last 12 months. [133742] 2012/33/EU. To comply with the International Maritime Organisation and EU sulphur limits, shipowners would Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does either have to use a compliant fuel oil, install suitable not have a specific fund to deal with flood damage on abatement technology (e.g. an exhaust gas cleaning the local road network. In October 2010 and as part of system) or switch to a low-sulphur alternative fuel (e.g. the Spending Review the Government rationalised the liquefied natural gas). number of individual grants to local authorities allowing The Department for Transport’s Maritime and greater flexibility in how funding is spent. This enables Coastguard Agency has produced guidance on Ship them to better respond to local needs and incidents Energy Efficiency Management Plans, and I expect it to such as the recent flooding events that have been be published in the week commencing 17 December as a encountered. supplement to the existing international guidance produced Over the four year period from 2011, the Government by the IMO. No other UK Government Department is allocating £3 billion to local highway authorities for has published guidance on these plans. highways maintenance. In addition we also announced 549W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 550W in March 2011 a further £200 million to deal with of staff are deployed on projects in the creative industries. damage to the highway network caused by the severe DCMS also employs press officers and legal advisers winter weather that was encountered at the end of 2010. who support creative industries work. The Autumn Statement on 5 December 2012 also announced that the provision of a further £333 million over the next two financial years to 2015 for essential Common Purpose highways maintenance on both the strategic and local highway network. Details of final allocations to local Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, highway authorities will be announced shortly. Media and Sport how much her Department paid to The Department has not provided any additional (a) the Common Purpose Charitable Trust, (b) Common funding to the Highways Agency specifically for damage Purpose Customised Limited, (c) Common Purpose caused by flooding to the strategic road network for International and (d) Common Purpose UK in each which they are responsible. year between 1997-98 and 2010-11. [134074] In addition, the Department has not provided any funding specifically for repairing flood damaged railways Hugh Robertson: In 2002 the Department for Culture, over the last 12 months. Any funding to repair damage Media and Sport paid £8,460 for two employees to is entirely a matter for Network Rail. attend the ‘Common Purpose Spring Programme’ in order to further develop their leadership skills. This is West Coast Railway Line: Franchises the only recorded expenditure with a Common Purpose organisation since 1997-98. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps were taken to ensure the compliance of the Consumers: Protection new management contract with Virgin for the Intercity West Coast Mainline with EU procurement requirements. [134112] Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 20 Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State carried out November 2012, Official Report, column 463W, on his duties and obligations within the Railways Act 1993 direct selling, what steps her Department is taking to and within domestic and European procurement law. provide more effective protection for consumers in addition The UK Government does not normally comment on to new website pages and a new consumer guide. its dealings with the European Commission or other [133405] European institutions. Any such discussions or dealings, whenever they do take place, are confidential. Mr Vaizey: Further to my answer of 20 November 2012, Official Report, column 463W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile), I can advise that the Department has taken a CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT number of steps to provide more effective protection for consumers against unsolicited marketing calls, with a focus on improved enforcement. This includes successfully Arts Council: National Lottery pressing the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to increase the resources it devotes to enforcing the Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations Culture, Media and Sport how much Lottery funding (PECR) 2003, which have since increased from 28 staff has been (a) received and (b) spent by the Arts members to39. The ICO has also now published on its Council in the last two years. [133808] website a list of the most complained about companies that make calls to Telephone Preference Service (TPS) Mr Vaizey: The information is as follows: registered consumers. If the companies fail to remedy (a) Arts Council England (ACE) received net lottery income of their actions they are likely to face further enforcement £152 million in 2010-11 and £182 million in 2011-12 (after transfers action. On 28 November the ICO also served monetary to the Olympics are taken into account). penalties totalling £440,000 to two owners of a marketing (b) ACE drew down £123 million of lottery money in 2010-11 company, who were responsible for illegally distributing and £115 million in 2011-12. millions of unsolicited spam text messages to consumers. Lottery money is not subject to annuality rules, so In addition, the ICO is considering issuing monetary income does not have to be spent in the year that it is penalties to three other companies for breaching the received. TPS. The ICO is also working closely with the Claims Clothing Management Regulator (CMR), which regulates financial companies, to identify those responsible for many Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, unsolicited marketing calls and texts. Also, the ICO has Media and Sport how many staff of her Department recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) are employed in fashion and textile policy areas. with the CMR, to facilitate the sharing of information [134013] about breaches of the PECR by claims management companies. Mr Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and I will also be meeting the ICO, TPS and Ofcom again Sport (DCMS) deploys staff flexibly across a range of in the new year to review progress and explore further projects and priorities. Currently, seven full-time members options for improved enforcement. 551W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 552W

Creative Partnerships with deprived communities. This can be seen through their work with Street Games as well as their commitment Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, to work in communities throughout the country. Once a Media and Sport how much she plans to spend on week participation in adults aged over 16 in athletics creative partnerships in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15. has grown from 2,809,300 (Active People Survey 5 [134070] 2010-11) to 2,933,100 (Active People Survey 6 2011-12).

Mr Vaizey: Creative Partnerships was funded at arm’s Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for length from Government by Arts Council England. Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has Funding for the programme ends in 2012-13. We have made of trends in participation in athletics under the put in place a package of cultural education initiatives stewardship of England Athletics. [133805] in partnership with the Department for Education and our cultural sectors to improve the provision of cultural Hugh Robertson: Sport England has advised that education in England. England Athletics is currently performing well against its participation targets. Through their measurement England Athletics survey, Active People, Sport England have seen continued and positive growth in the sport, with 2,033,700 people Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, participating in athletics regularly. Sport England will Media and Sport if she will assess the effects of the continue to assess the work being carried out by England decision by England Athletics to increase registration Athletics to ensure that they continue to deliver value fees for participation in grass roots athletics on participation for money. Once a week participation in adults aged in athletics by people living in deprived areas. [133783] over 16 in athletics has grown from 2,809,300 (Active People Survey 5 2010-11) to 2,933,100 (Active People Hugh Robertson: England Athletics is currently Survey 6 2011-12). undertaking a consultation looking directly at the issue of affiliation, including participation fees, with results Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, expected early in the new year. They have an ongoing Media and Sport if she will provide a breakdown of commitment to provide sporting opportunities for expenditure of the funds given to England Athletics by individuals in deprived areas, through their work with Sport England as a part of the commitment to deliver Street Games and through their Athletics Networks in an Olympic legacy; how much of this funding has been communities across the country. spent on staff salaries to date; and if she will list the titles and roles of any additional posts provided for out Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, of this additional funding. [133809] Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of England Athletics. [133784] Hugh Robertson: Over the period 2009-13 Sport England will invest £20 million directly into England Athletics Hugh Robertson: Sport England conducts regular through their Whole Sport Plan, and they will be six-monthly reviews and assessments of the national announcing details of their funding agreement for 2013-17 governing bodies it sponsors. These are underpinned shortly. In addition to this, Sport England have alternate through the Active People Survey, sports satisfaction funding streams available which athletics clubs are able survey as well as general internal sport measures. Sport to apply to. Neither the Department nor Sport England England has advised that England Athletics is currently hold the additional information requested regarding performing well against its participation targets and has England Athletics staff. a strong governance structure in place. Once a week participation in adults aged over 16 in athletics has grown from 2,809,300 (Active People Survey 5 2010-11) to 2,933,100 (Active People Survey 6 2011-12). EU Law

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Culture, Media and Sport how many members of staff Media and Sport which EU directives her Department at England Athletics receive (a) a company car and transposed in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 to date; which EU (b) private medical insurance. [133785] directives her Department expects to transpose in (i) 2013 and (ii) the next two years; and what estimate she Hugh Robertson: Neither the Department nor Sport has made of the cost of each such directive to the (A) England records this information. public purse and (B) private sector. [133695]

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Hugh Robertson: The information requested is as Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has follows. made of the investment made by England Athletics to (a) In 2011, the Department transposed the following improve access to athletics for people from the most EU directives: disadvantaged areas of England; and what assessment she has made of any change in athletics take-up Directive 2009/140/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 amending Directives 2002/21/EC resulting from that funding. [133804] on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, 2002/19/EC on access to, and interconnection Hugh Robertson: As part of their investment into the of, electronic communications networks and associated facilities, sport, England Athletics works in communities across and 2002/20/EC on the authorisation of electronic communications the country and takes seriously the issue of engaging networks and services (“Better Regulation Directive”). 553W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 554W

Directive 2009/136/EC of the European Parliament and of the Music: Children Council of 9 November 2009 amending Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services, Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic Media and Sport how many children participate in communications sector and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 on each Music Education Hub. [133983] co-operation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws (“Citizens Rights Mr Vaizey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I Directive”). gave him on 9 November 2012, Official Report, column (b) None. 819W. (i) and (ii) None expected at the current time. Ofcom The Department does not record centrally the cost of transposing each such regulation, and to compile this Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for data would incur disproportionate cost. Culture, Media and Sport how many people (a) viewed In order to increase transparency, in the forthcoming Ofcom’s new website on nuisance calls, texts and emails Statement of New Regulation (SNR5) the Government and (b) received or downloaded a copy of the new will, for the first time, be publishing those new European Consumer Guide between 1 October and 30 November Union (EU) measures which are being implemented in 2012. [133412] UK law and have a direct effect on business. Mr Vaizey: The Office of Communications (Ofcom) Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, have advised that their website page on nuisance calls, Media and Sport which regulations her Department texts and e-mails has been viewed 43,259 times and introduced as a result of EU legislation in (a) 2011 and their new Consumer Guide has been downloaded 4,351 (b) 2012 to date; which regulations her Department times, since 1 October 2012. Ofcom’s website also allows expects to implement as a result of EU legislation in (i) consumers to view individual pages offering information 2013 and (ii) the next two years; and what estimate she on different types of calls from abusive and scams calls has made of the cost of each such regulation to the (A) to marketing calls, texts and silent calls. These individual pages have been viewed a total of 26,465 times. public purse and (B) private sector. [133696] Olympic Games 2012 Hugh Robertson: The information requested is as follows. Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, (a) Regulations introduced by DCMS as a result of EU Media and Sport what progress her Department has legislation in 2011: made in putting in place a solution so that London 2012 supplier companies can make reference to the work they Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1210); Communications Act 2003 (Maximum Penalty have undertaken; and whether she expects this process for Contravention of Information Requirements) Order 2011 to be complete by the end of 2012. [133736] (SI 2011/1773); Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1208); Electronic Hugh Robertson: Positive progress has been made in Communications (Universal Service) (Amendment) Order 2011 the discussions with the British Olympic Association (SI 2011/1209). and International Olympic Committee on a framework (b) None. to give London 2012 suppliers greater freedom to promote their work on the Games. Our intention is to make an (i) Regulations to be introduced by DCMS as a result of announcement shortly. EU legislation in 2013: It is anticipated that regulations will be made to implement the Pay EU Mobile Roaming Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2012 Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union). Culture, Media and Sport how much was paid in (a) year end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials in her (ii) Regulations to be introduced by DCMS as a result of Department in each of the last two years. [132862] EU legislation in the next two years: It is anticipated that regulations will be made to implement the Mr Vaizey: The following table shows the payments E-Commerce Directive (Directive 2000/31/EC of the European the Department has made in (a) year-end performance Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal related payments and (b) in-year reward payments, to aspects of information society services, in particular electronic employees in the last two years. commerce, in the Internal Market), in relation to offences relating to extreme pornography and threatening communications in Scotland, £ and various human trafficking offences across the UK. Year-end performance The Department does not record centrally the cost of related payments In-year reward payments implementing each such regulation, and to compile this data would incur disproportionate cost 2012 600,710 45,750 2011 710,703 63,350 In order to increase transparency, in the forthcoming Statement of New Regulation (SNR5) the Government The Department makes these payments to its employees will, for the first time, be publishing those new European for two purposes: (a) special payments made during the Union (EU) measures which are being implemented in year to reward outstanding contributions in particularly UK law and have a direct effect on business. demanding tasks or situations; and (b) performance 555W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 556W related payments (PRP) to reward highly successful campaign and the GREAT Britain image campaign is performance over a whole year. PRP are made in line aiming to deliver 4.6 million extra visitors and £2.3 billion with departmental pay strategy and Cabinet Office principles additional spend over four years. An additional £30 on performance-related pay. million is being invested in the GREAT campaign for 2013-14, which comes on top of over £22 million already Public Appointments being invested during this financial year. VisitBritain activity delivered £503 million in incremental spend Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, (financial year 2011-12) against a target of £373 million, Media and Sport how many public appointments (a) plus bookings worth £89 million for their commercial regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public partners. Initial evaluation results from the spring 2012 Appointments and (b) not regulated by the Office of phase of the GREAT image campaign are positive. the Commissioner for Public Appointments have been Britain saw the greatest increase in unprompted recall made by her Department since 2007; and in how many of advertising and “strong likelihood to visit within a such cases the services of recruitment consultants were year”compared to major competitors. If stated intentions retained. [132778] translated into actual visits they could potentially generate £33 million to £72 million spend. The Department has Hugh Robertson: The Department does not hold not made an estimate of the economic benefit from centrally data on appointments which are not regulated marketing the UK abroad to the specific areas of the by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. To compile leisure and tourism industry requested. this data for the period requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Appointments data before 2008-09 in the form requested is not held centrally by the Department but in the last INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT four years, 247 new appointments, regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, have been made; Developing Countries: Health Services recruitment consultants were contracted for four of these. Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will assess the adequacy Staff of non-discriminatory medical care provided by each aid agency in receipt of funding from her Department Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, to (a) women and girls who have been raped in situations Media and Sport how many staff she expects her of armed conflict and (b) such females seeking abortion Department to have in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15. services; and if she will make a statement. [133504] [134022] Lynne Featherstone: Humanitarian assistance funded Hugh Robertson: In the autumn of 2010, the Department by DFID is provided according to humanitarian principles launched a Change Programme that sought to achieve a thus according to need and without discrimination. 50% admin cost reduction to meet spending review DFID provides funding to trusted humanitarian partners, targets and build the best possible Department with a whose performance and programme quality we assess highly motivated, diverse and talented work force. This regularly. Preventing and responding to violence against would be done while simultaneously prioritising the women and girls in conflict and humanitarian situations Departments’ critical deliverables, including the successful is a key objective of the UK’s humanitarian policy. delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. DFID’s policy on safe abortion clearly states the UK In order to achieve the required admin budget reduction, is committed to improving women’s health and reducing the Department sought to bear down on non-pay costs the number of women dying from pregnancy and childbirth. (including an office move to 100 Parliament street in Tackling unsafe abortion is part of this commitment. March 2013) in order to minimise the impact on the Departments’ pay bill. Where reductions have been In countries where abortion is permitted, DFID can made in staffing levels, these have been achieved through support programmes that make abortion safe and accessible, three rounds of voluntary exits, including a restructure because access to safe abortion reduces recourse to of our senior civil servants (SCS). This has meant we unsafe abortion and saves maternal lives. will have a work force of approximately 330 FTE in 2013-14 with no further reductions in 2014-15. Developing Countries: Land

Tourism: Marketing Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will use the UK’s Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, 2013 G8 Presidency to promote global action to (a) Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the increase the transparency of land acquisitions and land economic benefit to (a) hotels, (b) bed and breakfasts, governance and (b) promote rights for the world’s (c) restaurants and bars and (d) the leisure and poorest people. [133765] tourism industry in Britain of money spent on marketing the UK abroad. [134071] Mr Duncan: The Prime Minister announced his priorities for the UK’s G8 presidency—trade, tax and transparency Hugh Robertson: Through VisitBritain, we have created —on a visit to Northern Ireland on 20 November. the biggest ever international tourism campaign, as we These are issues where action by the G8 to “put its own look to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by house in order” can also help developing countries to 2012. Together, the £100 million tactical marketing prosper. 557W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 558W

The Prime Minister also wants to use the UK’s G8 Mr Duncan: DFID has no plans to provide assistance presidency to support the “golden thread” of conditions to the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Co-operation. that enable open economies and open societies to drive Since April 2011, DFID’s engagement in Indonesia prosperity and growth for all. These include the rule of has been focused on climate change through the law, the absence of conflict and corruption, and the interdepartmental UK Climate Change Unit (UKCCU). presence of property rights and strong institutions. Mali The UK’s presidency begins on 1 January 2013. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid her International Development if she will make representations Department has given to Mali in each of the last five to the World Bank on instituting a six-month freeze on years. [133950] agricultural lending to fund large-scale land acquisitions in order that the Bank can review its current policies on Lynne Featherstone: Information on the amount of such loans and their links to land grabbing. [133766] UK aid provided to Mali over each of the past five years can be found in table 14.1 at: Lynne Featherstone: The UK Government believes that private sector investment in poor countries, and the http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-us/How-we-measure-progress/ growth of small and large commercial agriculture, are Aid-Statistics/Statistics-on-International-Development-2012/ key to global food security and economic growth in Africa. When done well, commercial investments in agriculture have the potential to be transformational. TREASURY But it is vital that the rights and interests of the people living on the land are taken into account. Air Passenger Duty The need for responsible investment also applies to investments supported by the World Bank. The UK Lindsay Roy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Government supports the World Bank work on land what assessment he has made of the effect of increased and welcomes the efforts the Bank is making to be more air passenger duty on jobs and growth. [133662] transparent in its land programmes. We believe that a six-month freeze on agricultural lending could potentially Sajid Javid: The Government has limited the rise in disrupt many valuable projects and create uncertainty air passenger duty (APD) to inflation over the period over the World Bank’s engagement in this area. 2010-11 to 2012-13. Budget 2012 set out rates from April 2013, which will also only rise by RPI, ensuring that level of APD will remain constant in real terms. Developing Countries: Law and Order The 2011 consultation gathered extensive views and evidence from stakeholders, which included views on the impact of APD. Over 500 responses were received Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for from a wide range of stakeholders. The Government International Development what assessment her published its response to the consultation, including a Department has made of the role law enforcement summary of views received, on 6 December 2011. organisations can play in international development. [133401] Broadband

Mr Duncan: The role of law enforcement organisations Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer is central to achieving progress in building effective what methodology he used to calculate the £3.5 billion security and justice systems. This, in turn, protects the estimated receipt from the 4G spectrum sale as outlined rights of citizens, promotes the rule of law and prevents in page 56, Table 2.1 of the autumn statement 2012; violent conflict. Effective law enforcement is one of the and if he will place a copy of that methodology in the key enablers for growth and good governance, contributing Library. [133951] to the “golden thread” that runs through successful development stories across the world. Danny Alexander: The estimated value of receipts The UK is increasing its support for security and from the 4G spectrum auction was produced by the justice in 18 countries, working with state (such as independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). police and judiciary) and non-state actors (informal, The policy costing note, published at autumn statement often community-based authorities such as village chiefs 2012, indicates that the OBE’s costing of 4G auction and other traditional leaders). receipts is based upon: The UK’s own law enforcement organisations also “independent analysis of revenues from comparable spectrum play a role in supporting law enforcement in developing auctions outside the UK, and the increasing economic value of countries; for example, to tackle corruption. spectrum underpinned by the high level of anticipated competition in the commercial marketplace”: http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/as2012_policy_costings.pdf p.38. Indonesia Business: Loans

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Steve Rotheram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer International Development what assistance her Department pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2012, Official has available for projects such as the Jakarta Centre for Report, column 164W,on banks, what recent discussions Law Enforcement Co-operation. [133402] he has had with (a) private non-financial corporations 559W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 560W and (b) monetary financial institutions on the use of Greg Clark: The Government do not hold information their currency holdings and deposits to lend to British on numbers of credit unions members. businesses and fund infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement. [133960] Economic and Monetary Union

Sajid Javid: The Government continues to explore a Sir Tony Baldry: To ask the Chancellor of the range of options to increase the flow of credit to Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of businesses including the Funding for Lending scheme the financial value of the UK being part of the EU and the Business Finance Partnership. As set out in the single market. [132088] update to the National Infrastructure Plan on 5 December, the Government also undertakes a number of initiatives Greg Clark: We do not hold estimates of the financial to maintain the level of private investment into value of the UK being part of the EU single market. infrastructure. As part of this process of policy development The Government maintains the view that membership and delivery, Treasury Ministers and officials invite of the Single Market is still in the best interests of the discussions with a wide range of institutions and commercial UK. parties to shape these initiatives and interventions. Employee Ownership Charities: Israel Mr Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of his Department’s estimate of the Richard Burden: To ask the Chancellor of the cost of employee owner status consists of (a) capital Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent gains tax revenue foregone and (b) other revenue of compliance by UK charities with the European foregone to the public purse; and what the breakdown Council decision of 16 June 2005 on the abolition of is of those amounts. [134442] financial and tax subsidies to organisations benefiting from developing Israeli settlements in the Occupied Mr Gauke: Details of the estimate are given in the Palestinian Territories. [133094] Policy Costings document published by the Government in Autumn Statement 2012, with the following link: Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office. Policy Costings (page 27): Evidence of misuse of charity funds, or any illegal http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/as2012_policy_costings.pdf activities by charities in England and Wales, they should Ford Motor Company be passed to the Charity Commission to consider. Mr Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Child Benefit what his role, responsibilities and duties as a governor of the European Investment Bank are in deciding on Steve McCabe: To ask the Chancellor of the the Bank’s participation in financing operations outside Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the EU, including in relation to specific loans; and how the anticipated revenue that will be raised per financial these were exercised in relation to the European Investment year due to the change to the high income child benefit Bank loan to Ford Otosan. [127543] scheduled to take effect in 2013. [133101] Greg Clark: The approval of loans and guarantees is Mr Gauke: The latest published anticipated revenue the responsibility of the Board of Directors of the from the high income child benefit charge is set out in European Investment Bank. Table 2.1 (line 2) and Table 2.2 (line al) of the Budget 2012 document: Gift Aid: Nefesh B’nefesh http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget2012_complete.pdf The Office for National Statistics has since classified Richard Burden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer part of this revenue as tax. how much gift aid has been claimed on donations made by UK taxpayers to Nefesh B’Nefesh through the Jewish National Fund in each of the last five years. [133264] Child Trust Fund Sajid Javid: I am unable to answer the question Mr Woodward: To ask the Chancellor of the because HM Revenue and Customs is subject to a strict Exchequer what timetable he has set for the evaluation duty of confidentiality in relation to customer information. of the future of child trust funds. [133510] HM Revenue and Customs, may not disclose customer information outside the Department without the permission Sajid Javid: The Government keeps this issue under of the customer, except where there is specific legislation review on an ongoing basis. permitting the disclosure. Credit Unions Income Tax: Overpayments

Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Woodward: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people what the average time HM Revenue and Customs took who were members of a credit union in (a) 2005-06, to refund an overpayment of income tax once the (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13; and if he overpayment had been identified was in each of the last will make a statement. [133367] five years. [133521] 561W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 562W

Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I Sajid Javid: At Budget 2012, the Government announced gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks that it would extend the 100% first-year allowance (Michael Fallon) on 4 April 2011, Official Report, column (FYA) for businesses purchasing low emissions cars for 728W. a further two years, until 31 March 2015. The Government also announced that the capital allowances emissions Infrastructure thresholds would be updated in line with forthcoming European Union targets and that leased cars would no longer be eligible for the FYA. Karl Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the first major infrastructure projects These changes will take effect from April 2013 and it in receipt of the major infrastructure guarantee to be is too early to evaluate their impact on the market for completed. [133603] low emission cars. However, a draft tax information and impact note was published on 11 December; Danny Alexander: Discussions on any infrastructure http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ project guaranteed under the UK Guarantees scheme finance_bill_2013_consultation.htm are commercially confidential and exempt from disclosure. It is expected that the changes will ensure that, in the Releasing information is likely to have a detrimental context of falling emissions, the capital allowances system impact on the formulation and development of government continues to provide an incentive for businesses to policy and undermine the Government’s negotiating purchase the most environmentally-friendly business position during negotiations resulting in less effective cars. use of public funds. The decision not to apply the renewed FYA to leased We cannot answer this question further without cars is consistent with the Government’s wider capital prejudicing the process of ongoing policy formulation. allowances policy and is designed to ensure that the FYA maximises value-for-money in terms of the Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer environmental benefit it brings to the UK. pursuant to his answer of 10 December 2012, Official Report, column 167W, on infrastructure, what the 10 Northern Rock largest infrastructure projects proposed by Departments to the Exchequer are which have not yet secured Treasury approval for funding. [134104] Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department informed the Office for Budget Danny Alexander: At autumn statement, 5 December Responsibility of the potential £270 million remediation 2012, Official Report, columns 871-82, the Government to Northern Rock customers when it became aware of announced a £5.5 billion investment in infrastructure, the effect on the public finances. [133863] including £1.5 billion for roads. The Government will set out detailed plans for spending Greg Clark: As set out in the Office for Budget in 2015-16 in the first half of next year—which will Responsibility’s (OBR) Economic and Fiscal outlook, include further decisions on capital spending. Additional the OBR projections were based on figures from business spending decisions will be taken as part of the next plans provided by UK Asset Resolution. The details of spending review. the remediation costs were not in the public domain We cannot answer this question further without when the OBR published their forecast and, as a result, prejudicing the process of ongoing policy formulation. the OBR were unable to incorporate it into their projections. Releasing this information is likely to have a detrimental impact on the formulation and development of government Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer policy. pursuant to his written ministerial statement of 11 December 2012, on financial services, if he will give the Local Enterprise Partnerships date on which (a) he and (b) his officials were made aware of the proposal by UK Asset Resolution to remediate the interest charges for affected customers of Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Chancellor of the Northern Rock Asset Management. [133661] Exchequer with reference to his Autumn Statement, what additional resources he intends to provide to local enterprise partnerships. [133096] Sajid Javid: The UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) Board formally notified UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI) Danny Alexander: The Government will provide £10 of its proposal on 5 December. Ministers were made million per year for capacity building within LEPs. aware of the proposal on the same day. The UKAR Each LEP will be able to apply for up to £250,000 proposal was agreed by UKFI in a letter to UKAR on additional funding per year to support the development 10 December. UKFI sought and was granted Treasury and delivery of their strategic plan. approval on 10 December.

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions PAYE

Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the what assessment he has made of the effect of changes in Exchequer how many employers are taking part in the capital allowances announced in the 2012 Budget on PAYE Real Time Information pilot scheme; and how the growth of the market for low carbon vehicles; and if many employees he expects to be taking part in the he will make a statement. [134105] scheme by March 2013. [133760] 563W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 564W

Mr Gauke: Over 24,000 PAYE schemes are now Number of records taking part in the PAYE Real Time Information (RTI) submitted containing a pilot. HMRC expects to have 6 million employments in hash that wasn’t PAYE RTI by March 2013. 2012 Matched hashes matched November 1,544,683 526,608 Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 3 December 2012, There are a variety of reasons why RTI submissions Official Report, column 596W, on PAYE, by what date may not be matched to a hash cross reference received HM Revenue and Customs matched 6,441,719 hashes from the payment system. received in real-time information submissions against Hashes received for schemes that have recently joined hashes from the BACS payment system. [134058] the RTI system cannot be matched where the PAYE scheme is still going through the RTI alignment process. Mr Gauke: HMRC matched 6,441,719 hashes by 29 HMRC have also identified that in some cases hash November 2012. cross references are being included in RTI submissions where the employer is not paying their employees under Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a BACS Service User Number. Hash matching is not whether HM Revenue and Customs is checking the possible in these cases. HMRC is using the RTI pilot to accuracy of data submitted in the real time information refine its guidance to employers and software developers pilot for individual PAYE records where it is not possible about hash matching. to hash match. [134075] Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Mr Gauke: HMRC are working closely with those Exchequer how many hashes from the payment system involved in the real time information (RTI) pilot to have been matched to real time information (RTI) data ensure the information submitted is in line with the from employers in each month since the start of the published RTI guidance. As part of this, HMRC will be PAYE RTI pilot. [134077] liaising with software providers to ensure that payroll software generates the hash cross reference in the correct Mr Gauke: The numbers of hashes matched in each way. HMRC will also carry out risk-based compliance month of the RTI pilot are as follows: activity to help ensure that data submitted in real time is 2012 Matched hashes accurate. April 2,193 Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the May 99,264 Exchequer how many individual PAYE records from June 747,217 the real time information pilot (a) have and (b) have July 1,091,365 not been hash matched in each month since the pilot August 1,307,797 started. [134076] September 1,209,276 October 1,453,502 Mr Gauke: The numbers of hashes matched and not November 1,544,683 matched in each month of the RTI pilot are as follows: Senior Civil Servants Number of records submitted containing a Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer hash that wasn’t how many and what proportion of senior civil servants 2012 Matched hashes matched have left (a) his Department and (b) each of the April 2,193 87,888 public bodies for which he is responsible since May May 99,264 577,174 2010; what the rate of turnover of senior civil servants June 747,217 828,226 has been in (i) his Department and (ii) each such body July 1,091,365 200,638 since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. August 1,307,797 239,494 [132164] September 1,209,276 348,078 October 1,453502 273,895 Sajid Javid: The information requested is provided in the following table:

Senior civil service leavers May 2010 to October 2012

Turnover as Turnover as Turnover as percentage of percentage of percentage of Leavers May SCS May Leavers April SCS April Leavers April SCS April 2010 to March 2010 to March 2011 to March 2011 to March 2012 to 2012 to Group 2011 2011 2012 2012 October 2012 October 2012 Total leavers

HMTreasury20171818141652

Asset Protection Agency 2 30 2 38 1 41 5

Debt Management Office 0 — 0 — 0 — 0

Office for Budget 0— 0— 0— 0 Responsibility

Note: Asset Protection Agency closed down as at the end of October 2012 and therefore this has distorted their results. 565W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 566W

Stocks and Shares Tax Evasion

Mr Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will establish a body for the supervision of securities pursuant to his answer of 10 December 2012, Official trading with similar powers of proactive investigation Report, columns 175-6W,on tax evasion, by what means and wide-ranging enforcement to those of the US Securities HM Revenue and Customs assesses the effectiveness of and Exchange Commission. [131712] additional or fewer staff in each area of the Department; and if he will make a statement. [134108] Greg Clark: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) already regulates securities trading and the listing of Mr Gauke: HMRC’s approach to tackling tax evasion securities, under the Financial Services and Markets is published: Act 2000 and has wide-ranging powers of investigation and enforcement under that legislation. These http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget-updates/march2012/tax- responsibilities will pass to the Financial Conduct Authority evasion-report.pdf (FCA) when the Government’s regulatory reforms in HMRC ensures that business areas are resourced to the Financial Services Bill come into effect on 1 April deliver HMRC strategy, using the funding allocated to 2013. the department by the Government in the most effective way. Within HMRC, activity to tackle tax evasion is The Financial Services Bill will improve the FSA’s/FCA’s primarily carried out by the Enforcement and Compliance powers in relation to official listing including by: allowing business area. the FCA to discontinue or suspend a listing at the request of an issuer without following the statutory HMRC collects management information on resources notice procedure; extending powers to impose sanctions deployed and the total revenue raised from different on sponsors in relation to certain contraventions; allowing compliance activities. The effectiveness of additional or the FCA to make and enforce requirements applicable fewer staff is assessed using a combination of management to persons approved as primary information providers. information, operational intelligence and planning scenarios informed by a resource allocation model which compares Tax Avoidance the return from different activities and the impact of different case mixes on revenues. The model is used to estimate the potential impact of different resourcing Mr Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer levels and to inform resource allocation decisions. if he will take steps to end the practice whereby people The effectiveness of HMRC compliance activity is living abroad and with non-domiciliary status who claim seen in its results. HMRC has achieved significant successes only to be living in the UK temporarily can avoid in reducing both evasion and avoidance. Overall, compliance inheritance tax by buying a house in the name of an revenues have more than doubled in six years. In 2010-11 offshore entity; and for what reason that is considered the total revenue from HMRC compliance activities to be a tax-free holding in a foreign company rather was reported as £13.9 billion; in 2011-12 it was reported than a British asset. [131715] as £16.7 billion. Mr Gauke: Property and other assets outside the UK owned by an individual who is not domiciled in the UK Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer are not included in an estate for inheritance tax (IHT) pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2012, Official purposes. This is to encourage individuals who wish to Report, columns 175-76W, on tax evasion, how much temporarily live and work in the UK to do so by HM Revenue and Customs has paid out in rewards for ensuring their worldwide estate does not become liable information on tax evasion in each of the last five years for IHT in the case of their untimely death. For IHT in aggregate; and what the range of the individual purposes, only UK assets held directly by non-domiciled rewards in each year was. [134109] individuals are considered. However, if a non-UK domiciled, individual holds shares in an overseas company, Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs are empowered the assets owned by that company are not taken into to pay rewards by virtue of section 26 of the Commissioners account regardless of where they are situated. for Revenue and Customs Act 2005. These payments Changing this approach would introduce a significant are discretionary and are not guaranteed. alteration in IHT tax rules for non-domiciled individuals. In each of the last five years, HM Revenue and The Government has made a commitment that, there Customs has paid the following total amounts in rewards: will be no further changes to the non-domiciled tax rules for the remainder of this Parliament. £ However, the Government is taking steps to ensure owners of high value property pay their fair share of 2007-08 155,950 tax. This includes: 2008-09 281,000 2009-10 384,110 an annual residential property tax on residential properties valued over £2 million owned by certain non-natural persons, 2010-11 309,620 such as certain offshore entities, from April 2013; 2011-12 373,780 a 15% rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax on residential properties over £2 million purchased by certain non-natural persons; and I can confirm that HM Revenue and Customs holds the extension of Capital Gains Tax to disposals by non-resident some information relating to the range of individual non natural persons of high value UK residential property from 6 awards paid in each of the same five years. However, April 2013. this is exempt from disclosure because of section 44(1)(a) 567W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 568W of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which allows a Sajid Javid: As at 1 April 2012 in Warrington North public authority to withhold information which is itself constituency, there were 6,000 adults in 4,400 families in prohibited from disclosure by some enactment. receipt of working tax credit. As at 1 April 2012 in Warrington North constituency, Temporary Employment: Tax Avoidance there were 13,300 adults in 8,400 families in receipt of child tax credit. Of these, there were: Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Chancellor of the (a) 5,700 adults working 30+ hours (full-time), Exchequer (1) (a) how many and (b) which employment (b) 2,700 adults working 16 to 30 hours (part-time work), and, agencies or umbrella companies operating travel and (c) 4,900 adults either working less than 16 hours or not in subsistence schemes have been awarded dispensations paid employment. to operate such schemes by HM Revenue and Customs; [134011] Young People (2) how many employment agencies or umbrella companies that have received dispensations to operate Stephen Twigg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer travel and subsistence schemes have been audited to whether his Department has carried out (a) a risk verify that they are fulfilling the conditions of the analysis and (b) an equality impact assessment of the dispensation. [134012] potential effect on children and young people of reductions to Government budgets and welfare provision; what Mr Gauke: HMRC does not issue dispensations to information in each such analysis and assessment relates businesses to operate travel and subsistence schemes. to children and young people aged up to 19 years old in HMRC issues dispensations to cover certain payments Liverpool; and if he will place in the Library a copy of of expenses for which an employee would otherwise get any such assessment and analysis. [132621] a full tax deduction. It is a mechanism which removes the need for an employer to report the relevant expenses Sajid Javid: This Government is supporting children payments on forms P11D or P9D and also removes the and young people including by offering 15 hours free need for tax to be paid on those expenses and then child care to all three to four-year-olds and to 260,000 reclaimed. Expenses payments covered by a dispensation disadvantaged two-year-olds; providing a pupil premium are normally also disregarded for national insurance for disadvantaged pupils worth £2.5 billion by 2014-15; contributions (NICs) purposes. and by extending child care support through the universal credit. HMRC reviews all dispensations regularly to ensure that the terms and conditions under which they are Departments have the responsibility to meet all their issued still apply. They have a specialist team which legal requirements on considering equality impacts, reviews dispensations for those operating in the temporary including for the protected characteristic of age, when labour market to ensure consistency. making spending decisions. The Government publishes its assessment of the overall VAT: Imports distributional impact on households of policy decisions at fiscal events. In doing so, the Government has taken Simon Hart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer unprecedented steps to increase transparency and to if he will make representations to the European enable the effective scrutiny of policy making. This Commission and other member states in support of an analysis was most recently published at autumn statement increase in the limit set for goods imported into the EU 2012 in the autumn statement document: ‘Impact on which are exempt from VAT under Council Directive households: distributional analysis to accompany the Autumn Statement’. 2006/79/EC. [133795]

Mr Gauke: When deciding where to set the threshold for this import VAT relief on small non-commercial FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE consignments, careful consideration has to be given to balancing the tax impact on individuals, with the impact Ascension Island on small UK businesses who are required to account for VAT on similar goods regardless of their value. As there is no evidence that the current threshold is causing Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for difficulties to individuals, whereas there is recent clear Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his evidence that a high import relief threshold has an Department is taking to promote tourism on adverse impact on small businesses, the UK has no Ascension Island. [133855] plans to raise this issue with the European Commission. Mark Simmonds: Ascension is a working island, with important military facilities, and no right of abode. A Welfare Tax Credits: Warrington small number of tourists visit Ascension Island each year, usually en-route to St Helena. But there is limited Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer infrastructure and services to support these visits. There (1) how many people in Warrington North constituency are therefore no plans to promote tourism in Ascension. are in receipt of working tax credit; [133759] (2) how many people (a) in full-time work, (b) in Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for part-time work and (c) not in paid employment in Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people Warrington North constituency are in receipt of child have been arrested on Ascension Island in each of the tax credits. [133826] last three years. [133856] 569W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 570W

Mark Simmonds: The numbers of arrests made on implementing the recommendations of the Bahrain Ascension Island in the last five years are as follows: Independent Commission of Inquiry. [133421]

Number of arrests Alistair Burt: 1 have seen reports giving assessments of progress made in implementing the recommendations 2008 11 of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, 2009 11 from both independent non-governmental organisations 2010 5 and the Bahraini Government’s own Department tasked 2011 4 with implementing the recommendations. As I said in 2012 12 my statement of 23 November 2012, the UK recognises that establishing the Bahrain Independent Commission Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for of Inquiry was an unprecedented and positive response Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many to the unrest which hit Bahrain in spring 2011. Much applications for permits to visit Ascension Island have progress has been made, but it is also clear that there are been refused in each of the last three years. [133998] areas where progress on implementation has been too slow and others where it is lacking. Mark Simmonds: The numbers of refused entry permit The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth applications to Ascension Island in the last three years Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond are as follows: (Yorks) (Mr Hague) recently visited Bahrain and meet representatives of the Bahraini Government. He discussed Number the need for full and timely implementation of their

1 reform programme, and of all the recommendations of 2010 — the Independent Commission report. We remain of the 2011 2 opinion that reform and a meaningful dialogue between 2012 9 all sides in Bahrain is necessary for stability and prosperity 1 Due to administrative changes no records exist for 2010 or earlier. to return to the country. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many tourist Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign permits have been issued for Ascension Island in each and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the repeated arrests of Zainab al-Khawaja of the last three years. [133999] in Bahrain. [133422] Mark Simmonds: The numbers of Ascension Island tourist permits issued in the last three years are as Alistair Burt: We are aware of reports of the most follows: recent arrest of Ms Zainab al-Khawaja in Bahrain. Although we cannot intervene in the legal proceedings Number of another state, we monitor all the key trials in Bahrain. We have urged the authorities to follow due process in 2010 755 all cases and ensure those charged have access to legal 2011 914 representation. 2012 (to date) 950 Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for and Commonwealth Affairs whether he raised human Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to rights concerns with the Bahraini government on his modernise transport infrastructure on Ascension Island. recent visit to the Kingdom. [133793] [134001] Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Mark Simmonds: The Ascension Island Government Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member is working to improve the transport infrastructure on for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), did raise human the Island. Work is currently under way to upgrade an 8 rights with both the King and the Crown Prince of km section of road. Discussions are to begin shortly on Bahrain on his recent visit there. the island to prioritise future projects such as road We consistently raise our concerns on human rights infrastructure and improvements to the pier-head, which in Bahrain with the Bahraini Government, discussing rely on contributions from the employing organisations the issue frankly and openly. on the island. In addition, a bus service is being introduced from the beginning of February 2013 on a trial basis, British Indian Ocean Territory which it is hoped may become a permanent fixture depending on the level of demand. Financing and managing the transport infrastructure is a major challenge on Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Ascension Island given the small population and the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent significant costs associated with bringing building materials discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the to the island. British Indian Ocean Territory. [133852] Bahrain Mark Simmonds: I have not discussed the British Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) with my US counterpart. and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and State received on whether the Bahraini government is Department Officials have regular discussions about all 571W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 572W bilateral matters including the British Indian Ocean Democratic Republic of Congo Territory. The most recent BIOT Pol-Mil annual talks were held in London in October. Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for taken to press the government of the Democratic Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has Republic of Congo to implement peacebuilding and to develop the infrastructure of the British Indian stabilisation programmes in that country. [133638] Ocean Territory. [134003] Mark Simmonds: Since the recent outbreak of violence Mark Simmonds: The UK has no plans to develop in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began, the infrastructure of the British Indian Ocean Territory. we have made it clear that while external support for armed groups in DRC must stop, it is also important that the DRC Government shows leadership in addressing Colombia the underlying causes of conflict in the region. The Prime Minister delivered this message when he spoke to President Kabila on 22 November, as did I when I Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign visited the region from 20-23 November and met President and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has Kabila, Prime Minister Matata and Foreign Minister received on the proposal by the Colombian Government Tshibanda. I spoke to Mr Tshibanda again on 10 December. to widen the jurisdiction of the military courts in Colombia. Our ambassador in Kinshasa and other senior officials [133059] have also delivered this message, and will continue to do so. Mr Swire: The proposed reform to Colombia’s constitution aims to improve the efficiency and Egypt independence of the military justice system, and to reform the types of cases which will be judged under that system. Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of We have underlined to Defence Minister Pinzón the State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what importance that the reform should not lead to impunity representations he made to the Egyptian authorities on for members of the Colombian armed forces and I have preventing the smuggling of arms into Gaza through also raised the issue with the Colombian ambassador. the Sinai. [133056] On 9 December our chargé d’affaires discussed the issue with the Vice Minister for Multi-Lateral Affairs, highlighting Mr Hague: The Government welcomes the Egyptian-led the need for constructive dialogue. ceasefire in the recent Gaza crisis. We have made clear to the Egyptian authorities our full support to Egypt’s Both the Defence Minister and Colombian ambassador efforts to tackle the flow of illegal weaponry from the have assured us that the reform will not lead to impunity, Sinai into the Gaza strip. I discussed the terms of the and that any cases of extrajudicial executions will be ceasefire and weapons smuggling with the Egyptian investigated under the civilian justice system. We will Foreign Minister, Mohammed Kamel Amr, on continue discussing the proposed reform with the 21 November. Colombian Government. Iraq Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Colombia about Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for securing the safety of Congressman Ivan Cepeda Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his following the death threat he received on 23 November Department is taking to support reform and development 2012. [133060] initiatives in Iraq. [133503]

Mr Swire: We are concerned about reports of a threat Alistair Burt: Enhancing internal stability is an important made against Congressman Ivan Cepeda, who is an element of our Iraq strategy, and the UK has funded a active human rights defender representing the organisations number of projects to strengthen the rule of law and Movimiento Nacional de Victimas de Crímenes de Estado improve the justice system in Iraq. We are also funding (MOVICE) and Colombians for Peace. Any threat made a multi-year project to strengthen parliamentary oversight against the life of a human rights defender is unacceptable. of the government’s actions by building the capacity of Our embassy in Bogota will raise this case with the parliamentary scrutiny committees. Further information Colombian Government. on our project activity can be found on the British Our embassy has implemented a high-profile programme embassy in Baghdad’s website: of activities to support human rights defenders under http://ukiniraq.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/working-with-iraq/ threat, including a project to increase their awareness of Projects the protection measures available and meetings with The Department for International Development ended threatened organisations to demonstrate UK support. its bilateral development programme to Iraq in March In a joint statement on human rights in November 2011 2012. The UK will continue to help Iraq address some both the Prime Minister and President Santos condemned of the challenges which remain, through our funding to violence against human rights defenders and emphasised multilateral organisations like the UN, the World Bank their support for the work they do. and the EU. 573W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 574W

Israel On the same day, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Permanent Under-Secretary summoned the north Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Korean ambassador to the Foreign Office. In this meeting, and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of the Permanent Under-Secretary reiterated the UK’s 12 June 2012, Official Report, column 231, on Israel, condemnation of this launch, urged north Korea to whether he has received any recent updates on the refrain from further provocations and to take urgent situation with the Bedouin villages in the Negev; and steps to re-engage constructively with the international whether the British embassy has taken any steps in this community. regard since the ambassador’s visit. [133261] The UK attended a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on 12 December 2012. The Security Alistair Burt: During my recent visit to Israel and the Council issued a statement condemning the launch Occupied Palestinian Territories, I met with Israeli Minister which the UK supported. The UK is now discussing Benny Begin on 21 November to ask for an update on what further measures could be taken in response to the Israeli Government plans regarding the Bedouin villages launch with other members of the Security Council. in the Negev. I reiterated our hope that consultations between the Israeli Government and the Bedouin Occupied Territories community will lead to an agreed and satisfactory solution to the long-standing problems of the unrecognised villages. Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State On 17 August, our ambassador in Tel Aviv met with for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last the Israeli Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff for Bedouin discussed the expansion of Israeli settlements with his Status Improvement. He asked for an update on the Israeli counterparts. [133414] plan and said that we would have real concerns if there were a large number of forced evictions. Mr Hague: I spoke to Defence Minister Barak on 1 Our officials in Tel Aviv continue to monitor the December 2012 to underline the Government’s deep situation in the Negev in relation to both Bedouin concern at reports that the Israeli Cabinet had approved unrecognised and recognised villages and are in regular the building of 3,000 new settlement units in east Jerusalem contact with Bedouin and government leaders. and the west bank and decided to unfreeze planning in Middle East the area known as E1. I also passed a message underlining these points to the Israeli Foreign Minister. Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member steps he has taken to encourage Israel and the Palestinian for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), formally Authority to restart peace talks. [133177] summoned the Israeli ambassador to London to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 December Mr Hague: As I made clear on 30 October 2012, 2012, to make our concerns known. Official Report, column 148, we are asking the new US Our embassy in Tel Aviv continue to engage on these Administration to lead a major push, backed by European issues. nations, to restart negotiations in 2013 and arrive at a two state solution. The Prime Minister has discussed this issue with his European counterparts, including the Palestinians French President and German Chancellor. We continue to make our view on the urgent need for Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign credible negotiations, based on clear parameters, clear and Commonwealth Affairs if he will condemn the to both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian decision of the Israeli Government to withhold tax Authority. This includes both ministerial and official revenues from the Palestinian Authority. [133366] level contacts. I spoke to Defence Secretary Barak on 1 December and to President Abbas on 26 November. Alistair Burt: I have made very clear that we deplore The Deputy Prime Minister also spoke to President the Israeli Government’s decisions to withhold tax revenue Abbas on 27 November. from the Palestinian Authority, build 3,000 new housing units in East Jerusalem and the west bank, to unfreeze North Korea planning in the area known as E1. We have called on the Israeli Government to reverse these decisions. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for I formally summoned the Israeli ambassador to London Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 December, plans to take following the successful rocket launch by to underline the depth of our concerns over these steps. north Korea on 12 December 2012; and if he will make a statement. [133961] Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Swire: Following north Korea’s satellite launch Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent on 12 December 2012, the Secretary of State for Foreign discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the the detention and prosecution of Palestinian children. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), immediately [133417] issued a statement condemning the launch. The statement can be found at: Alistair Burt: I have written to the Israeli ambassador www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-condemns- to the UK on this subject and have met Baroness dprk-s-satellite-launch Scotland, as one of the authors, to discuss follow up to 575W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 576W the report “Children in military custody”and our concerns for human rights. They can set standards of behaviour, over the treatment of Palestinian children in military improve governance, remove incentives to abuse, maximise custody. skills and strengthen communities. Our ambassador to Israel has also discussed these The Prime Minister raised human rights issues, including points with the Israeli Attorney-General and the Ministry concerns around the Pussy Riot case and its impact on of Foreign Affairs. Most recently the Attorney-General the development of democracy in Russia, with President continued this dialogue when he visited Israel in mid- Putin during their meeting on 2 August. The Secretary November and held talks with his Israeli counterpart. of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) Russia (Mr Hague), and I regularly raise human rights and civil society issues with Russian counterparts. Human rights is a priority area in our bilateral relationship with Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Russia, and we will continue to confront issues and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his push for progress on human rights and the rule of law, Department is taking to support civil society organisations including at the highest levels. One of the most valuable in the Russian Federation. [133501] platforms for raising ongoing and new concerns with Russia is at our senior level human rights dialogues. At Mr Lidington: The promotion of human rights, the 2012 meeting, there was a detailed exchange with democracy and the rule of law is at the heart of Britain’s Russian counterparts on a range of issues, including foreign policy. Human rights is a priority area in our new restrictive legislation, the North Caucasus, freedom bilateral relationship with Russia and supporting the of assembly and expression, the protection of human development of a strong civil society forms a key part of rights defenders and journalists, and the Magnitsky this. The Prime Minister met human rights activists at case. We also report publicly on human rights in Russia the Sakharov Centre in Moscow during his visit in through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human September 2011. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Rights and Democracy Report, where Russia is a country Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member of concern. for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I regularly raise human rights and civil society issues with our Special Representative for Climate Change Russian counterparts. We also fluid a number of projects that help develop Russian civil society including supporting Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for independent media, vulnerable journalists, human rights Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the defenders, judicial reform and initiatives aimed at answer of 3 July 2012, Official Report, column 563W, strengthening the rule of law. We have regular direct on climate change: international co-operation, what contact with human rights activists, and provide support progress has been made since July 2012 towards an to those who are subject to harassment. We have made appointment of a new Special Representative for Climate statements that demonstrate our concern about constraints Change; whether there has been a delay in the recruitment on democracy, such as the new law on NGOs in receipt to this post and what the reasons are for any such delay; of foreign funding. when he expects to announce the successful candidate; One of the most valuable platforms for raising both and if he will make a statement. [133248] ongoing and new concerns with Russia is at our senior level Human Rights Dialogues. At the 2012 meeting, Mr Lidington: As the Secretary of State for Foreign there was a detailed exchange with Russian counterparts and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the on a range of issues, including new restrictive legislation, Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has said, the North Caucasus, freedom of assembly and expression, climate change poses a fundamental threat to Britain’s the protection of human rights defenders and journalists, prosperity and security. This threat can only be tackled and the Magnitsky case. We also report publicly on through international co-operation and collaboration. human rights in Russia through the Foreign and The Special Representative for Climate Change has a Commonwealth Office Human Rights and Democracy central role within Britain’s diplomatic response to the Report, where Russia is listed as a country of concern. threat. It is important we find the right person and a recruitment process is under way to appoint a new Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign special representative. A new special representative will and Commonwealth Affairs whether human rights in be announced soon. In the meantime, the FCO continues the Russian Federation were discussed during the recent to work for British interests in this field through its visit of the Minister of State for Trade and Investment Climate Change and Energy Department and global to Moscow. [133824] network of overseas missions and diplomats.

Mr Lidington: My noble Friend Lord Green of Sri Lanka Hurstpierpoint’s visit to Moscow, to explore opportunities for UK companies, did not directly cover human rights. Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign The rule of law and business environment were discussed. and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he Lord Green had meetings with First Deputy Prime has made of the post-conflict situation in Sri Lanka; Minister Shuvalov and Finance Minister Siluanov. Siluanov and whether such considerations will inform decisions gave assurances that foreign businesses could be confident as to UK representation at the 2013 Commonwealth in the Russian Government’s commitment to create a Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo. [133470] stable and predictable trading environment, emphasised by Russia’s World Trade Organisation accession. We Alistair Burt: The British Government continues to believe that responsible businesses contribute to respect have concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka. We 577W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 578W seek to promote progress through direct lobbying, working operations. The regime has progressively increased the with international partners, and funding human rights use of heavy weaponry, including artillery attacks from projects. We also regularly urge the Sri Lankan Government fighter aircraft and most recently scud missiles. to improve the human rights situation, to investigate After many months of brutal military repression, we infringements of human rights, and prosecute those believe Assad should step aside in the interests of the responsible. Syrian people. The UK has been at the forefront of We believe that reconciliation and lasting peace in Sri international efforts to support the internal and external Lanka can best be achieved through an inclusive political opposition to become a viable and political alternative solution that addresses the underlying causes of the to the Assad regime and we welcome the recent conflict and takes into account the legitimate grievances establishment of the National Coalition. The UK has and aspirations of all Sri Lanka’s communities. We so far provided the opposition with £7 million of practical believe that the Sri Lankan people should decide what non-lethal support as they seek to secure a better future form this solution should take. for Syrian people, and a future free from indiscriminate It is too early to confirm UK attendance at the attacks from their own Government. We hope this will Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting further encourage those who currently support Assad (CHOGM) in Colombo in 2013. We will look to Sri to step away from him. Lanka, as any other CHOGM host, to demonstrate its commitment to upholding the Commonwealth values Turkey of good governance and respect for human rights. Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Syria and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his counterpart in Turkey about press freedom. [133663] Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government Mr Lidington: The Deputy Prime Minister raised the is considering to bring an end to the violence in Syria; issue of freedom of expression with the Turkish Prime and what recent discussions on this matter he has had Minister on a visit to Turkey in October. I regularly with his international counterparts. [133636] discuss human rights issues including freedom of expression in meetings with my Turkish counterpart, Egemen Bagis, Alistair Burt: The UK continues to work with its the Turkish Minister for European Union Affairs, most international partners in an effort to bring an end to the recently at a meeting in October. violence in Syria. The UK is focusing its efforts on The UK Government shares the concerns expressed supporting and providing practical assistance to the by our EU partners surrounding press freedom in Turkey, opposition National Coalition which represents a credible which were reflected in the Conclusions of the General alternative to the Assad regime. The Secretary of State Affairs Council on 11 December. The Turkish Government for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. has recognised the need for reform and we welcome Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), their proposed fourth judicial reform package. We hope updated the House on 20 November 2012, Official this can be implemented quickly. Report, columns 443-46, and highlighted the steps the British Government is taking to help bring an end to Turks and Caicos Islands the violence and create a stable environment to enable a political transition to a more democratic Syria. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for The Secretary of State regularly meets with his Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his international counterparts to discuss Syria, most recently Department has for future funding of the Special at the Friends of Syria meeting held in Marrakech on Investigation and Prosecution Team investigation in 12 December 2012. The meeting resulted in further the Turks and Caicos Islands. [134004] recognition and practical assistance to the National Coalition, and further pledging humanitarian support Mark Simmonds: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer to alleviate immediate suffering. The UK will continue I gave him, on 11 December 2012, Official Report, to work with international partners and the National column 228W. Coalition to help bring an end to the violence and on transition to a stable, democratic Syria. Western Sahara

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of made of the present rate of defections from the Syrian 26 November 2012, Official Report, column 104W, on army, and of steps that could be taken by the Western Sahara, what recent progress his Department international community to encourage such defections. have made on negotiations to ensure that money received [133639] in respect of fishing opportunities is used for the benefit of the local population. [133490] Alistair Burt: The lack of independent reporting from Syria makes it difficult to assess the present rate of Alistair Burt: The UK fully supports the efforts of desertions from the Syrian military and to know how the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Western many are defecting to the ranks of the opposition, but Sahara, Ambassador Christopher Ross, to encourage we have reports that desertions and defections are having Morocco and the Polisario Front to address issues an impact on the regime’s ability to conduct its military regarding the use of the territory’s natural resources. 579W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 580W

The latest round of negotiations on a new protocol to Early Intervention the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement took place on 8-9 November between the European Commission Mr Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Morocco but negotiations are ongoing. We continue and Local Government what support he plans to provide to call on Morocco to produce evidence that the agreement to local authorities to enable them to maintain spending is conducted to the benefit of the people of Western on early intervention at existing levels when the early Sahara. intervention grant is rolled into the rate support grant. [133607]

Zimbabwe Brandon Lewis: The Business Rate Retention Scheme will give local authorities the flexibility and freedom to Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for direct resources to meet priority needs of their communities. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his We will be retaining visibility of the Early Intervention Department has made of the number of UK citizens in Grant resources being rolled into the scheme by publishing receipt of a disability pension from the Government of the funding profile for each local authority. Zimbabwe. [133964] Local Government: Joint Working Mark Simmonds: We do not hold records of the number of British citizens receiving a disability pension from the Government of Zimbabwe. Our embassy has Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for contacted the pensions department in Zimbabwe with Communities and Local Government what steps he is regard to this matter, but they have not been able to taking to encourage joint working in local government. provide us with an answer to date. [133611] The Overseas Services Pensioners Association estimate Brandon Lewis: The Tri-borough initiative in London there are approximately 1,250 to 1,500 people worldwide (Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, who are entitled to a pension from the Government of Westminster) report that they are on track to save £40 Zimbabwe, of whom 300 to 400 are estimated to be million by 2015-16 by combining back office services resident in the UK. and management costs. If other councils across the We are aware there have been issues of non-payment country were able to save half that amount by sharing of pensions by the Zimbabwe Government to pensioners services with neighbours, it could deliver potential national residing overseas, including through our contacts with savings of £2 billion for councils. the Overseas Service Pensions Association, who I met on 10 December to discuss this issue. We have for many Homelessness years and will continue to make representations, through our embassy in Harare, to the Government of Zimbabwe on the importance of fulfilling their legal responsibilities Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for to former public servants who are entitled to a Zimbabwe Communities and Local Government what recent Government pension. assessment he has made of progress by his Department in reducing homelessness. [133615]

Mr Prisk: The latest statistics show that homelessness is under half what it was in 2003 at its peak. Despite the COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT tough financial climate, we are investing £470 million to ensure that England continues to provide vulnerable people and families with a strong safety net protected in Rented Housing: South-east law.

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Council Tax: Pendle Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the availability and cost of Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for rented housing in local authority areas which border Communities and Local Government how many London. [133602] households in Pendle are (a) in receipt of and (b) entitled to claim a single person discount on council Mr Foster: The 2011 census shows that 24.4% of tax. [133404] households in Slough rent privately compared with 16.8% across England. Brandon Lewis: In October 2012 Pendle borough For Slough, the Valuation Office Agency last week council reported there were 13,678 dwellings subject to published an indicative median rent of £750 a month in the 25% single person discount for council tax purposes the 12 months to September 2012. in their area. This figure is unchanged from the previous Valuation These data were published on Tuesday 20 November Office Agency figures which also showed an indicative 2012 and are available on the gov.uk website at: median rent of £750 a month in the 12 months to https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department- September 2011. More broadly, I would observe that for-communities-and-local-government/series/council- Rightmove have forecast that two-thirds of landlords taxbase-statistics are planning to freeze rents next year (Rightmove, No information is available of those that are entitled Consumer Rental Forecast, 3 December 2012). to claim the single person discount. 581W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 582W

Single person discount is a long-standing feature of the property tested once building has been completed the council tax system, and reflects the fact that single and residents have moved in; [133641] adult households make less use of municipal services (3) what recent representations he has received on than larger households. the performance of Robust Detail installations; and if he will meet a group of constituents from Dudley to Environmental Impact Assessment discuss their concerns. [134164]

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Foster: Records of complaints made by residents Communities and Local Government (1) what his policy in newly built houses are not held centrally. is on the European Commission’s legislative proposal There are no statutory provisions in place to address to amend the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive; complaints about new homes. People who have a complaint [133511] about newly built houses that they have purchased (2) for what reason his Department plans to review should take their complaints to the house builder or the application of European Directive 2011/92/EU on their warranty provider. environmental impact assessments to the planning The Department receives quarterly performance reports system in England. [133512] from Robust Details Ltd which continue to show a high rate of success in achieving the required levels of sound Nick Boles: I refer my hon. Friend to the written insulation. ministerial statement of 6 December 2012, Official Report, I would be happy to consider meeting a group of columns 71-72WS. constituents if it is established that their concerns relate to a matter within my control. Fire Services: South West Local Government Finance: Halton Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what support Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received Communities and Local Government what the level of from neighbouring fire services during the recent central government grant to Halton Borough Council adverse weather; and what specialist equipment was area has been in each financial year since 2009-10. provided from neighbouring fire services. [133520] [133965]

Brandon Lewis: During the flooding in November, at Brandon Lewis: Formula grant, special grant and the peak of activity on the 21st, 42 pumping appliances capital grant funding for each year is given on our from Devon and Somerset were committed, with one website at: High Volume Pump from Avon Fire and Rescue Service http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/0910/ and three appliances from Dorset Fire and Rescue grant.htm#set Service in assistance. http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1011/ On Thursday 22 to Friday 23 November, four type B grant.htm#set flood rescue boat teams were stationed in Devon and http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/ Somerset from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue grant.htm#set Service, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services, and two http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1213/ from the RNLI. grant.htm#set On Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 November, four type B Funding for 2013-14 will be announced shortly alongside flood rescue boat teams were stationed in Devon and the 2013-14 Local Government Finance Report. Somerset, two each from Severn Area Rescue Association Local Government Finance: Tees Valley and the RNLI. In addition, high volume pump crews from Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Gloucestershire and Avon assisted with a major incident Communities and Local Government what the net change in Halberton, near Tiverton in Devon, when a canal in funding from central government to (a) Middlesbrough embankment collapsed, displacing a large amount of Borough Council and (b) Redcar and Cleveland Borough water. The Gloucestershire and Avon crews took part in Council was between (a) 2009-10 and 2010-11, (b) 2010-11 a 24/7 rota with Devon and Somerset Special Operations and 2011-12 and (c) 2011-12 and 2012-13; and what the crews over several days to move a large amount of estimated net change in funding will be between 2012-13 water, preventing a further canal breach which would and 2013-14. [133979] have led to the flooding of the village of Halberton. Brandon Lewis: Formula grant, special grant and Housing: Standards capital grant funding for each year is given on our website at: Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/0910/ and Local Government (1) (a) how many and (b) what grant.htm#set proportion of noise complaints were made by residents http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1011/ living in properties built to Robust Detail standards in grant.htm#set each of the last five years; [133640] http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/ (2) whether his Department has put in place measures grant.htm#set to allow people who have purchased a property built to http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1213/ Robust Detail standards to have noise transference in grant.htm#set 583W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 584W

Funding for 2013-14 will be announced shortly alongside and flood risk. Whether lack of infrastructure justifies a the 2013-14 Local Government Finance Report. reason for refusing a planning application is a matter for the decision maker, having regard to the merits of Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property the case and the legal framework.

Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities Riots Communities and Victims Panel and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2012, Official Report, column 169W, on Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for non-domestic rates: empty property, if he will publish Communities and Local Government pursuant to the the calculations that were used to provide the estimate answer of 15 October 2012, Official Report, column 228W, in that Answer. [133679] on Riot Communities and Victims’ Panel, when he plans to publish further information on the Government’s Brandon Lewis: The starting point of the estimate is response to the Riot Communities and Victims’ Panel the cost of the scheme in 2008-09 or 2011-12 as reported report. [133456] by local authorities on the National Non-domestic Rate 3 returns. In these years 100% relief was given for three Brandon Lewis: The panel published its final report months for non-industrial properties and six months on 28 March 2012 and the Secretary of State for for industrial properties. These years are selected as the Communities and Local Government, my right hon. starting point because they are the two most recent Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), years for which empty property relief closely resembled made a written ministerial statement to Parliament on the proposal outlined in the original question. In 2008-09, 13 July 2012, Official Report, columns 74-78WS, in the cost of relief was £606 million and in 2011-12 the response. In the statement the Government made the cost of relief was £859 million. These two figures, along commitment to publish further information on the with an adjustment for the change in the number of Government’s response to the panel’s report in due empty properties, are used as the basis of the low and course; this will be published shortly. high end of the range. Both figures are adjusted for inflation to produce an equivalent in 2013-14 prices. Social Rented Housing: Greater London It is then necessary to estimate the additional cost of Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for offering relief for an extra three months to non-industrial Communities and Local Government if he will estimate properties. To do this, the current cost of relief is the proportion of local authority social housing lets in reduced by the amount of relief given to properties London in 2011-12 that have been recorded in the below the £2,600 rateable value threshold for 100% Continuous Recording of Lettings and Sales data for ongoing relief. This leaves only the temporary relief that year. [R] [134133] given to industrial and non-industrial properties. This relief is then split between industrial and non-industrial Mr Prisk: I will write to the right hon. Member with properties based on the shares as reported by local the information requested following the release of data authorities on the 2008-09 National Non-domestic Rate on the total number of local authority social housing 1 returns. Once the cost of giving industrial properties lettings on 20 December. relief for three months is estimated it is multiplied by two to estimate the cost of giving relief for six months. This assumes that all those properties empty for three months will still be empty after six months. This cost is EDUCATION then added to the adjusted existing cost of relief to give a gross cost of giving permanent 100% relief to all Arts properties with a rateable value of less than £2,600 and temporary 100% relief for six months for all properties. Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which representatives of national I would note that the autumn statement announced organisations connected to the creative sectors he met plans to exempt empty new build property from business on 3 December 2012. [131949] rates for 18 months until October 2016. This will help promote development and regeneration. The costings Elizabeth Truss [holding answer 6 December 2012]: for this tax cut are in the autumn statement (Cm 8480). On 3 December 2012, the Secretary of State for Education, Planning Permission my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), met with the following representatives Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for of creative sector organisations. Communities and Local Government under what Name Representing organisation circumstances planning permission can be refused on the grounds of lack of infrastructure. [133757] Marcus Davey Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Roundhouse Nick Boles: Planning law requires that applications Sir John Sorrell Chairman, the Sorrell for planning permission must be determined in accordance Foundation with the development plan for the area, unless material Darren Henley Managing Director, Classic FM considerations indicate otherwise. The National Planning Alistair Spalding Chief Executive and Artistic Policy Framework states that development plans should Director, Sadler’s Wells set out the strategic priorities for the area. This should Ed Vaizey MP Minister for Culture, Communications and the include policies to deliver the provision of infrastructure, Creative Industries such as transport, telecommunications, waste management, 585W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 586W

Basic Skills Elizabeth Truss: The Government is currently reviewing the national curriculum in England to make sure that it Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for is as rigorous as the curricula used in the most successful Education what lifeskills educational programmes (a) education jurisdictions and that it focuses on essential he and (b) his Department has evaluated. [134072] knowledge, while giving schools greater freedom to design and teach their wider school curriculum in a way Elizabeth Truss: This Department is in the process of that best meet the needs of their pupils. assessing the strength of the evaluation of Botvin Life In terms of lessons on climate change, the Government Skills Training Programme. Once completed, the assessment believes that the Programme of Study for science should will be added to the Department’s open-access database prescribe the core scientific knowledge that underpins of evaluations of programmes aimed at improving outcomes scientific understanding, including understanding of for young people. climate change. The detailed content of the new Programme There is some international evidence that shows that of Study for all subjects of the new national curriculum, life skills programmes can have an effect on substance including physics, chemistry and biology, are still being use onset rates, for example, though some studies have developed and will be published for consultation early found that the size of these effects is small (Coggans et next year. al., 2003) and in other studies the methodology has been challenged (Botvin 1999 and Gorman 2002). Domestic Violence: Education Children in Care Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness how much Ofsted (a) spent on inspections of children’s of relationship education in (a) combating violence homes and (b) received from such inspections in the against women and girls and (b) changing attitudes last 12 months for which figures are available; and what towards domestic violence; what evidence on these issues the scheduled budget was of costs of such inspections has been presented to his Department in the last five in that period. [121812] years; what plans he has to review any such evidence; and if he will make a statement. [133981] Mr Timpson: This question is a matter for Ofsted. Sir Michael Wilshaw, the Chief Inspector, has written to Mr Timpson: There is some evidence, such as Taylor the hon. Member, and a copy of his response has been et al 2010, showing that schools-based programmes can placed in the House Libraries. improve awareness, attitudes and knowledge of gender Letter from Sir Michael Wilshaw: violence and harassment prevention. Relationship education Your recent parliamentary questions have been passed to me, can be provided by schools as part of Personal Social as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for response. Health and Economic (PSHE) education. It is for schools Between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012, Ofsted: to determine what they teach on these issues, and the Government trusts professionals in schools to decide (a) spent £13.1m on the full and interim inspections of Children’s and Secure Children’s Homes. This total expenditure represents what is most appropriate for their pupils. the full cost of inspection and includes direct, indirect and The Government recognises the importance of tackling overhead costs. violence against women and girls and all forms of (b) received £3.3m for the inspection of Children’s and Secure domestic violence. The Home Office leads cross-government Children’s Homes. work on these issues, and has an Action Plan setting out As the full cost of inspection includes direct, indirect and what is being done to address them. The Department overhead costs, it is not possible to provide a single figure for the for Education is responsible for some actions in the scheduled budget of costs for such inspections. plan and is represented at ministerial and official level A copy of this reply has been sent to David Laws, Minister of on the cross-government groups chaired by the Home State for Schools, and will be placed in the Library of both Office. Houses.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Free Schools: Teachers Education what residential children’s homes he has visited since his appointment; and on what dates. [128676] Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers without a teaching Elizabeth Truss [holding answer 19 November 2012]: qualification have been employed by free schools since The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. their introduction in 2010. [113770] Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) has not visited any residential children’s homes since his Mr Laws [holding answer 25 June 2012]: The information appointment. is not collected in the format requested. Information on the number of teachers in service is Climate Change: Curriculum collected in the annual School Workforce Census. In November 2011, 17 free schools completed the School Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Workforce Census and, within these schools, 21 (10%) Education if he will take steps to place climate change teachers in post did not have qualified teacher status. In on the national curriculum for (a) physics, (b) chemistry nine of the schools (53%), all teachers had qualified and (c) biology lessons for 11 to 16 year olds. [133812] teacher status. This is the latest information available. 587W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 588W

Ministerial Policy Advisers Elizabeth Truss [holding answer 6 December 2012]: The names of the special/policy advisers and the dates Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for that they attended departmental board meetings between Education which special advisers and policy advisers in May 2010 and October 2012 can be found in the following his Department have attended departmental board table. meetings since May 2010; and what the dates of any such meetings were. [131971]

Special/policy advisers

Tuesday 26 October 2010 Henry de Zoete—Special adviser Sam Freedman—Senior policy adviser Janet Grauberg—Senior policy adviser Elena Narozanski—Special adviser Tuesday 11 January 2011 Sam Freedman—Senior policy adviser Monday 4 April 2011 Sam Freedman—Senior policy adviser Dominic Cummings—Special adviser Henry de Zoete—Special adviser Janet Grauberg—Senior policy adviser Tuesday 10 May 2011 Sam Freedman—Senior policy adviser Tuesday 21 June 2011 Sam Freedman—Senior policy adviser Janet Grauberg—Senior policy adviser Tuesday 7 February 2012 Janet Grauberg—Senior policy adviser Sam Freedman—Senior policy Adviser Henry de Zoete—Special Adviser Dominic Cummings—Special adviser Thursday 12 July 2012 Dominic Cummings—Special adviser Thursday 4 October 2012 Dominic Cummings—Special adviser Sam Freedman—Senior policy adviser Matt Sanders—Special adviser

Pupil Exclusions Elizabeth Truss: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for (Michael Gove), has not made any assessment of, or Education how many and what proportion of pupils discussed with the Secretary of State for Health, my permanently excluded from (a) primary and (b) right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey secondary school in each local authority (i) had a (Mr Hunt), the potential health effects on students of special need, (ii) were in care and (iii) were in receipt of Academies not having to comply with the standards. free school meals in each of the last five years for which However, a number of pieces of research undertaken figures are available. [132296] by the School Food Trust, looking at school food in both Academies and maintained schools, were published Elizabeth Truss [holding answer 10 December 2012]: earlier this year. Together these showed that all of the Information has been placed in the House Libraries for Academies interviewed identified food as an important 2006/07 and for the latest year available, 2010/11 for part of overall education, and showed a strong commitment special educational needs and free school meal eligibility to providing healthy, nutritious food and to following and 2009/10 for in care. To provide data for further the standards without the requirement to do so. We do years would incur disproportionate cost. not know the numbers of Academies or maintained The latest data on exclusions was published in the schools who are offering products for sale that would “Permanent and Fixed Period Exclusions from Schools not comply with the standards. in England 2010/11” Statistical First release on 25 July The research did make it clear, however, that while 2012 at: leaders in schools recognise that healthy school food is http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001080/ important, there is room for improvement in all schools, index.shtml including those in the maintained sector. Although the Department has not received School Meals representations from health profession experts on the effects of Academies not having to comply with the Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for standards, we have received a number of representations, Education (1) what assessment he has made of the including other parliamentary questions, from stakeholders potential health effects on students of his decision to and interested parties. We take this matter very seriously, exempt schools with academy freedoms from minimum and want all pupils to have the opportunity to select a nutritional food standards; [133270] healthy, balanced school lunch. The Secretary of State (2) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of has asked Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent to examine State for Health on the potential health effects on school food across the country, in order to produce an students in academy schools of his decision to exempt action plan for schools. The plan will build on the such schools from minimum nutritional food standards; successes of the last seven years, accelerate improvements [133271] and define the role schools have to play in shaping eating habits. The reviewers are due to present their (3) what information his Department holds on the findings in 2013. number of schools exempt from nutritional food standards that are offering products for sale that would be disallowed Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for by those standards if they were applied; [133272] Education (1) what his policy is on food nutrition (4) what representations he has received from health standards in schools with academy freedoms; [133410] profession experts on the potential effects of his (2) how many schools with academy status have (a) decision to exempt schools with academy freedoms voluntarily applied and (b) declined to apply minimum from minimum nutritional food standards. [133273] nutritional food standards; [133419] 589W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 590W

(3) when his investigation into food nutrition management consultants. The Santia report has been standards will report. [133457] published on Caerphilly council’s website. The responsibility for managing the risks from asbestos Elizabeth Truss: Free schools and academies set up containing materials under the Control of Asbestos from September 2010 are not required to comply with Regulations 2012 falls to those responsible for the the school food standards set out in the Education maintenance and repair of the school buildings. (Nutritional Standards and Requirements for School Following the reporting of this incident, the Department Food) (England) Regulations 2007. has received representations from members of the Asbestos A number of pieces of research undertaken by the in Schools Group and a number of points have been School Food Trust, looking at school food in both raised by them. These points are being carefully considered academies and maintained schools, were published earlier but it is proper to wait until HSE have concluded their this year. Together these showed that all of the academies investigations and reported before deciding what action, interviewed identified food as an important part of if any, is appropriate for the Department to take. overall education, and showed a strong commitment to The Department does not have a regulatory role to providing healthy, nutritious food and to following the ensure that local authorities are fulfilling their duties in standards without the requirement to do so. the management of asbestos. It does, however, take the We do not know the numbers of academies or maintained issue of managing asbestos in our schools seriously and schools who have chosen to either follow or not follow is proactive in promoting good asbestos management in the standards. schools. On-line guidance on managing the risks from The research did make it clear, however, that while asbestos containing materials was published on the leaders in schools recognise that healthy school food is departmental website on 24 October 2012. important, there is room for improvement in all schools, http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/ including those in the maintained sector. schoolscapital/buildingsanddesign/managementofpremises/ We take this matter very seriously, and want all pupils b00215518/asbestosmanagementschools/ to have the opportunity to select a healthy, balanced asbestosmanagementresources school lunch. The Secretary of State has asked Henry DFE and the Education Funding Agency do, however, Dimbleby and John Vincent to examine school food liaise with the HSE as necessary as it is the lead regulator across the country, in order to produce an action plan and enforces the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic for schools. The plan will build on the successes of the premises such as schools. last seven years, accelerate improvements and define the Schools: Repairs and Maintenance role schools have to play in shaping eating habits. The reviewers are due to present their findings in 2013. Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what funds his Department has Schools: Asbestos distributed to schools for improvements to changing facilities in each of the last five years in each local Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for education authority; [134081] Education (1) what representations he has received on (2) what funding his Department makes available for the presence of asbestos in school premises in England improvements to school changing facilities; [134082] following the recent discovery of asbestos at Cwmcarn (3) what recent assessment he has made of changing High School in Caerphilly; and if he will make a facilities for physical education in schools. [134083] statement; [133817] (2) what steps he has taken to ensure that local Mr Laws: The Department does not allocate capital authorities are fulfilling their statutory duties in funding specifically for improvements to changing facilities. relation to a risk-based approach to the management We make maintenance funding available to local authorities of asbestos in schools. [133818] and schools, and its use is determined at a local level. The Department does not make an assessment of the Mr Laws: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provision of changing facilities. The School Premises continues to investigate the management of asbestos at Regulations 2012 state that Cwmcarn high school in Wales. ’suitable changing accommodation must be provided for pupils The investigation is assessing the local authority’s, aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive and the school’s, compliance with their duties under the physical education’. Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. This includes The following table details capital maintenance (condition reviewing the asbestos surveys, monitoring and test maintenance and devolved formula capital) allocations results; and a report prepared by Santia who are asbestos for 2007/08 to 2011/12 by local authority area.

Capital allocations: Capital maintenance and devolved formula capital1 £ million Name 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12

City of London 0.07 0.13 0.10 0.07 0.06 Camden 5.90 6.00 8.06 3.86 4.51 Greenwich 7.10 7.42 9.76 5.30 5.99 Hackney 5.11 6.25 8.00 4.70 4.41 Hammersmith and Fulham 6.28 4.15 6.53 1.82 3.55 Islington 5.47 5.33 6.96 3.56 3.61 591W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 592W

Capital allocations: Capital maintenance and devolved formula capital1 £ million Name 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12

Kensington and Chelsea 3.78 3.24 3.43 2.38 2.41 Lambeth 7.41 8.58 11.03 4.15 5.49 Lewisham 8.29 7.49 9.38 6.07 5.66 Southwark 9.04 7.75 11.35 4.24 6.09 Tower Hamlets 6.41 7.85 11.36 5.77 6.38 Wandsworth 11.45 8.23 8.85 5.06 5.56 Westminster 4.36 4.43 6.81 2.84 3.09 Barking and Dagenham 7.53 7.26 9.14 3.66 5.01 Barnet 13.41 12.10 16.99 5.22 7.53 Bexley 12.88 7.67 10.76 3.10 6.70 Brent 9.13 8.87 14.15 3.33 7.34 Bromley 12.06 9.25 15.19 3.76 10.11 Croydon 10.61 11.24 17.01 5.81 8.44 Ealing 10.03 8.04 12.78 3.11 7.16 Enfield 12.07 9.89 12.64 6.85 7.75 Haringey 6.21 6.59 10.80 3.28 5.67 Harrow 7.09 5.62 8.38 3.03 4.94 Havering 10.97 7.44 9.25 5.82 7.24 Hillingdon 11.80 8.04 12.97 3.58 8.59 Hounslow 9.75 8.65 10.14 6.04 6.40 Kingston upon Thames 6.43 4.93 6.70 2.65 4.36 Merton 4.22 4.77 7.33 2.67 3.98 Newham 7.14 7.39 12.48 3.98 6.91 Redbridge 11.87 8.66 10.89 6.07 7.31 Richmond upon Thames 5.85 4.65 5.37 3.11 3.19 Sutton 8.25 6.42 7.83 4.95 5.24 Waltham Forest 7.18 6.49 8.12 5.38 5.34 Birmingham 46.86 39.53 50.22 24.35 28.43 Coventry 14.03 10.20 14.76 4.45 6.96 Dudley 10.50 9.18 11.90 7.49 6.89 Sandwell 10.59 9.35 11.61 6.31 6.35 Solihull 9.35 6.96 8.63 5.05 5.24 Walsall 11.41 10.34 12.08 7.57 7.05 Wolverhampton 12.29 8.84 10.77 5.75 5.08 Knowsley 4.67 5.72 8.01 3.23 3.09 Liverpool 16.53 14.65 18.67 10.67 8.76 St Helens 7.94 6.07 8.28 3.51 3.62 Sefton 14.28 10.51 12.97 6.61 6.80 Wirral 13.56 10.39 14.23 6.34 7.08 Bolton 12.93 10.44 15.37 4.60 6.87 Bury 6.48 6.64 9.02 4.45 4.86 Manchester 17.78 14.61 21.09 6.22 8.70 Oldham 11.25 10.28 13.85 4.77 5.22 Rochdale 8.55 7.97 10.52 4.55 4.28 Salford 7.40 7.41 11.74 2.55 4.47 Stockport 10.71 9.72 13.76 4.49 6.26 Tameside 9.06 7.40 9.39 4.48 4.51 Trafford 9.36 8.10 10.79 5.36 5.94 Wigan 14.60 11.28 16.12 5.91 7.03 Barnsley 5.45 5.81 9.79 3.19 4.73 Doncaster 13.12 10.47 15.90 4.26 7.43 Rotherham 9.64 8.71 12.74 4.59 7.69 Sheffield 15.72 14.83 22.42 5.92 9.54 Bradford 16.94 17.77 22.14 13.42 11.72 Calderdale 8.25 7.62 11.44 3.59 5.29 Kirklees 15.44 14.94 18.24 11.52 10.90 Leeds 27.33 21.44 32.24 9.89 16.10 Wakefield 13.05 10.71 14.68 7.13 9.14 Gateshead 6.92 7.14 7.68 4.32 4.58 Newcastle upon Tyne 7.25 8.07 9.52 6.15 4.75 North Tyneside 5.92 6.37 9.99 2.69 4.52 South Tyneside 4.73 5.19 6.32 4.02 3.31 Sunderland 9.91 8.92 12.83 4.42 6.06 Isles of Scilly 0.10 0.12 0.08 0.05 0.06 593W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 594W

Capital allocations: Capital maintenance and devolved formula capital1 £ million Name 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12

Bath and North East Somerset 7.46 5.97 9.40 2.33 5.66 Bristol City of 12.35 10.48 15.10 5.12 7.66 North Somerset 9.73 5.25 7.68 2.62 4.90 South Gloucestershire 11.09 8.31 11.13 4.96 6.55 Hartlepool 3.39 3.62 4.31 2.67 2.44 Middlesbrough 3.88. 4.78 6.24 3.05 2.92 Redcar and Cleveland 6.34 4.44 5.62 3.16 .3.47 Stockton-on-Tees 6.99 6.88 8.19 5.21 4.38 Kingston upon Hull City of 7.85 7.04 11.03. 3.20 5.10 East Riding of Yorkshire 16.84 10.92 12.91 7.59 10.01 North East Lincolnshire 6.42 5.92 6.45 4.01 3.01 North Lincolnshire 4.68 4.54 7.16 2.78 3.83 North Yorkshire 23.52 23.96 30.48 19.38 20.05 York 6.97 5.65 6.98 3.05 4.08 Pre LGR (2009) Bedfordshire 21.31 15.42 0.00 0.00 0.00 Luton 5.14 5.70 9.82 2.49 5.06 Bedford 0.00 0.00 7.55 4.57 7.42 Central Bedfordshire 0.00 0.00 11.44 7.09 8.26 Buckinghamshire 22.58 13.04 28.01 6.81 15.44 Milton Keynes 11.58 8.06 9.33 5.55 7.04 Derbyshire 35.78 26.49 39.14 11.85 21.27 Derby 9.30 8.65 9.86 6.11 6.12 Dorset 16.15 13.60 19.54 7.42 10.60 Poole 4.28 4.21 4.93 3.15 2.87 Bournemouth 4.29 4.58 5.45 3.59 3.05 Durham 19.82 19.64 27.09 12.82 15.52 Darlington 3.86 3.57 3.86 2.48 2.31 East Sussex 18.38 14.76 20.69 8.65 12.18 Brighton and Hove 5.96 6.75 8.20 5.37 5.18 Hampshire 61.46 43.65 54.47 22.00 34.84 Portsmouth 5.30 5.53 6.83 4.34 4.15 Southampton 6.21 5.98 7.78 3.91 4.72 Leicestershire 26.41 20.98 26.13 14.98 16.58 Leicester 8.23 8.00 13.00 3.93 5.80 Rutland 1.34 1.15 1.55 0.98 1.00 Staffordshire 35.16 27.50 42.72 13.18 21.20 Stoke-on-Trent 5.11 6.37 8.24 5.89 4.64 Wiltshire 17.39 16.93 20.90 12.46 12.53 Swindon 7.00 5.71 9.37 2.35 4.76 Bracknell Forest 3.23 3.47 5.35 1.71 2.77 Windsor and Maidenhead 5.75 4.88 8.09 1.84 4.16 West Berkshire 5.64 6.11 8.73 5.51 5.75 Reading 5.15 3.61 5.92 1.40 3.56 Slough 5.32 4.38 5.27 3.19 3.41 Wokingham 5.41 5.47 6.76 4.19 4.09 Cambridgeshire 22.24 15.50 25.28 8.01 14.20 Peterborough 7.43 6.17 8.07 3.67 4.36 Pre LGR (2009) Cheshire 27.50 23.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 Halton 5.78 4.70 6.29 2.93 3.16 Warrington 8.90 7.25 9.99 4.25 4.87 Devon 30.82 22.43 34.53 9.71 22.17 Plymouth 13.59 9.24 10.64 5.41 9.17 Torbay 5.85 5.17 5.54 3.08 3.20 Essex 54.51 44.07 66.96 20.15 38.59 Southend-on-Sea 5.53 5.83 7.08 4.57 4.98 Thurrock 5.13 4.15 6.02 2.77 3.46 Herefordshire 7.87 6.12 8.78 3.08 4.92 Worcestershire 24.78 18.34 22.49 13.43 13.37 Kent 57.64 47.98 76.37 17.55 36.65 Medway 13.12 9.19 10.93 6.67 6.78 Lancashire 51.63 45.93 61.80 28.62 30.94 Blackburn with Darwen 7.37 6.01 6.98 4.58 3.41 Blackpool 4.74 4.44 5.88 2.77 2.79 Nottinghamshire 27.75 25.83 39.41 11.59 21.43 595W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 596W

Capital allocations: Capital maintenance and devolved formula capital1 £ million Name 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12

Nottingham 8.58 8.72 11.53 5.17 5.61 Shropshire 10.99 9.44 13.95 5.75 7.68 Telford and Wrekin 8.02 5.58 6.43 3.87 3.19 Cheshire East 0.00 0.00 14.56 8.19 10.24 Cheshire West and Chester 0.00 0.00 15.45 8.13 9.07 Cornwall 24.09 16.87 20.27 11.13 14.72 Cumbria 21.20 21.97 26.94 17.29 15.70 Gloucestershire 24.34 21.26 27.24 15.33 20.28 Hertfordshire 54.77 40.91 61.28 22.00 37.38 Isle of Wight 4.76 4.54 8.32 2.07 4.11 Lincolnshire 31.65 24.12 37.07 9.77 18.26 Norfolk 33.83 28.18 34.69 20.58 20.97 Northamptonshire 29.12 22.48 35.45 8.55 17.36 Northumberland 19.24 11.47 17.37 5.43 9.40 Oxfordshire 22.02 18.88 28.69 10.90 16.08 Somerset 22.75 17.71 26.89 8.26 14.49 Suffolk 28.61 23.60 29.87 18.31 21.32 Surrey 35.24 36.08 46.24 25.73 29.04 Warwickshire 21.31 19.91 26.95 10.74 14.74 West Sussex 30.06 23.68 33.03 12.26 18.37 1 DFC and capital maintenance (including modernisation) for maintained schools, and Academies Capital Maintenance Fund. Includes capital grant and supported borrowing.

Schools: Sports In the City Challenge, which built on the success and lesson of the London Challenge, the attainment of Dame Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) increased by Education whether his Department has undertaken any more than the national figure in all areas, with the research to establish the effects of Government funding exception of Greater Manchester primary pupils. The reductions on the level of participation by young attainment gap between pupils eligible for FSM narrowed people in school sport. [132667] for London primary-and secondary pupils, and Greater Manchester primary pupils. The proportion of good Mr Timpson: The Department no longer collects data and outstanding schools increased in all three areas. on the participation of school children in physical education and sport, as it was felt that this placed a burden on The Government is determined to narrow attainment schools that distracted them from the provision of PE gaps between disadvantaged pupils and their peers in all and school sport. Data relating to sports participation parts of the country, and that is why we have introduced is collected by the Department for Culture, Media and the pupil premium. This investment currently stands at Sport’s Taking Part survey and Sport England’s Active £1.25 billion and will rise to £1.875 billion in 2013-14. People survey. We believe that head teachers and school leaders should decide how to use the pupil premium, as they are the Schools: Standards professional experts who know their own pupils’ needs. This means that we also expect schools to take the lead Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for responsibility in assessing and accounting for their use Education what comparative assessment he has made of the premium. of the performance of schools in the London Challenge and other schools in narrowing the attainment gap The Government has commissioned an external between disadvantaged pupils and other pupils. [132974] evaluation of the premium’s first year, and also asked Ofsted to study how effectively schools are using their Mr Laws: The Department published its “Evaluation premium funding to close the gap between disadvantaged of the City Challenge Programme” report in June 2012, pupils and their peers. and it is available at Ofsted published their interim study in September https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/RSG/ publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-RR215 2012, and they will publish further findings early in 2013. In addition to this, they have an increased focus The report sets out the findings of a mixed methods on the performance of pupils who attract the premium, evaluation of the City Challenge programme in London, and on how it is used to remove barriers to learning for Greater Manchester and the Black Country, and premium pupils. Since September 2012, as part of routine retrospectively reviews the London Challenge. school inspection, Ofsted have been holding school Concerning the latter, it is clear that between 2003 leaders to account for how schools have spent their and 2011, secondary pupil attainment in London improved pupil premium and what difference this is making to the more rapidly than that in other parts of the country. learning and progress of the pupils concerned. Their The percentage of London secondary pupils achieving judgments on schools’ leadership will consider the use 5 A*-C GCSEs including English and mathematics was of both the premium and other resources to overcome below the national figure until 2004, but from 2005 on, barriers to achievement for their pupils. was above the national figure. 597W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 598W

Sick Leave education, health and social care; how to access more specialist support; how decisions are made including Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education eligibility criteria for accessing services where appropriate; pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2012, Official and how to complain or appeal. Local authorities would Report, columns 55-56W,on sick leave, what assessment be required to involve local children, young people and he has made of the difference in the proportion of families in developing their local offer to take account working days lost due to ill health between officers at of their needs and aspirations. EA grade and at SCS grade; and what assessment he The draft special educational needs provisions are has made of the use of mindfulness-based therapies in being scrutinised by the Education Select Committee. reducing the proportion of working days lost in his The Government will give careful consideration to the Department. [132700] Committee’s report when framing the legislation for introduction to Parliament. Elizabeth Truss: The Department has not carried out an assessment on the variation in proportion of sick days between officers at different grades, or the use of Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for mindfulness-based therapies in reducing the proportion Education what steps he will take to ensure that health of working days lost. and social care agencies are accountable for the services The Department encourages proactive line management they provide under the local offer. [133131] of staff that are unwell and provides a range of options to support and reduce absence. These include access to Mr Timpson: The Government published draft legislative guidance, occupational health and employee assistance. provisions for special educational needs in September 2012, including proposals for local authorities in England Special Educational Needs to publish a local offer of services for children and young people with special educational needs, including Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for those who are disabled. The local offer would set out Education whether it is his intention that disabled what families can expect from local services across children with health or care plans will have their needs education, health and social care and the eligibility met through the local offer. [132840] criteria for accessing those services where appropriate. Local authorities would be required to involve local Mr Timpson: The Government published draft legislative children, young people and families in developing their provisions for special educational needs in September local offer to take account of their needs and aspirations. 2012, including proposals for local authorities in England Each service would be accountable for delivering what to publish a local offer of services for children and is set out in the local offer and if families are unhappy young people with special educational needs, including with what they receive or what is available they would those who are disabled. The local offer would set out be able to take this up with those services. The local what families can expect from local services across offer would give details of how to complain about education, health and social care and the eligibility provision and about rights of appeal. criteria for accessing those services where appropriate. The draft special educational needs provisions are The local offer would include information about how to being scrutinised by the Education Select Committee. seek an assessment for an Education, Health and Care The Government will give careful consideration to the Plan. Local authorities would be required to involve Committee’s report when framing the legislation for local children, young people and families in developing introduction to Parliament. their local offer to ensure it takes account of their needs. The draft special educational needs provisions are Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for being scrutinised by the Education Select Committee. Education how many children with dyslexia are recorded The Government will give careful consideration to the as being in receipt of additional support at the (a) Committee’s report when framing the legislation for school action, (b) school action plus and (c) statement introduction to Parliament. level. [133632]

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure that the Mr Timpson: Information on pupils with dyslexia is services set out in local offers are sufficient to meet not available. the needs of disabled children and their families in the The available information, on the number of pupils relevant area. [133130] with statements of special educational needs or at School Action Plus, whose primary need has been identified as Mr Timpson: The Government published draft legislative a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) is shown in the provisions for special educational needs in September following table. Pupils with dyslexia as their primary 2012, including proposals for local authorities in England need are included in the SpLD category. to publish a local offer of services for children and young people with special educational needs, including Information on pupils with special educational needs those who are disabled. We anticipate that in many (including school level data) is available in the ‘Special cases this would cover services that are accessed by both Educational Needs in England: January 2012’ Statistical disabled children and young people with and without First Release which can be found at: SEN. The local offer would enable families to see readily http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001075/ what they can expect from mainstream services across index.shtml 599W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 600W

State-funded primary, state-funded secondary and special schools1,2,3,4: Number and percentage of pupils with a specific learning difficulty5,6—January 2012, England School Action Plus Statement of SEN Total Number Percentage7 Number Percentage7 Number Percentage7

Total 63,695 13.4 10,880 5.1 74,575 10.8 State-funded primary schools1,2 28,995 10.6 2,580 4.4 31,580 9.5 State-funded secondary schools1,3 34,665 17.3 7,280 11.6 41,940 15.9 Special schools4 35 2.0 1,020 1.1 1,055 1.1 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes all primary academies, including free schools. 3 Includes city technology colleges and all secondary academies, including free schools. Includes all-through schools. 4 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools and special academies. Excludes general hospital schools. 5 Includes pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. 6 Pupils at School Action Plus and those pupils with a statement of SEN provided information on their primary need and, if appropriate, their secondary need. Information on primary need only is given here. 7 Number of pupils with a specific learning difficulty expressed as a percentage of those pupils at either School Action Plus or with a statement of SEN by type of school. Note: Totals may not appear to equal the sum of the component parts because numbers have been rounded to the nearest five. Source: School Census

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for non-pathfinder local authorities. At the beginning of Education whether independent specialist colleges providing 2013, we plan to recruit between nine and 15 pathfinder further education for young people with learning difficulties champions from the pathfinders to be responsible for and disabilities will be included within the scope of his spreading pathfinder learning more widely and providing forthcoming legislative proposals to reform special support to all local authorities, and well as other groups educational needs. [133633] such as parent forums. This engagement will take place on a regional and national basis. Mr Timpson: The draft SEN provisions are currently Teachers undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny. I have been listening carefully to arguments that independent specialist colleges Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for should be included in the provisions. Education how many teachers who trained since 1997 If included, it would mean that parents or young are no longer in teaching. [131011] people would have a right to express a preference for an independent specialist college. Local authorities would Mr Laws: Provisional figures show that, of those then be required to name that institution in the education, teachers who gained qualified teacher status between health and care plan unless they consider it unsuitable 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2009, 56,700 had left for their education, or incompatible with the education service by 31 March 2010 having previously entered. of others, or efficient use of resources. I am considering This is 17.0% of all those who qualified and entered the arguments for this carefully. service during the period. The figure includes all teachers that had been in Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for service in a teaching capacity in England in publicly Education what support his Department plans to provide funded schools and further education. It also includes to local authorities as they take on new responsibilities those with service in some higher education colleges for the education of people aged between 16 and 25 and independent schools that are members of the teachers’ with a special educational need or disability. [133634] pensions scheme. An unknown number of the teachers will be teaching outside of these sectors. The figure excludes any teachers aged over 60 and those under the Mr Timpson: The new Special Needs Code of Practice age of 60 who are in receipt of a pension from the will provide guidance to local authorities on their duties teachers’ pensions scheme. around young people aged 16 to 25 with a special educational need or disability. Officials are currently Third Sector consulting representatives of the special educational need and disability sectors and wider groups on the Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for information to be included in the draft code. The Education how many allocations of funding from his Government will be consulting publicly on the new Department’s voluntary and community sector funding code before it is published. stream there have been to date; and to whom such Since September 2011, 20 special educational need allocations have been made. [133955] pathfinders consisting of 31 local authorities and primary Elizabeth Truss: The bidding exercise for the National care trusts have been testing out the main proposals Prospectus Grants Programme 2013-15 closed on contained within the Green Paper, ‘Support and Aspiration: 30 November 2012. Eligible applications are under active A New Approach to Special Educational Needs and consideration and no funding allocations have yet been Disability’, published in March 2011. made. The pathfinders have tested core elements including The previous National Prospectus Grants Programme strong partnerships between local services and agencies 2011-13 made 118 funding allocations. The list of those working together to help children and young people successful organisations can be found at the following with special educational needs and disabilities. web address: The pathfinders will run until September 2013 and http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a0074906/ have been sharing their learning on a local basis with 60-million-grant-vcs 601W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 602W

Voluntary Organisations Mr Dunne: DSTL research supports safe and effective protective measures for the UK and its armed forces Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for which could not, currently, be achieved without the use Education how much funding remains in the allocation of animals. for voluntary sector organisations being bid for within DSTL has a remit to undertake research on behalf of his Department. [133954] the UK Government. This can involve participation in International Collaboration Programmes with other allied Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education nations on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. This announced a new round of VCSE funding under the collaboration results in burden sharing and means that National Prospectus Grants Programme 2013-15 on 26 our use of animals in research studies can be reduced October 2012. The bidding exercise for this programme, below that which would be required if we were not to which will offer up to£30 million a year in 2013-14 and collaborate. 2014-15, closed on 30 November 2012. Eligible applications are under active consideration and no funding allocations As part of the licensing process, the researchers have have yet been made. to convince the Home Office that the work is required, that the results cannot be obtained without the use of animals and that every step has been taken to minimise pain and suffering to the animals involved. DEFENCE DSTL returns the numbers of procedures undertaken Afghanistan involving animals at DSTL Porton Down to the Home Office on an annual basis. The numbers of procedures Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence returned for the last three years are: what his Department’s policy is on the recording of civilian deaths as a consequence of unmanned aerial Number vehicle strikes in Afghanistan. [133763] 2009 8,452 Mr Robathan: We deeply regret all civilian casualties. 2010 9,582 While we investigate carefully all alleged incidents involving 2011 9,882 UK forces, the Government does not record total figures for civilian casualties in Afghanistan because of the The animals involved were pigs, rabbits, monkeys and immense difficulty and risks that would be involved in rodents. collecting robust data. The numbers of procedures for the 2012 calendar Protecting the Afghan civilian population is a cornerstone year is currently being compiled and will be returned to of the international security assistance force’s mission, the Home Office towards the end of January 2013. and all British troops undergo comprehensive training on the strict rules of engagement. This contrasts directly Armed Forces with the attitude of the insurgents, who use indiscriminate tactics, including suicide bombs and improvised explosive Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for devices, as well as the deliberate and targeted killing of Defence if he will make it his policy that contact civilians. between military officers and hon. Members does not Aircraft Carriers require Ministerial approval if that contact is in the course of official business. [132643] Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on the (a) Mr Philip Hammond: I refer my hon. Friend to the concept and (b) assessment phase of the decision to answer I gave on 27 March 2012, Official Report, columns install catapult and arrestor gear to the Queen Elizabeth 1050-51W,to the right hon. Member for East Renfrewshire Class aircraft carriers. [131834] (Mr Murphy). There are no plans to change the policy.

Mr Dunne [holding answer 6 December 2012]: Up Armed Forces Covenant until the end of May 2012, we had committed up to £44 million on our conversion investigations with both the US Department of Defense and UK Aircraft Carrier Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Alliance, and £1 million on an air-to-air refuelling Defence when he intends to publish the next report on study.Work to finalise the run-down costs of our conversion the Armed Forces Covenant. [131075] work continues. I am withholding the information as estimates of these costs would prejudice commercial Mr Francois [holding answer 30 November 2012]: We interests. published the report on 6 December 2012. Animal Experiments Armed Forces: Compensation Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which animals have been used in scientific Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for procedures undertaken under the provisions of the Animals Defence in what circumstances the taxable nature of (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and commissioned directly the Survivors Guaranteed Income Payment (SGIP) by his Department in each year since 2009; and how would mean that a recipient of the SGIP would receive many such animals were used in procedures at the a lower overall guaranteed income than a recipient of Porton Down facility. [130824] the Guaranteed Income Payment. [126933] 603W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 604W

Mr Francois [holding answer 6 November 2012]: A when they transfer from being in receipt of disability service person who sustains an injury is compensated, living allowance to the personal independence payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, for applies to those on all armed forces compensation loss of earnings that would otherwise have been earned schemes. [131880] through post-service civilian employment. This takes the form of a regular Guaranteed Income Payment Mr Francois [holding answer 10 December 2012]: (GIP) on leaving service. Where a service person dies in Service and ex-service personnel who are awarded an service, an eligible surviving adult dependant receives a Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) award at Survivor’s Guaranteed Income Payment (SGIP) in tariffs 1-8 or who receive a guaranteed income payment recognition of the loss of the deceased person’s earnings. of 50% or higher will be eligible, without reassessment, The GIP and SGIP are calculated in a similar way, for the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) based on the service person’s age and salary at service when it is introduced. All other service and ex-service termination or date of death. An injured service person personnel in receipt of disability living allowance (DLA) may receive 100% of the calculated figure or, depending will be subject to the personal independence payment on the nature of their injuries, the GIP may be paid at (PIP) rules including reassessment when it is introduced. 75%, 50% or 30% levels. The SGIP is set at 60% of the However, those who receive compensation under the full GIP. Thus in identical career circumstances, the War Pensions Scheme have access to other, more generous, SGIP will be lower than the GIP received by more allowances in place of DLA. These additional war seriously injured personnel, but more than the GIP pensions allowances will continue and not be changed received by those with less serious injuries (although when PIP is introduced. this does not take account of other payments, additional to the SGIP, made to eligible children). Armed Forces: Deployment HM Revenue and Customs legislation regards the SGIP as ″additional income″ in recognition of any Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for salary that the spouse may be earning, and it is therefore Defence what operations have involved the deployment subject to taxation. SGIP payments are calculated in of UK armed forces personnel since 2010. [131586] such a way as to make an element of the award effectively tax free. It is primarily the method of calculating the Mr Robathan [holding answer 4 December 2012]: I award, rather than its taxable status, which results in the refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on SGIP representing a lower overall guaranteed income 17 September 2012, Official Report, column 453W, to than the 100% GIP. the hon. Member for East Antrim (Sammy Wilson), which details deployment of UK armed forces personnel Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for on United Nations-led missions and operations in support Defence how many people in receipt of (a) in-work of United Nations Security Council Resolutions in the and (b) out-of-work benefits received in-service last five years. fatality compensation in each year since 2005. [131831] I also refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 November 2012, Official Report, column Mr Francois [holding answer 6 December 2012]: The 162W, to the hon. Member for North Devon (Sir Nick Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information Harvey), which details the deployment of UK armed on how many people in receipt of in-work and out-of-work forces personnel on operations alongside other European benefits received in-service fatality compensation. nations, including EU and NATO operations in the last five years. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for I also refer the right hon. Member to the answer I Defence what the average payment by his Department gave on 8 October 2012, Official Report, column 657W was of in-service fatality compensation in each year and the answer I gave on 5 December 2012, Official since 2005. [131832] Report, column 768W,to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Martin Horwood), which details the deployment of Mr Francois [holding answer 6 December 2012]: The UK personnel on Common Foreign and Security Policy information is not held centrally and could be provided or Common Security and Defence Policy operations. only at disproportionate cost. In addition, the table details significant1 deployments of UK armed forces personnel, on national operations Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for overseas, since 2010: Defence what discussions he and Ministers of his 1 This table does not cover training, exercise and capacity building Department have had with their Ministerial colleagues deployments. in the Department for Work and Pensions on exempting in-service fatality compensation from calculations of Operation Remarks welfare entitlement. [131833] Atlantic Patrol Task Providing support to British Overseas (North) Territories, Humanitarian Aid, Disaster Mr Francois [holding answer 6 December 2012]: Ministry relief and counter narcotics operations of Defence Ministers have regular discussions with Atlantic Patrol Task Protecting British overseas territories in ministerial colleagues in the Department of Work and (South) the South Atlantic Pensions about a wide variety of issues. Continuous At Sea CASD is the UK’s most enduring Deterrence (Op operation, providing a credible and capable Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Relentless) deterrent for over 40 years. Defence Presence in the Maritime Security Operations in the Gulf Defence whether the guarantee not to reassess those Gulf(Op Kipion) and counter piracy off the Horn of Africa who are part of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme 605W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 606W

Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for that a proportion may be using food banks. There is no Defence (1) which postings in the (a) Army, (b) Royal requirement to identify oneself as a veteran when using Navy and (c) Royal Air Force last longer than 13 these services. weeks; and how many people undertook each such Armed Forces: Redundancy posting in each year since 2005; [132467] (2) which training courses in the (a) Army, (b) Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force take longer than Defence what estimate he has made of the number of 13 weeks; and how many people took part in each such members of the armed forces whose application for course in each year since 2005; [132468] voluntary redundancy was approved based on their (3) which deployments in the (a) Army, (b) Royal total years of service who had their redundancy package Navy and (c) Royal Air Force last longer than 13 reduced because their accumulated years involved a weeks; and how many people undertook in each such break in service; and if he will make a statement. deployment in each year since 2005. [132469] [130234]

Mr Francois [holding answer 10 December 2012]: Mr Francois [holding answer 26 November 2012]: We Postings in all three services exceed 13 weeks; most are believe that in the Tranche 2 redundancy process, there for two years or more, although service personnel may may have been a small number of personnel who, in be sent on short-term detachments during this period. calculating their entitlements using an online redundancy Virtually all trained service personnel are posted to a calculator, did not take into account gaps in service. unit. Most Army deployments are for a minimum of six Personnel who had a break in service that spanned the months and the Royal Navy and RAF deploy units, transition between the Armed Forces Pension Scheme composite unit elements or individuals to operational (AFPS) 75 and AFPS 05 would not necessarily be theatres for various lengths of time. Similarly there is a eligible to aggregate their service for the purposes of a multitude of training courses run by the single services redundancy package. covering career, operational, platform specific and Written redundancy forecasts, issued in June 2012, professional training, added to which are those run by outlined the exact package to which applicants were the Defence Academy. Many of these exceed 13 weeks. entitled. The information requested about training is not held The online redundancy calculator is an anonymous centrally and for the last seven years could be provided tool and holds no personal data, so it is not possible to only at disproportionate cost. identify the number of personnel who used it to estimate Armed Forces: Museums and Galleries their redundancy payment and subsequently received a lower formal forecast. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for However, the Ministry of Defence is aware of 14 Defence how many British Army regimental museums cases in which Army personnel have appealed after receiving lower redundancy payment forecasts than they there are in the UK. [132017] had expected after using the online redundancy calculator. Mr Francois: There are 130 British Army regimental No known cases exist in the Royal Navy or Royal Air museums in the UK. Force. Armed Forces: Retirement Armed Forces: Poverty Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Defence pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2012, for Defence if he will commission research to establish Official Report, columns 438-9W, on armed forces: to what extent former armed service personnel are retirement, which of the retired service personnel listed dependent on food banks both for themselves and in the answer have had meetings with Ministers in his members of their families, and to establish what efforts Department after their official retirement date. [131594] are being made to address that problem. [132488] Mr Francois [holding answer 4 December 2012]: The Mr Francois [holding answer 10 December 2012]: following table shows meetings between Ministers and The Ministry of Defence has no plans to commission the 24 retired service personnel listed in the answer research along the lines suggested. There are some 4.6 provided on 5 November 2012, Official Report, columns million veterans in the UK, and it is therefore possible 438-39W:

Minister Date Retired personnel Purpose of meeting

Right Hon. Andrew Robathan (Min 27 November 2012 Lieutenant-General Barnabas White- Constituency meeting AF) Spunner Philip Dunne MP (Min DEST) 25 October 2012 General Kevin O’Donoghue RUSI Acquisition Focus Group had meeting with Minister—Kevin O’Donoghue attended Right Hon. Andrew Robathan MP 22 March 2011, 20 July 2011 and Vice Admiral Alan Massey As part of the UK Hydrographic (Min DPWV) 29 September 2011 Office Owners Council Right Hon. Mark Francois MP (Min 5 November 2012 Air Marshal Chris Nickols Minister met him in his capacity as DPWV) chief executive of the RAF Benevolent Fund to discuss service, family, welfare and veterans issues 607W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 608W

Armed Forces: Sexual Offences Dr Murrison: The United Kingdom and Canada share a close and historic defence relationship; we remain Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence the only two members of NATO, the G8, the G20 and how many cases of alleged (a) rape and (b) sexual the Commonwealth. UK armed forces work across a assault have (i) been tried in the Service Civilian Court whole range of bilateral activities with their Canadian and (ii) resulted in a conviction since 2000; and if he counterparts. This relationship was invigorated by the will make a statement. [131261] endorsement of the Canada-UK Joint Declaration in September 2011 by the Prime Minister and the Canadian Mr Francois: There have been two cases of alleged Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In addition, we are sexual assault that have been tried in the Service Civilian pursuing areas through NATO where we can deliver Court since 2005, one in 2005 and one in 2010. The closer ties across defence, particularly as we refocus charge of sexual assault in 2005 was changed to one of post-Afghanistan; working with Canada is part of this battery and a conviction resulted. The 2010 case resulted effort. in a conviction for sexual assault. There were no trials for rape in the Service Civilian Court. Conditions of Employment During this period there have been other cases of rape and sexual assault which were initially directed for Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for trial in the Service Civilian Court, but subsequently Defence what proportion of civil servants in his directed to either District Court Martial (DCM) or Department have requested (a) part-time, (b) job- General Court Martial (GCM). DCMs and GCMs share or (c) other flexible working arrangements in were replaced by “Court Martial”after the implementation each of the last five years; and how many such requests of Armed Forces Act 2006 in 2009. were granted. [132740] The Service Civilian Court was referred to as the Standing Civilian Court until October 2009. Mr Francois [holding answer 10 December 2012]: No Information for the period 2000 to 2004 could be information is held on either the number of requests provided only at disproportionate cost. made, or the number of civil servants working under flexible working arrangements. Assets However, the number of civilian staff who were granted part-time working arrangements, including job share Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for arrangements, in the last five years is shown in the Defence if he will place in the Library a list of each following table. The 2012 figures reflect the position to asset on the defence estate in each nation and region of 30 November 2012. the UK, by (a) estimated worth of each asset and (b) running cost of each asset in the last 12 months. Number [131941] 2008 903 Mr Francois [holding answer 6 December 2012]: For 2009 801 commercial reasons the Ministry of Defence (MOD) 2010 753 does not release information on the value of individual 2011 663 assets. The information on the running cost of every 2012 437 asset on the Defence estate is not held centrally and Total 3,557 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on the overall cost of the Defence estate As at 30 November 2012, there are 4,963 part-time is published in the MOD’s Annual Report and Accounts, civilian employees in the Ministry of Defence. which is available on the MOD website at the following address: Consultants https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-annual- report-and-accounts-2011-12 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Astute Class Submarines how many full-time equivalent staff were employed on consultancy contracts in his Department on the latest date for which figures are available; how many such Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for staff were employed on the same date 12 months ago; Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the and if he will make a statement. [132205] public purse of Project Chalfont. [132831]

Mr Dunne: I am withholding the information requested Mr Francois: We contract for external assistance with for the purpose of safeguarding national security. In consultancy companies to deliver a specific output at an addition, disclosure of the information would, or would agreed price. The number of individual consultants be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or actually employed is a commercial matter for the contractor security of our armed forces. involved. All spending on consultancy complies with the tighter Canada controls announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne) Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for on 24 May 2010, details of which can be found at: Defence what plans his Department has for defence http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/cabinet- co-operation with Canada. [133403] office-controls-guidance 609W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 610W

Expenditure on consultancy is now published annually No discussions have occurred or are planned with in UK Defence Statistics and can be found at: Moray Estates. http://www.dasa.mod.uk/modintranet/UKDS/UKDS2011/c1/ Defence trans_sup.php Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for what progress he has made on the plans announced by Defence (1) what the highest daily rate paid by his the Prime Minister at Farnborough Air Show on 10 Department to a consultant with an existing contract July 2012 to create a defence and security industry is; [132440] initiative to parallel the Aerospace Grants Partnership; (2) what the average daily rate paid by his what areas of activity will be covered by the initiative; Department to consultants with an existing contract is; and if he will make a statement. [131926] [132441] Mr Dunne: We support the work that the Secretary of (3) what the highest hourly rate charged to his State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Department is by a consultant with an existing Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), is leading to contract in the (a) current and (b) previous financial develop the Defence Growth Partnership (DGP). This year; [132924] will bring industry and Government together to identify (4) what the current average hourly rate charged to ways to remove barriers to growth and enhance the his Department is by consultants with an existing competitiveness of the UK defence sector. It is an contract; [132925] opportunity to build on the work, as set out in the (5) what the average daily rate charged to his National Security Through Technology White Paper Department is by consultants with an existing contract; (CM 8278), to encourage UK-based companies to fulfil [132926] our requirements and export successfully. The partnership (6) what is the current highest daily rate charged to will look at a range of issues, including how we exploit his Department by a consultant with an existing links between civil and military technologies, skills required contract. [132936] for the sector, and how there can be more flexibility in the workforce between the defence sector and advanced Mr Francois [holding answer 10 December 2012]: We manufacturers. contract for external assistance with consultancy companies BIS has been holding discussions with industry and to deliver a specific output at an agreed price. The daily its representatives to determine the framework for the rate paid to individual consultants is a commercial DGP’s work. The Minister of State, Department for matter for the contractor involved. Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend All spending on consultancy complies with the tighter the Member for Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon), will co-chair controls announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the DGP on behalf of the Government and we will my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr shortly announce the name of the industry co-chair. Osborne), details of which can be found at: Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/cabinet- Defence what recent assessment he has made of the office-controls-guidance significance of the (a) aerospace, (b) naval and (c) Expenditure on consultancy is now published annually military ground vehicle industry as a component of the in UK Defence Statistics and can be found at: UK’s defence industrial base; and if he will make a http://www.dasa.mod.uk/modintranet/UKDS/UKDS2011/c1/ statement. [132012] trans_sup.php Mr Dunne: The Government recognises the significant contribution the UK defence industry makes in supplying Dalgety Bay our armed forces. The defence industry is an integral part of our advanced manufacturing base and UK Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for companies have some of the most high-tech manufacturing Defence what recent assessment he has made of reports facilities in the world. As we set out in the National on the incidence of cancer in the Dalgety Bay area. Security Through Technology White Paper (CM 8278) [133288] the best way for UK industry to remain strong is to be competitive. Our approach provides the right incentives Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence has made no to grow thriving, vibrant companies that can compete assessment of the recent reports concerning the incidence globally and supply the UK armed forces with the of cancer as this is not within its remit. capabilities they require. This is why the White Paper also set out a range of Government action including Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for sustaining investment in defence science and technology, Defence (1) whether he has received any encouraging small and medium sized enterprises to representations about the repositioning of radioactive fulfil their potential, and increasing support to responsible materials from the Dalgety Bay foreshore; [133289] defence exports. (2) whether his talks with Moray Estates on Dalgety Defence Equipment Bay foreshore have taken place; and what the result was of any such talks. [133290] Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement of 14 May 2012, Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence has not received Official Report, columns 261-4, on defence budget and any representations about the repositioning of radioactive transformation, what airlift capabilities are part of the materials from the Dalgety Bay foreshore. Core Equipment Programme. [132888] 611W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 612W

Mr Dunne: The airlift capabilities in the Core Equipment Mr Dunne: The heavy armoured platforms in the Programme consist of current in-service capabilities Core Equipment Programme consist of the following plus the following equipment programmes and their in-service capabilities: support costs for which funding is allocated: Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank A330 Voyager AS90 Self Propelled Artillery piece A400M Atlas Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle BAE 146 Quick Change Titan Armoured Bridge Layer Trojan Armoured Engineer Vehicle Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Statement of 14 May 2012, Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Official Report, columns 261-4, on defence budget and Defence pursuant to the statement of 14 May 2012, transformation, what helicopter capabilities are part of Official Report, columns 261-4, on defence budget and the Core Equipment Programme. [132889] transformation, what counter chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear capabilities are part of the Mr Dunne: The helicopter capabilities in the Core Core Equipment Programme. [132895] Equipment Programme consist of current in-service capabilities plus the following equipment programmes Mr Dunne: The chemical, biological, radiological and and their support and training costs: nuclear capabilities in the Core Equipment Programme Chinook Mk6 New Buy consist of current in-service capabilities plus the following Apache Capability Sustainment Programme equipment programmes and their support costs for Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme which funding is allocated: Puma Life Extension Programme Aircrew Protective Equipment and Detection Falkland Island Search and Rescue and Support Helicopter Hazard Management Wildcat—Army and Navy variants Light Role Team Enhancement Medical Countermeasures Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Networked Biological, Radiological, and Chemical Information Defence pursuant to the statement of 14 May 2012, System Official Report, columns 261-4, on defence budget and Personal Decontamination transformation, (1) what carrier strike capabilities are part of the Core Equipment Programme; [132890] Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) what the surface fleet is in the Core Equipment Defence pursuant to the statement of 14 May 2012, Programme. [132891] Official Report, columns 261-4, on defence budget and transformation, what submarine capabilities form part Mr Dunne: The Carrier Strike capabilities in the Core of the Core Equipment Programme. [132896] Equipment Programme consist of the following equipment programmes and their support and training costs for Mr Dunne: The submarine capabilities in the Core which funding is allocated: Equipment Programme consist of current in-service Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers capabilities plus the following equipment programmes and their support and training costs for which funding Joint Combat Aircraft is allocated: Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Tankers Astute Class submarines Crowsnest—Airborne maritime surveillance and control, to be fitted to the Merlin Mk2 helicopter, which will replace the Sea Successor programme to replace the Vanguard Class submarines. King Airborne Surveillance and Control (SKASaC) system The main investment decision is due in 2016. Maritime Underwater Future Capability Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Statement of 14 May 2012, Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Official Report, columns 261-4, on defence budget and Defence pursuant to the statement of 14 May 2012, transformation, what fast jet capabilities are part of the Official Report, columns 261-64, on defence budget and Core Equipment Programme. [132892] transformation, whether the cost of personnel from all three services is included as part of the Core Equipment Mr Dunne: The fast jet capabilities in the Core Equipment Programme. [132897] Programme consist of current in-service capabilities plus the following equipment programmes and their Mr Dunne: The cost of service personnel is not included support and training costs for which funding is allocated: as part of the Core Equipment Programme. Typhoon Tranche 3 Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for F35-B Joint Strike Fighter (Lightning II) Defence pursuant to the statement of 14 May 2012, Typhoon Future Capability Package 1 Official Report, columns 261-64, on defence budget and Typhoon Future Capability Package 2 transformation, whether any items on the single integrated priority list are included in the Core Equipment Programme. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for [132899] Defence pursuant to the statement of 14 May 2012, Official Report, columns 261-4, on defence budget and Mr Dunne: The Single Integrated Priority List is a transformation, what heavy armoured platforms are consolidated list of the Ministry of Defence’s future part of the Core Equipment Programme. [132894] priorities for investment in military capability. It is 613W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 614W separate from the core equipment programme, which (ii) Military staff consists of those equipment programmes to which we 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 have already made a commitment to invest, their support Donnington 14 12 10 14 8 costs, and the support costs for in-service equipment. Bicester 66 48 56 54 40 During the course of Annual Budgeting Cycle 13, the Total 80 60 66 68 48 new discipline in our budgetary regime has allowed us to give the go ahead for a series of equipment projects, some of which were previously on the Single Integrated Defence Infrastructure Organisation Priority List, which have now been brought into the core equipment programme. This includes targeting Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for pods for fast jets, 76 additional Foxhound patrol vehicles, Defence if he will estimate the number of people who better protection systems for Tornado GR4, additional will be employed by his Department’s Defence precision-guided Paveway IV bombs and enhancements Infrastructure Organisation in (a) Scotland, (b) England, to Merlin helicopters. (c) Northern Ireland and (d) Wales in 2014. [130437]

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Francois: The Defence Infrastructure Organisation Defence pursuant to the statement of 14 May 2012, (DIO) transformation programme will determine both Official Report, columns 261-4, on defence budget and the future operating model and most appropriate corporate transformation, what Intelligence, Surveillance, Target structure for the DIO. Further work is ongoing on the Acquisition, and Reconnaissance capabilities are part future laydown of personnel and bases; this is expected of the Core Equipment Programme. [132900] to report in early 2013.

Mr Dunne: Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) in the Core Equipment Defence which companies have given a formal expression Programme consists of current in-service capabilities of interest to become the Defence Infrastructure plus the following equipment programmes and their Organisation’s strategic business partner. [131776] support costs for which funding is allocated: Airseeker—Airborne signals intelligence Mr Francois: Following an exercise which saw over 50 companies expressing initial interest in becoming the Crowsnest—Airborne maritime surveillance and control Strategic Business Partner to the Defence Infrastructure Scavenger—Future armed operational unmanned air system Organisation, seven formal Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (UAS) were received. After evaluation, the following three Seaseeker—Maritime electronic surveillance consortia have been selected to continue in the competition: Seer—Tactical electronic surveillance deployed on land Telereal Trillium/KPMG/Mace Sentinel—Airborne wide area surveillance Serco/DTZ/Bechtel Sentry—Air command and control and situational awareness Capita/URS/PA Consulting Solomon—A programme to improve the coordination and dissemination of ISTAR Defence: Procurement Watchkeeper—Tactical UAS Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Equipment and Support Defence (1) how many platforms have had the assessment phase of the procurement cycle altered since May 2010; Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence and what assessment he has made of the effect of such how many (a) civilian and (b) military staff have been changes on the (a) overall cost of programmes and (b) employed at (i) COD Donnington and (ii) COD Bicester in-service dates; [131861] by Defence Equipment and Support in each year since (2) how many platforms have had the detail of the 2005; and if he will make a statement. [132904] manufacturing phase of the procurement cycle altered since May 2010; and what assessment he has made of Mr Dunne: Figures for 2005 and 2006 cannot be the effect of such changes on the (a) overall cost of supplied because Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) programmes and (b) in-service dates; [131862] was not formed until 2007. The number of civilian staff (3) how many platforms have had the detail of their employed by DE&S at the Central Ordnance Depots development phase of the procurement cycle altered Donnington and Bicester, as at 1 April each year since since May 2010; and what assessment he has made of 2007 is shown in the following table: the effect of such changes on the (a) overall cost of (i) Civilian staff programmes and (b) in-service dates; [131863] 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 (4) how many platforms have had the detail of the disposal phase of the procurement cycle altered since COD 614 669 609 613 588 577 May 2010; and what assessment he has made of the Donnington effect of such changes on the (a) overall cost of COD 866 832 719 756 656 613 Bicester programmes and (b) in-service dates; [131864] (5) how many platforms have had the detail of their Information on military personnel before 2008 is not in-service phase of the procurement cycle altered since held. The overall numbers of military personnel involved May 2010; and what assessment he has made of the in COD tasks over the years 2008 to 2012 are shown in effect of such changes on the (a) overall cost of the following table: programmes and (b) in-service dates. [131865] 615W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 616W

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for public to protect any commercial confidentialities and Defence (1) how many and which platforms have had the provision of free and frank advice to Ministers. their in-service date changed since May 2010; [131878] However, where projects of concern were identified, (2) how many platforms have had the detail of the these would be publicly listed. There has only been one Concept phase of the procurement cycle altered since project of concern listed to date, which was Project May 2010; and what the effect has been on (a) the Valiant Jetty. overall cost of the programme across its lifespan and The latest edition of the NAO’s Major Project Review (b) its in-service date in each case. [131879] is due for publication in early January 2013 and this will provide review and analysis of the MOD’s project Mr Dunne [holding answers 6 and 10 December 2012]: performance, how the Department seeks to control cost We do not routinely publish in-service dates (ISD) and and timeline and the performance of major acquisition costs for projects which have not passed their main projects. investment decision as to do so would risk prejudicing the Department’s commercial position. I am therefore Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for withholding the information requested about projects Defence how many defence equipment and support in their assessment phase. contracts his Department has renegotiated in the latest The following major projects (that is, those with an period for which figures are available; and what saving acquisition value greater than £100 million) which were accrued from each such renegotiation. [132574] in the demonstration and manufacture stage had changes Mr Dunne: I refer the right hon. Member to the made to their ISD or costs due to deliberate decisions answer I gave on 8 October 2012, Official Report, made by the Department. I have excluded changes to column 665W,to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor projects caused by unforeseen factors or factors outside View (Alison Seabeck). the Department’s control. The details of changes to the following platforms can be found in the Strategic Defence Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for and Security Review (SDSR) 2010 and the NAO Major Defence how many members of the armed forces have Projects Report 2011: worked in defence procurement in his Department for a Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers period of two years or more. [132575] Joint Combat Aircraft Astute class submarines Mr Dunne: Information on the number of armed T45 Destroyer forces personnel that have worked in any aspect of Nimrod MRA4. defence procurement for over two years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate Two other projects which were post Main Gate have cost. In terms of those armed forces personnel currently been delayed. The details of these decisions are employed in Defence Equipment and Support, of 3,817 commercially sensitive and their release could prejudice posts, 18 have served in their current posts for two years the Department’s negotiations with its industrial partners. or more as at 30 November 2012. Twenty-seven platforms have had the length of their expected time in-service altered as a result of departmental Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for planning round decisions taken since May 2010. The Defence over what period the £8 billion contingency in expected financial impact of these changes was a saving the defence equipment and support budget will be of around £4.8 billion over the course of the decade. Of available. [132582] the 30 individual decisions (some platforms had more than one decision attached to them over this period), Mr Dunne: I refer the right hon. Member to the the effect of 21 of them was to bring forward the statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, out-of-service date (OSD) and the effect of nine of my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and them was to delay it. Weybridge (Mr Hammond) on 14 May 2012, Official Report, columns 261-65. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recent decisions have been taken by Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Major Projects Review Board to alter the timeline Defence which countries the UK has procured defence of scope of specific platforms; [132572] (a) equipment and (b) support services from in each financial year since 2000-01 by contract value. [132589] (2) what the net total saving to his Department was directly arising from the work of the Major Projects Mr Dunne: The compilation of statistics relating to Review Board in the latest period for which figures are imports of defence equipment or support services was available. [132573] discontinued under the last administration. The final set of statistics relating to defence imports for 2007 Mr Dunne: The purpose of the Major Projects Review were published in UK Defence Statistics 2008 which Board is regularly to review the Ministry of Defence can be viewed at: (MOD) most significant projects and in particular those http://www.dasa.mod.uk/modintranet/UKDS/UKDS2008/c1/ at risk of failure. Its aim is to ensure that projects keep table113.html to the cost and time parameters agreed by the Department’s Investment Approvals Committee and HM Treasury at Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for the major investment decision point. Defence how many meetings (a) he and (b) each It was agreed by the then Secretary of State, my right Minister in his Department had with defence contractors hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), on the renegotiation of defence contracts since May in June 2011 that the discussions would not be made 2010. [132927] 617W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 618W

Mr Dunne [holding answer 10 December 2012]: As Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence’s policies on part of routine business, Defence Ministers hold regular leases, and action to be taken to comply with accounting meetings on a number of issues with our major contractors. standards and legislation, can be found on page 120 of These include discussions on defence equipment and the 2011-12 annual report, a copy of which is available support programmes. in the Vote Office. It is also available on the MOD website at the following address: European Fighter Aircraft http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/ CorporatePublications/AnnualReports/ Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Military Aircraft what progress his Department has made on the development of the e-scan radar planned for deployment on Typhoon Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [131283] Defence when the last TriStar aircraft will be retired; and what estimate he has made of the cost of extending Mr Dunne [holding answer 3 December 2012]: The the service life of those aircraft to that date. [133235] Typhoon partner nations are currently assessing industry proposals for a range of options to integrate e-scan Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I radar onto the Typhoon fleet as part of the project’s gave on 31 October 2012, Official Report, column 297W. assessment phase activity. Military Aircraft: Helicopters Germany Mr Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for what consideration he is giving to the procurement of Defence pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2012, an alternative model of attack helicopter if the Apache Official Report, column 246W, on Germany, if he will AH-64D cannot be upgraded at an acceptable price. list each meeting in the last six months he has had with [133531] ministerial colleagues on the withdrawal of British military bases from Germany. [134098] Mr Dunne: The Attack Helicopter Capability Sustainment Programme is currently in its concept phase. Mr Robathan: A specific list of meetings on the All viable options are being investigated to maintain withdrawal of British military bases from Germany is operational attack helicopter capability and no decisions not held. However Ministers and Ministry of Defence have been made. officials continue to have regular meetings on a range of Military Alliances issues some of which will have included basing. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Investment Approvals Committee Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure that robust budgets are being adhered to in collaborative Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for defence projects. [130408] Defence when the Investment Approvals Committee will next meet; and what items will be discussed at this Mr Dunne: Before approval is given for any major meeting. [132670] investment decision, including international collaborative defence projects, the business case and contracts are Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence Investment subjected to rigorous independent departmental and Approvals Committee will next meet on 16 January cross-departmental scrutiny and due diligence. This scrutiny 2013. The Committee will discuss a range of equipment includes the cost assurance, value for money, commercial capability projects. rigour and affordability of the proposals. As is the case with national programmes, international ISTAR collaborative proposals must demonstrate that they represent a cost-effective approach throughout the Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for procurement process. Defence if he will publish his Department’s assessment Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for of the UK’s ISTAR requirements. [132584] Defence what the cost to his Department was of military collaboration projects (a) in the EU, (b) with Mr Robathan: It would be inappropriate to publish a non-EU countries, excluding the US and (c) with the full assessment of the UK’s intelligence, surveillance, US in the last year. [132354] target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) requirements as its disclosure could prejudice the capability, effectiveness Mr Dunne: Ministry of Defence expenditure on military or security of the armed forces. collaboration equipment projects for the financial year 2011-12 is shown in the following table. Leasing Military collaboration projects Expenditure (£ million)

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for EU 2,503 Defence what steps he plans to take to ensure that his Non-EU 27 Department complies with accounting requirements US 481 with regard to leases. [133173] 619W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 620W

Two projects include a collaboration of EU, non-EU Mr Francois: The general responsibility for the countries and the US which have been included in the maintenance and enforcement of the criminal law in the non-EU category above. UK rests with local police forces. However, in order to counter its major crime threats and risks, the Ministry Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency of Defence has a requirement for dedicated Ministry of Defence police resources to be focused on the prevention and investigation of fraud, corruption and theft of key Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Defence equipment and assets, the loss of which would how many detectives have been employed by the have a significant impact on Defence operational Ministry of Defence Police in each year since 2005; and effectiveness, and the recovery of such equipment and if he will make a statement. [132905] assets. The MOD has assessed that such capabilities should remain available to it. Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence Police Criminal Investigation Department’s strength as at the end of Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for March in each year is as follows: Defence what assessment he has made of future manpower requirements for the Ministry of Defence As at March each year: Strength Police; and if he will make a statement. [133067]

2005 148 Mr Francois: Work is currently under way to determine 2006 150 the future Ministry of Defence police requirements 2007 162 across the United Kingdom. 2008 189 2009 182 Official Hospitality 2010 180 2011 165 2012 147 Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent for hospitality purposes on (a) Champagne, (b) wines, (c) spirits, (d) Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence soft drinks, (e) flowers, (f) laundry, (g) porterage, (h) what estimated value of fraud has been the trigger for china, (i) cutlery and (j) venue hire since May 2010. an investigation by Ministry of Defence Police in each [132871] year between 2005 and 2012; and if he will make a statement. [132906] Mr Francois: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr Francois: Ministry of Defence Police investigations, including fraud, are generally determined in terms of Information on overall hospitality and entertainment whether the crime impacts significantly against Defence expenditure is published in the annual report, which is capability rather than a predetermined value. available on the Ministry of Defence website at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-annual- Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence report-and-accounts-2011-12 what the investigation responsibilities are of the (a) Ministry of Defence Police and (b) Royal Military Police; and if he will make a statement. [132907] Overseas Workers

Mr Francois: The general responsibility for the Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for maintenance and enforcement of the criminal law in the Defence in which countries staff of his Department are United Kingdom rests with local police forces. However, permanently based. [132585] the service police have a concurrent jurisdiction over all persons subject to the Armed Forces Act 2006. The Mr Francois: Military and civilian employment figures Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) also have a concurrent in countries where staff are permanently based, are jurisdiction (under the MDP Act 1987), over what may published in the United Kingdom Defence Statistics very broadly be described as defence property and Quarterly Location Statistics Tables 1.1a (all personnel) defence personnel. In some cases it will be more appropriate and Tables 1.1b (military broken down by service) showing for the MDP or service police to deal with defence-related the position as at 1 October 2012. crime. A flexible approach, based on consultation and These figures can be found at: agreement at local level, is encouraged, where the respective http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index. police forces discuss who is best placed to take action php?page=48&thiscontent=120&pubType=0&date=2012-11- based on availability of resources, jurisdiction and the 22&disText=01%20Oct%202012&from=historic&topDate=2012-11- public interest. These arrangements are set out in Home 22&PublishTime=09:30:00 Office Circular 028/2008 ‘A Protocol between police forces and the Ministry of Defence Police’. Pay

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the contribution Defence how much was paid in (a) year end and (b) of the Ministry of Defence Police to investigating theft in-year bonuses to officials in his Department in each from the Ministry of Defence. [133066] of the last two years. [132855] 621W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 622W

Mr Francois: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) Defence with reference to Table 2.2 of the Autumn on 31 October 2012, Official Report, columns 294-95W. Statement, (1) from where the saving of £245 million to I reiterate that the performance-related element of pay, his Department’s resource budget is to be made in colloquially referred to as a ’bonus’ is actually part of 2013-14; [133203] the Ministry of Defence’s pay bill, an arrangement set (2) how much of the reduction in his Department’s up by the previous Government. Such payments are budget in 2013-14 is accounted for by unallocated non-pensionable, and reduce the overall cost of employing provision. [133223] civil servants. Piracy Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the savings announced in the Autumn Statement Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for on the contingency for the Core Equipment Programme; Defence for which trade routes the UK participates in [133219] counter-piracy operations. [132588] (2) what assessment he has made of the potential Mr Robathan: The UK contributes to three multi- effects of the savings announced in the Autumn Statement national counter-piracy operations in the Indian ocean on the Core Equipment Programme in each year from region, principally to protect the trade route through 2014-15. [133220] the gulf of Aden. These are Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 151, the EU’s Operation Atalanta Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 12 December and NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield. 2012]: The saving of £245 million required in 2013-14 will be found from the Departmental Unallocated Provision These commitments are consistent with the policy of from 2012-13, which the Treasury has agreed can be the previous Government. In addition, the UK is providing carried forward. personnel to the European Union’s regional maritime capacity-building mission to Somalia and the Indian The autumn statement of 5 December 2012, Official ocean EUCAP Nestor. The UK is also a member of the Report, columns 871-822, announced reductions in the Singapore-based Regional Co-operation Agreement on Defence Resource budget in 2013-14 and 2014-15. This Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery (ReCAAP) in had no effect on the Core Equipment Programme in Asia. these years, including the contingency, which remains in excess of £4 billion over the 10-year budget period. Porton Down: Animal Experiments The 2013 spending review will set departmental budgets for 2015-16, but HM Treasury have confirmed that the Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Department can continue to plan on an assumption of Defence how many of the project licences granted under a 1% real terms annual increase in the MOD Equipment the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Programme from 2015. Act 1986 for use in Porton Down involve collaboration with defence agencies from the US; and for what reasons Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for such collaboration was undertaken in each case. [130795] Defence with reference to the Autumn Statement, how much of the reduction in his Department’s budget in Mr Dunne: A total of six of the currently active 2013-14 results from underspends in 2011-12. [133204] project licences in operation at Dstl Porton Down cover work that is funded directly by US Defence Agencies. Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 12 December Additionally, the work performed under a large proportion 2012]: None of the reductions in the MOD’s budget in of the remaining 15 licences, although not funded by 2013-14 results from underspend in 2011-12. the US, produces results that are shared through a number of different collaborative agreements with our Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for US and other international partners. Defence what assessment he has made of the potential Dstl has a remit to undertake research on behalf of effects of the savings announced in the autumn statement the UK Government. This can involve participation in on the planned annual increase in the defence equipment International Collaboration Programmes with other allied and support budget from 2015. [133221] nations on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. This collaboration results in burden sharing and means that Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 12 December our use of animals in research studies can be reduced 2012]: The savings announced in the autumn statement below that which would be required if we were not to of 5 December 2012, Official Report, columns 871-82, collaborate. relate only to financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15, and therefore have no effect on the planned annual increase Public Expenditure in the Defence Equipment and Support budget from 2015. The Treasury have confirmed that the Department Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for can continue to plan on the assumption of a 1% real Defence what the value will be of resources transferred terms annual increase in the Ministry of Defence Equipment from the 2011-12 defence budget to the 2012-13 budget programme from 2015. for the Ministry of Defence. [133200] Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 11 December Defence with reference to the autumn statement, whether 2012]: No resources were transferred from 2011-12 to the flexibilities agreed with HM Treasury are permanent. 2012-13. [133222] 623W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 624W

Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 12 December Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012]: The improved financial discipline that the Ministry Defence what the definition is of unallocated provisions of Defence has demonstrated has enabled us to agree as included in his Department’s budget. [133435] exceptional flexibilities with HM Treasury this year. We will continue to pursue improvements in our financial Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 13 December management and will expect to have, as a minimum, 2012]: Departmental unallocated provision is a contingency access to Budget Exchange on the same basis as all reserve held centrally to meet unforeseen pressures. It is other Departments, in future years. not allocated to individual programmes, or for specific purposes, until needed. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the Autumn Statement, how Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for much of the reduction in his Department’s budget in Defence what the amount was of his Department’s 2014-15 is accounted for by departmental underspend underspend in 2011-12. [133436] in 2011-12. [133224]

Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 12 December Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 13 December 2012]: None of the reduction in the MOD’s budget in 2012]: We have published this information in the Statement 2014-15 is accounted for by departmental underspend of Parliamentary Supply on pages 108 and 109 of the in 2011-12. MOD’s 2011-12 Annual Report and Accounts (HC 62), laid before the House on 6 December 2012. This publication Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for is also available online at: Defence with reference to the Autumn Statement 2012, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-annual- from which categories of expenditure the projected report-and-accounts-2011-12 saving of £490 million in 2014-15 will be made. [133428] Reserve Forces

Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 13 December Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012]: The Treasury has agreed that the MOD can Defence (1) what the planned annual running cost of carry forward its unallocated provision. This is adequate the Reserve Force is in each year between 2012 and to absorb the budget reduction of £490 million in 2020; [131889] 2014-15 that was announced in the autumn statement. (2) what the projected annual running cost of the Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Reserve Force is once it has reached a complement of Defence from what baseline the annual real one per 30,000 personnel. [131904] cent increase in the defence budget post-2015 will be delivered. [133429] Mr Francois: In a force where regular and reserve elements are increasingly integrated it is becoming more Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 13 December difficult to separate the running costs of one from the 2012]: HM Treasury have confirmed that the MOD other. There are costs associated with, for example, can continue to plan on the assumption of a 1% real infrastructure, training and equipment that cannot readily terms annual increase in the Equipment Programme be separated. For that reason, it is not possible to from 2015. The baseline remains as set by HM Treasury provide a precise figure for running costs of the Reserve at the conclusion of the three month exercise in July Forces. However, the MOD plans to invest an additional 2011. £1.8 billion in the Reserves to increase and develop their trained strength and to enhance their capability over Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the period to 2020. Defence how much unallocated provision existed within his Department’s budget in 2011-12. [133430] Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what (a) training courses, (b) postings and Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 13 December (c) deployments for Reserve Forces under Reservists 2012]: None; we started making unallocated provision 2020 plans will take longer than 13 weeks; [132721] from financial year 2012-13. (2) what training the UK Reserve Forces will be expected to undertake under the Future Reserves 2020 Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for measures. [132756] Defence (1) what changes he plans to make to the Single Integrated Priority List as a result of the £245 million Mr Francois [holding answer 10 December 2012]: reduction in his Department’s spending in 2013-14 Reservists will be given the training courses that they announced in the Autumn Statement 2012; [133433] need to carry out their role in the integrated force. The (2) what changes he plans to make to the Single aim is to provide a sufficient foundation on which to Integrated Priority List as a result of the £490 million add further training should there be a requirement to reduction in his Department’s spending in 2014-15 mobilise an individual reservist or reserve sub-unit. announced in the Autumn Statement 2012. [133434] This varies by service in accordance with their need, but will require an average annual commitment, after initial Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 13 December training, of between 24 to 40 days per year, which 2012]: None. The savings required will be found from would normally involve a continuous training period of the departmental unallocated provision. between 10 to 16 days. 625W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 626W

There will be parity between reservists and regulars Sick Leave where it is appropriate, such as pre-deployment training for operations. With the exception of a small cadre of Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence reservists held at high readiness, the intention of both pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2012, Official the Royal Navy and the Army is for Maritime and Report, columns 497-8W,on sick leave, what assessment Army reservists to be mobilised for no more than one he has made of the difference in the proportion of six month deployment in any five year period. Air working days lost due to ill health between officers at reservists are expected to work on a mobilisation cycle AA grade and at SCS grade; and what assessment he of around one six month deployment every three years. has made of the use of mindfulness-based therapies in With the exception of pre-deployment training there reducing the proportion of working days lost in his are no training courses that exceed 13 weeks. Department. [132698]

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues Defence whether the Reservists 2020 plan will provide to take a robust approach to managing civilian sickness reservists with service accommodation. [132743] absence, and a major review of absence policies has ensured that they remain relevant. Occupational health and well-being advice and support is available to all Mr Francois [holding answer 10 December 2012]: It employees and line managers. is too early to say. Reservist conditions of service are being reviewed as part of the Future Reserves 2020 No specific assessment has been made of the difference Consultation Exercise. in the proportion of working days lost between the various grades, although part of the explanation for the Under current tri-service accommodation regulations, higher rates seen in the lowest grades is that industrial volunteer reserve service carries no entitlement to publicly staff, who undertake physically demanding civilian roles funded single living or service families accommodation. in the Ministry of Defence, are clustered predominantly During periods of authorised training and mobilised in equivalent grades AA, AO and EO. Industrial staff service, single services administer and provide reservists have historically had higher rates of sickness absence with accommodation at public expense to achieve the than those of equivalent graded office-based staff. This necessary standards of training and/or operational Department is unique in this respect, in that it employs capability. over 80% of all industrial staff in the civil service. The Ministry of Defence has made no assessment as to the utility of mindfulness-based therapies in reducing Senior Civil Servants sick absence. Officials do, however, remain fully aware of evolving best practice in health and well-being. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Staff Defence how many and what proportion of senior civil servants have left (a) his Department and (b) each of Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the public bodies for which he is responsible since May Defence how many members of staff were employed in 2010; what the rate of turnover of senior civil servants his Department in each financial year since 2008. has been in (i) his Department and (ii) each such body since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [132908] [132175] Mr Francois: The headcount for UK regular forces excluding Gurkhas, full-time reserve service personnel Mr Francois: Between 1 May 2010 and 31 October and mobilised reservists, is as follows, as of 1 April each 2012, 98 senior civil servants left the Department. This year: figure includes those that have retired, resigned, died in service or left on voluntary release terms. The figure Headcount does not include individuals who have permanently transferred to other Government Departments or who 2008 186,910 have transferred on temporary loan. 2009 188,600 2010 191,660 Turnover of staff is calculated on an annual basis 2011 186,360 and defined as the number of leavers divided by the 2012 179,800 average strength of substantive senior civil servants and excludes those on temporary promotion. The average The headcount for civilian personnel as of 1 April strength of substantive senior civil servants during this each year is as follows: period is 240. The annual turnover rates for financial years 2010-11 Headcount and 2011-12 and the figures for the previous 12 months 2008 93,670 are as follows: 2009 90,630 2010 89,970 Turnover (percentage) 2011 87,060 1 May 2010 to 30 April 2011 7.7 2012 73,960 1 May 2011 to 30 April 2012 25.3 The total headcount combining UK regular forces 1November2011to31October 24.0 2012 and civilian personnel as of 1 April each year is as follows: 627W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 628W

562-64W, on theft, to which service the pony listed was Headcount attached; and for what purpose the service used the 2008 280,580 pony. [132431] 2009 279,230 2010 281,630 Mr Francois [holding answer 10 December 2012]: 2011 273,420 The pony in question is not owned by any of the 2012 253,760 services, and is not funded by MOD; it belongs to the Royal Artillery Equestrian Centre and has been used by Military and civilian employment figures are published the Royal Artillery Saddle Club, although it is now in the United Kingdom Armed Forces Quarterly Personnel retired. Report and the Quarterly Civilian Personnel Report Trident Submarines which can be found at: http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/ index.php?page=48&pubType=1&thiscontent=240&PublishTime Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for =09:30:00&date=2012-11-15&disText=01%20 Defence how much his Department spent on the (a) October%202012&from=listing&top Date=2012-11-15 maintenance, (b) operation and (c) re-fitting of Trident and submarines in each of the last 10 years. [133234] http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/ Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer index.php?page=48&pubType=1&thiscontent=510&PublishTime given by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right =09:30:00&date=2012-11-08&disText=1%20October %202012&from =listing&topDate=2012-11-08 hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 7 November 2012, Official Report, respectively. column 629W.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Turks and Caicos Islands Defence how many members of civilian staff are employed by his Department. [132910] Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to encourage recruiting for Mr Francois: Civilian employment figures are published the armed forces from the Turks and Caicos Islands. in the Quarterly Civilian Personnel Report and the [132453] position at 1 October 2012 is 70,360. This is a reduction of 19,610 personnel from the Strategic Defence and Mr Francois [holding answer 10 December 2012]: Security Review (SDSR) baseline figure of 89,970 personnel There are no specific plans to encourage recruiting on 1 April 2010. outside of the UK. The services recognise and value the contribution which foreign and Commonwealth personnel These figures can also be found at: including those from the overseas territories have made, http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/ and continue to make, to our armed forces. Anyone index.php?page=48&pubType=1&thiscontent=510&PublishTime with access to the internet can access the services’ =09:30:00&date=2012-11-08&disText=l%20October%202012 &from=listing&topDate=2012-11-08 recruiting websites and apply to join if they meet published eligibility criteria, including those from Turks and Caicos. However the recruitment process is conducted in the Temporary Employment UK and applicants must have the right to remain in the UK during that period, as is the case for all applicants Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for for the armed forces, except Gurkhas. Defence how many staff on casual contracts have been working in his Department for a period of (a) less than Veterans: Plymouth six months, (b) six months or longer, (c) 12 months or longer and (d) 18 months or longer. [132626] Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service leavers in Plymouth are in Mr Francois [holding answer 12 December 2012]: employment six months after leaving the services. The number of staff on casual contracts currently working [132968] in the Ministry of Defence is shown in the following table: Mr Francois: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Period of casual contract Number of casual staff Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Less than six months 93 Defence how many servicemen and women based in Six to 11 months 2 Plymouth (a) retired from and (b) otherwise left the 12 to 17 months 1 armed services in 2011-12. [132970] 18+ months 0 Mr Francois: The following table shows the numbers Theft of UK regular forces who were permanently based in Plymouth on 1 April 2011 and who subsequently left their service in the financial year 2011-12. Details are Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for available for those who left voluntarily (voluntary outflow1), Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for for those who completed their contract (time expiry) Bridgend of 30 November 2012, Official Report, columns and for those who left for any other reason (other). 629W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 630W

We are not able to further break down the data to The Minister for Women and Equalities made the provide numbers for those who retired. following appointments not regulated by the Commissioner 1 Voluntary outflow is defined as all exits from trained UK regular for Public Appointments since 2007. forces which are voluntarily generated by the individual before the end of their agreed engagement or commission period. Appointment 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

1 Table 1: Numbers of UK regular forces permanently based in Voice of Older — 1———— Plymouth on 1 April 2011 who left service in the financial year People 2011-12 Women’s ————— 9 2 Total Army Navy RAF Business Council Total 840 30 800 3— Equality and ————— 12 Voluntary Outflow 320 20 310 3— Human Rights Time expiry 141 10 130 3— Commission Other 370 10 360 3— Public Sector ————— 1 1 UK regular forces includes all trained and untrained personnel. Equality Duty Gurkhas, full-time reserve personnel, and mobilised reservists are Review excluded. Due to the rounding methods used, figures may not always 1 The non-regulated appointments to the Equality and Human equal the sum of the parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, Rights Commission were interim appointments. numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias. 2 Naval service personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship. 3 Fewerthan5. HEALTH Breast Cancer: Hartlepool Warships Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made Defence what the maximum speed will be of the Queen of breast cancer screening procedures in Hartlepool Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier and the Astute Class constituency; what discussions his Department has had submarine. [132829] with (a) NHS Hartlepool and (b) North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation on the provision of (i) Mr Dunne: I am withholding details of the maximum skilled breast cancer specialists and (ii) up-to-date speed of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and breast cancer equipment in Hartlepool; and if he will the Astute Class submarines, as their release would, or make a statement; [133463] would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness (2) what recent assessment he has made of the supply or security of our armed forces. and operation of the digital breast screening service in Hartlepool constituency; and if he will make a statement. [133906]

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES Dr Poulter: The provision of services, including cancer services, is a matter for the local national health service. Public Appointments As such, the Department has made no assessment of the breast cancer screening service in Hartlepool. Mr Weir: To ask the Minister for Women and In addition, there have been no discussions between Equalities how many public appointments (a) the Secretary of State for Health or other Ministers regulated by and (b) not regulated by the Office of the with Hartlepool Primary Care Trust or North Tees and Commissioner for Public Appointments have been Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust about the provision made by her Department since 2007; and in how many of skilled breast cancer specialists or breast cancer such cases the services of recruitment consultants were equipment in Hartlepool. Local health care organisations, retained. [132770] with their knowledge of the patients that they serve, are best placed to plan and deliver a workforce appropriate Maria Miller: The Minister for Women and Equalities to the needs of their patients based on clinical need and has made the following public appointments regulated sound evidence. The provision of equipment, including by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, since breast cancer equipment, is also a matter for the local 2007. NHS. Carbon Monoxide Organisation 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Women’s 0 10 4 0 n/a n/a Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for National Health how many local authorities are planning to use Commission Warm Homes Healthy People funding received in 2012-13 Equality and 3012113to install carbon monoxide detectors in vulnerable Human Rights households. [133399] Commission Note: Anna Soubry: Information on the installation of carbon Includes reappointments monoxide detectors in vulnerable households by local The services of recruitment consultants were used for authorities has not been routinely collected as part of all new appointments except those to the Women’s the Warm Homes Healthy People £20 million funding National Commission in 2008. for 2012-13. 631W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 632W

However, an analysis of the proposals shows that 14 Percentage local authority proposals covering 16 local authorities Current have included the installation of carbon monoxide detectors Assets system £25,000 £35,000 £50,000 £75,000 £100,000 as part of their projects. The Department has also awarded national grants to £65,000 74 19 25 34 46 54 the value of £1.5 million to Age UK and the Foundations £70,000 76 20 26 34 46 55 Independent Living Trust to complement the work £75,000 77 20 26 35 47 56 carried out by local authorities. £80,000 78 20 27 35 48 57 £85,000 79 20 27 36 49 57 As part of the Age UK proposals, local and national £90,000 80 21 27 36 49 58 handyperson services will check if households have a £95,000 81 21 28 37 50 59 working carbon monoxide detector and, where needed, £100,000 82 21 28 37 50 59 will install a new one, with the aim of a roll out of the £105,000 83 21 28 37 50 59 installation of free carbon monoxide detectors nationwide. £110,000 83 21 28 37 51 60 The Cold Weather Plan for England 2012 which was £115,000 84 21 28 37 51 60 published on 26 October 2012, recognises that carbon £120,000 84 21 28 37 50 60 monoxide poisoning is a potential killer and urges £125,000 85 20 27 37 50 60 individuals to consider fitting an audible carbon monoxide £130,000 85 19 27 36 50 60 alarm which is EN 50291-compliaht, but that fitting an £135,000 85 19 26 36 50 60 alarm should not replace regular maintenance of appliances. £140,000 86 18 25 35 49 59 £145,000 86 17 24 34 48 59 Care Homes: Fees and Charges £150,000 86 17 23 33 48 59 £155,000 86 16 23 32 47 58 Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for £160,000 86 16 22 31 46 57 Health pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2012, £165,000 87 15 21 30 45 57 Official Report, column 386-7W, on care homes: fees £170,000 87 15 21 29 44 56 and charges, if he will place in the Library a copy of £175,000 86 14 20 29 43 55 the tables and working papers that set out the £180,000 83 14 19 28 42 54 assumptions and data used to draw the graph in figure £185,000 81 14 19 27 41 53 14 of the Progress Report. [134115] £190,000 79 13 18 26 39 52 £195,000 77 13 18 26 38 51 Norman Lamb: In the Progress Report on Funding £200,000 75 13 18 25 38 50 Reform, figure 14 sets out the indicative proportion of £205,000 73 12 17 24 37 49 assets depleted under the current system, and with £210,000 71 12 17 24 36 48 different levels of the cap (with an extended means test) £215,000 70 12 16 23 35 47 for someone with very high residential care costs, by £220,000 68 11 16 23 34 45 their initial level of assets on going into care. It highlights £225,000 67 11 16 22 33 44 how this corresponds to wealth quintiles for older people £230,000 65 11 15 22 33 43 in care. £235,000 64 11 15 21 32 43 This analysis is based on around eight years in residential £240,000 63 10 15 21 31 42 care, costing £150,000 (plus £10,000 per annum general £245,000 61 10 14 20 31 41 living costs). It assumes that people buy their care at the £250,000 60 10 14 20 30 40 local authority rate—someone paying a higher rate for £255,000 59 10 14 20 29 39 their care could spend more over their lifetime; and that £260,000 58 10 13 19 29 38 they can pay £10,000 per annum living cost from their £265,000 57 9 13 19 28 38 income—estimates would be different for people with £270,000 56 9 13 19 28 37 higher or lower income. £275,000 55 9 13 18 27 36 £280,000 54 9 13 18 27 36 The following table shows the data presented in figure £285,000 53 9 12 18 26 35 14 in the Progress Report. £290,000 52 9 12 17 26 34 £295,000 51 8 12 17 25 34 Percentage £300,000 50 8 12 17 25 33 Current £305,000 49 8 11 16 25 33 Assets system £25,000 £35,000 £50,000 £75,000 £100,000 £310,000 48 8 11 16 24 32 £0,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 £315,000 48 8 11 16 24 32 £5,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 £320,000 47 8 11 16 23 31 £10,000 000000£325,000 46 8 11 15 23 31 £15,000 412233£330,000 45 8 11 15 23 30 £20,000 23 7 9 12 17 20 £335,000 45 7 10 15 22 30 £25,000 36 11 14 19 25 30 £340,000 44 7 10 15 22 29 £30,000 47 13 17 23 31 36 £345,000 43 7 10 14 22 29 £35,000 54 15 19 26 35 41 £350,000 43 7 10 14 21 29 £40,000 60 16 21 28 38 44 £355,000 42 7 10 14 21 28 £45,000 64 17 22 29 40 47 £360,000 42 7 10 14 21 28 £50,000 67 18 23 31 42 49 £365,000 41 7 10 14 21 27 £55,000 70 18 24 32 43 51 £370,000 41 7 9 14 20 27 £60,000 72 19 25 33 44 52 £375,000 40 7 9 13 20 27 633W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 634W

Dementia Percentage Current Assets system £25,000 £35,000 £50,000 £75,000 £100,000 Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish a report of local £380,000 39 7 9 13 20 26 progress against the National Dementia Strategy for £385,000 39 6 9 13 19 26 England. [134015] £390,000 38 6 9 13 19 26 £395,000 38 6 9 13 19 25 Norman Lamb: A progress report on the Prime Minister’s £400,000 38 6 9 13 19 25 challenge on dementia was published on 8 November £405,000 37 6 9 12 19 25 2012 and a further progress report will be published in £410,000 37 6 9 12 18 24 March 2013. In addition to these progress reports, the £415,000 36 6 8 12 18 24 Department has commissioned an audit of antipsychotic £420,000 36 6 8 12 18 24 prescribing and a survey of memory services, both of £425,000 35 6 8 12 18 24 which will be published in 2013. £430,000 35 6 8 12 17 23 £435,000 34 6 8 11 17 23 Dental Services: East of England £440,000 34 6 8 11 17 23 £445,000 34 6 8 11 17 22 Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health £450,000 33 6 8 11 17 22 how many dentists in (a) the East of England, (b) £455,000 33 5 8 11 16 22 Suffolk and (c) Bury St Edmunds constituency (i) are £460,000 33 5 8 11 16 22 registering NHS patients and (ii) were so doing in each £465,000 32 5 8 11 16 22 of the last three years. [133517] £470,000 32 5 7 11 16 21 £475,000 32 5 7 11 16 21 Dr Poulter: The information requested is not held £480,000 31 5 7 10 16 21 centrally. £485,000 31 5 7 10 15 21 £490,000 31 5 7 10 15 20 Under the current dental contractual arrangements, £495,000 30 5 7 10 15 20 introduced on 1 April 2006, patients do not have to be £500,000 30 5 7 10 15 20 registered with a national health service dentist to receive NHS care. Dental Services: West Yorkshire

Clinical Commissioning Groups Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding he intends to allocate for the provision of NHS dental care in Leeds in each of the Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health next three years; what plans he has for future levels of (1) what his policy is on whether accountable officers in access to NHS dentistry in Leeds; and how many people clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are able to in (a) the city of Leeds and (b) West Yorkshire are undertake work outside the CCG; [133825] registered with an NHS dentist. [133509] (2) what code of conduct governs the behaviour of Dr Poulter: Funding for national health service services, an accountable officer of a clinical commissioning including dentistry services, is currently allocated to group. [133827] primary care trusts (PCTs). PCTs commission services to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of national and local priorities. From Dr Poulter: It is for clinical commissioning groups 2013-14, the NHS Commissioning Board will commission (CCGs) to determine the appropriate performance measures NHS dentistry services. for their governing body members. Nevertheless, all The number of people accessing NHS dentistry has members of a CCG, including the accountable officer, increased by over 1.1 million nationally since May 2010. will be expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Nolan Principles of ethical standards for holders Information on numbers of patients registered with of public office. an NHS dentist is not available. Under the current dental contractual arrangements introduced on 1 April The National Health Service Act 2006, as amended 2006, patients do not have to be registered with an NHS by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, requires CCGs dentist to receive NHS care. The closest equivalent to describe in their constitutions how they will manage measure to ‘registration’ is the number of patients receiving conflicts of interest, and ensure the transparency and NHS dental services (‘patients seen’) over a 24-month integrity of their decision-making processes. CCGs will period. However, this is not directly comparable to have to, for example, set out in their constitution the registration data for earlier years. way in which decisions will be made, and how decision- Information on number of patients seen by an NHS making will be transparent; and have up-to-date registers dentist in PCTs in West Yorkshire in the 24-month of interests that are made available for public scrutiny. period ending 30 September 2012 (including orthodontic Accountable officers will be able to undertake work patients) is shown in the following table. outside the CCG, for example, a clinician who is an accountable officer and who wants to continue to practise Primary care trust Number of patients seen will be able to do so. However, they will be subject to the Bradford and Airedale Teaching 297,940 strict conflict of interest safeguards outlined above. PCT 635W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 636W

Dr Poulter: It is for local national health service Primary care trust Number of patients seen commissioners to make funding decisions on the use of Calderdale PCT 129,514 specific interventions such as iStent, based on an assessment Kirklees PCT 263,514 of the available evidence and patients’ individual clinical Leeds PCT 426,274 circumstances. Wakefield District PCT 218,893 Health Professions: Greater London Sum of specified PCTs 1,336,135 Notes: 1. The ‘patients seen’ measure shows the number of patients who received Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health NHS dental care in the previous 24 months, an equivalent measure covering how many vacancies there were for (a) doctors and (b) the 12-month period is not available. 2. Information is only available by PCT and strategic health authority area. nurses specialising in the treatment of cancer at Source: hospitals providing cancer treatment services in the The Information Centre for health and social care. Table Al of Annex 2 of the London strategic health authority area in March (i) ‘NHS Dental Statistics for England 2012-13, First Quarterly report’. 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012 (A) in total and (B) by Fertility NHS trust; and if he will make a statement . [133673] Dr Poulter: The information is not available in the Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for format requested. A table showing vacancy rates and Health whether tertiary infertility services will be numbers for consultants in the six main cancer specialties commissioned by clinical commissioning groups from in the London strategic health authority area as at 31 April 2013; and what guidance those groups will be March 2010 has been placed in the Library. given to (a) help them commission such services and (b) ensure that patients receive access to a range of The national health service and GP vacancy collections infertility services. [133482] and publications have been suspended since 2011 pending the outcome of the Department of Health-led Fundamental Anna Soubry: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) Review of Data Returns. are set to take on responsibility for commissioning Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health infertility services from April 2013, with the NHS how many vacancies there were for (a) doctors and (b) Commissioning Board providing oversight and support. nurses specialising in emergency medicine (i) in total This will include the provision of supportive commissioning and (ii) by NHS trust within the London strategic resources for CCGs. health authority area in (A) April 2010 and (B) April We will continue to expect that those involved in 2011; and if he will make a statement. [133674] commissioning infertility treatment services are fully aware of the importance of having regard to the National Norman Lamb: The information is not available in Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence fertility the format requested. The following table shows vacancy guidelines. rates and numbers for consultants in the accident and emergency speciality in the London strategic health Glaucoma authority (SHA) area as at 31 March 2010. The national health service and GP vacancy collections Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for and publications have been suspended since 2011 pending Health what plans his Department has to make iStent the outcome of the Department of Health-led Fundamental surgery available to patients with glaucoma. [133840] Review of Data Returns.

Total and three month vacancy rates and numbers for all consultants working within the accident and emergency specialty in London strategic health authority 0 Accident and emergency 3-month 3-month Vacancy rate Vacancy vacancy rate vacancy Staff in post (full- Staff in post (%) number (%) number time equivalents) (headcount)

England 9.1 91 3.3 31 906 938

London Q36 8.1 14 2.5 4 158 163 Barking, Havering and RF4 16.7 2 16.7 2 10 10 Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust Barnet and Chase RVL*2*278 Farm Hospitals NHS Trust Barnet Primary Care 5A9 — 0 — 0 0 0 Trust (PCT) Barnet, Enfield and RRP — 0 — 0 0 0 Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust Barts and The London RNJ7.91001212 NHS Trust Bromley PCT 5A7 — 0 — 0 0 0 Camden and Islington TAF—0—000 Foundation Trust Central And North RV3—0—000 West London NHS Foundation Trust 637W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 638W

Total and three month vacancy rates and numbers for all consultants working within the accident and emergency specialty in London strategic health authority 0 Accident and emergency 3-month 3-month Vacancy rate Vacancy vacancy rate vacancy Staff in post (full- Staff in post (%) number (%) number time equivalents) (headcount)

Chelsea and RQM*0*066 Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Ealing Hospital NHS RC3*0*055 Trust Ealing PCT 5HX — 0 — 0 0 0 East London NHS RWK—0—000 Foundation Trust Enfield PCT 5C1 — 0 — 0 0 0 Epsom and St Helier RVR*0*077 University Hospitals NHS Trust Great Ormond Street RP4 — 0 — 0 0 0 Hospital For Children NHS Trust Guy’s and St Thomas’ RJ1 0 0 0 0 11 11 NHS Foundation Trust Hammersmith and 5H1 — 0 — 0 0 0 Fulham PCT The Hillingdon RAS * 1 * 0 4 4 Hospital NHS Trust Homerton University RQX*0*055 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Hounslow PCT 5HY — 0 — 0 0 0 Imperial College RYJ 20.2 4 0 0 16 16 Healthcare NHS Trust Islington PCT 5K8 — 0 — 0 0 0 King’s College RJZ * 0 * 0 7 8 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Kingston Hospital RAX * 0 * 0 2 3 NHS Trust Kingston PCT 5A5 — 0 — 0 0 0 The Lewisham RJ2 * 0 * 0 3 3 Hospital NHS Trust Mayday Healthcare RJ6 * 0 * 0 5 5 NHS Trust Moorfields Eye RP6 — 0 — 0 0 0 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Newham University RNH * 0 * 0 5 5 Hospital NHS Trust North East London RAT—0—000 NHS Foundation Trust North Middlesex RAP * 0 * 0 5 5 University Hospital NHS Trust North West London RV8*0*055 Hospitals NHS Trust Oxleas NHS RPG — 0 — 0 0 0 Foundation Trust Royal Brompton and RT3—0—000 Harefield NHS Foundation Trust Royal Free Hampstead RAL * 0 * 0 5 5 NHS Trust The Royal Marsden RPY — 0 — 0 0 0 NHS Foundation Trust Royal National RAN — 0 — 0 0 0 Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust South London and RV5—0—000 Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust South London RYQ 0 0 0 0 10 10 Healthcare NHS Trust 639W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 640W

Total and three month vacancy rates and numbers for all consultants working within the accident and emergency specialty in London strategic health authority 0 Accident and emergency 3-month 3-month Vacancy rate Vacancy vacancy rate vacancy Staff in post (full- Staff in post (%) number (%) number time equivalents) (headcount)

South West London RQY—0—000 and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust St George’s RJ7 * 0 * 0 7 7 Healthcare NHS Trust Tavistock and RNK — 0 — 0 0 0 Portman NHS Foundation Trust University College RRV*0*078 London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust West London Mental RKL — 0 — 0 0 0 Health NHS Trust West Middlesex RFW * 1 * 0 4 4 University Hospital NHS Trust Westminster PCT 5LC — 0 — 0 0 0 Whipps Cross RGC*1*066 University Hospital NHS Trust The Whittington RKE * 2 * 0 4 5 Hospital NHS Trust Notes: 1. SHA figures are based on trusts and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of health care. 2. A vacancy is defined as one which employers are actively trying to fill as at 31 March. 3. Total vacancy rates are total vacancies expressed as a percentage of total vacancies plus staff in post from the previous September medical and dental workforce census (full-time equivalent). 4. Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2010 which trusts are actively trying to fill which had lasted for three months or more (full-time equivalents). 5. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from the previous September medical and dental workforce census (full-time equivalent). 6. * = figures where staff in post and number of vacancies are less than 10. 7. — = figures where staff in post and vacancies are both nil. 8. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number. 9. Percentages are calculated on unrounded figures and are then rounded to one decimal place. 10. Data Quality The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Source: The Health and Social Care Information Centre Vacancies Survey March 2010.

Health Services: Suffolk National HIV Testing Week run by HIV Prevention England which took place between the 23 to 30 November. Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health HIV Prevention England is additional to work on what the financial deficit was of each (a) primary care HIV prevention and health promotion, including testing, trust and (b) NHS hospital trust in Suffolk in each of commissioned and funded by the national health service the last three years. [133411] and others locally.

Dr Poulter: All primary care trusts and national Hospitals: Uniforms health service hospital trusts in Suffolk reported a surplus in their annual accounts from 2009-10 to 2011-12. Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for HIV Infection Health if he will take steps to ensure that hospital uniforms are not worn outside hospitals. [133487] Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to raise awareness of HIV Dr Poulter: It is for individual national health service testing. [133846] trusts to determine their own policies on the wearing and laundering of uniforms in and around the workplace Anna Soubry: The Department funds the Terrence and in March 2010, the Department published refreshed Higgins Trust and partners to deliver a three year guidance to help them do so: ‘Uniforms and workwear: programme for the HIV Prevention England, which Guidance on uniform and workwear policies for NHS targets gay and bisexual men and African communities, employers’. A copy of this document has been placed in the groups most affected by HIV in the United Kingdom. the Library. HIV Prevention England includes information and One of the main conclusions of the working group awareness interventions, promotion of HIV testing and that developed the guidance was that there was no work to inform the evidence-base on effective HIV conclusive evidence that uniforms or other work clothes prevention. The Department also supported the first pose a significant hazard in terms of spreading infection. 641W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 642W

The group did though recognise that the public believe Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for there is a risk and do not like seeing hospital staff in Health what the statutory minimum level of consultation uniform away from the workplace. required with service users is when proposing to transfer A trust’s chief executive has the responsibility for the provider of non-emergency ambulance services in ensuring that hospital staff have enough suitable clothing an NHS trust as a result of a tendering process. [133460] and equipment to carry out their work effectively and to make any other supporting arrangements that may be Dr Poulter: The Department published statutory guidance necessary. in October 2008—‘Real Involvement’. The guidance provides advice to national health service organisations As well as an evidence base, the Uniforms and Workwear about their obligations under section 242 of the NHS guidance identified examples of good (and poor) practice Act 2006. This duty requires NHS organisations to that were based on common sense rather than scientific make arrangements to involve patients and public in the evidence. Changing into and out of uniforms at work is planning and development of services and decisions included as a good practice example in the guidance. affecting the operation of services. NHS bodies may discharge their obligations by informing, involving or In Vitro Fertilisation consulting NHS service users, depending on the nature and extent of the proposed changes and its impact on service users. Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the provision of IVF treatment will be monitored by the NHS scorecard scheme. [133390] Nurses: Incontinence Anna Soubry: The publication of an Innovation Scorecard is a commitment in the NHS chief executive’s Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health report “Innovation Health and Wealth”. It aims to how many specialist nurses in Harrow Primary Care drive national health service compliance with National Trust were employed to help people with continence Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) problems in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13 technology appraisals, which include medicines and to date; and if he will make a statement. [133368] medical technologies, by publishing levels of compliance at a local level. The Innovation Scorecard will help the Dr Poulter: The numbers of specialist nurses employed NHS identify gaps in compliance which can then be to ″help people with continence problems is not collected justified, challenged or acted upon. The Innovation centrally. Scorecard is predicated on NICE technology appraisals, The responsibility for specific decisions on staffing as there are clinical guidelines from NICE on the use of numbers and skill mix rests with the local national in vitro fertilisation (IVF) but no technology appraisals health service. We have given local NHS organisations; relating to IVF, the first Innovation Scorecard will not the freedom to decide how best to use their resources, in include IVF. consultation with local stakeholders, as they know the health needs of their local communities best. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Preventive Medicine Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the treatment given to patients suffering from Crohn’s disease. Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health [133845] what proportion of his Department’s annual budget is allocated to preventative and early intervention measures. [133664] Norman Lamb: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published a clinical Dr Poulter: Funding for NHS services is currently guideline for the treatment of Crohn’s disease in October allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs). Once allocated 2012. NICE has also been asked to develop a quality it is for PCTs to commission the services they need to standard on Crohn’s disease as part of the library of meet the health care needs of their local populations, quality standards announced in March 2012. Through taking account of national and local priorities. the NHS Outcomes Framework we will be holding the national health service to account for improving the In February we estimated that in 2012-13 around quality of life of people with longer term conditions; £5.2 billion will be spent on the future responsibilities of including Crohn’s disease. the public health system, and £2.2 billion will be for services that will in future be the responsibility of local authorities. NHS: Procurement From 2013-14 the Department will allocate ring-fenced public health grants, targeted for health inequalities, to Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for upper-tier and unitary local authorities for improving Health what the role of the Competition Commission the health and wellbeing of local populations; this is is in relation to the tendering of providers of NHS expected to include preventative and early intervention services in England and Wales. [133459] measures. The estimated spending in the local authority sector Dr Poulter: The Competition Commission has no has been revised and will be published alongside the role in relation to tendering of NHS services. details of the grants to those authorities. 643W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 644W

Smoking: Young People and others on the detail underpinning the principles of the capped cost model before making a decision in the spending review. Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of 15-year-olds were regular smokers in 1999; and if he will estimate the proportion that Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for remained regular smokers in the latest period for which Health at what level the cost of care to individuals will be capped; and if he will make a statement. [134017] figures are available. [133360] Norman Lamb: We set out in the progress report on Dr Poulter: The Survey of Smoking, Drinking and funding reform in July 2012 that the Government agrees Drug Use Among Young People showed that 23% of that the principles of the Dilnot Commission’s model— children aged 15 in England were regular smokers in financial protection through capped costs and an extended 1999. It is possible to gain some insight into the proportion means-test—would be the right basis for any new funding that have remained smokers using information from the model. It is our intention to base a new funding model 2010 General Lifestyles Survey, by looking at the current on them if a way to pay for it can be found. smoking status of those who said they started smoking regularly when they were 15 or younger. As the sample contains an insufficient number of 26-year-olds (who Sodium Valproate would have been 15 in 1999), it is necessary to use a broader age range. Of those 24 to 28-year-olds in England Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who said they started smoking regularly when they were (1) what information and advice his Department has 15 or younger, 71% said that they currently smoked given to women of child-bearing age on the cigarettes. recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence concerning sodium valproate; Social Services: Fees and Charges [133488] (2) what information is given to women of child- Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for bearing age when prescribed the Epilim form of Health if he will make an assessment of the likely effect sodium valproate on the potential effects of that drug on the use of preventative care services if the cap on on mental health. [133491] care costs was set above £50,000. [134014] Dr Poulter: Although there is no substitute for a full and comprehensive discussion with the health care team, Norman Lamb: As stated in the Progress report on we have supplemented this with guidance available on funding reform, a cap on care costs may encourage the NHS Choices website, which reflects the people to start spending on their care when they need it, recommendations of the National Institute for Health since they do not fear having to use all of their assets for and Clinical Excellence. care. Similarly, if people are willing to start spending earlier, they are more likely to use preventive services. NHS Choices’ Pregnancy Planner provides information Better information and advice, resulting from more on the issues women with long-term or chronic conditions people coming into contact with their local authority, may need to consider before and during pregnancy. would also make people more aware of their options This includes information on drug treatment to control and the benefits of preventing a care and support need epileptic seizures, which can be found at the following from worsening. link: A copy of the progress report on funding reform is in www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/epilepsy- pregnant.aspx the Library. In addition, more detailed information on the use of sodium valproate and considerations in family planning Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for and pregnancy is also available on NHS Choices within Health what recent representations he has received its medicine guides pages, which can be found at the from organisations and individuals on capping the following link: long-term costs of care. [134016] http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/medicineover view.aspx?condition=epilepsy&medicine=sodium+ Norman Lamb: Following the publication of the Dilnot valproate&preparation=sodium+valproate+100mg+tablets Commission’s recommendations, the Government engaged The current product information for sodium valproate with a wide range of people, including service users, (Epilim) products contains detailed advice in relation to their families and carers, local authorities, charities, its use during pregnancy. The product information for providers of care services and the financial services prescribers and the patient information leaflet, which sector to get views on the Commission’s proposals. accompanies the medicine, contain clear information We set out in the progress report on funding reform about the potential side effects when prescribed to in July 2012 that the Government agrees that the principles women of child bearing potential. Product information of the Dilnot Commission’s model—financial protection for health care professionals clearly states that Epilim through capped costs and an extended means-test—would should not be prescribed to women of child-bearing be the right basis for any new funding model. It is our potential unless clearly necessary. intention to base a new funding model on them if a way The patient information leaflet for Epilim encourages to pay for it can be found. women to discuss with their doctor the possible problems Since then, we have continued to engage with partners associated with Epilim when it is taken in pregnancy. from the care sector, financial services and local authorities Women of child bearing potential are advised to use an 645W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 646W effective method of contraception and talk to their Commission with scientific advice to support policy doctor before planning pregnancy. development relating to consumer safety, public health The patient information for Epilim also advises that and the environment. women taking Epilim during pregnancy have a higher The Government is satisfied that SCENIHR’s report risk of having a child with an abnormality compared is comprehensive, and has no plans to undertake any with other women. Women are also advised that their further specific reviews into the safety of snus. babies may develop less quickly than normal or have A copy of SCENIHR’s report has been placed in the autistic disorders and that these children may require Library. additional educational support. Tobacco: Australia Streptococcus Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in what research his Department has carried out to establish Australia on the implementation of standardised why the updated Royal College of Obstetricians and packaging for tobacco in that country. [133359] Gynaecologists guidelines on prevention of group B streptococcus (GBS) have not resulted in reduced incidence Dr Poulter: The Department has received many of GBS infection in newborn babies. [133489] thousands of responses to the “Consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products” from a Dr Poulter: The Royal College of Obstetricians and range of interested parties. The Department is in the Gynaecologists published their updated guidelines on process of collating and analysing these responses. We prevention of group B streptococcus (GBS) on incidence will give full and proper consideration to all of the of GBS infection in neonates in July 2012. The updated responses received, as well as to the evidence, and other guideline took into account new evidence on the prevention relevant information, before making any decisions on of early-onset neonatal GBS disease. It is important future policy for tobacco packaging. that services undertake local clinical audits to ensure No current health minister has met with any Australian the effective use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis health minister to specifically discuss standardised recommended by the guideline. packaging of tobacco products. However, I met with This year The National Institute for Health and Senator the hon. Kim Carr, the Australian Minister for Clinical Excellence published two clinical audit tools Human Services on 6 December 2012, where he discussed which include clinical audit standards, a data collection experiences in Australia. form and an action plan template for use by services Contact is also maintained at official level with the that care for women in labour or for babies at risk of, or Australian Department of Health and Ageing regarding being treated for, early on-set neonatal infection. tobacco control.

Tobacco

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health WORK AND PENSIONS (1) if he will request (a) his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser and (b) the Government’s Chief Scientific Atos Healthcare Advisers’ Committee to conduct an assessment of the published scientific evidence concerning the health risks Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work associated with the use of Swedish snus and other forms and Pensions pursuant to the oral evidence of the of smokeless tobacco; [133408] Permanent Secretary of his Department to the Public (2) with reference to paragraph 5.11 of his Department’s Accounts Committee of 19 November 2012, HC 744-i, Tobacco Control Plan for England, Healthy Lives, Healthy Q161 and Q162, what proportion of health care People, if he will cite the scientific evidence used to professionals employed by Atos Healthcare for the purposes assess the health risks associated with the use of smokeless of carrying out the work capability assessment were (a) tobacco. [133461] doctors, (b) nurses and (c) physiotherapists in (i) the UK and (ii) each region in (A) 2010, (B) 2011, (C) 2012 Dr Poulter: Directive 2001/37/EC of the European to date and (D) each month since May 2010. [131959] Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2001 concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products Mr Hoban: Data on the number of staff employed by prohibits the placing on the market of tobacco for oral Atos Healthcare to work specifically on the work capability use, including snus. assessment (WCA) is not available. Atos Healthcare In February 2008, the European Commission’s headcount is recorded nationally against the DWP Medical independent Scientific Committee on Emerging and Services Contract which extends beyond delivery of the Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) published WCA. a report titled “Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products” that reviewed the evidence on the safety of Carers smokeless tobacco products. SCENIHR concluded that smokeless tobacco products are addictive and their use John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for is hazardous to health. Work and Pensions what support his Department will The SCENIHR is one of three independent non-food provide for carers when making applications for personal Scientific Committees that provide the European independence payments. [133283] 647W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 648W

Esther McVey: Personal independence payment has Mr Hoban: DWP (core Department and its agencies) been designed to be easy for disabled people to claim. does not employ consultants on a full-time staff equivalent However, if the disabled person requires support in basis. making a claim, then the process will allow the carer to Consultancy services are delivered on a project basis, act as the disabled persons “voice” during the claimant usually for a fixed fee following delivery of defined journey. Where the claimant is so disabled that they are outcomes or deliverables. The consultancy supplier is unable to act for themselves, the Department can appoint responsible for providing appropriate resource. a person to act on that claimant’s behalf. Where a claimant is required to attend an assessment, Disability Living Allowance provision has been made for allowing a third party, which can include carers, to accompany the disabled Mrs McGuire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work person whether it is held in an assessment centre or in and Pensions how many disability living allowance their own home. claimants have carers claiming carer’s allowance. A person can be awarded carer’s allowance if the [133151] person being cared for is in receipt of the daily living component of personal independence payment at either Esther McVey: The available information is published rate, as long as they satisfy the other qualifying criteria. in a response to a Freedom of Information request. This can be found on the Department’s website at: Carer’s Allowance: Warrington http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/foi-2270-2012.pdf

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Employment and Support Allowance and Pensions how many people are in receipt of carer’s allowance in Warrington North constituency. [133828] Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which recipients of employment Esther McVey: Statistics on how many people are in and support allowance will be exempted from referral receipt of carer’s allowance in Warrington North to mandatory community benefit work placements constituency can be found here: under the Mandatory Work Activity scheme. [133758] http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool Guidance for users is available here: Mr Hoban: Employment and support allowance claimants are not referred to the Mandatory Work http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf Activity Scheme—it is exclusively for jobseeker’s allowance claimants. Construction: Safety Employment Schemes Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work taking to reduce serious accidents and fatalities in the and Pensions how many people are undertaking construction industry and to promote safe practices. mandatory work activity at (a) Google, (b) Amazon [133841] and (c) Starbucks. [132666]

Mr Hoban: The Health and Safety Executive has a Mr Hoban: The Department does not hold information dedicated division for regulating the construction industry. on the number of MWAplaces undertaken with particular It engages with the industry through a plan of work placement providers. However, the Department specifies that supports industry in complying with legal requirements, that all placements under the mandatory work activity encourages those who are complying with the law and (MWA)scheme must be of benefit to the local community. takes a robust enforcement line with those who are not. Consequently, the vast majority of MWA placements The plan of work is a mix of inspection, investigation, will be outside the private sector. enforcement and other activities. Inspections are targeted at high-risk work and where health and safety standards Employment Schemes: Young People are poor, such as refurbishment work, asbestos removal and smaller sites. This is supported by a range of other Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work work including interventions with trade bodies, clients and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member and others in the supply chain to promote good practice; for Croydon Central of 10 September 2012, Official the provision of guidance through the HSE website and Report, column 85W,on youth unemployment: London, its publications; and support for the Working Well what funding model his Department has adopted for Together campaign which delivers key health and safety providers participating in the Day 1 Support for Young messages to construction workers. People Trailblazer. [133528]

Consultants Mr Hoban: The payment model used in the Day One Support for Young People trailblazer comprises three Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work separate payments: and Pensions how many full-time equivalent staff were (1) a start fee (30% of the contract value, paid when a claimant employed on consultancy contracts in his Department starts work placement) on the latest date for which figures are available; how (2) a completion fee (30% of the contract value, paid when a many such staff were employed on the same date 12 claimant has been either in employment or on placement for months ago; and if he will make a statement. [132217] 13 weeks) 649W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 650W

(3) a job outcome fee (40% of the contract value, paid when a http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool claimant has been in work for 26 out of 30 weeks). Hyperactivity More detail can be found in the Day One Support for Young People Trailblazer Specification at the following link: Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people with attention deficit http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/ View%20Notice.aspx?site-1000&lang=en&NoticeId=744579 hyperactivity disorder as their primary medical condition received (a) employment and support allowance and Housing Benefit (b) disability living allowance in (i) Vauxhall constituency and (ii) England and Wales since May 2010. [131481] Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people his Department estimates Mr Hoban: Information on how many people with will be affected (a) nationally and (b) in each local attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as their authority area by planned changes to housing benefit primary medical condition received employment and eligibility for people under-occupying social housing. support allowance is not available. [133391] The available information on the number of recipients of disability living allowance (DLA) with ADHD as Steve Webb: We estimate around 660,000 working main disabling condition by Area since May 2010 to age housing benefit claimants will be affected by the February 2012 is shown in the following table: social housing under-occupation measure. We are not able to estimate the impact of this measure Area at a local authority area level, but regional impacts can Vauxhall be found in the impact assessment: parliamentary England Wales constituency http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/social-sector-housing-under- occupation-wr2011-ia.pdf May 2010 34,530 2,560 30 May 201 44,150 3,250 40 Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work February 2012 48,750 3,650 40 and Pensions what the administrative costs are of a (a) Notes: new claim and (b) change of circumstance within an 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures do not include people with entitlement where the payment has been existing claim for housing benefit. [133959] suspended for example if they are in hospital. 3. A diagnosed medical condition does not mean that someone is automatically entitled to DLA. Entitlement is dependent on an assessment of how much help Steve Webb: Claims for housing benefit are administered someone needs with personal care and/or mobility because of their disability. by local authorities. The Department does not hold For example, a customer would not be awarded DLA on the basis of a diagnosis details of the administrative costs of a housing benefit of ADHD; the decision is based upon the care/supervision and difficulty getting around as a result of the substance dependency and any associated new claim or change of circumstances. physical or psychological complications. These statistics are only collected for administrative purposes. Housing Benefit: Wales 4. February 2012 data are the latest available data. Source: DWP Information Governance and Security Directorate: Work and Pensions Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Longitudinal Study and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the Jobseeker’s Allowance: Young People number of individuals in Wales who will lose housing benefit under the new under-occupancy rules for social housing by (a) county, (b) those in receipt of benefit, Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for (c) those in full-time employment and (d) those in Work and Pensions how many people aged between 18 part-time employment from April 2013. [133493] and 24 were claiming jobseeker’s allowance in (a) Haltemprice and Howden constituency, (b) East Yorkshire Steve Webb: Impacts of the under-occupancy measure and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber in October (i) 2009, at a regional level can be found in the impact assessment: (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011 and (iv) 2012. [134020] http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/social-sector-housing-under- occupation-wr2011-ia.pdf Mr Hoban: Statistics on jobseeker’s allowance by age and area are available at: We estimate around 40,000 working age housing benefit claimants in Wales will be affected by the social http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool housing under-occupation measure at the time of its Guidance for users is available at: introduction in 2013-14. http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf The further breakdowns requested are not available. Motor Neurone Disease Housing Benefit: Young People John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what procedures are to be put in Work and Pensions how many people under the age of place to ensure that sufferers from Motor Neurone 25 in St Helens South and Whiston constituency Disease are not disadvantaged by the introduction of received (a) housing benefit and (b) local housing personal independence payments and universal credits; allowance in each of the last five years. [133530] [133565] (2) what representations he has received on the treatment Steve Webb: The information requested is available of Motor Neurone Disease under the new system of for data from June 2012 onwards on a new visualisation personal independence payments and universal credits. tool Stat-Xplore published at: [133591] 651W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 652W

Esther McVey: The personal independence payment Raising the value of the earnings threshold at which assessment will not consider which impairments an individuals become eligible for automatic enrolment, individual has—labelling them simply on this basis—but from £8,105 to £9,440 would exclude around 420,000 how this impacts on their everyday lives. It will consider individuals, of whom 320,000 are women. an individual’s personal circumstances and the support Anyone who is not automatically enrolled because of they need, rather than basing eligibility on any medical an increase in the earnings threshold will retain the condition. right to opt in. If they earn above the lower limit of the During the initial data gather, claimants are not qualifying earnings band, which currently stands at asked about their condition but only give basic personal £5,564, they will also get an employer contribution. details including their name, date of birth, national Employers are required to provide information about insurance number, nationality, full address including these opt in rights to individuals. post code, daytime telephone number and bank or building society account details. If unable to make the Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for call themselves someone else can make the call for them Work and Pensions what the income tax threshold will provided the claimant is present with the caller. They be for auto-enrolment. [133265] can also have a supporter present with them at the consultation who is able to contribute to the discussion. Steve Webb: The automatic enrolment earnings trigger If necessary, someone can be appointed to act for the determines who saves. The qualifying earnings band claimant on either a temporary or a permanent basis. sets minimum contribution levels for money purchase Additionally, should the claimant be identified as schemes. These thresholds must be reviewed each year, being in a vulnerable situation, arrangements are in and revised if appropriate, taking into account the place that allow for a DWP Visiting Officer to assist the prevailing rates of national insurance contributions, claimant in completing both the initial phone call and PAYE personal tax allowance, basic state pension, price the ‘How your disability affects you’ form. and earnings inflation and any other factors that the To date there has been one representation received on Secretary of State considers appropriate. the treatment of Motor Neurone Disease under the new The Government’s response to the consultation on system of personal independence payments. the 2013-14 review and revision of earning thresholds for automatic enrolment will be published today, and I National Employment Savings Trust Scheme will place a copy of it in the House Libraries. These papers will also be available on the Department’s website Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for at: Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations the implications for his policy on small pension pots of the ban on transfers from the National Employment Savings Trust. [133259] Pension Credit: Merseyside Steve Webb: The Department for Work and Pensions is continuing to work closely with the pensions industry Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for and other interested parties, including NEST, to develop Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Wirral the automatic transfer proposals and to understand South constituency and (b) Merseyside receive pension how they might be implemented. credit; and what the average weekly payment is. [134056] The assumption is that NEST would be able to participate in any system for automatic transfers that may be introduced, and this was the basis of the Steve Webb: The information requested is in the Government’s analysis in the response to the small pots following table: consultation. This would require the current transfer Number in receipt of Average weekly restrictions on NEST to be lifted. pension credit payment (£) DWP has published a call for evidence on the impact on NEST of the transfer restrictions and the annual Wirral South 2,850 53.04 contribution limit. Details can be found on the DWP constituency website at Wirral 17,240 57.11 Notes: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2012/nest-auto- 1. Figures for the metropolitan county of Merseyside are not enrolment.shtml available figures provided are for Wirral local authority area and The call for evidence ends on 28 January 2013. Wirral South constituency. 2. Case load figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Occupational Pensions 3. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves or on behalf of themselves and a partner. Source: Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Work and Pensions how many people would be Study 100% data excluded from the new workplace pensions scheme if the income trigger for auto-enrolment were to rise from £8,105 to £9,440. [133263] Poverty

Steve Webb: We estimate that there are 11 million Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work workers eligible for automatic enrolment into a workplace and Pensions how many (a) children and (b) elderly pension of whom 37% are women. people live in poverty. [133756] 653W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 654W

Esther McVey: The Child Poverty Act 2010 sets four Social Security Benefits income-based UK-wide targets to be met by 2020. The targets are based on the proportion of children living in Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for households with relative low income, combined low Work and Pensions if he will assess whether the income and material deprivation, absolute low income methodology used in his Department’s January 2012 and persistent poverty (all before housing costs have study of Nationality at point of National Insurance been taken into account). number registration of DWP benefit claimants to estimate the number of non-UK nationals who claimed for some The number of children in poverty based on relative, working age benefits could be used to identify the absolute and combined low income and material deprivation number of non-UK nationals who claim (a) working measures for 2010/11 can be found in Tables 4.3tr, 4.4tr tax credit and (b) housing benefit; and if he will undertake and 4.5tr (found on pages 104, 105 and 106 respectively) such an analysis. [133977] of the Households Below Average Income series published at: Mr Hoban: Working tax credits are the responsibility http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hbai/hbai2011/ of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. index.php?page=contents The data to undertake the analysis suggested for The percentage of children in persistent poverty for housing benefit are not currently available in a suitable 2005-08 can be found in Table A4 (found on page 78) of format and could be produced only with a new methodology the Low Income Dynamics publication at: and at disproportionate cost. We have no plans to undertake this work. http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hbai/low_income/ low_income_dynamics_1991-2008.pdf Looking forward, the Government will be recording nationality and immigration status of migrants who Income matters but considering this in isolation fails make a claim to universal credit. to properly reflect the reality of child poverty in the UK today. We are very interested in developing better Social Security Benefits: Greater London measurements of child poverty which include income but provide a more accurate picture of the reality of Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for child poverty and are seeking a wide range of views as Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 29 November part of a consultation on how best to measure child 2012, Official Report, column 489W, on social security poverty. benefit: Greater London, what his most recent estimate is of the number of households in each borough of Estimates of pensioner poverty are also published in London whose weekly income will be reduced by (a) the Households Below Average Income series. The most less than £20, (b) between £20 and £39.99, (c) between commonly used measure of pensioner poverty relates to £40 and £59.99, (d) between £60 and £79.99, (e) between those people with income below 60% of contemporary £80 and £99.99 and (f) over £100 through the operation median income, after housing costs. This is often referred of the benefit cap. [134085] to as relative poverty. Mr Hoban: The following table shows for how many The information is already published and can be households in each borough of London the weekly found in Table 6.3tr (on page 208) of the Households reduction in benefit will be (a) less than £20, (b) Below Average Income series published at: between £20 and £39.99, (c) between £40 and £59.99, http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hbai/hbai2011/ (d) between £60 and £79.99, (e) between £80 and index.php?page=contents £99.99 and (f) over £100.

Number Less than Between £20 to Between £40 to Between £60 to Between £80 to Local authority £20 £39.99 £59.99 £79.99 £99.99 Over £100 Total

Barking and Dagenham 100 200 100 * * 300 800 Barnet 100 200 * * * 400 900 Bexley * * * * * * 300 Brent 300 400 100 200 300 1,100 2,500 Bromley * * * * * * 300 Camden 200 200 * * * 200 800 City of London * * * * * * * Croydon 100 100 200 * * 300 900 Ealing 300 200 200 200 100 700 1,700 Enfield 200 300 200 100 200 900 1,900 Greenwich 100 100 * * * 100 500 Hackney 300 100 200 * * 400 ¦ 1,200 Hammersmith and Fulham 100 * * * * 300 700 Haringey 100 100 200 * * 500 1,100 Harrow * * * * * 300 700 Havering * * * * * * 300 Hillingdon 100 * * 100 * 300 700 Hounslow 100 * * * * 200 600 Islington 200 200 * * * 300 800 Kensington and Chelsea * 200 * * * 300 700 655W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 656W

Number Less than Between £20 to Between £40 to Between £60 to Between £80 to Local authority £20 £39.99 £59.99 £79.99 £99.99 Over £100 Total

Kingston upon Thames * * * * * * 200 Lambeth 100 * 100 * * 200 700 Lewisham 100 100 100 * * 300 700 Merton * * * * * * 300 Newham 300 200 200 200 100 600 1,600 Redbridge 100 200 * 100 * 400 1,000 Richmond upon Thames * * * * * * 100 Southwark * * * * * 100 500 Sutton * * * * * * 200 Tower Hamlets 200 200 200 100 * 500 1,300 Waltham Forest 100 100 * 100 * 300 800 Wandsworth 100 100 100 * * 400 900 Westminster 200 500 * * 200 800 1,700 Total 4,300 4,700 3,000 2,600 2,300 10,800 27,600 Note: Rounded to the nearest 100. Areas with fewer than 100 households affected are denoted by ″*″, as additional disclosure control has been applied to these areas. For this reason, figures may not round to the total number of households affected in London.

The figures presented above are consistent with the Mr Hoban: The number of people in the specified recent Impact Assessment published on 16 July 2012. In areas who want to work more hours either in their making these estimates we assume that the situation of current job, or by taking a new or additional job, are these households will go unchanged, and they will not shown in the table. This group represents a minority of take any steps to either work enough hours to qualify the work force, with nine out of 10 people saying they for working tax credit, renegotiate their rent in situ, or do not want additional hours. find alternative accommodation. In all cases the Department The figures include people who say they would accept is working to support households through this transition, longer hours in their current job if the opportunity using existing provision through Jobcentre Plus and the arose, in addition to those who are actively seeking Work Programme to move as many into work as possible. extra hours. They also include people already working Therefore, please note that these figures are subject to full-time (up to 47 hours per week) who still express a change prior to the policy being implemented in April preference for more hours. 2013. The UK has a flexible labour market in which six to The recent disregarding of housing costs for those in seven million people start a new job or change jobs supported exempt accommodation announced in the every year and the range of new jobs coming up is very autumn statement of 5 December 2012, Official Report, wide. This dynamism and diversity ensures most people columns 871-882, can not be allocated geographically can find a job that suits their particular needs. A job therefore this has not been removed from the estimates that does not initially provide as many hours as a presented here. This will reduce the figures in local person wants can provide valuable skills and experience authorities based on where these households are. and be a stepping stone to more hours when their employer is able to offer them, or by using the experience Social Security Benefits: Uprating gained to move to a different job. Number in employment willing to work more hours1 Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Number (Thousand) Work and Pensions whether he expects to bring forward primary legislation to change the method of England 2,246 benefit uprating; and if he will make a statement. West Midlands 227 [133269] Coventry 13 1 Workers are defined as underemployed if willing to work more hours, either by working in an additional job, working more hours in their current job, or Steve Webb: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the switching to a replacement job. They must also be available to start working right hon. Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), announced longer hours within two weeks, and their current weekly hours must be below 40 hours if they are aged between 16 and 18 and below 48 hours if they are aged in his autumn statement of 5 December 2012, Official over 18. Report, columns 871-82, that the main rates of the Notes: majority of working age benefits and tax credits would 1. Estimates are based on small sample sizes and should be treated with caution. 2. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest thousand. increase by 1% in 2013-14. This will be achieved under Source: existing legislation. A Bill to extend this for a further ONS, Annual Population Survey dataset, October 2010 to September 2011. two years will be introduced shortly. Unemployment Benefits Unemployment Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Work and Pensions how many people have been in and Pensions whether he has made an assessment of the receipt of out-of-work benefits for (a) one year, (b) number of people who are currently underemployed in two years and (c) three years in (i) Haltemprice and (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England. Howden constituency, (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber [132920] and (iii) England. [134021] 657W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 658W

Mr Hoban: The following table shows the number of total amount of households affected by the cap by people in receipt of out of work benefit in Haltemprice around 2,000 to 54,000 and reduce the savings by around and Howden parliamentary constituency, Yorkshire and £10 million to £265 million. While disregarding housing the Humber and England by duration: costs for these households does not exempt them per se, there will be very few who remain affected by the cap. Up to 1 1to2 2to3 Area All year years years This estimate is on a consistent basis to the existing impact assessment published 16 July 2012: England 2,550,210 1,799,170 500,540 250,500 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/benefit-cap-wr2011-ia.pdf Jobseekers 1,332,520 1,071,420 213,080 48,020 Allowance Wellingborough Incapacity Benefits 823,290 531,760 168,960 122,570 Lone Parents 302,400 139,460 96,390 66,550 Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Carers 52,400 24,960 16,480 10,960 Pensions if he will relocate his Department to Other Income 39,580 31,570 5,620 2,390 Related Benefits Wellingborough. [132922]

Yorkshire and the 300,050 214,330 57,970 27,750 Mr Hoban: The Department already undertakes some Humber activities in Wellingborough at the Jobcentre Plus in Jobseekers 166,300 132,410 27,600 6,290 West Villa Road. However, it would be impractical to Allowance relocate the rest of the Department to Wellingborough. Incapacity Benefits 89,990 59,240 17,720 13,030 Lone Parents 32,590 15,610 10,140 6,840 Work Programme Carers 6,350 3,090 1,880 1,380 Other Income 4,830 4,000 620 210 Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Related Benefits Work and Pensions what guidance his Department gives to Work programme placement providers which Haltemprice and 2,230 1,640 400 190 [131978] Howden wish to refer a customer for sanctions. parliamentary constituency Mr Hoban: The ’Work Programme Provider Guidance’ Jobseekers 1,340 1,090 210 40 Chapter 6 ’Raising a Compliance Doubt’ is available to Allowance providers on the Department’s website at: Incapacity Benefits 660 420 120 120 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare- Lone Parents 180 90 60 30 to-work-services/provider-guidance/work-programme- Carers 40201010provider.shtml Other Income 20 20 — — Related Benefits Providers follow this guidance when a Work programme Notes: participant fails to comply with a mandated activity, 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and totals may not sum due referring cases where appropriate to Jobcentre Plus to rounding. “—” Denotes nil or negligible. where a decision maker will consider whether imposing 2. Statistical Group is a hierarchical variable. A person who fits into more than one category will only appear in the top-most. a sanction is appropriate. 3. Out of work benefits which are included in this analysis are: Jobseekers Allowance Employment and Support Allowance Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 10 Income Support December 2012, Official Report, column 56W, on the 4. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance (ESA) for new claims from October 2008. Work programme, how many former incapacity benefit 5. Durations shown are the longest claim duration of the benefits of interest. claimants have participated in the Work programme in 6. The duration of claim reflects the longest out-of-work benefit claim for each (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) each local authority. person: For the Jobseekers statistical group this will be the length of the JSA claim. [133593] For the lone parent, carer, and others on income related benefit statistical groups this will be the length of the IS claim. Mr Hoban: Statistics on how many former incapacity For the ESA and incapacity benefits claim this will be the length of the IB/SDA or ESA claim if the person is only claiming that benefit, or the oldest benefit claimants have participated in the Work programme of either the IB/SDA/ESA and IS claim if the person is claiming a in (a) Great Britain, (b) Scotland and (c) each local combination of these benefits. authority can be found at: Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate: Work and Pensions http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool Longitudinal Study. Guidance for users is available at: Universal Credit http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to paragraph 2.66 of Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 10 December the Autumn Statement 2012, what estimate he has 2012, Official Report, column 55W, on the Work made of the number of households that will be exempt programme, whether he requires all Work programme from the household benefit cap as a result of the providers to develop plans for improving performance. decision to disregard housing payments for those in [133768] supported exempt accommodation for the purpose of the benefit cap. [133481] Mr Hoban: All Work programme providers have been required to develop and put in place performance Mr Hoban: Figures approved by the Office for Budget development plans for each of their Work programme Responsibility estimate that this change will reduce the contracts. 659W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 660W

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many new apprenticeship places have been made available in (a) Apprentices Pendle constituency, (b) the North West and (c) England in the last year. [133631]

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Matthew Hancock: Information on the number of Business, Innovation and Skills what the average length apprenticeship starts by geography are published in of an apprenticeship has been in (a) Liverpool, Walton Supplementary Tables to a quarterly Statistical First constituency, (b) Liverpool and (c) nationally in each Release (SFR): of the last 10 years. [133374] http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/87E140BF- 810D-4C48-A5C1-9C8B84B46117/0/ October2012_Apprenticeship_starts.xls Matthew Hancock [holding answer 13 December 2012]: Table 1 shows the adjusted average length of an http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_supplementary_tables/ Apprenticeship framework in Liverpool Walton Apprenticeship_sfr_supplementary_tables/ constituency, Liverpool local education authority and England for 2009/10 to 2011/12 (provisional). Final The latest SFR containing headline apprenticeship data are shown for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 academic starts figures was published on 11 October 2012: years and provisional data are shown for the 2011/12 http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ academic year. statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current Data are not available on the number of starts that were Data prior to 2009/10 on the adjusted measure basis new apprenticeship places. is not available, 2011/12 is the latest year for which data are available. Basic Skills Care should be taken when interpreting Apprenticeship durations as they are dependent on the mix of Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Apprenticeship levels and frameworks, and the prior Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department’s attainment of learners (some will already have completed core adult skills budget (a) is for 2012-13 and (b) will parts of the Apprenticeship). The adjusted measure is be for the next three financial years. [133816] intended to exclude those Apprentices with some prior attainment. Matthew Hancock: The Skills Funding Statement Table 1: Average length of stay by geography, 2009/10 to 2011/12 2012-15, published on 6 December 2012, sets out the (provisional) Adult Skills Budget for 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial Months years (FY), and the indicative budget for 2014-15 FY. 2011/12 Details can be found in the finance table of the document, 2009/10 2010/11 (provisional) on page 15, at: Liverpool Walton 15 12 11 http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/ parliamentary constituency docs/s/12-p172-skills-funding-statement-2012-2015.pdf Liverpool local education 15 12 11 The Department has budgets set up until the end of authority the current spending review period (2014-15). The autumn England total 15 13 12 statement on 5 December 2012, Official Report, columns Notes: 871-82, confirmed the envelope for total managed 1. Provisional data for 2011/12 should not be directly compared with expenditure in 2015-16, and announced that detailed data for earlier years. 2. Average length of stay (adjusted) is based on the actual end date of plans for spending in 2015-16, including the breakdown the Apprenticeship as recorded in the ILR; it only includes those by Department, will be set out in the first half of next achievements within the academic year that were fully funded. year. Source: Individualised Learner Record Business: Government Assistance Provisional data for the 2011/12 academic year provide an early view of performance and will change as further Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, data returns are received from further education colleges Innovation and Skills what recent representations he and providers. They should not be directly compared has received on support for small businesses. [131929] with final year data from previous years. Figures for 2011/12 will be finalised in January 2013. Michael Fallon: Ministers and officials regularly engage Information on Apprenticeship achievements by duration with small businesses and their representative groups to is published within the ’Other Statistics’ section of the discuss a range of issues affecting small businesses, SFR website: including business support. On 24 October, I chaired the Small Business Economic Forum, which brings http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ together representatives of business and finance. This statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_other_statistics/ provided an opportunity to discuss a number of issues From August 2012 Ministers have decided that an including equity aversion among small businesses, the Apprenticeship must last at least 12 months for under new Business Bank, finance issues for employee owned 19s, and for adults unless prior learning is recorded and businesses, Global Entrepreneurship Week, prompt funding reduced accordingly, in order to ensure that payment, and the British Bankers’ Association’s Business every Apprenticeship involves sufficient new learning Finance Taskforce. I also had one of my quarterly and opportunity to embed new skills. meetings with the Federation of Small Businesses on 661W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 662W

1 November, where we discussed Interest Rate Swaps million to small companies in the North West. The and the autumn statement of 5 December 2012, Official Government also supports equity investment in SMEs Report, columns 871-882. through a range of tax incentives for investors, including The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and the new Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme. Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince (g) Through the Regional Growth Fund, Government Cable), and I also meet regularly with our Entrepreneurs’ supports Santander’s breakthrough programme which Forum, a group of individual entrepreneurs. The Forum provides businesses with support, training and access to last met on 2 October, to discuss the development of the mezzanine finance. As yet, no mezzanine finance has Business Bank, branding of business support, and support been provided to businesses based in the Liverpool area to small businesses on exporting. within this programme. (h) There were 22 companies supported from December Business: Liverpool 2010 to September 2012 in Liverpool by the North West Fund. In March 2012, there were 9,700 businesses registered Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for for either VAT and/or PAYE in the Liverpool local Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in authority area. These figures exclude the very smallest Liverpool have received funding from (a) the Growth non employing businesses, for which data is not available. Accelerator, (b) Business In You, (c) the Business Growth Fund, (d) UK Trade and Investment Export Business: Loans for Growth, (e) export finance, (f) equity, (g) mezzanine support and (h) the North West Fund in the last 12 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, months for which figures are available; and what information Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 15 October his Department holds on the total number of businesses 2012, Official Report, columns 246-47W, on business: in Liverpool. [133376] loans, what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of small and medium-sized businesses in Michael Fallon [holding answer 13 December 2012]: each region who have had (a) an overdraft and (b) a The information is as follows: business loan application rejected by a bank in each (a) Growth Accelerator is a new £200 million, three quarter of each year since March 2010; and if he will year programme to help up to 26,000 of England’s make a statement. [133819] fastest growing businesses achieve their ambition and potential to achieve rapid and sustainable growth. It Michael Fallon: Pursuant to my previous response of will help small businesses with potential overcome barriers 15 October 2012, Official Report, columns 246-47W, on to growth and make a significant contribution to private business loans, the Government does not collect statistics sector-led recovery. There are 55 companies from the on the proportion of applicants for loans and overdrafts Liverpool city Local Enterprise Partnership area on the who are successful, but an estimate is available from the Growth Accelerator programme. independently conducted SME Finance Monitor published by BDRC. This survey lists the geographical region of (b) Business in You is not a funding programme. It is each respondent, and BDRC makes this publicly available a partnership between private enterprise and Government at the UK Data Archive. Despite the large number of to highlight support for start-ups and growing businesses. SMEs surveyed, (5,000 each quarter), the small proportion (c) The Business Growth Fund is an independent which apply for external finance from banks in any one privately run investment fund, without control or stake quarter (around 2.5%) means that statistically robust from Government, and Government does not collect estimates of success rate are not available on a quarterly details of its investments. basis. (d) Exporting for Growth sets out the range of BDRC has published regional breakdowns based on support companies can receive from UK Trade and their first full year of data in April 2012, which was Investment (UKTI), to help them export, and in Liverpool, published and is freely available on the SME Finance over the year 1 November 2011 to 31 October 2012, 331 Monitor website at: companies received export support. www.sme-finance-monitor.co.uk (e) UK Export Finance does not provide businesses and will publish its next annual report in the spring. with funding. It issues trade credit insurance to exporters and guarantees to banks that make loans to buyers to That publicly available report, accessed on 12 December finance the purchase of supplies from UK companies. 2012 showed that the proportion of small and medium-sized In 2011-12, UK Export Finance has not provided support, businesses in each region who ended up with no facility by way of credit insurance and guarantees, in respect of after having applied for (a) an overdraft and (b) a businesses in Liverpool. business loan application were as follows:

(f) BIS invests directly in a range of equity funds that Percentage make investments into SMEs, including the Enterprise (a) Of applicants for (b) Of applicants for Capital Fund programme. One company in Liverpool ‘overdrafts’ which ended ‘loans’ which ended up has received investment from equity funds directly supported Region up with no facility with no facility by BIS in the last 12 months. North East 13 46* As well as funds directly supported by BIS, there are Yorkshire and Humber *21 27 a range of other sources of equity investment for companies North West 21 25 in Liverpool on which the Department does not hold West Midlands *17 *47 data. This includes the £170 million North West Fund, East Midlands 21 40 which is financed by European Structural Funds and East Anglia **8 35 provides equity finance ranging from £50,000 to £2 South West 8 41 663W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 664W

Percentage Local enterprise partnership funding 2011/12 2012/13 (a) Of applicants for (b) Of applicants for ‘overdrafts’ which ended ‘loans’ which ended up Start-up fund (challenge-based £5 million — Region up with no facility with no facility funding to help put their core operational capacity in place) London 16 34 Capacity fund (for development and £1 million1 £3 million2 South East 18 30 delivery of activities) 3 Scotland 11 22 Core funding (for long-term resource — £125,000 per LEP planning and strengthen support and Wales *26 31 autonomy of the business-led boards) Northern Ireland *28 14 1 Challenge funding. National average 17 33 2 Equal allocation for each LEP over a three-year period. 3 Note: Jointly given by BIS and DCLG with up to £250,000 per LEP for the next two An asterisk indicates that applicants in that region were statistically less likely years on a matched fund basis. to have ended the process with a facility, (and a double asterisk indicates they were more likely), once business demographics (such as size, age and risk The following table shows the regional distribution of rating) and the reason for application were taken into account. The report, RGF funds from the three bidding rounds. This funding however, stresses that this is unlikely to be caused by them being in the given region per se, and instead will be a reflection of other factors about the is available from 2011-16 and is paid to bidders as they business, only some of which have been captured in the survey. claim according to how the project or programme progresses. I will be issuing a written ministerial statement EU Law on the Regional Growth Fund in the new year and this will set out progress to date. Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of £ million new UK legislation has originated in the EU since Region Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 1997. [132961] North West 28 212 142 West Midlands 107 126 184 Michael Fallon: The OECD estimates that at least North East 62 100 170 50% of national regulations in EU member states have East Midlands 20 72 38 their origin in EU legislation. In order to increase Yorkshire and 45 122 101 transparency, in the forthcoming Statement of New the Humber Regulation (SNR5) the Government will, for the first South West 8 91 105 time, be listing details of those new European Union South East 6 75 49 (EU) measures which are being implemented in UK law East of England 0 10 31 in the next six months and have a direct effect on London 0 0 9 business. National 175 90 224 Total 451 898 1,053 Further Education: Finance Higher Education: Scotland Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of the Mr Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for 2.8% increase in funding for further education colleges Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of all announced on 6 December 2012 is (a) capital and (b) grants awarded by UK research councils was awarded revenue funding. [133815] to universities in Scotland in each year since 2007-08. [133753] Matthew Hancock: The Skills Funding Statement 2012-2015, published on 6 December 2012, set out the Mr Willetts: The following table gives a breakdown funding available for investment in the further education of the proportion of funding awarded to universities in and skills sector in 2013-14: Scotland in each year from 2007-08. Figures were not available for 2011-12. http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/ docs/s/12-p172-skills-funding-statement-2012-2015.pdf Grant funding from Research Councils 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08

Grants Total for all HEIs1 in 2,713,391 2,703,423 2,599,867 2,281,293 UK (£) Total for HEIs in 356,289 356,640 356,794 304,958 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Scotland (£) Innovation and Skills what funding his Department has allocated to each region of England for (a) its local Percentage of total 13.13 13.19 13.72 13.37 economic partnership and (b) the Regional Growth funding to Scotland Fund in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if 1 Higher education institution he will make a statement. [134111] Postgraduate Education: Finance Michael Fallon: The 39 local enterprise partnerships have been offered the following funding. These figures Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, are not available by region. The autumn statement Innovation and Skills how many (a) doctoral, (b) announced that the Government will provide £10 million taught masters and (c) research masters postgraduate per year for capacity building within LEPs. Each LEP degree course places there were in each subject area that will be able to apply for up to £250,000 additional were funded by (i) the Higher Education Funding Council funding per year to develop and deliver strategic plans. of England and Wales, (b) the Research Councils and 665W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 666W

(iii) other organisations in the public sector in (A) Table 2: Number of postgraduate research (PGR) FTEs (English institutions) 2010-11 and (B) 2011-12; what estimate he has made of Eligible PGR Eligible PGR Eligible PGR the number of such places in (1) 2012-13 and (2) 2013-14; Subject FTEs in 2010-11 FTEs in 2011-12 FTEs in 2012-13 area funding funding funding and if he will make a statement. [132082] Sciences 23,080 24,614 23,972 Mr Willetts: Information on the number of postgraduate (including taught (PGT) and postgraduate research (PGR) full-time medicine) Social 9,101 9,976 9,619 equivalent students (FTEs) counted in the Higher Education Sciences Funding Council of England (HEFCE) teaching and Arts and 7,472 8,096 7,769 research funding methodologies for England are shown humanities in Tables 1 and 2 as follows. The postgraduate taught Total 39,654 42,686 41,360 figures are broken down into the following broad subject England areas: Source: (A) The clinical stages of medicine and dentistry courses and Eligible PGR students in years 1 to 3 of full-time study (and part-time equivalent) taken from the 2009 and 2010 HEFCE Research Activity Surveys. veterinary science. Also Eligible PGR FTEs extracted from 2010-11 HESA Student Record. (B) Laboratory-based subjects (science, pre-clinical stages of medicine and dentistry, engineering and technology). Estimates for PGT FTE for 2012-13 provided by (C) Subjects with a studio, laboratory or fieldwork element. institutions in 2011 are known to be unreliable. Data (D) All other subjects. will be available shortly from HEFCE on final PGT Table 1: Estimate of number of postgraduate taught (PGT) FTEs (English FTE outturn numbers for 2012-13. Data are not yet institutions) available to predict eligible PGT or PGR FTE for Price group 2010-11 FTEs 2011-12 FTEs 2013-14. A 1,941.80 1,941.80 Research Councils B 11,055.20 11,079.50 C 33,042.40 33,466.80 Table 3 as follows shows headcount figures on the D 34,868.10 35,029.70 number of taught masters, other masters, PhD and Total 80,907.60 81,517.80 other doctoral studies places that were funded in 2010/11 Sources: and 2011/12. Table 4 shows what is expected to be 2010-11 FTEs taken from HESES/HEIFES10 and the 2010-11 monitoring return funded in 2012/13 and 2013/14. The figures are broken 2011-12 FTEs taken from the October 2011-12 sector grant tables down by Research Council.

Table 3: Number of headcount postgraduate places funded by RCUK (UK institutions)

Taught Masters Other Masters PhD Other doctoral studies

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

AHRC — — 607 486 729 719 — —

BBSRC — — 110 110 555 525 — —

EPSRC — — — — 2,944 2,450 — —

ESRC — — 6 — 739 649 — —

MRC — — 63 63 276 251 51 56

NERC 285 — — — 325 332 — —

STFC — — — — 225 225 — —

Total 285 0 786 659 5,793 5,151 51 56

Table 4: Estimated numbers of headcount postgraduate places funded by RCUK (UK institutions) for the next 2 years Taught Masters Other Masters PhD Other doctoral studies

2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14

AHRC — — 355 339 692 689 — —

BBSRC — — 0 0 405 420 — —

EPSRC — — — — 2,300 2,200 — —

ESRC — — 6 6 753 600 — —

MRC — — 66 68 178 190 45 50

NERC — — — — 325 325 — — 667W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 668W

Table 4: Estimated numbers of headcount postgraduate places funded by RCUK (UK institutions) for the next 2 years Taught Masters Other Masters PhD Other doctoral studies 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14

STFC — — — — 225 225 — — Total: 0 0 427 413 4,878 4,649 45 50 Notes: 1. The data does not take in to account any funds leveraged by HEIs to increase the total number of studentship places available. 2. 2011/12 data—This replaces previous estimates with the actual numbers. 3. If universities choose to support part-time students and fees-only students, and/or match Research Council funding with that from other sources, then more students will be able to be supported; PhD students may also be supported by larger Research Grants from some councils. 4. MRC data (i) The figures presented above are the number of new student places funded by the MRC which started in the specified year. (ii) The data presented for ’Other Masters’ excludes any studentships where a Masters has been funded as part of doctoral study. MRC does not fund ’Taught Masters’. (iii) The data presented under ’other doctoral training’ were clinically trained students funded as Clinical Research Training Fellows. (iv) All of the data presented above excludes studentships at MRC funded Centres and Units. Approximately 100 students a year start their PhD studentship in one of MRC’s units or institutes. 5. AHRC data Figures may be subject to change depending on a number of factors. The majority of the students funded will be supported through the AHRC’s Block Grant Partnership schemes. The figures provided are based on full-time students in receipt of fees & maintenance. 6. BBSRC data All Masters students are included in ″Other Masters″. Separate figures are not available for Taught and Research Masters. PhD studentship numbers for the last two years are estimates from data based on returns provided by awarded institutions. 7. EPSRC data EPSRC only supports Masters level training when it aligns with their broader strategy. For this reason, in 2009 they decided to focus most of their support in this area on activities which employ Masters-level training as a means of developing highly skilled doctoral-level researchers, rather than those which view the provision of Masters graduates as an end in itself. As a result, their current support for Masters level training is delivered via the Centres for Doctoral Training, Doctoral Training Accounts and some courses in Mathematical Sciences (e.g. Statistics). Not all of these routes provide students with a formal Masters qualification soitwouldbe difficult to be definitive about numbers over a specific period. 8. ESRC data ESRC funds a mix of +3 (PhD), 1+3 (Masters + PhD) and other structured awards. The data provided indicates new student places per year, rather than the total student stock each year. All new funded studentships are located within their Doctoral Training Centre Network to allow individual institutions greater flexibility to determine the structure of training required by each candidate. This means ESRC is unable to predict the exact structure of allocations for future years.

Regional Growth Fund Michael Fallon: 126 bids from Round 2 of the Regional Growth Fund were conditionally allocated funding subject to confirmatory due diligence. These bids translate to Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for 173 individual awards as some bids have multiple Business, Innovation and Skills whether any counterparties. Of these, 31 awards worth £135 million proportion of the Regional Growth Fund monies have yet to agree a final offer. Officials in the Department announced in the Autumn Statement will be channelled for Business, Innovation and Skills aim to get these through devolved Administrations. [133678] offers agreed by the end of the year. Michael Fallon: £350 million announced for the Regional Science: Research Growth Fund in the autumn statement includes £40 million for devolved Administrations through the Barnett Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Consequential. Business, Innovation and Skills how much expenditure on science and research he has announced since Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, October 2010. [133665] Innovation and Skills pursuant to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement of 5 December 2012, Mr Willetts: The Allocation of Science and Research Official Report, columns 871-2, by what means monies 2011-15 was published in December 2010 and gives full for the new regional growth fund will be delivered; and details of the baseline expenditure for Science and by what date he expects to announce the details of the Research for the financial year 2011-12 onwards: delivery mechanism. [133810] http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/science/docs/a/10-1356- allocation-of-science-and-research-funding-2011-2015 Michael Fallon: The Chancellor announced additional Since then, announcements have been made for funding for the Regional Growth Fund in his autumn additional capital expenditure in science and research statement. I have asked officials in the Department for totalling £1.52 billion. These investments will be made Business, Innovation and Skills to work quickly across through the seven UK research councils, the Higher Whitehall to agree the best means of delivering this Education Funding Council for England and the UK funding based upon the success of previous rounds. I Space Agency. will put proposals to my ministerial colleagues and an announcement will be made as soon as possible thereafter. Skilled Workers: Construction

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 9 for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what recent November 2012, Official Report, column 779W, on assessment his Department has made of the construction Regional Growth Fund, how many (a) bids and (b) skills certification scheme and the green card holding individual awards under Round 2 of the Regional Growth scheme; [133842] Fund have not yet received a final agreed offer; and (2) if he will make it his policy to increase the what the monetary value is of such bids and awards. requirements for eligibility for a construction skills [133811] certification scheme green card to include a series of 669W Written Answers17 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 670W training modules in addition to the current Health and shop workers working on Sundays; if he will place in Safety Executive test; and if he will consider providing the Library a copy of any response given; and if he will financial support to the construction industry to fund make a statement; [131927] such additional requirements. [133843] (2) what research he has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned since September 2010 on the social Michael Fallon: The Construction Skills Certification implications of relaxing Sunday trading restrictions; if Scheme is an industry-led initiative. The Department he will assess the potential effect of easing or removing for Business, Innovation and Skills has not made any existing restrictions on Sunday trading on (i) parental recent assessment of the scheme and there is no statutory involvement in children’s education and (ii) parent- requirement to hold this or equivalent qualifications. child contact time; and if he will make a statement; While we welcome the positive contribution that the [131928] schemes makes, both to the industry and its clients, in (3) what recent estimate he has made of the number promoting health and safety awareness and relevant of shop workers in each region (a) of each sex and (b) competency standards, decisions on the scheme are a in each age group who have exercised a right not to matter for the scheme’s operators. work on a Sunday; [131975] Student Wastage: Higher Education (4) if he will take steps to ensure that employees understand their right to opt out of Sunday working; Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for and if he will make a statement. [132406] Business, Innovation and Skills how many students left university before completing their degree in the last Jo Swinson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer year for which figures are available. [132232] given by the Minister for Business and Enterprise, the right hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon), to Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Statistics Agency the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson) on (HESA) publishes information on non-continuation rates 11 September 2012, Official Report, column 215W, of undergraduate students, including projected outcomes regarding Sunday trading. (completion rates), through the HESA Performance Legislation protects shop workers from having to Indicators release. The latest available figures show that work on Sunday if they do not wish to do so. With the 78.7% of full-time students starting first degree courses exception of those employed to work solely on Sundays, at English higher education institutions in 2009/10 were they have the right to refuse to work on Sundays and expected to complete their course and gain a degree cannot be dismissed fordoing so. Even if they have level qualification; of the remaining 21.3%, 3.1% were agreed to work on Sundays, employees are free to projected to gain another award, 5.1% were projected to change their minds subject to a three month notice transfer to another institution, 0.2% had unknown period. outcomes, and 12.8% were expected to neither gain an award or transfer. There have not been any recent representations from trades unions on the level of pay to shop workers. Like Figures for students starting courses in the 2010/11 other terms and conditions, however, levels of pay are a academic year will become available from March 2013. matter for negotiation and agreement between the parties Further information on HESA performance indicators concerned, subject to requirement to pay the minimum can be found at: wage. http://www.hesa.ac.uk/content/view/2072/141/ There has been no assessment of the number of OECD statistics show that university completion rates workers who have exercised a right to work on Sunday. in the UK compare well internationally. Latest estimates, provided in “Education at a Glance 2010: OECD Since the provisions in the Sunday Trading Act 1994, Indicators”, showed the UK to have completion rates now consolidated into the Employment Rights Act well above the OECD average. 1996, have been in force, information on an employee’s right to opt out of Sunday working has been highly Sunday Trading publicised by this Department, in the press and made readily available on former Government sponsored websites Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, such as Directgov and businesslink and is now available Innovation and Skills (1) what recent representations he on has received from trades unions on the level of pay to www.gov.uk ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 17 December 2012

Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 543 COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation...... 548 continued Community Pubs ...... 553 National Planning Policy Framework (Older Council Tax ...... 547 People)...... 554 Fly-tipping and Graffiti ...... 553 Neighbourhood Planning ...... 545 Green Belt...... 555 Rural Economy...... 545 Homelessness...... 549 Social Housing...... 557 Housing (Armed Forces and First-time Buyers)..... 558 Topical Questions ...... 558 Land for House Building ...... 556 Town Centres (Regeneration)...... 543 Local Authority Funding...... 551 Wind Turbines ...... 549 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Monday 17 December 2012

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 69WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 72WS Fifth Statement of New Regulation ...... 69WS Private Security Companies ...... 72WS

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 69WS HEALTH...... 73WS Fire and Rescue Services ...... 69WS Health Council...... 73WS NHS Consultants and Junior Doctors’ Contracts.. 74WS

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 70WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 76WS Telecommunications Council ...... 70WS Arab Spring Asset Recovery Task Force ...... 76WS

DEFENCE...... 71WS TREASURY ...... 69WS Spectrum Release...... 71WS Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010...... 69WS PETITION

Monday 17 December 2012

Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT ...... 5P Extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington...... 5P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 17 December 2012

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 505W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Consultants...... 505W Higher Education: Scotland...... 664W Corporate Manslaughter...... 505W Postgraduate Education: Finance...... 664W Fraud ...... 506W Regional Growth Fund ...... 667W Plymouth Brethren...... 507W Science: Research ...... 668W Proceeds of Crime...... 507W Skilled Workers: Construction ...... 668W Prosecutions...... 508W Student Wastage: Higher Education ...... 669W Serious Fraud Office ...... 509W Sunday Trading...... 669W Sexual Offences...... 510W CABINET OFFICE...... 525W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 659W Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs: Yorkshire and the Apprentices...... 659W Humber ...... 525W Basic Skills...... 660W Big Society Capital...... 527W Business: Government Assistance ...... 660W Charities: Fraud...... 527W Business: Liverpool...... 661W Conditions of Employment...... 527W Business: Loans...... 662W Employment ...... 527W EU Law...... 663W Internet ...... 528W Further Education: Finance...... 663W Olympic Games 2012: Anniversaries...... 529W Grants...... 663W Pay...... 529W Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE—continued DEFENCE—continued Plymouth Brethren...... 530W Official Hospitality ...... 620W Strategic Defence and Security Review ...... 530W Overseas Workers...... 620W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 530W Pay...... 620W Voluntary Work: Young People...... 531W Piracy...... 621W Porton Down: Animal Experiments...... 621W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 579W Public Expenditure...... 621W Council Tax: Pendle ...... 580W Reserve Forces ...... 624W Early Intervention...... 580W Senior Civil Servants...... 625W Environmental Impact Assessment ...... 581W Sick Leave ...... 626W Fire Services: South West...... 581W Staff ...... 626W Homelessness...... 580W Temporary Employment ...... 627W Housing: Standards ...... 581W Theft ...... 627W Local Government Finance: Halton ...... 582W Trident Submarines...... 628W Local Government Finance: Tees Valley ...... 582W Turks and Caicos Islands ...... 628W Local Government: Joint Working...... 580W Veterans: Plymouth...... 628W Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property...... 583W Warships ...... 629W Planning Permission ...... 583W Rented Housing: South-east ...... 579W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 514W Riots Communities and Victims Panel...... 584W Regional Planning and Development ...... 514W Social Rented Housing: Greater London ...... 584W EDUCATION...... 584W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 549W Arts...... 584W Arts Council: National Lottery ...... 549W Basic Skills...... 585W Clothing...... 549W Children in Care...... 585W Common Purpose ...... 550W Climate Change: Curriculum ...... 585W Consumers: Protection...... 550W Domestic Violence: Education ...... 586W Creative Partnerships ...... 551W Free Schools: Teachers...... 586W England Athletics ...... 551W Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 587W EU Law...... 552W Pupil Exclusions...... 587W Music: Children ...... 554W School Meals ...... 587W Ofcom...... 554W Schools: Asbestos...... 589W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 554W Schools: Repairs and Maintenance ...... 590W Pay...... 554W Schools: Sports ...... 595W Public Appointments ...... 555W Schools: Standards...... 595W Staff ...... 555W Sick Leave ...... 597W Tourism: Marketing ...... 555W Special Educational Needs...... 597W Teachers...... 600W DEFENCE...... 601W Third Sector...... 600W Afghanistan ...... 601W Voluntary Organisations ...... 601W Aircraft Carriers ...... 601W Animal Experiments ...... 601W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 531W Armed Forces ...... 602W Building Research Establishment...... 531W Armed Forces: Compensation...... 602W Carbon Sequestration ...... 531W Armed Forces Covenant ...... 602W Conditions of Employment...... 532W Armed Forces: Deployment ...... 604W Electricity Generation...... 532W Armed Forces: Museums and Galleries...... 605W Energy: Finance ...... 534W Armed Forces: Poverty...... 605W Energy: Meters...... 535W Armed Forces: Redundancy...... 606W Environment Protection...... 536W Armed Forces: Retirement ...... 606W EU Law...... 536W Armed Forces: Sexual Offences...... 607W Exhaust Emissions: Aviation...... 537W Assets...... 607W Fuel Poverty: Leeds...... 537W Astute Class Submarines...... 607W Gas Fired Power Stations...... 538W Canada ...... 607W Renewable Energy...... 539W Conditions of Employment...... 608W Consultants...... 608W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Dalgety Bay ...... 609W AFFAIRS...... 511W Defence...... 610W Environment Protection: Telecommunications...... 511W Defence Equipment ...... 610W Fish: Solent...... 511W Defence Equipment and Support...... 613W Fisheries: Atlantic Ocean ...... 512W Defence Infrastructure Organisation...... 614W Humber Estuary ...... 512W Defence: Procurement...... 614W Primates: Conservation ...... 512W European Fighter Aircraft ...... 617W Salmon: Northumberland...... 513W Germany...... 617W Water: Pollution Control...... 514W Investment Approvals Committee...... 617W ISTAR ...... 617W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE .... 568W Leasing ...... 617W Ascension Island...... 568W Military Aircraft ...... 618W Bahrain ...... 569W Military Aircraft: Helicopters ...... 618W British Indian Ocean Territory...... 570W Military Alliances ...... 618W Colombia ...... 571W Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency. 619W Democratic Republic of Congo ...... 572W Col. No. Col. No. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— HOME DEPARTMENT—continued continued UK Border Agency ...... 503W Egypt ...... 572W Iraq...... 572W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 556W Israel...... 573W Developing Countries: Health Services ...... 556W Middle East ...... 573W Developing Countries: Land ...... 556W North Korea ...... 573W Developing Countries: Law and Order...... 557W Occupied Territories...... 574W Indonesia ...... 557W Palestinians ...... 574W Mali ...... 558W Russia ...... 575W Special Representative for Climate Change ...... 576W JUSTICE...... 514W Sri Lanka ...... 576W Administration of Justice: Expenditure...... 514W Syria...... 577W Charities ...... 515W Turkey...... 578W Companies: Prosecutions ...... 515W Turks and Caicos Islands ...... 578W Credit Cards...... 515W Western Sahara ...... 578W Criminal Injuries Compensation ...... 516W Zimbabwe ...... 579W Debt Collection...... 516W European Court of Human Rights ...... 517W HEALTH...... 630W Freedom of Information ...... 517W Breast Cancer: Hartlepool ...... 630W Information Officers ...... 517W Carbon Monoxide...... 630W Judiciary ...... 518W Care Homes: Fees and Charges...... 631W Litter...... 519W Clinical Commissioning Groups ...... 633W Lost Property...... 519W Dementia ...... 634W Magistrates ...... 520W Dental Services: East of England...... 634W National Offender Management Service ...... 521W Dental Services: West Yorkshire...... 634W Official Hospitality ...... 523W Fertility ...... 635W Prisoners: Foreign Nationals...... 523W Glaucoma ...... 635W Prisons: Security ...... 524W Health Professions: Greater London...... 636W Sentencing...... 524W Health Services: Suffolk ...... 639W Work Capability Assessment: Appeals ...... 524W HIV Infection ...... 639W Hospitals: Uniforms...... 640W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 491W In Vitro Fertilisation ...... 641W Devolution...... 491W Inflammatory Bowel Disease ...... 641W NHS: Procurement ...... 641W SCOTLAND...... 505W Nurses: Incontinence ...... 642W Battle of Flodden: Anniversaries ...... 505W Preventive Medicine...... 642W Visits Abroad ...... 506W Smoking: Young People ...... 643W Social Services: Fees and Charges ...... 643W TRANSPORT ...... 539W Sodium Valproate ...... 644W A14 ...... 539W Streptococcus...... 645W Biofuels...... 542W Tobacco ...... 645W Bus Services: Private Sector ...... 543W Tobacco: Australia ...... 646W Consultants...... 543W Crossrail Line...... 543W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 491W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 544W Asylum ...... 491W Israel...... 544W Asylum: Afghanistan ...... 491W Public Transport: Crime...... 544W Asylum: Sudan...... 492W Railways: Norwich...... 544W City of London Police...... 492W Railways: Tees Valley ...... 545W Closed Circuit Television ...... 492W Roads: Accidents ...... 545W Detention Centres...... 492W Roads: East of England ...... 546W Entry Clearances...... 494W Severn River Crossing ...... 546W Entry Clearances: Pakistan ...... 495W Shipping: Exhaust Emissions ...... 547W Fraud ...... 496W Transport: Floods ...... 548W G4S...... 497W Transport for London ...... 548W Human Trafficking ...... 497W West Coast Railway Line: Franchises...... 549W Immigration: EU Nationals ...... 498W Interpol...... 498W TREASURY ...... 558W Olympic Games 2012: Security ...... 499W Air Passenger Duty ...... 558W Police ...... 499W Broadband ...... 558W Police and Community Support Officers: Dorset ... 499W Business: Loans...... 558W Police and Crime Commissioners...... 500W Charities: Israel...... 559W Police and Crime Commissioners: Fire Services..... 501W Child Benefit...... 559W Police: Convictions...... 501W Child Trust Fund ...... 559W Police: Prosecutions ...... 501W Credit Unions ...... 559W Police Stations...... 501W Economic and Monetary Union ...... 560W Police: Training ...... 502W Employee Ownership ...... 560W Respirex ...... 502W Ford Motor Company ...... 560W Riot Damages Act 1886 ...... 502W Gift Aid: Nefesh B’nefesh ...... 560W Social Services: Cambridgeshire...... 502W Income Tax: Overpayments...... 560W Telephone Services...... 503W Infrastructure...... 561W Col. No. Col. No. TREASURY—continued WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Local Enterprise Partnerships...... 561W Construction: Safety ...... 647W Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions ...... 561W Consultants...... 647W Northern Rock...... 562W Disability Living Allowance...... 648W PAYE...... 562W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 648W Senior Civil Servants...... 564W Employment Schemes ...... 648W Stocks and Shares ...... 565W Employment Schemes: Young People...... 648W Tax Avoidance ...... 565W Housing Benefit ...... 649W Tax Evasion ...... 566W Housing Benefit: Wales...... 649W Temporary Employment: Tax Avoidance...... 567W Housing Benefit: Young People...... 649W VAT: Imports ...... 567W Hyperactivity ...... 650W Welfare Tax Credits: Warrington ...... 567W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Young People ...... 650W Young People ...... 568W Motor Neurone Disease...... 650W National Employment Savings Trust Scheme...... 651W WALES...... 504W Occupational Pensions...... 651W EU Law...... 504W Pension Credit: Merseyside...... 652W Migration...... 504W Poverty...... 652W Social Security Benefits...... 654W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES ...... 629W Social Security Benefits: Greater London ...... 654W Public Appointments ...... 629W Social Security Benefits: Uprating...... 655W Unemployment ...... 655W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 646W Unemployment Benefits...... 656W Atos Healthcare ...... 646W Universal Credit...... 657W Carers ...... 646W Wellingborough...... 658W Carer’s Allowance: Warrington...... 647W Work Programme...... 658W 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 24 December 2012

STRICT ADHERENCE TO THIS ARRANGEMENT GREATLY FACILITATES THE PROMPT PUBLICATION OF THE VOLUMES

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

PRICES AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES DAILY PARTS Single copies: Commons, £5; Lords, £3·50. Annual subscriptions: Commons, £865; Lords, £525. LORDS VOLUME INDEX obtainable on standing order only. Details available on request. BOUND VOLUMES OF DEBATES are issued periodically during the session. Single copies: Commons, £105; Lords, £60. Standing orders will be accepted. THE INDEX to each Bound Volumeof House of Commons Debates is published separately at £9·00 and can be supplied to standing order. All prices are inclusive of postage Volume 555 Monday No. 87 17 December 2012

CONTENTS

Monday 17 December 2012

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 543] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

European Council [Col. 565] Statement—(Prime Minister)

Growth and Infrastructure Bill [Col. 589] Programme motion (No. 2)—(Michael Fallon)—agreed to As amended, considered; read the Third time and passed

Small Business Growth (Hazel Grove) [Col. 678] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 69WS]

Petition [Col. 5P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 491W] [see index inside back page]