Monday Volume 582 9 June 2014 No. 3

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday 9 June 2014

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to the Prime Minister and to Charles Farr, the director House of Commons general of the office for security and counter-terrorism. In addition, in relation to further comments to The Monday 9 June 2014 Times, my special adviser Fiona Cunningham resigned on Saturday.

The House met at half-past Two o’clock Yvette Cooper: The Education Secretary will shortly make a statement about Birmingham schools, but last week the Home Secretary and the Education Secretary PRAYERS turned this instead into a public blame game about the Government’s approach to tackling extremism. There are important questions about the oversight and [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] management of these schools, which the House will debate shortly. There are also real and separate concerns Extremism about the Government’s failure to work with communities on preventing extremism and about the narrowness of 2.34 pm the Home Secretary’s approach. Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) Both issues are complex and require a thoughtful, (Lab) (Urgent Question): To ask the Home Secretary sensitive approach and for Ministers to work together, to make a statement on her conduct regarding the just as Departments, communities, parents, local councils Government’s action on preventing extremism. and the police need to do. Instead of showing leadership on working together, the Home Secretary and Education The Secretary of State for the Home Department Secretary chose to let rip at each other in public, making (Mrs Theresa May): The Government take the threat of it harder to get the sensible joint working we need. That extremism—non-violent extremism as well as violent is why the Home Secretary needs to answer specific extremism—very seriously. That is why, in line with the questions about her conduct in this process, particularly Prime Minister’s Munich speech in 2011, I reformed the about the letter she wrote to the Education Secretary, Prevent strategy that year, and it is why, in response to which the Home Office released and which has made it the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby, the Prime Minister harder to get that joint working in place. established the extremism taskforce last year. The Home Secretary has said that she did not authorise The Prevent strategy we inherited was deeply flawed. the publication of the letter on the Home Office website, It confused Government policy to promote integration but why did she not insist that it be removed, rather with Government policy to prevent terrorism. It failed than leaving it in place on the website for three days? to tackle the extremist ideology that undermines the She wrote that letter and sent it after she had been cohesion of our society and inspires would-be terrorists advised that The Times newspaper had briefing from to murder. In trying to reach those at risk of radicalisation, the Education Secretary. Did she write that letter in funding sometimes reached the very extremist organisations order for it to be leaked, and did she authorise its that Prevent should have been confronting. Ministers release to the media? Section 2.1 of the “Ministerial and officials sometimes engaged with, and therefore Code” makes it clear that leant legitimacy to, organisations and people with extremist “the privacy of opinions expressed in Cabinet and Ministerial agendas. Committees, including in correspondence, should be maintained.” Unlike the old strategy, this Government’s Prevent Did she and her Department breach the “Ministerial strategy recognises and tackles the danger of non-violent Code”? extremism as well as violent extremism. Unlike the old Secondly, the Home Secretary made it clear in her strategy, the new strategy addresses all forms of extremism. letter that she disagreed with the Education Secretary’s Unlike the old strategy, there is now a clear demarcation approach. She said: between counter-terrorism work, which is run out of “The allegations relating to schools in Birmingham raise serious the Home Office, and the Government’s wider counter- questions about the quality of school governance and oversight extremist and integration work, which is co-ordinated arrangements in the maintained sector”. by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Unlike the old strategy, the new strategy Does she stand by her claim that the oversight arrangements introduced explicit controls to make sure that public for Birmingham schools under the Education Secretary money must not be provided to extremist organisations. were not adequate? If organisations do not support the values of democracy, Thirdly, the Home Secretary’s strategy on preventing human rights, equality before the law and participation extremism has been criticised from all sides—not just in society, we should not work with them and we should by the Education Secretary—for failing to engage with not fund them. local communities and for having become too narrow, Turning to the issue of the unauthorised comments leaving gaps. She now needs to focus on getting those to the media about the Government’s approach to policies back on track, because it matters to communities tackling extremism and the improper release of across the country that there is a serious and sensible correspondence between Ministers, the Cabinet Secretary approach to these issues and joint working at the very undertook a review to establish the facts of what happened top of the Government. last week. As the Cabinet Secretary and Prime Minister The reason why the Home Secretary needs to answer concluded, I did not authorise the release of my letter these questions about her decisions last week is to to the Education Secretary. Following the Cabinet assure us that she and the Education Secretary will not Secretary’s review, the Education Secretary apologised put their personal reputations and ambitions ahead of 247 Extremism9 JUNE 2014 Extremism 248

[Yvette Cooper] took a very clear decision back in 2011 to split Prevent into the bit that tackles non-violent extremism as well making the right decisions for the country. We cannot as violent extremism and counter-terrorism, and the have a repeat of the experiences of last week. It is Government’s integration strategy, which is quite consciously shambolic for the Government, but it is much worse for run out of the Department for Communities and Local everyone else. Government. If what she is suggesting is that Prevent and integration work should go back to being together Mrs May: On the specific allegations of extremism in and being confused, she needs to think again because schools in Birmingham and the wider question of how her Government’s approach was damaging and caused we confront extremism more generally, there are very a lot of resentment among many British Muslims. important issues that I will come on to, but I should As the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull perhaps first remind the shadow Home Secretary of a West and Hessle (Alan Johnson), the former Home few facts. Secretary, said at the time we made that change, it Under this Government, foreign hate preachers such follows as Zakir Naik and Yusuf al-Qaradawi are banned from “the eminently sensible objective of keeping the ‘prevent’ strand coming to Britain. Under her Government, they were of counter-terrorism separate from the ‘integration’ initiatives of allowed to come here to give lectures and sermons, and DCLG.” to spread their hateful beliefs. In the case of al-Qaradawi, He continued: he was not just allowed to come here; he was literally “I completely agree with what the Home Secretary has said about embraced on stage by Labour’s London Mayor, Ken Prevent.”—[Official Report, 14 July 2010; Vol. 513, c. 1011.] Livingstone. The shadow Home Secretary should listen to her right I have excluded more foreign hate preachers than any honourable colleague. Home Secretary before me. I have got rid of the likes of What has happened in Birmingham is very serious Abu Hamza and Abu Qatada. The Government do not indeed, and the Education Secretary will set out his give a public platform to groups that condone, or fail to response in due course. We need to do everything we distance themselves from, extremism. For the first time, can to protect children from extremism and, more generally, we are mapping out extremists and extremist groups in to confront extremism in all its forms. The Government the United Kingdom. We make sure that the groups we are determined to do that. However, it is quite clear work with and fund adhere to British values, and where from what the shadow Home Secretary has said today they do not, we do not fund them and we do not work that on extremism, like on so many other things, the with them. None of these things was true when the Labour party would take us backwards, not forwards. Labour party was in power. The shadow Home Secretary asked about the Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean) (Con): I am very “Ministerial Code”. I can tell her that, as the Cabinet pleased that the Home Secretary focused on the substance, Secretary and the Prime Minister concluded, I did not rather than on the pointless process questions that the break the code. As she has no evidence for suggesting I shadow Home Secretary focused on. I welcome what did, she should withdraw any allegation of that sort. the Home Secretary said about the changes to Prevent. The right hon. Lady asked about the letter, its presence Is it not better to have our approach, rather than the on the website and why action was not taken, but action last Government’s? The Communities and Local was taken immediately, because the Prime Minister Government Committee said that the Labour Government’s asked the Cabinet Secretary to investigate, and he did. Prevent strategy was wasting money The right hon. Lady referred to schools in Birmingham. “on unfocused or irrelevant projects”. I am afraid she will have to wait for my right hon. Friend the Education Secretary to make his statement; Mrs May: I agree completely with my hon. Friend. he will do so shortly, and answer questions about school That was an early decision by this Government. It was inspections and oversight arrangements. absolutely right to separate the two strands of work of I would just say this to the right hon. Lady: I am the Prevent strategy: the counter-terrorism work and responsible for the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy the integration work. It is right that the integration and, within that, the Prevent strategy, but she seems to work is now under the remit of the DCLG. I repeat misunderstand how the Prevent strategy works, so I what I said in my response to the shadow Home Secretary: think I should perhaps explain it to her. The Home I suggest that Labour Members listen to the words of Office sets the Prevent strategy and it is up to the rest of the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull West Whitehall, including the Home Office, as well as the and Hessle in this respect. He agreed absolutely with wider public sector and civil society, to deliver it. There what the Government have done. is always more to be done, things we can improve and lessons we can learn, but we have made good progress Mr David Blunkett (Sheffield, Brightside and under this Government. Yes, we need to get to the Hillsborough) (Lab): The Home Secretary is at her bottom of what has happened in schools in Birmingham, worst when she seeks to patronise. These are extraordinarily but it is thanks to this Education Secretary that the difficult and sensitive issues, and they are certainly not Department for Education has, for the first time, a funny. Whether we agree or disagree about the previous dedicated extremism unit to try to stop this sort of Prevent strategy, what measures do she and the Education thing happening. Secretary together intend to take to reach out to the The shadow Home Secretary repeated her complaint Muslim community in Britain and engage them in a that Prevent has become too narrowly drawn under this positive dialogue, to ensure that we do not sink into Government, but she does not seem to realise that we a strategy of “They did it, we did it, other people have 249 Extremism9 JUNE 2014 Extremism 250 done it and therefore we are against you,” which can end of this urgent question on what has been happening only lead to divisions in our urban communities and in schools in Birmingham, and I suggest he waits for great dangers for our country? that.

Mrs May: Across the Government, we are absolutely Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): In danger of being lost clear that we need to reach out to and work with people among the regrettable froth over this issue is that for in Muslim communities in the United Kingdom to four years, my right hon. Friend has presided over a ensure that we address the real issues of potential team of officials who deal with these issues and who radicalisation and extremism, which many people in have worked extremely well in developing a globally those communities are as concerned about as we are. leading policy, and in adjusting in a dynamic policy That work is led by the DCLG through its work on environment. We as a nation should be grateful for how integration at a local level. It is also work that we, as well we are served, and for the leadership the Home constituency Members of Parliament, can take forward. Secretary has given. Last Friday, I was talking with a group of Asian women from my constituency about their experiences, what Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend, and he is right to they wanted to do and how they wanted to work with point out that the strategies we have adopted are looked the local council and others to ensure that people in to with respect around the world. Of course there is Muslim communities feel able to be true to their Islamic always more for us to do, which is why we look constantly faith and play a full part in British society. at the work we are undertaking to ensure that we are doing as much as possible and learning any lessons Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): There are many from the past. We have a good record on the strategies issues on which the Home Office has to work with the we have put in place. Yes, we can look to do more, as I Department for Education: extremism, domestic violence, have said, but we should not lose sight of the fact that female genital mutilation, gangs, drugs and many more. Contest and Prevent are looked at with respect around Will the Home Secretary be able to work with the the world. Education Secretary to ensure that there is compulsory personal, social, health and economic education for Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): everybody, including sex and relationships education? I spoke last week to Muslim leaders in my constituency, and I recognise that the vast majority of the Muslim community are extremely concerned about the activity Mrs May: The hon. Gentleman has worked hard to of extremists, not least because they know that their get that issue into a statement about extremism in our sons and daughters are some of those most at risk. schools. The Education Secretary and I talk about those They want to know that they are being backed to keep issues, and our Departments work together on them. their families and communities safe. Will the Home We are constantly looking to ensure that what we do in Secretary therefore explain why she cut the anti-extremism our schools provides the right education for our children, programmes’ support for community action from and one that helps them to tackle a range of issues that £17 million for 93 local authorities to £1 million for might make them feel pressurised, including the important 30 local authorities? one—extremism—we are talking about today. Mrs May: First, it is indeed important to reach out to Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): The Home Secretary and work with communities, as I have said in response is right to remind the House that she alone has overall to a number of questions this afternoon. I am sorry to responsibility for counter-terrorism in the Cabinet. In repeat the point I made to the shadow Home Secretary, the past three years, the Home Affairs Committee has but we have changed the way that various parts of what conducted two major inquiries into extremism, but no was the last Government’s Prevent strategy are delivered. Minister from any Department has given us written or We therefore cannot look at Home Office figures and oral evidence to suggest that there was a problem with say that there has been a cut in funding, because the Birmingham schools. She was correct in writing to the Home Office has changed, and we are funding activity Education Secretary, and she raised four important, that is much more focused than it was. Two Departments indeed critical questions. Has she received a reply to the are responsible for the different elements of the Prevent questions in the letter she sent last Tuesday, and does strategy, and the reason for that is simple: it is precisely she agree that the Prevent strategy is always capable of Muslim communities who were getting concerned about improvement? We do not need just to prevent; we need the way the strategy operated under the last Government, to engage with communities to rid ourselves of extremism. and its mixing of the counter-terrorism strategy with communities integration work. We responded to that. Mrs May: The right hon. Gentleman is right, in that, of course, there is a spectrum of activity that we need to Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): be involved in. At one end, some of that is about Does the Home Secretary agree that combating extremism actively working to prevent people who want to undertake and building trust in communities will work only if or plan terrorist acts against us from doing so. But at there is action in communities consistent with the rhetoric the other end there is obviously the wider integration in this place? Denouncing organisations from the Dispatch work with communities, and in many cases helping to Box is not good enough; we also have to end funding to support communities to address issues of extremism extremist organisations in communities. and radicalisation, should they see them in their streets and local institutions. On the first point, the right hon. Mrs May: My hon. Friend is right and that is why, as Gentleman knows full well that my right hon. Friend part of the revised Prevent strategy, we put in place the Education Secretary will make a statement at the explicit procedures to try to ensure that funding does 251 Extremism9 JUNE 2014 Extremism 252

[Mrs May] the work of interfaith groups, such as the Bury Muslim Christian Forum in my constituency, which provides a not go to organisations that have extremists within platform to explain the implementation of the Prevent them or that do not respect the values we all hold dear. strategy? This Government put that new strand into the Prevent strategy because we saw the importance of not funding Mrs May: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He is extremism. right to promote and recognise in this House the good work being done by the Bury Muslim Christian Forum Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): If the Home in his constituency. It is exactly that sort of work at Secretary’s case is so convincing, why did she not manage community level—people coming together to increase to convince the Secretary of State for Education? Is it their understanding of each other—that is so valuable because there is an alternative agenda in the Tory party, in the work of integration of our communities. which is that, post-election, the nasty party is getting ready for a succession battle and the Home Secretary is Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): In December battling with the Secretary of State for Education? That 2009, when I was Minister with responsibility for higher is what is really happening—that is the truth. She might education, a young man, Abdulmutallab, boarded a not like it, but that is what the people out there think. plane between Amsterdam and Detroit intent on bombing that plane. There were, as the Home Secretary would Mrs May: I do not think that question should be imagine, intense conversations between the Department dignified with a response. with responsibility for universities and the then Home Secretary. Those conversations never made their way Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): May I remind my into the public domain. Given the seriousness of what right hon. Friend that, after the general election, practically has happened, and with the attack in Pakistan just the first meeting the Secretary of State for Communities yesterday, should the Home Secretary not come to this and Local Government attended was at Lambeth palace, House and apologise, like the Secretary of State for where all the nation’s faith leaders were present? He Education, for what has happened in the past few days? committed the Government to fund and support the Near Neighbours programme, which enables faith Mrs May: First, the right hon. Gentleman does well communities throughout the country to work together to remind us of the terrible incident that has taken place to promote integration and tackle extremism. If this in Pakistan. Our thoughts should go out to all those “duff up the Home Secretary” urgent question has who have been victims of that terrible attack. Pakistan achieved nothing else this afternoon, it will at least, has suffered more loss of life through terrorist acts than hopefully, better explain to the Opposition and others anywhere else. That is a fact I have recognised on a where the division of responsibilities lie in government number of my visits to Pakistan and it is a fact we for counter-terrorism on the one hand and community should recognise in this House. As to other matters, the integration on the other. question of those who go and preach, and attend and speak at universities is important, and is one that I Mrs May: My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. discuss with the Department for Business, Innovation He is right to draw attention to the excellent work the and Skills. We ensure that Prevent co-ordinators are Department for Communities and Local Government there to be able to support universities in the necessary has been doing under the leadership of my right hon. work they are doing to help to support those on their Friend, the Secretary of State. Indeed, my right hon. campuses. Friend, the noble Baroness Warsi has been doing very important work to bring communities together, particularly David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): Does my faith communities, to share their experiences and increase right hon. Friend agree that this issue is far too important understanding between them. That is a vital part of the to be treated as some sort of political football and that integration work that I would have hoped we all, across Members of all parties would do better to unite behind the Chamber, accept is necessary. We should support it the Government in trying to tackle this problem? wherever we see it. Mrs May: My hon. Friend is right in that this issue is Mr Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton South East) (Lab): one where we would hope that people would work While we are on the subject of extremism, will the across the House to ensure that we provide the support Home Secretary update the House on the whereabouts that communities need to carry out the necessary work of the two control order suspects who escaped following referred to by a number of Members today. This is an her decision, and the Prime Minister’s decision, to important issue. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of remove the relocation power in the previous regime, State for Education will make that clear in the statement which had prevented abscondences for many years? he is about to give. This Government take seriously the Does she know where those suspects are, and do they issues about what has been happening in Birmingham still pose a threat to the public? schools, just as they take seriously issues relating to extremism in any form wherever it appears. Mrs May: I have answered this question on a number of occasions. Law enforcement agencies continue to Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): Given the Home pursue this matter, as they have done since the absconds. Secretary’s very punchy response about this Government’s commitment to combating radicalism, engaging with Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Does the communities and supporting and integrating our Home Secretary agree that one of the best ways to communities so that they can tackle extremism in their prevent the development of extremist views is through midst, will she confirm, following the question from my 253 Extremism9 JUNE 2014 Extremism 254 hon. Friend the Member for Feltham and Heston (Seema As I said, the investigation was concluded; it went to Malhotra), that she has only £1 million left from the the Prime Minister; he looked at its recommendations; £17 million budget to do that? and, as hon. Members will know, my special adviser resigned on Saturday. Mrs May: I have to say to the hon. Lady that the Opposition’s assumption that they can somehow look George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): I welcome my at figures relating to the Prevent strategy, which has right hon. Friend’s track record on actions speaking been split, and quote them as somehow indicating what louder than words, as she has excluded more hate this Government are doing wrong is a path down that preachers than any predecessor and has achieved she should not be going down. successfully the legal deportation of Abu Hamza and the review of the Prevent strategy—a strategy that the Mr Stephen O’Brien (Eddisbury) (Con): Following former Chairman of the Select Committee referred to, the robust and clear answer from the Home Secretary, as my right hon. Friend may be aware, as lacking the only urgent question for the House to consider “clear-sighted and consistent ministerial leadership”—[Official today is the misjudgment of the shadow Home Secretary. Report, 10 July 2006; Vol. 448, c. 1123.] As part of the Prevent and counter-terrorism strategy under the last Government. for which my right hon. Friend and her Department are responsible, will she reinforce the importance of the work that the National Crime Agency is doing in countries Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for reminding us in west and north Africa, which, as I see with my own of that quotation from the Chairman of the Select eyes, is having a significant effect, albeit with quite Committee. It would appear that Opposition Members small resource, to help prevent further terrorism taking have forgotten what was said by a Committee of this place in this country as well as abroad? House about the strategy that applied under the last Government. We have changed that strategy and made it more effective. We in the Home Office are focusing Mrs May: My right hon. Friend makes a very important more clearly on the counter-terrorism aspects, and, as point. In looking at the work done against terrorism, we we have heard, the communities integration aspects are increasingly see across the world linkages between organised being dealt with by the Department for Communities crime and terrorism. It is exactly in this way that the and Local Government. National Crime Agency, with its work on organised crime and how it feeds into terrorism, is so important. The NCA takes this issue very seriously, and I am Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): It appears pleased to say that, since it was set up, it has done some that the Home Secretary has just blamed her special real and important work, as my right hon. Friend says, adviser for the unauthorised publication of her letter to particularly in a number of countries in north and west the Education Secretary. Given that she said in her Africa, with which he is familiar through the work he statement that she had acted immediately, why did it has done for the Prime Minister. take a whole three days for that letter to be removed from the website? Does she not need to get a grip on her Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Who authorised posting Department? the letter to the Education Secretary on the Home Office website? Mrs May: The hon. Gentleman is getting his quotations mixed up. I made it absolutely clear in my statement, Mrs May: I have been absolutely clear that I did not and in my response to the hon. Member for Wrexham authorise the letter going on to the website. (Ian Lucas), that the Cabinet Secretary and the Prime Minister concluded that I did not authorise the release Ian Lucas: Who? of the letter. Following the review, certain things took place in relation to the Education Secretary, and in relation to further comments that were made to The Mrs May: The Cabinet Secretary undertook an Times, my special adviser Fiona Cunningham resigned investigation for the Prime Minister; that investigation on Saturday. was concluded; and the recommendations went to the Prime Minister. Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) (Con): Does the Home Secretary share my surprise, Ian Lucas: Who? indeed astonishment, that it had to fall to her to impose bans on hate preachers and to set up an extremism unit, Mrs May: Hon. Members will be aware— and that those things were not done under the last Labour Government? Ian Lucas: Who? Mrs May: My hon. Friend has attributed to me an Mr Speaker: Order. Mr Lucas, I understand your action to which I referred earlier and which was actually frustration, but I have told you before that your taken by the Education Secretary, namely the setting up apprenticeship to become a statesman still has some of an extremism unit in the Department for Education. distance to travel. You must not holler from a sedentary However, as I said earlier, I have banned more hate position. Allow the Home Secretary to respond, and preachers than any other Home Secretary. That is because others will have their opportunity. this Government take the clear view that we want to deal with not just violent but non-violent extremism, Mrs May: Thank you, Mr Speaker. which is clear from the actions that we have taken. 255 Extremism9 JUNE 2014 Extremism 256

Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): The Home Secretary Mrs May: My hon. Friend has spoken very wise seems to be using the word “immediately” instead of words and he is absolutely right. the words “after three days”. No wonder my constituents are panicking about getting their passports on time. Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): The Home Can she explain why she allowed her letter to remain on Secretary’s special adviser had to resign–it was right the website for three days? Did she not know about it? that she did so—although, after what the right hon. Was it with her authorisation? Has she any sense that Lady said, we do not know whether that is related to the three days is far too long in relation to something that letter. The Education Secretary, rightly, was disciplined was supposed to have been removed immediately? for breaching the ministerial code. Does the Home Secretary feel that she bears any responsibility for “certain Mrs May: I have answered that question on a number things” that have happened? of occasions. I did make reference to immediate action that was taken. I made reference to that in response to the shadow Home Secretary. The Prime Minister initiated Mrs May: The hon. Gentleman is well aware of the an investigation by the Cabinet Secretary, and that progress of what happened in relation to the Cabinet investigation was concluded at the end of last week. Secretary’s investigation of last week’s events. The investigation took place at the request of the Prime Mr David Ward (Bradford East) (LD): I am very Minister. The Cabinet Secretary did that swiftly and a concerned about some of the language that has been number of actions resulted from it. used today. We are here to listen to statements which, I remind the House, have been prompted by what has Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): In been deemed to be the inappropriate behaviour of governors terms of effective cross-Government working, the Home in some schools in Birmingham, yet the Home Secretary’s Secretary has told us that she has reformed the Prevent statement began with a reference to Lee Rigby. Is it strategy. She has told us that the Education Secretary right to use the same word, “extremism”, to cover both has set up a dedicated extremism unit and that excellent forms of activity, and, if so, are we going to replace the community cohesion work is being led by the Communities term “devout Catholics” with “extremist Catholics”, or Secretary. Will she assure the House that that cross- change the term “committed Christians” to “extremist Government work will continue effectively? Christians”? How can we have a sense of proportion if we are using the same word to cover such a vast range of Mrs May: My hon. Friend is right. That work will behaviour? continue. Indeed, other Departments are working with the Home Office under the aegis of the Prevent strategy: Mrs May: I think that when my hon. Friend looks at for example, the Department for Business, Innovation the record of what he has said in Hansard, he may regret and Skills. That Department has responsibility for the tone and approach that he has taken. I did make universities, and I referred earlier to the issue of speakers reference to the murder of drummer Lee Rigby. That at universities. The Ministry of Justice is also working murder was a terrorist attack. It took place just over a with the Home Office under that strategy in relation to year ago in this country. It was one of two terrorist what happens in prisons and the work of the National attacks that took place in this country last year. I Offender Management Service. Other Departments are referred to it because I wanted to refer to the extremism involved in the strategy with the Home Office. This is taskforce, which the Prime Minister set up following genuinely a cross-Government approach to deal with that murder. The taskforce reported at the end of last extremism in all its forms. year, and the Government are acting on its recommendations. Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Is the Home Secretary happy that her new strategy is working Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): The Home absolutely as she intends, or has she any lessons to learn Secretary has said on more than one occasion that the from the mistakes, apologies and resignation of the past last Labour Government were somehow funding extremist week? organisations, yet she, as Home Secretary, cut funding for the Quilliam Foundation. Is she implying that the foundation is a pro-extremist organisation? Mrs May: On the Prevent strategy and the work that the Government do on extremism, as I said earlier, there Mrs May: No, of course I was not implying that. I is always more work that the Government can do. It is have to say to the hon. Gentleman that he could do imperative that we look constantly at what we are doing better than that. to ensure that it is delivering the results that we need. However, as I have already said, it was last year, following Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con): I the appalling murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, that the spent many of my early years being educated in south Prime Minister set up an extremism taskforce to bring Birmingham. May I say to my right hon. Friend and to all Departments involved across Government together other hon. Members that the pressures on young people and to look at whether more could be done. A number from the south Asian diaspora are intense and powerful of recommendations came out from that and we have and can come from community leaders, religious leaders been working on them. and even from the extended family? The crucial issue is that, if we are to make progress, we must move away Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): from the focus on counter-terrorism towards integration, Does my right hon. Friend agree that the last Government where young people can have their own identity, but completely failed to promote the integration of religious within the context of British values. and ethnic minority groups into mainstream British 257 Extremism9 JUNE 2014 Extremism 258 society? It is within these insular and isolated communities Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab): Birmingham that radicalisation and extremism can take root and city’s council and national strategies were raising concerns prosper. about these issues in Birmingham schools with the Department for Education in writing in 2010. When did Mrs May: It is imperative that we work to ensure the the Secretary of State become aware of these concerns full integration across our society of people living in in relation to Birmingham schools? this country and that we do not attempt to excuse Mrs May: The issue of concerns in Birmingham separatism in some way. Often, that was what was done schools and how that has been addressed by the Department by the last Government. for Education is, of course, a matter that my right hon. Friend the Education Secretary will be raising. Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab): The public row between the Home Secretary and the Education Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): In Secretary is deeply disturbing when it is on a matter of Wellingborough we have strong Muslim, Hindu and national security. What will she do to restore trust Sikh communities, but they are integrated. Does the among the British public, especially law-abiding British Home Secretary agree that we must not give the impression Muslims who feel targeted because of the appalling today in this House that there is extremism across the rhetoric in the media? We need to ensure that people country? can trust the Government to work in their interest to build cohesion and prevent extremism. Mrs May: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is one of the reasons why when the Home Office looked at Mrs May: The concern about the impact that Prevent funding and dealing with Prevent and its counter- Government work has on the British Muslim community terrorism strand, we said that we should be focusing the was precisely why we decided when we came into money not according to the number of Muslims living government to separate the integration strand of Prevent in a community but according to the risk of radicalisation, from the counter-terrorism strand. We felt that there because that was the issue we were addressing. I am was a concern about Prevent’s operation precisely because sorry to say it has been reported that the shadow Home of its counter-terrorism element. Therefore, the integration Secretary suggests that was a false move, which implies elements were not looked at as positively as they should that she thinks money should be spent just on the basis have been. of how many Muslims are living in a particular community. I do not agree with that. I think it gives the wrong What do we need to do as a Government from this message about people in our Muslim communities. We point? My right hon. Friend the Education Secretary should be focusing on where we believe there is genuine will indicate what action he will be taking in connection radicalisation. with schools in Birmingham and related matters. All of us need to operate collectively at the grassroots level to Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/ make sure that we are reaching out to British Muslim Co-op): The Home Secretary will be aware of the recent communities and others and are undertaking the work case of Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, a former university that some of my hon. Friends have mentioned in Bury student in Wales who was recently held in Sudan in and elsewhere to bring faith communities in particular connection with a bombing of a bus station in Abuja by together. Boko Haram, which killed over 70 people. Given the serious concerns rightly raised about the co-ordination of Government policy in this instance, will the Home Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): Secretary assure the House that there is co-ordination As somebody from a Muslim background whose father of policy in relation to universities, and not just schools? was an imam, may I ask the Secretary of State whether she agrees that one of the major failings of the previous Mrs May: Yes, we take very seriously what might be Government was that they failed fully to integrate happening on university campuses. My right hon. Friend communities? The previous Government looked at the Minister for Universities and Science has spent a lot integration through the narrow prism of counter-terrorism, of time looking at this issue, and we are constantly which led to a major breakdown with the Muslim working with universities to ensure that action can be communities around the country, and we must address taken on their campuses to try to stop the sort of that. Linked to that, does she agree that we have to radicalisation and the extremist preachers that have address the issue of extremism and radicalisation on the been on some campuses in the past. internet, which poses a grave threat to our country? Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con): Will my right Mrs May: On the first point, my hon. Friend is hon. Friend confirm that, along with central Government absolutely right and that is precisely why we took the funding, local authority funding will be promptly removed decision to separate the strands of the Prevent work. from organisations engaged in the promotion of hatred On the second point, he is also right in that we need to and violence? work on addressing the material on the internet. The Mrs May: The policy that we have put in place makes police’s Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit has it clear that public funding, whatever its source, should been set up—to be fair, it was set up at the beginning of not be spent on organisations with extremist intent. 2010, so before this Government came into office, but we have accelerated its work, and in recent months, Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): The Home following the extremism taskforce which identified this Secretary has today repeatedly denied that she authorised as a particular issue, an increased number of items have the placement of the letter on the Home Office website, been taken down from websites because of terrorism but equally, she has repeatedly refused to say who did content. authorise its placement. Do special advisers in the Home 259 Extremism9 JUNE 2014 Extremism 260

[Huw Irranca-Davies] Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): Does the Home Secretary agree that the vast majority of Muslims Office have free access to the Home Office website, so in the United Kingdom despise hate crimes, extremism that they can post things on it, and to the general and terrorism, and that we in this House all have a duty communications strategy of the Home Office? to do what we can to promote inclusion within our own communities? Mrs May: I have addressed the issue underlying the hon. Gentleman’s question on a number of occasions. Mrs May: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to say that everyone in the House has a duty to promote Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): The Labour inclusion. He is also right that the majority of people in party is focusing on whether the Home Secretary should Muslim communities despise hate crimes. Sadly, too personally micro-manage websites, but is not the real many people in Muslim communities are themselves the issue the fact that under this Government the Prevent victims of hate crimes; we should not forget that. strategy, which confuses the Labour party, has been properly split between communities and counter-terrorism? Jenny Chapman (Darlington) (Lab): The Home Secretary That is the way that it should be. It is one of the many has made it clear that she herself did not authorise the areas where Labour got it wrong but we are getting it publication of the letter, but she has implied that her right. former special adviser might have done so. Her former special adviser has lost her job, but has she apologised Mrs May: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. At the to the Home Secretary for the error? core is the question of how we deal with extremism, which is what the Prevent strategy is about. We took the Mrs May: I suggest that the hon. Lady look closely at right decision on that strategy, and it is a pity that the what I have already said, when it is reported in Hansard. Opposition do not seem to understand the implications I have been very clear about what happened as a result of that. of the investigation by the Cabinet Secretary, which the Prime Minister required to be undertaken. Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): Will the Home Secretary now increase spending on anti-extremism Mr Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase) (Con): Integration programmes? is not just about preventing young people from engaging in extremism; it is also about reintegrating them into Mrs May: I apologise—I did not quite catch the their communities when they have been radicalised. beginning of the hon. Gentleman’s question. We look What steps is my right hon. Friend’s Department taking closely across the board at how the Home Office budget to reintegrate people who have strayed in that way? is spent. We also look closely at the Prevent funding, and we have introduced measures, which were not there under the last Government, to ensure that we can Mrs May: Within the Prevent strategy is the important ascertain not only how much is being spent on a particular Channel strand which works with people who are perhaps project but the effectiveness of the spend. The last at risk of being radicalised—who are particularly Government did not seek to find out whether they were vulnerable—to help ensure that they do not move down spending public money effectively. that path of radicalisation. Of course we also work with the National Offender Management Service on dealing Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): Does the Home with people who have been prosecuted and imprisoned Secretary share my concern that there have been too under the terrorism legislation when they return to their many occasions when the battle against extremism has communities. been hampered by European human rights? Does she agree that human rights reform will enable us not only Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): Did the Home Secretary to take the battle to extremists but to promote integration know that her special adviser was going to release the and make our communities safer and more secure? letter in the way that she did?

Mrs May: My hon. Friend returns to a topic on Mrs May: I have answered quite a few questions in which he has questioned me in the past, and on which I responding to this. [Interruption.] Opposition Members have made a number of statements in the House. In the can ask the question as many times as they like, but they cases of the extradition of Abu Hamza and the deportation will get the same answer. I also have to say that it is a bit of Abu Qatada, there were certainly delays due to the rich getting so many questions about special advisers operation of the European Court of Human Rights. I from the party of Damian McBride. have also made it clear in the House that the Conservative party is committed to going into the election with Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): Does the Home policies relating to the reform of the Human Rights Act Secretary agree that her reforms to split Prevent funding 1998 and of our relationship with the European Court. between Departments were essential, as the only result of the previous Government’s attempts to promote Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab): Did the Home Secretary integration through the prism of counter-terrorism authorise the release to the media of the letter to the was to stigmatise law-abiding Muslim communities in Education Secretary? constituencies such as mine and give succour to the British National party? Mrs May: I think I have answered that question already. I did not authorise the release of the letter, and Mrs May: My hon. Friend is absolutely right: the the Cabinet Secretary and the Prime Minister have problem with the way the previous Government dealt concluded that the ministerial code was not broken. with the Prevent strategy was that the integration part—the 261 Extremism9 JUNE 2014 Extremism 262 inclusion and communities work—became, in the eyes Mrs May: My hon. Friend is right that what we saw, of many people in Muslim communities, tainted by its sadly, was that it was possible for funding to reach relationship with counter-terrorism. That is why it was organisations that had extremists within them, that had absolutely right to split those two parts of the strategy some form of extremist intent or that had links to and have them addressed under two Departments—the extremism. We have put in place a proper process within Home Office on counter-terrorism and the Department the funding arrangements that means that we look at for Communities and Local Government on communities organisations and require them to be clear about how and inclusion. they share British values in the way that they operate to ensure that Government are not funding extremism. Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): The reason people keep asking the Home Secretary questions along the Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): Does same lines is that she is refusing to answer them: she the Secretary of State accept that open warfare between refuses to say who authorised the publication of that her and the Education Secretary is completely undermining letter, and she refuses to say when she first found out public confidence in this Government to engage with about extremism in Birmingham schools. Will she at communities and to be tough on terrorism and the least tell us when she found out that the letter had been causes of terrorism? We need to get rid of the turf war published and what action she took at that time? shambles and replace this Government with a new Labour Government. Mrs May: The action taken was that the Cabinet Secretary was asked to investigate all the circumstances Mrs May: What undermines—[Interruption.] around this. He did that, he reported to the Prime Minister, and a number of actions resulted from that Mr Speaker: Order. The Home Secretary’s response recommendation to the Prime Minister. must and will be heard.

Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): My Mrs May: What potentially undermines the confidence constituents will have been reminded today of the serious of the public in attempts to deal with extremism is errors made under the previous Government in funding seeing the Opposition playing party politics with the extremist groups. My right hon. Friend is right to stress issue rather than dealing with it seriously. the importance of inclusion, but will she join me in paying tribute to the officials in the Home Office and Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): the intelligence services who work day in, day out to Given the advocacy by the shadow Home Secretary of keep people in this country safe? an alternative, broader Prevent strategy, does the Home Secretary share my concern that we could go back to a Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for reminding us time when public funds are used to support groups and of the very important work done day in, day out, not individuals who support segregation, not integration, just by officials in the Home Office but by individuals in which does nothing to diminish the extremism that our security services and law enforcement bodies to everyone, on all sides of the House, wants to see expunged keep us safe. They have to work at that minute by from this country? minute, hour by hour, day by day doing the valuable work that they do. We should record our thanks to Mrs May: My hon. Friend has made an extremely them once again—it is their work that helps to keep the serious point. It is important for us all to work towards public safe. inclusion, integration and full participation in society and in no way to attempt to enforce a separation of Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): I am groups. Indeed, the danger of the previous Government’s going to press the Home Secretary again on the nature Prevent strategy was that it was not able to work effectively of the unauthorised correspondence. It was on the on inclusion precisely because of the way they had set website for three days. She said that the Cabinet Secretary it up. launched an investigation. Did she therefore make the judgment at the start of that investigation not to take Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): A couple of down the correspondence from the website? Did she years ago, I visited a Buddhist centre in my constituency, wait for the Cabinet Secretary to tell her to take it and the Abbott told me how, before the last general down? election, the members of the centre were driven out of their Birmingham base by radical Muslim extremists. Mrs May: The Prime Minister initiated the investigation Does my right hon. Friend agree that, sadly, there are by the Cabinet Secretary. He looked into those matters. elements of the Muslim community who are extreme? They were considered fully and properly, and These extremists put fire bombs and excrement through recommendations resulted. the letterbox of the Buddhist centre. Is it not right that this Government should target their efforts to ensure Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): Rather that that sort of extremism is stamped out? than obsessing over process, the Home Secretary is right to talk about learning the lessons of the past. In Mrs May: I deplore the actions that my hon. Friend trying to reach out to the groups most at risk of has described today. Nobody should be driven out of radicalisation, did funding from the previous Government their home or their centre by such actions. It is absolutely sometimes reach groups that were extremist in their right that we address extremism; we need to address it in views and organisations that should not be funded in all its forms. We have changed Prevent so that it deals that way? What is she doing to prevent that situation not just with violent extremism but with non-violent from recurring? extremism and extremism in all forms. I mentioned 263 Extremism 9 JUNE 2014 264

[Mrs May] Birmingham Schools earlier that there were two terrorist attacks in the United 3.33 pm Kingdom last year. I have referred to one of them, which was the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby. We also The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): saw a far right extremist murder Mohammed Saleem. With permission, Mr Speaker, I should like to make a We must never forget that extremism can take many statement on schools in Birmingham. forms. Keeping our children safe and ensuring that our schools prepare them for life in modern Britain could not be more important; it is my Department’s central mission. Allegations made in what has become known as the Trojan horse letter suggested that children were not being kept safe in Birmingham schools. Ofsted and the Education Funding Agency have investigated those allegations. Their reports and other relevant documents have today been placed in the Library. Let me set out their findings and my actions. Ofsted states that “headteachers reported...an organised campaign to target…schools...in order to alter their character and ethos,” with “a culture of fear and intimidation.” Head teachers who had “a record of raising standards” reported that they had been “marginalised or forced out of their jobs.” One school leader was so frightened about speaking to the authorities that a meeting had to be arranged in a supermarket car park. Ofsted concluded that governors “are trying to impose and promote a narrow faith-based ideology in what are non-faith schools” specifically by narrowing the curriculum, manipulating staff appointments and using school funds inappropriately. Overall, Ofsted inspected 21 schools. Three were good or outstanding; 12 were found to require improvement. The remaining six are inadequate, and are in special measures. Let me explain why. At one secular primary school, terms such as “white prostitute”, unsuitable for primary children’s ears, were used in Friday assemblies run exclusively by Muslim staff. The school organised visits to Saudi Arabia, open only to Muslim pupils, and senior leaders told inspectors that a madrassah had been established and paid for from the school’s budget. Ofsted concluded that the school was “not adequately ensuring that pupils have opportunities to learn about faith in a way that promotes tolerance and harmony between different cultures”. At one secular secondary school, staff told officials that the call to prayer was broadcast across the playground on loud speakers. Officials observed that lessons had been narrowed to comply with conservative Islamic teachings. In biology, students were told that “evolution is not what we believe”. The school invited the preacher Sheikh Shady al-Suleiman to speak, despite the fact that he is reported to have said: “Give victory to Muslims in Afghanistan... Give victory to all the mujaheddin all over the world. Oh Allah, prepare us for the jihad.” Ofsted concluded that “governors have failed to ensure that safeguarding requirements and other statutory duties are met”. At another secular secondary school, inspectors described “a state of crisis”, with governors reportedly using school funds to pay private investigators to read the e-mails of senior leaders, and Ofsted found that there 265 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 266 was a lack of action to protect students from extremism. We need to strengthen our inspection regime even At a third secular secondary school, Ofsted found that further. The requirement to give notice of inspections students were clearly makes it more difficult to identify and detect the “vulnerable to the risk of marginalisation from wider British danger signs. Sir Michael Wilshaw and I have argued in society and the associated risks which…include radicalisation”. the past that no-notice inspections can help identify At a secular primary, Ofsted found that when pupils are at risk. I have asked him to consider the “pupils have limited knowledge of religious beliefs other than practicalities of moving to a situation where all schools Islam” know that they may receive an unannounced inspection. and I will also work with Sir Michael Wilshaw to ensure, as “subjects such as art and music have been removed—at the he recommends, that we can provide greater public insistence of the governing body”. assurance that all schools in a locality discharge their Inspectors concluded that the school full statutory responsibilities, and we will consider how Ofsted can better enforce the existing requirement that “does not adequately prepare students for life in modern Britain”. all schools teach a broad and balanced curriculum. Ofsted also reported failures on the part of Birmingham city council. It found that the council did not deal I have talked today to the leader of Birmingham adequately with repeated complaints from head teachers. council and requested that it sets out an action plan to School leaders expressed “very little confidence” in the tackle extremism and keep children safe. We already local authority, and Ofsted concluded that Birmingham require independent schools, academies and free schools had not exercised adequate judgement. These findings to respect British values. Now we will consult on new demand a robust but considered response. It is important rules that will strengthen this standard further, requiring that no one allows concern about these findings to all those schools actively to promote British values, and become a pretext for criticism of Islam itself—a great I will ask Ofsted to enforce an equivalent standard on faith that brings spiritual nourishment to millions and maintained schools through changes to the Ofsted daily inspires countless acts of generosity.The overwhelming framework. majority of British Muslim parents want their children Several of the governors whose activities have been to grow up in schools that open doors rather than close investigated by Ofsted have also been active in the minds. It is on their behalf that we have to act. Association of Muslim Schools UK, which has statutory There are critical questions about whether warning responsibilities in relation to state Muslim faith schools. signs were missed. There are questions for Birmingham So we have asked AMS UK to satisfy us that it is doing council, Ofsted and the Department for Education. enough to protect children from extremism, and we will Today, I have asked Birmingham council to review its take appropriate steps if its guarantees are insufficiently history on this issue, and the chief inspector has advised robust. me that he will consider the lessons learned for Ofsted. I I have spoken to the National College for Teaching am also concerned that the DFE may not have acted and Leadership, and we will further strengthen the rules when it should have done. I am asking the permanent so that from now on it is explicit that a teacher inviting secretary to investigate how my Department dealt with an extremist speaker into a school can be banned from warnings since the formation of this Government in the profession. 2010, and before. We must all acknowledge that there I will, of course, report in July on progress in all the has been a failure in the past to do everything possible areas that I have announced, as well as publishing the to tackle non-violent extremism. findings of the report of Peter Clarke, who is investigating Let me make it clear that no Government and no the background behind many of the broader allegations Home Secretary have done more to tackle extremism in the Trojan horse letter. The steps we are taking today than this Government and this Home Secretary. In the are those we consider necessary to protect our children Prime Minister’s Munich speech of 2011, in the Home from extremism and to protect our nation’s traditions of Secretary’s own review of the Prevent strategy, and in tolerance and liberty. the conclusions of the Government’s extremism taskforce The conclusions of the reports today are clear. Things last year, this Government have made it clear that we that should not have happened in our schools were need to deal with the dangers posed by extremism well allowed to happen. Our children were exposed to things before it becomes violent. Since 2010, the DFE has that they should not have been exposed to. As Education increased its capacity to deal with extremism. We set up Secretary, I am taking decisive action to make sure that Whitehall’s first ever unit to counter extremism in public those children are protected. Schools that are proven to services, with help from former intelligence and security have failed will be taken over, put under new leadership professionals. That unit has developed since 2010, and and taken in a fresh new direction. Any school could we will continue to strengthen it. now be subject to rigorous, on-the-spot inspections Ofsted now trains inspectors to understand and counter with no advance warning and no opportunities to conceal extremist Islamist ideology, and inspections of schools failure. And we will put the promotion of British values at risk, like those in Birmingham, are carried out by the at the heart of what every school has to deliver for most senior inspectors, overseen by Michael Wilshaw children. What we have found was unacceptable, and we himself. will put it right. I commend this statement to the House. There is, of course, more to do, and today’s reports make action urgent. First, we need to take action in the 3.42 pm schools found to be inadequate. Academies will receive letters saying that I am minded to terminate funding Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): The agreements; in local authority schools, governors are events in Birmingham reveal an education policy in being replaced. We have already spoken to successful disarray, a Government more concerned about warring academy providers who are ready to act as sponsors. egos than school standards and a Prime Minister unable 267 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 268

[Tristram Hunt] Tim Boyes made a presentation to the Department for Education highlighting the risk of a radical agenda to control his Cabinet. But while Ministers carry on infiltrating Birmingham schools, but nothing was done. their briefings, sackings and apology, the education and Will the Secretary of State confirm today which safeguarding of children in the great city Birmingham Ministers were present at Mr Boyes’s presentation, when must be this House’s priority. he was first informed of the details of Mr Boyes’s I appreciate the anxiety which parents and pupils are presentation, when Ofsted was informed of the details feeling in the midst of this debate. Our focus now has to of Mr Boyes’s presentation and when the Government’s be on ensuring successful futures for the schools identified extremism task force met to discuss Mr Boyes’s presentation? today, because what the recent weeks has shown is that Or, as the Home Secretary has put it, is it true that the the Education Secretary’s vision of controlling every Department for Education was warned in 2010 and, if school from behind a desk in Whitehall does not work; so, why did nobody act? that Ofsted has to think much more carefully about the We do not need another massive review by the permanent nature of its inspection system; that Birmingham city secretary. Mr Boyes has provided the Department with council has, as Sir Albert Bore acknowledged, some information on his 2010 meeting and we need to know tough questions to ask of the quality of leadership in its what steps the Ministers took and why the Secretary of children and young people’s directorate; that current State did not act. We need those answers here today, systems of schools governance are open to abuse; and because the Labour party’s answer is absolutely clear. that there is a broader debate to be had about education We need a local director of standards and accountability. and faith, underperformance among minority ethnic We know that Park View Educational Trust, the groups and the limits of communalism in multicultural academy chain essential to the controversy, had a free Britain. In an age of multiple religions, identities and school application turned down in 2013 on security cultures, we need to be clearer about what a state grounds, yet the Secretary of State allowed the trust to education means for children of all faiths and no faiths. take over Golden Hillock the same year. Can he explain Having read the Ofsted reports, Sir Michael Wilshaw’s why the trust was unfit to set up a free school but was letter and the report of the Education Funding Agency, still allowed to take over the Golden Hillock school, for advance notice of which I thank the Education despite those security concerns? Who made that decision Secretary, I share the Education Secretary’s concerns and what due diligence was undertaken? about the provision of education and the safeguarding The truth is that events in Birmingham point to a of children in certain schools in Birmingham. It cannot strategic failing in the Government’s education policy. be right that children have been at risk of marginalisation The Secretary of State’s agenda has been an ideology from mainstream society, cultural isolation or even of atomisation and fragmentation: teachers without radicalisation. Similarly, the focus on narrow attainment qualifications; every school an island; a free market of at the expense of students’ personal and social development provision; and an attempt to oversee it all from behind a is a cause for concern. Some of the other Ofsted reports desk in Whitehall. Birmingham has shown that that highlight invitations to inappropriate speakers, the model is bust. Sir Michael Wilshaw speaks of successful downgrading or elimination of sex and relationship schools in Birmingham having education, gender segregation, staff intimidation and a “too few opportunities to share their successful practice with failure to prepare pupils to live in a multicultural society. others.” That is because of Government policy, and Sir Michael Sir Michael reports governors recommends a review of the education funding “trying to impose and promote a narrow faith-based ideology in arrangements for auditing governance in academies what are non-faith schools.” and free schools, but the Education Secretary’s mantra He says: of centralism and secrecy remains. He has learned nothing from this event. He says that he will personally “They do not ensure that a broad and balanced curriculum look at funding agreements, once again from behind a equips pupils to live and work in a multi-cultural, multi-faith and democratic Britain.” desk in Whitehall, when what we need are local systems of oversight and accountability, with a system of local This is an issue for faith schools as well as non-faith checks and balances. schools. We cannot have such situations in any English The dramatic change in Ofsted rankings from schools, and the report by the Education Funding Agency outstanding to inadequate has also brought into sharp on the culture, ethos and governments of Oldknow focus the need for inspection criteria that look beyond academy has raised similar concerns about a restricted the exam factory model of recent years. We need young curriculum and the furtherance of conservative Islamist people to excel in their academic and vocational attainment, views. but to come out of school career-ready, college-ready We now have at least four investigations into what is and life-ready. That is why the Opposition welcomes Sir occurring in Birmingham schools and today the Education Michael Wilshaw’s request to have a broad and balanced Secretary has announced yet another, but this is an curriculum added as a further criterion to the inspection attempt to evade his own responsibility as Secretary of framework. We think that it should go further, to look State. It seems to be everyone else’s problem—the Home at the development of character, resilience and grit in Secretary’s, Charles Farr’s, the city council’s—but not our school system. The Labour party believes that sex his own. The truth is that if he had been in charge of the and relationship education should be a part of that. management of his Department, these issues would not The events in Birmingham have brought to light a have arisen in recent years. The Secretary of State has desperate weakness in Government thinking. On the said that he has acted with speed on the issue, but the one hand, there is an education policy designed to truth is that Ministers have been ignoring it for four fragment and divide, isolate without oversight and increase years. In 2010, the respected Birmingham head teacher the risks of radicalisation— 269 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 270

Mr Speaker: Order. I think that the shadow Secretary schools in Birmingham are proving a success. I must of State is bringing his remarks to a close in this also correct him on the matter of oversight of academies. sentence. Academies are subject to sharper and more rigorous accountability than local authority schools. They are Tristram Hunt: The Education Secretary speaks of inspected not just by Ofsted but by the Education requiring all schools to promote British values; all well Funding Agency. and good. Among the greatest of British values is an The hon. Gentleman also asks about curriculum education system that welcomes and integrates migrant inspection. Let me stress that it is already a requirement communities, builds successful citizens in a multicultural that schools have a broad and balanced curriculum; the society and secures safety and high standards for all, question is enforcement. That means giving Ofsted the and the Education Secretary is failing to do so. tools it needs, such as no-notice inspections and suitably qualified inspectors. Michael Gove: I thank the hon. Member for Stoke-on- The problems identified today are serious and long- Trent Central (Tristram Hunt) for his comments and I standing. They require us all to take action against all agree that we need to focus on successful futures for forms of extremism. I have been encouraged throughout these schools. I also agree that we need a broader my career by support from Opposition Members—the debate, to ensure that all schools—faith and non-faith— right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), the make sure that children are integrated into modern hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin), the right Britain. But I regret the fact that in his comments he hon. Member for Salford and Eccles (Hazel Blears) and was not able to let us know the Labour party’s position the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, among on no-notice inspections. I am grateful to the hon. others—for a non-partisan approach to fighting extremism. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr Mahmood) I hope that, after his comments today, the hon. Member for stressing that he believes that no-notice inspections for Stoke-on-Trent Central will reflect on the seriousness are right; I am also grateful to the right hon. Member of these charges and recognise that this is not an appropriate for Dulwich and West Norwood (Dame Tessa Jowell) vehicle on which he should make wider criticisms of the for stressing that. But I am still none the wiser about the school reforms with which he and his party disagree. I position of the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central. hope that, in the future, we can count on him and others I am afraid that I am also none the wiser about his working across party boundaries to keep our children position on whether or not it is right to promote British safe. values in schools and right to take the other steps that we have taken. Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): Beneath all The hon. Gentleman asks about meetings between this froth of what letters were written, by whom and to the Department for Education and the Birmingham whom, is not the essential point this: at last we have a headmaster, Tim Boyes, in 2010. I can confirm that I Secretary of State—the first—who is prepared in our was not at that meeting, nor was I informed about its state secular schools to take on Muslim sensibilities, or content. That is why I have asked the permanent secretary the sensibilities of anybody else, to ensure that all to investigate, and I have also asked him to look at other religions and all people are treated with equal respect? occasions before 2010 when warnings were reportedly given. The hon. Gentleman has previously alleged that I Michael Gove: My hon. Friend makes a very important was warned by Mr Boyes in 2010 and did not act; that is point. Let me stress again—his question gives me the not the case and I hope that he will make it clear in the opportunity to do so—that there are exemplary Muslim future, and withdraw that allegation. faith schools and that the contribution of Britain’s The hon. Gentleman asks about local oversight of all Muslim community is immeasurable, and immeasurably these schools. It is important to stress that when Tim for the good. But one of the things that both the Home Boyes raised these issues in 2010 all these schools were Secretary and I have sought to do is ensure that in facing local oversight from Birmingham city council, schools or other civic institutions the dangers of extremism, and as Sir Michael Wilshaw has concluded, Birmingham violent or non-violent, are countered head-on. city council failed. As Ofsted makes clear, repeated warnings to those charged with local oversight were Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): May I pick up on ignored. Indeed, it was only after my Department was the Secretary of State’s previous point? Does he accept informed about the allegations in the Trojan horse letter that in my constituency, where 30%-plus of the population that action was taken, and I thank Birmingham city are of the Muslim faith, there are plenty of schools—faith council for its co-operation since then. schools or secular schools—where 100% of pupils might be Muslim but that so far we have been able to avoid The hon. Gentleman asks what action was taken allegations of extremism of this kind? That is true overall since 2010. It would be quite wrong to allege, as elsewhere across the country. If we are to get the he does, that the Department has taken no action on overwhelming majority of followers of the Muslim extremism since 2010; the opposite is the case. As the faith on board, it is crucial that we distinguish between Home Secretary pointed out, we were the first Department those who are devout, but who embrace British values, outside her own to set up a counter-extremism unit. and those who are extreme. We need to concentrate on Unreported and under-appreciated, it has prevented a those who are extreme and see them isolated. number of extremist or unsuitable organisations from securing access to public funds. Michael Gove: I absolutely agree. I thank the right The hon. Gentleman asks about academies and free hon. Gentleman for the work he has done to ensure that schools, and the autonomy that they enjoy. First, I must state-funded schools can provide children and parents correct him: none of the schools that Ofsted inspected in Blackburn with an Islamic faith education that equips are free schools and all the evidence so far is that free them for the 21st century. Let me emphasise that there is 271 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 272

[Michael Gove] across the country that this is not happening everywhere and answering the question, “How did we get where we a key distinction, which this Government have drawn, are?”, regarding some of these schools will be very between perfectly respectable religious conservatism, important. Bearing in mind the possibility of any links whatever the faith, and extremist activity. It is vital that outside the United Kingdom, will he assure me that if that distinction is maintained. [Interruption.] any information has come to light in the course of the investigations that might link with any other inquiry Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman’s chuntering that has been held in the United Kingdom, or identifies in the background is of no interest or relevance whatsoever. any links to any organisations abroad that might, through their work, be threatening us, it will be made available Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): Is not a to the appropriate authorities? key issue that might give rise to extremism and the rejection of British values a cultural one: namely, the Michael Gove: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, unwillingness or inability among some communities to whose knowledge of these issues as a former middle speak English? Is not it important, therefore, to give east Minister is unparalleled. Peter Clarke will use his appropriate financial support in those areas where we expertise to marshal and gather all the information need to tackle potential exclusion, and even ghettoisation, necessary to see whether there is any influence, untoward to support the teaching of English at the earliest stage? or otherwise, from outside this country.

Michael Gove: My hon. Friend is, as ever, absolutely Mr Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham, Perry Barr) (Lab): right. A key element of the Prime Minister’s 2011 Will the Secretary of State confirm that this inquiry will Munich speech was an insistence that we do everything not tar all the Muslim community in Birmingham, possible to ensure that everyone who grows up in this other than a few individuals who took it on themselves country can speak English fluently, and that is one of to lead with this issue and try to wreck the whole the principal aims of our education programme. community and its reputation? Will he also confirm that the schools will be put back to normal as soon as Mr Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab): At possible and that whatever structural changes are due times over the past month or two, I have thought that are made quickly so that in September children return this day would never come. These reports have been to a proper education? kept under wraps, hidden in full from parents, while they have been leaked in part left, right and centre. Michael Gove: Absolutely: I can provide assurances Parents, who should have been the first to know, have on both those points. May I take this opportunity to been the last to know about the contents of these pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman, who has been reports. I am sure that the Secretary of State will want outstanding in his efforts to ensure community cohesion to apologise to the House for the contempt with which in Birmingham? He has been one of the first and parents have been treated in this debate. Secondly, he clearest voices in this House warning us about the knows that I have been at the forefront in calling for this dangers of extremism, and his commitment to his Ofsted process. I am glad that Sir Michael Wilshaw has constituents is second to none. today said that there is no evidence of an organised plot to radicalise our children or introduce extremism into Simon Wright (Norwich South) (LD): Does the Secretary schools, but four out of the six academies— of State agree that there is uncertainty among many parents about what their children are entitled to be Mr Speaker: Order. I do not know with what frequency taught in school? Would it not reassure parents if the the right hon. Gentleman contributes from the Back Government introduced a minimum curriculum entitlement Benches—[Interruption.] Order. I recognise that these that all state-funded schools would teach? matters are of extreme salience to his constituents; I do not need him to tell me that. The simple fact is that his Michael Gove: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. question, which is not yet a question, is far too long— Schools are, of course, already required to teach a [Interruption.] Order. We must leave it there for now. broad and balanced curriculum. I hope that in the weeks ahead we can have an informed debate about the Michael Gove: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman correct balance between the autonomy that schools and for the points he makes. It was vital that we ensured that head teachers properly enjoy in order to innovate and to the schools concerned had an opportunity to read the have their professional expertise respected and a guarantee Ofsted reports before they were published and to let us to parents that their children are being taught in a way know whether, in their view, there was any factual that conforms with the values that we both share. inaccuracy. It was vital—indeed, he made this point to me in a private meeting—that we did everything possible Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): to ensure that these reports were bullet-proof against British values, which the Secretary of State wants to challenge. I absolutely share his desire to ensure that we promote, include the rule of law. I am therefore quite do everything possible to reassure parents. The parents troubled by the part of his statement where he said that who have spoken out and have contacted Ofsted and governors the Department for Education want action to be taken, “are trying to impose and promote a narrow faith-based ideology because, as is clear from the reports, the behaviour of in what are non-faith schools”, certain governors, as reported, is unacceptable. specifically by narrowing the curriculum, manipulating staff appointments and using school funds inappropriately. Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire) (Con): My Surely that is unacceptable, whether the school is secular right hon. Friend’s statement is extremely important. or a faith school. It needs to be made clear that these His ability to find the right line in reassuring parents standards must apply to schools universally. 273 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 274

Michael Gove: The hon. Lady is absolutely right. Let Michael Gove: We will consult on the statement of me stress that prior to the publication of these reports British values shortly. and of Sir Michael Wilshaw’s covering letter, some questioned whether these investigations were worth while. Mr Roger Godsiff (Birmingham, Hall Green) (Lab): I pay tribute to her for emphasising how important it is Amid the general hysteria that has been whipped up that we deal with the findings. I also pay tribute to the over these anonymous allegations, does the Secretary of shadow Secretary of State for making it clear that State accept that there are many decent, good, hard-working Sir Michael Wilshaw’s integrity is unimpeachable. school governors in Birmingham who give up their time freely? One of the schools mentioned, Golden Hillock, John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): I thank is right on the edge of the adjoining constituency to the Secretary of State for the opportunity to see the mine and many of my constituents’ children go to it. papers in advance, there being two schools affected in They cannot understand the picture that has been painted my constituency. The National Association of Head of its governors, including the chairman, Mohammed Teachers has expressed concern that the system of Shafique, and others whom I know, who have been at investigation and inspection is rather inchoate and suggested the forefront of fighting radicalism and terrorism in that a more coherent system of investigation of allegations local communities. is needed. I agree—does the Secretary of State? The Secretary of State has rightly said that it is important that there is community cohesion. Could he Michael Gove: It is absolutely right that we review therefore explain why Ofsted removed the requirement how we investigate the problems that have been identified. in the Ofsted inspection to demonstrate what steps As the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston schools were taking to address community cohesion? (Ms Stuart) pointed out, it is clear that Ofsted has Did Ofsted do that off its own back, did the Secretary uncovered a number of unacceptable practices. It is also of State give his approval, or did he tell Ofsted to clear that the Education Funding Agency has additional remove the obligation? powers in relation to academies that have been incredibly useful in this regard as well. I am entirely open to considering how, in future, we can provide parents with Michael Gove: Ofsted clearly has the capacity to guarantees that their children are safe. detect when schools are not adhering to the responsibility to deliver community cohesion, as the reports published today clearly demonstrate. I will not be drawn into the Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Lab): question of individual governors, but let me take this It is clear from the reports published today that the opportunity to underline the broader point the hon. central charge that there has been an organised plot to Gentleman makes that there are many who are committed import extremism that has radicalised children in to state education in Birmingham who are doing a Birmingham has not been met. What there has been is superb job, including governors, teachers and school unacceptably poor and bad governance, which has let leaders. I should add that maintained schools, faith children, parents and staff down, and which must be schools, academies and free schools in Birmingham are tackled. Those two things are not the same. Does the all contributing to the renaissance of state education in Secretary of State therefore regret the tone of the that city. That only makes it more important that we debate, which has sent a clear message to Muslim deal with those schools that are failing to protect children parents in Birmingham and beyond that the education and failing to prepare them for the 21st century. of their children will be viewed through the prism of national security? Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) (Con): I know at first hand how seriously my right hon. Michael Gove: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for Friend takes the issue of extremism in our schools. giving me the opportunity to make two points. She is Does he agree that there is a sharp contrast between the absolutely right. When the allegations were raised in the speed with which he and his Department took action to original Trojan horse letter, it was important that they tackle failing schools and to investigate extremism and were investigated, and the findings we have today are the lacklustre approach of Birmingham city council? the findings that Ofsted and the Education Funding Will he therefore investigate what oversight Birmingham Agency are competent to deliver. had over Saltley science college, a community school Peter Clarke is also looking into some of the broader where Ofsted has just reported the governors spent tens allegations. One of the reasons he was chosen is that if of thousands of pounds of school funds on private people have been unfairly alleged to have taken part in investigators, private solicitors and meals in restaurants, activities of which they are entirely innocent, there can and where, according to Ofsted, governance is inadequate be no more effective figure to exonerate them than Peter and staff are intimidated? Clarke. I would also emphasise that Sheik Shady al-Suleiman Michael Gove: My hon. Friend makes a very important spoke at one of these schools and his comments are point. The Department for Education has been faster to now on the record of the House. I think that anyone react to concerns expressed about schools and to deal listening to those comments would recognise that such with failure than many local authorities. The case of a speaker in a school is exposing children to the dangers Saltley, a local authority maintained school, is shocking, of extremism. but let me stress that Birmingham city council is now fully seized of the importance of dealing with this Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): When will we problem. Let me pay tribute to Sir Albert Bore, whom I see the Secretary of State’s statement of British values, met earlier today, who now understands fully the vital which I fully support, as I do his whole approach? importance of working with central Government to 275 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 276

[Michael Gove] schools of unacceptable practices, as there is in the case of a small minority of schools in Birmingham, it should deal with it. Local government has failed in the past. We be dealt with decisively. However, does the Secretary of need to ensure that central and local government work State accept that it is important for politicians to act together to deal with this problem. responsibly, and that it is wrong to use inflammatory language or to take steps that send the wrong message? Mr David Blunkett (Sheffield, Brightside and To that end, what were the grounds for appointing a Hillsborough) (Lab): May I first welcome the fact that former of head of counter-terrorism to investigate we seem to be moving inexorably towards a national Birmingham’s schools, and was it wise to do so? curriculum that is applied nationally? That is progress. In the spirit of the Secretary of State’s last answer, Michael Gove: It was absolutely wise to appoint Peter will he ask his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to Clarke to his role as commissioner. It is important to delve into the Home Office archives for a research stress that he is looking at some of the wider allegations report of 10 years ago—funded by the Government—which that were raised in the Trojan horse letter. Some of the examined the cultural isolation of, and the lessons to be allegations in the letter appear to be unfounded; others learned from, schools in Burnley and adjoining Blackburn? appear to be supported by the evidence that we have The report was counter-intuitive, but it would now be gathered. We need to make sure that Birmingham city extremely helpful in going forward. council and every agency have the capacity necessary to keep children safe. Michael Gove: I am very grateful to the right hon. It is important to recognise that Peter Clarke has not Gentleman. I think that he is referring to the Cantle just the investigative capability but the experience of report, which we have looked at in the past. Certainly, working with the Charity Commission to ensure that there is a body of work that helps us to understand public funds are properly used and that the public are some of the challenges of separate communities and of properly protected. If the hon. Gentleman has any how to secure better integration. concerns about the integrity, probity or authority of Peter Clarke, he should please bring them to me. The On the question of the curriculum, the one thing I time has come to recognise that the situation in Birmingham would say is that I am confused about Labour’s position is sufficiently serious that a public servant of Peter on the national curriculum. Labour Members seem to Clarke’s skill is exactly the right person to investigate. want to extend it to all schools, but the shadow Secretary of State has said that all schools should have the ability to opt out completely from it. I appreciate that the right Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): I listened hon. Gentleman has the benefit of experience and that intently to the lengthy contribution of the shadow the shadow Minister does not, but until we get a consensus Secretary of State. I worry that he has developed political view from the Labour party I will listen to Sir Michael amnesia. As we have heard, the roots of the issue in Wilshaw. Birmingham run deep and include Birmingham city council. Will the Secretary of the State assure the House that Peter Clarke will look fully at the allegation Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): As the hon. Member that the previous Government failed to act on a report for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) said, these of an attempted hard-line Muslim takeover of a school findings would be unacceptable in any school—secular in Birmingham as far back as 2008? or faith, state or independent. This affront to British values may well extend to other schools outside the area Michael Gove: My hon. Friend makes an important that Ofsted has already inspected. Will my right hon. point. I will stress two things. First, the permanent Friend ensure that there is no hiding place in any part of secretary will look to see exactly how the Department the British education system for the misogyny and responded to warnings before and after the formation homophobia that underpin so much of the religious of this Government. Secondly, as my right hon. Friend fundamentalism in some of our schools? the Home Secretary pointed out, before 2010, a number of individuals who were associated with extremist views Michael Gove: My hon. Friend makes a very important and organisations were supported by public funds or point. Inevitably, there was only so much I could say in invited to advise the last Government on anti-extremism. the time allocated about the weaknesses in the schools That does not happen under this Government as a identified. She homes in on one problem, which is that result of her leadership. It would be gracious of the children who are at risk of being exposed to extremist hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Tristram Hunt) views are often at risk of being exposed to views that are to acknowledge the leadership that the Home Secretary fundamentally offensive to those of us who believe in has shown and the improvement in our counter-extremism the equality of all human beings. Therefore, if there are strategy as a result. concerns—anywhere in this House or outside—about children being exposed to those views or at danger of Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): I have no objection being exposed to those views, I hope that individuals to no-notice inspections. They have worked in other will feel able to contact Ofsted using the new whistleblowing areas. Will the Secretary of State confirm that there is framework outlined by Sir Michael Wilshaw to ensure no evidence before him of this kind of activity taking rapid investigation. place in other areas of the country, and that his support of faith schools remains unshakeable? May I also put to Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab): All him the question that the Home Secretary asked me faiths should subscribe to universal human values and to put to him? Has he replied to her letter of 3 June and universal human rights, including equal treatment of answered the four important questions that she put men and women. Where there is clear evidence in our to him? 277 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 278

Michael Gove: I believe that my statement today one, if they are reported wrongly, can increase feelings provides a full response to all the concerns that were of insecurity, suspicion and alienation. In some instances, raised in the letter in respect of Birmingham city council’s the wrong type of language has been used. Does my failure in the past, on which Sir Michael Wilshaw has right hon. Friend agree that we need to do everything reported, and the warnings that my Department was we can to help the community, and that accurate reporting given in 2010. I am also delighted to reinforce my of the established facts is really important? support not just for faith schools, but for free schools that have a faith ethos, such as the outstanding Krishna Michael Gove: I could not agree more. We must Avanti primary school in the right hon. Gentleman’s proceed on the basis of facts and evidence, and ensure constituency, which I had the pleasure of opening. I that that evidence is rigorously assessed and judged underline the request for him or any other Member of fairly. My hon. Friend makes an important point about the House who has concerns about extremism in any Islamophobia. I tried in my statement, and I will try on part of the country to please bring them to my attention every platform I am given, to emphasise the fundamental and the attention of Ofsted. The hon. Member for difference between Islam as a great faith that brings Bradford East (Mr Ward) has brought concerns to my spiritual nourishment to millions and inspires daily acts attention about issues in Bradford. I am pleased to say of generosity by thousands, and the narrow perversion that the Labour local authority in Bradford is currently of that religion, which is extremist Islamist ideology. dealing with those. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): The Government fund Prevent co-ordinators in 30 local Mr Lee Scott (Ilford North) (Con): We are hearing authorities where there is a perceived view of extremism. about the despicable things that have happened in What work does the Secretary of State expect those Birmingham and it is quite right that they should be co-ordinators to do in local schools? Over the past year investigated, but I have a slight concern. Does my right how many reports were made by those co-ordinators to hon. Friend agree that we have some of the best education his Department? in faith schools of all religions across this country, and that we must not condemn all faith schools just because Michael Gove: I salute the work of Prevent co-ordinators. of something that might have happened in one area? Immediately after these concerns were expressed, Birmingham city council sought funding from the Home Michael Gove: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It Office for an additional Prevent co-ordinator to work is one of the pleasures of my job to visit voluntary with schools, which my right hon. Friend the Home aided schools and schools with a faith ethos that do an Secretary authorised. A Prevent co-ordinator from east outstanding job of respecting the religious beliefs of London has now joined Ofsted to ensure that all Ofsted children and making sure those children are fit for a life inspectors who deal with issues of this kind are trained in modern Britain. It is important to stress that none of to deal with the signs of extremist, Islamist ideology. I the schools that we are talking about are faith schools. am, of course, more than happy to work with the hon. One of the issues is that they are secular schools that Lady and others to ensure that we augment the good governors have sought to turn into faith schools of a work of those Prevent co-ordinators who have been particular narrow kind in a way that is unacceptable. successful in dealing with problems of that kind. Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): The Secretary Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): Since the Secretary of of State began by describing keeping children safe and State took on his job, he has limited local accountability preparing them for life in modern Britain as his and Ofsted oversight, and has fought attempts to publish Department’s central mission. Is he satisfied that he has the costs and funding agreements of schools and to the means to ensure that that happens, whether or not reveal who is advising those schools and his Department, their school is funded by the taxpayer? and on what basis. Given that he has fought openness and transparency from his Department tooth and nail, Michael Gove: That is a very good point. Today we will he tell us, following the recent appalling events, have outlined that we plan to consult on independent whether he understands the importance of transparency school standards, so that schools that are not funded by to education and whether his Department will operate the taxpayer must meet basic standards of promoting on a completely different basis from now on? British values, or the Education Secretary will have the capacity to close them down. We are also taking steps to Michael Gove: I understand the hon. Lady’s point. work with the Association of Muslim Schools UK to She has taken the opportunity of this statement to raise see what more can be done. one or two other questions. I believe absolutely in the Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): The Education importance of openness and transparency. I also think Secretary either omitted or did not get the opportunity that it is important that the advice that is given by fully to respond to the question from my hon. Friend officials in confidence to shape ministerial decisions is the Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Tristram Hunt) protected as a safe space. I also agree that it is vital that about Park View. For the sake of clarity, will he explain when we discover things that have gone wrong in the why Park View was not allowed to open a free school education system, as is shown by the reports today, we but was allowed to sponsor Golden Hillock to become publish in full. an academy? Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) (Con): As co-chair of the Michael Gove: Before any free school can be opened a all-party parliamentary group on Islamophobia, may I very high bar must be cleared. A separate set of criteria say that we have heard time and again from the community were judged in this case, and the Minister responsible about its desire to tackle extremism? We have also heard decided that for that specific free school application, the evidence that the news coverage of issues such as this bar was not cleared. 279 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 280

George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): I warmly welcome academy chains and informal partnerships—that is a my right hon. Friend’s statement, in particular his very powerful driver of improved standards. It ensures commitment to put the promotion of British values at that individual teachers, who may have concerns about the heart of what every school must deliver for children. what is happening in their own school, have access to a Does he agree that the reason this country has been able wider network of professionals who can help them to to offer sanctuary to people from around the world of deal with the challenges they face. different races and faith for so long is precisely because of a simple covenant of citizenship: “Come here, speak Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): Extremism our language, respect our heritage and values and you in schools has, sadly, been going on for more than a are welcome”? decade. Will the Secretary of State reassure the House that Peter Clarke will have unfettered access to all Michael Gove: I absolutely agree. One strength of the paperwork going back over that period? United Kingdom is that it has provided a safe and warm home for people of every faith over hundreds of Michael Gove: I will do everything in my power—I years. It is critical that we ensure that our traditions of hope every agency will—to help Peter Clarke in his job. liberty and tolerance are protected so that everyone, whatever their background, can feel that sense of pride Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): One of the primary in this nation and allegiance to other citizens, which all purposes of the investigation was to look at extremism, of us would want to celebrate as the best of British. but what is the Secretary of State doing about extremism Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Thousands of in places of education that do not fall within the schools report directly to the Secretary of State with no responsibility of the Department for Education? formal opportunity for local oversight. Will he accept that what happened in Birmingham shows how important Michael Gove: The hon. Gentleman makes an important it is to have full local oversight? That is the only way to point. I infer from what he is saying that he is talking look after the interests of all children and young people about further education colleges and perhaps even in our schools up and down the country. universities. Michael Gove: I agree that local representatives, whether Graham Jones: Under-16s. in local authorities or as local MPs, should play a part in helping to ensure that children are safe. It is also Michael Gove: On specific concerns about specific important to recognise that the local authority in this institutions for under-16s that do not fall within my case failed in the past, and that when the specific remit, I infer from that that the hon. Gentleman is allegations in the Trojan horse letter were shared with thinking about independent schools or even, possibly, the Department for Education, it was rapid in seeking supplementary schools. As far as independent schools to deal with those problems and ensuring that appropriate are concerned, we are consulting on toughening independent inspection and action was taken. school standards, as I mentioned to my hon. Friend the Member for Chippenham (Duncan Hames). In respect Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): I welcome the of supplementary schools, sometimes known as madrassahs, decisive action taken by the Secretary of State today we will shortly publish a code governing how madrassahs and the consultation on the promotion of British values. should operate. At the moment, the plan is that the Does he agree that a very clear British value is that code should be voluntary, but I am, of course, open to young girls and women should be seen and heard in the debate and contribution in the House on how to make it classroom, not relegated to the back of the room? Will as effective as possible. he consult specifically on whether we will be teaching them the communication skills and confidence they Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): Yesterday I had the need if they are hidden, in our schools and colleges, privilege of speaking at the opening of the new Langley behind a niqab or burqa? Green mosque in my constituency, which was a multi-faith event. Does the Secretary of State agree that that illustrates Michael Gove: My hon. Friend makes a very important the importance of inclusivity, which the vast majority point. One of the concerns raised in several reports was of the Muslim community want in our education system, what appeared to be unacceptable segregation in the both in Birmingham and across the country? classroom. Another point I would make is that there are real questions about how sex and relationships education Michael Gove: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the was taught in some of these schools. It is vital that active role he plays in ensuring that all the faith communities schools should be places where young girls find their in his constituency are effectively represented and can voices, rather than feeling that they are being silenced. contribute to modern Britain. Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab): As a former teacher, I welcome the Secretary of State’s defence Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): In an education landscape of faith and faith-based schooling. However, I believe of university technical colleges, free schools and academies that the atomisation of our schooling system is a problem. run directly from Whitehall, will the Secretary of State’s Does he not concur that a greater form of solidarity welcome review of what the Department has to learn between local schools would help to self-police this type include a thorough analysis of weaknesses in the current of extremism? accountability system? Michael Gove: The hon. Gentleman makes a very Michael Gove: I take the hon. Gentleman’s point. I important point. We are seeing a level of collaboration think one of the things that is clear from the action that between schools—through teaching school alliances, has been taken in schools today is that academies, and, 281 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 282 for that matter, free schools, are subject to a higher level his Department and other agencies about these issues in of accountability than local authority schools. One of 2010. When did he become aware of it, and what has the things I will be looking at is how we can ensure that gone so wrong in his Department that it has taken an local authority schools are held to a similar level of anonymous letter in 2014 to get action on something accountability in the future, not least for the discharge that it knew about in 2010? of public money. Michael Gove: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for Mr David Ward (Bradford East) (LD): Will the Secretary raising that issue. If she will share that correspondence of State tell us whether what has been discovered in with me, I will share it with the permanent secretary Birmingham is confined to Birmingham? He will know and write back to her. of rumours of links between Birmingham schools and Bradford schools. Will he tell us whether it is sheer coincidence that Feversham college, a Muslim girls’ Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): The Secretary of State school that is one of the highest performing schools in has reported Ofsted’s concern that governors are trying the country, has been notified today that it will have an to impose a narrow faith-based ideology on what are Ofsted inspection tomorrow? non-faith schools, but that is also not in the public interest in faith-based schools, and surely it is part of Michael Gove: I would make two points. First, the the purpose of faith schools to deliver a faith-based original Trojan horse letter, which as we know contained ideology. Since we have had three decades of unhappy a number of facts and allegations that proved to be experience of violent division in Northern Ireland being unfounded, was allegedly a letter sent to individuals in reinforced by state-funded, faith-based education, is it Bradford. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his not now about time that we asked people, if they want support in alerting me to some potential concerns. I to exercise the freedom to have a faith-based education know that Bradford council has taken them seriously, for their children, not to expect the rest of us to pay for and I look forward to remaining in touch with Bradford— it because it is not in the public interest? and, indeed, any other local authority that has concerns. The Department for Education is there to support and Michael Gove: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his help if, for example, governors need to be removed and point. In the light of what has been revealed, it is an interim executive board put in place. Secondly, as for important to have a debate about the proper place of what he tells me about Feversham college, I have no faith in education, but I have to say that I respectfully prior warning of any Ofsted inspections, which are disagree with him. I think that the role of a number of quite properly an operational matter for the chief inspector faith institutions from a variety of faiths in education unless I specifically request an inspection because of has been all to the good. information that has been passed to me. Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): The Secretary of State’s Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): Of course we must failure to pinpoint these problems sooner makes it draw an important distinction between devout absolutely clear that he cannot micro-manage schools conservatism—whether it be Catholic, evangelical, Christian from Westminster. Will he now consider adopting a or Muslim—on the one hand, and extremism on the policy akin to Labour’s proposal for local directors of other hand. But has not all of this shown that the school standards, which would enable schools to be Achilles heel in the Secretary of State’s education policy more accountable locally and would help to flag up is that there are more and more schools now in which these types of problems a lot sooner? there are fewer and fewer means of preventing fundamentalist indoctrination? Michael Gove: No. Michael Gove: I do not accept that that is the case. If Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): Noting that Ofsted we look at the problems identified, I believe that they has already put the spotlight on the quality of school arose well before this Government were formed, and leadership and management as part of the inspection, that it is as a result of this Government—and, in and recognising the Government’s focus on the skills particular, as a result of the higher level of accountability of governing bodies rather than just on stakeholder that exists in academies and free schools—that we were representation, does the Secretary of State agree that able to take the exemplary action that we did. that, combined with further accountability to the regional commissioners, will strengthen the resolve of councils Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): In Birmingham to get rid of failing governors and is a step in the right and across the country, thousands of men and women direction? are giving valuable voluntary service to act as school Michael Gove: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend, governors. Will my right hon. Friend explain what who has shown brilliant leadership on the issue of happens if there is a suspicion that a school governor is improving governance. As well as all of his important promoting extremism and what statutory powers there points, there are some specific recommendations on are in those circumstances to remove a school governor strengthening governance from Sir Michael Wilshaw from an LEA-controlled school or an academy? that recommend themselves to me. Michael Gove: We are consulting on how we can Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab): The Secretary ensure that we can remove governors if there is any of State will have heard my earlier question to the suggestion that they have been involved in extremist Home Secretary—one of many questions that she failed activity in independent schools, and also extend that to answer this afternoon, so I am going to ask him the power in order to bar them from serving as governors in same question. We know of the correspondence between any local authority schools in the future. 283 Birmingham Schools9 JUNE 2014 Birmingham Schools 284

Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): The Secretary Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): On Friday, of State has provided a welcome clarification today by in my constituency, I was approached by some Muslim stating that he was not at the 2010 meeting at which parents and, indeed, Muslim teachers who were very Tim Boyes gave his presentation, and I am sure that he concerned about the tone of this debate, and who felt can extend the same clarification to any of his ministerial that the Muslim community were being branded as colleagues. However, as a former Minister, I know that extremists. Does my right hon. Friend agree that all of action points will have been made at that meeting. us who are involved in the debate should be cool-headed Given the importance of this matter, will the Secretary and avoid using incendiary language such as “Islamist of State now agree to publish those action points—without plots”—when such plots do not appear to exist—and jeopardising the integrity and confidentiality of individual “draining the swamp”? Does he also agree that many civil servants—and reveal what arose from them? Was state schools with a high proportion of Muslim students, any action taken? and indeed Muslim faith schools, offer a good, well-rounded education? Michael Gove: That is a fair question. Let me say two things to the hon. Gentleman. First, I have asked the Michael Gove: I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman. permanent secretary to look at our responses to all the warnings that the Department has received, and I think Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): The hon. that it would be premature for me to release anything Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) made a very fair before he has finished his report. Secondly, I have point about faith schools that want to teach conservative described—both in my statement and in my response to religious values. How do the Government distinguish what was said by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent between such schools and schools in which extremism is Central (Tristram Hunt)—some of the actions taken by happening? my Department which have provided it with a more robust set of tools to deal with extremism than have Michael Gove: Clear requirements apply to all voluntarily been available before. aided faith schools. They are, of course, allowed to make provision for appropriate worship and for freedom Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): The of conscience, but they must also offer a broad and Secretary of State has described some shocking balanced curriculum, as has always been the case. They behaviour—shocking not only to Muslim parents, but must also respect British values, and, as a result of the to all parents. Does he agree that the failure of Birmingham proposals on which I intend to consult from today, they city council to deal with this problem over a long period will always be required to promote those values actively demonstrates the importance of the academies programme, in the future as well. which takes powers away from politicians and bureaucrats and hands them to teachers? Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): In the light of what we have learned today, does the right hon. Michael Gove: My hon. Friend has made an important Gentleman agree with what appears to be the Home point. Some of the most outstanding schools in Secretary’s view—that there is no real need to increase Birmingham are currently academies and free schools. spending on anti-extremist programmes? Indeed, the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central has previously praised Liam Nolan, the head teacher of Michael Gove: I totally agree with the Home Secretary Perry Beeches school, who runs an academy chain and and I think that her leadership on counter-extremism has opened free schools. I think that the hon. Gentleman’s has been exemplary. attempt to conflate the growth of academies and free schools—and the consequent improvement in school Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Does my right standards—and a risk of extremism constitutes an attempt hon. Friend agree that the findings of these reports to jump on an opportunistic bandwagon, which, sadly, demonstrate the need to ensure that there is a breadth is becoming a characteristic of his approach to opposition. of views on school governing bodies? One way of achieving that is to ensure that there are governors of different Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): On 6 June, faiths on governing bodies and that they are encouraged Labour’s police and crime commissioner for the west to take a proactive role so that pupils receive a balanced midlands, Bob Jones, issued a press release on Trojan education. horse which many believe ignores the dangers of extremist teaching in schools. Given that, under Mr Jones’s leadership, Michael Gove: My hon. Friend makes a characteristically the West Midlands police have been criticised by Ofsted acute and pertinent point. for consistently failing to attend more than 50% of child protection meetings—indeed, at one stage attendance Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): I was down to 9%—does my right hon. Friend agree that welcome what the Secretary of State is doing in this that is one example of local oversight and accountability area. I was appalled by some of the report’s findings, that certainly needs to be improved? particularly the comment by Sheikh Shady al-Suleiman, where he distorted the concept of jihad and linked it to Michael Gove: My hon. Friend has made a very good Afghanistan, which is often used by extremists to recruit point. I have been disappointed by some of the comments people to radicalisation. Linked to that, does the Secretary made by the west midlands police and crime commissioner. of State agree that Sunday schools at places of worship I hope that today, following the publication of the should also be encouraged to teach British values and reports, the commissioner will have an opportunity to that sermons should be taught in English and not reflect, to think again, and to discharge his responsibilities simply in Urdu or Arabic, to ensure that distortion is more effectively. tackled? 285 Birmingham Schools 9 JUNE 2014 286

Michael Gove: My hon. Friend makes a number of Debate on the Address important points. He is right that the concept of jihad in Islam is a complex one and that it is possible to talk [3RD DAY] about it as a form of internal struggle. However, in the Debate resumed (Order, 5 June). reported comments of Sheikh Shady al-Suleiman, it is Question again proposed, clear that he is not using jihad in that context. My hon. Friend raises broader questions about how we deal with That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as supplementary schools and Sunday schools in madrassahs. follows: We will consult on how to deal with those. Most Gracious Sovereign, We, YourMajesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I understand Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to that my right hon. Friend has already introduced standards Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has that allow the teaching of extremist views to be barred. addressed to both Houses of Parliament. Will he also advertise whistleblower lines more widely, so that teachers and parents can contact the Department Health for Education directly? 4.42 pm Michael Gove: My hon. Friend makes an important The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): point. We want to ensure that whistleblowers and others The legislative programme presented to Parliament last who have concerns can contact Ofsted in particular, so week by Her Majesty the Queen builds on four years in that inspection can be swift and effective. which we have not shirked our duty to the British people to restore confidence in disastrous public finances; to lead the country from the deepest recession since the second world war to the strongest growth in the G7; and to implement a plan that secures our long-term economic future. As part of that programme, we have been following a long-term plan to transform our NHS and help it to meet the challenges of an ageing population. However, we must remember that without the difficult decisions made to restore faith in our public finances, the NHS would have been in a very different position. In Ireland, the health pay bill was slashed by 16% because it ran out of money. In Greece, health spending was cut by 20%. In Portugal, the public were asked to double their personal contribution to the cost of health care, but in England difficult decisions meant that we were able to protect the NHS budget, unlike the Labour party, which plans to cut it in England, and did indeed cut it by 8% in Wales, with disastrous consequences. Labour made the wrong call on the economy and the wrong call on NHS finances. Because we made the right call, the NHS is now doing extremely well in very challenging circumstances. Later, Members will hear the right hon. Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) talk about operational pressures facing the NHS. He is right: it is tough out there. This week, we will announce new measures to help the service to meet the challenges that it faces. We will no doubt also hear attempts to politicise what are essentially operational pressures, but what we will not hear is how much better the NHS is doing than it ever did when he was Health Secretary. The facts speak for themselves. Every single day—[Interruption.] This is difficult for Labour Members to listen to, but they would do well to listen. Compared with when he was Health Secretary, every single day we are referring 1,000 more people with suspected cancers to specialists. We are transporting 1,000 more patients— Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): Will the Secretary of State give way? Mr Hunt: I am going to make some progress and then give way. The right hon. Gentleman needs to listen. We are doing much more now compared with what was done when he was Health Secretary. If he listens, he might learn something. 287 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 288

[Mr Jeremy Hunt] while supporting the patients waiting longest for their treatment, something that did not happen when he was This is what is happening every single day: 1,000 people in office. We will not allow a return to the bad old days with suspected cancers are being referred, and 1,000 more when patients lingered for years on waiting lists because patients are being transported in ambulances in emergencies. once they had missed their 18-week target, there was no Every day we are performing 2,000 more badly needed incentive for trusts to treat them. operations, we are seeing 3,000 more vulnerable people A and Es, too, are facing pressure and are seeing over in A and E departments, and every day we are providing 40,000 more patients on average every week than in around 6,000 more GP consultations for members of 2009-10. NHS staff are working incredibly hard to see the public and 10,000 more vital diagnostic tests. At the and treat these patients within four hours, and it is a same time, MRSA rates have almost halved, mixed-sex tribute to them that the median wait for an initial wards have been virtually eliminated, and fewer people assessment is only 30 minutes under this Government, are waiting for 18 or more weeks for their operation. down from 77 minutes under the last Government. However, as we did last year, we will continue to support Andy Burnham: The Health Secretary is standing trusts to do even better both by improving their internal there claiming everything is fine and giving a litany of processes and working with local health economies to successes. Let us just consider cancer care. He said the reduce the need for emergency admissions. This will be NHS was worse when we were in government. So that led by NHS England, Monitor and the NHS Trust we are absolutely clear, will he confirm that the last set Development Authority. of figures show that the NHS is now for the first time missing its standard of treating cancer patients within David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): We have 62 days? heard some comments from Opposition Members about waiting times. My right hon. Friend will be aware that Mr Hunt: The right hon. Gentleman should have fewer than 2% of patients in England wait for more listened to what I said: I said he was right to say it is than six weeks for diagnostic treatment, but is he aware tough out there, and I also said that this week we will be that the figure is 42% of patients in the Labour-run announcing measures to help the NHS deal with operational NHS in Wales? pressures. He talks about how long people are waiting for operations, so let us look at one particular statistic Mr Hunt: I am aware of those shocking figures, and I that sums up what I am saying: the number of people am also aware that the Royal College of Surgeons says waiting not 18 weeks but a whole year for a vital that 152 people died on waiting lists in Wales at just two operation. Shockingly, when the right hon. Gentleman hospitals because they did not get their treatment in was Health Secretary, nearly 18,500 people were waiting time. I gently suggest to the shadow Health Secretary over a year, and I am proud that we have reduced that to that the Labour party might want to fix what is going just 500 people. Those results would not be possible on in Wales if it is really serious about patient care, without the hard work and dedication of front-line because how Labour is running the NHS in Wales is an NHS staff, and whatever the political disagreements absolute disgrace. today, the whole House will want to pay tribute to their magnificent efforts. Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op) rose— Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): Will the Health Secretary comment on the shambles he has Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab) reduced the NHS to in west London, where he is closing rose— A and E departments, like that at Hammersmith on 10 September, while there are inadequate numbers of Mr Hunt: I am going to make some progress, and beds at the only hospital people have been directed to? then I will give way. It means that there is no acute care, and primary care is The NHS is about more than just getting through in such a state that there is an emergency in-year difficult winters. Looking to the future, this Government redistribution of money across north-west London. will continue to take the bold steps necessary to prepare How is he going to sort that out? our NHS for the long-term challenges it faces. There are two key areas for action if we are to rise to this enormous Mr Hunt: What is happening in north-west London is challenge. First, we must never turn the clock back on going to make patient care better. It involves the seven-day Francis. The NHS will never live up to its founding opening of GP surgeries, over 800 more professionals ideals if it tolerates poor or unsafe care. The last being employed in out-of-hospital care, and brand new Government presided over an NHS in which doctors or hospitals. That is a huge step forward, and the hon. nurses who spoke out were bullied, in which problems Gentleman is fighting a lone battle in trying to persuade at failing hospitals were brushed under the carpet and his constituents that it is a step backwards. in which vulnerable older people were ignored and, This Government recognise the pressure that the tragically, on occasions, treated with contempt and NHS is under, as I was telling the shadow Health cruelty. This Government have stood up for the patient, Secretary. The fact that the population is ageing means championing high standards with a new culture of that the NHS now needs to perform 850,000 more compassionate care which is now transforming our operations every year than when he was in office, which health and care system. we are doing. That means that some patients are not receiving their treatment as quickly as we would like, so Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): The Secretary NHS England is this week announcing programmes to of State has already admitted some of his own failures address that, ensuring that we maintain performance this afternoon. Does he not think that some of the 289 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 290 money he invested in his £3 billion reorganisation of the services, which were rated as “outstanding”—[Interruption.] national health service could have been used to ensure The Opposition might not care about what is happening that the NHS was hitting its targets today? at a trust in special measures, but we on this side of the House do. Mr Hunt: Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to look at the facts relating to the actual cost of the Mike Gapes: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The reorganisation. The net saving as a result of it has been Secretary of State knows very well the issue I am trying more than £1 billion a year, and we are now employing to raise, because I raised it during the business statement 7,000 more doctors and 3,000 more nurses than when last week. I want him to respond to an important fact. his party was in office. Last year, as a result of this A leaflet was circulated in my borough on 20 May, two programme— days before polling day. It was quoted in the local papers, and it related to the A and E department at Mike Gapes rose— King George hospital in my constituency. I simply want to ask him to confirm whether the announcement from Mr Hunt: I am going to make some progress. the Secretary of State for Health referred to in the Last year, as a result of this programme, this Government leaflet was made with his authority, or by him, during put 15 trusts— the week before polling day. Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman is an ingenious Mike Gapes rose— and indefatigable Member. He probably knows that I can best describe that as an attempted point of order, Mr Hunt: This might not be something the Opposition because it is not a matter for the Chair. That said— agree with, but they should listen. I need to tell the [Interruption.] Order. That said, the hon. Gentleman House that we have put 10% of all acute trusts into has made his point forcefully, and it would certainly not special measures, and that in each and every one of be in any way disorderly for the Secretary of State to them the warning signs were there under the last respond to it if he wished to do so. Government. The George Eliot hospital, for example, had one of the worst mortality rates in the country back Mr Hunt: I am most happy to respond to what—I in 2005. Tameside had to pay £9 million compensation agree with you, Mr Speaker—is a thinly disguised point for mistakes in just two years, and at the Queen’s of order. I will happily say this: what I said was completely hospital in Romford in 2006, a lady gave birth in a in order because I was simply restating information toilet, leading to the tragic death of her child. publicly available on the trust’s website. Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab): The I want to go back to talk about Basildon hospital, Secretary of State will be aware of a problem that is because of the remarkable turnaround there. Chief affecting thousands of women. It relates to medical executive, Clare Panniker, and her term deserve huge implant devices that a court in America has banned. credit for the changes that they have made, which will What is he prepared to do to deal with the situation in truly turn a corner for patients who depend on their this country that is affecting thousands of women, both services. north and south of the border? Mike Gapes: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Mr Hunt: The hon. Gentleman mentioned to me Mr Speaker: Order. I ask the hon. Gentleman to calm earlier that he was going to raise that point. I will look himself for a moment. I accept the great importance of closely at the issue, as it sounds like an extremely these matters, but I hope that this is a point of order important one. rather than of frustration. I want to look at what has changed under this Government. One of the trusts that has been in special Mike Gapes indicated assent. measures is the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. When the right hon. Member Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman is nodding with for Leigh was in office, inspectors at the hospital found great vigour and intensity. Let us hear the attempted blood stains on floors and curtains, blood spattered on point of order. trays used to carry equipment, and badly soiled mattresses. When the Care Quality Commission published those Mike Gapes: I want to be clear about what the findings, it was allegedly leant on to tone down its press Secretary of State just said. He said, “What I said was”. release. This Government put Basildon into special I seek your advice, Mr Speaker. How can I get clarification measures, and it now has 183 more nursing staff. I asked from the Secretary of State about whether he made an one of those nurses what the difference was. She said: announcement during the purdah period in the days “It’s very simple. When we raised a concern before, they just before the election or whether it was a previous weren’t interested. Now, they listen to us.” statement rehashed and reissued from weeks before? It gives me great pleasure to inform the House that the chief inspector of hospitals has today recommended Mr Speaker: The short answer to the hon. Gentleman that Basildon should be the first trust to exit special is that he must use his best devices, both in this debate, measures, and that Monitor has ratified that decision. where he might have an opportunity to catch the eye of The hospital has received an overall rating of “good” the Chair later, and in Health questions, which, if and has been praised for its excellent leadership. The memory serves me right, are coming up very soon— chief inspector found that the trust had made significant improvements in a number of areas, including maternity Hon. Members: Tomorrow. 291 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 292

Mr Speaker: As I said, they are coming up very Mr Speaker: Order. There is now a kind of soon, and I am grateful to the hon. Member for institutionalised rowdiness about this debate, epitomised Weston-super-Mare (John Penrose) for concurring with by the hon. Member for Swansea West (Geraint Davies) my suggestion that “very soon” does indeed include on the third row. It would be seemly if he would calm tomorrow. There will also be opportunities at all times himself. I do not refer to people outside this place, but for the hon. Member for Ilford South (Mike Gapes) to this debate is being keenly attended by a large number table questions with the advice of the Table Office. I of citizens, who would expect Members to behave in as have known him for 20 years and more, and he is not seemly a fashion as I feel sure they do on a day-to-day very readily put off his stride. I have no doubt that he basis. will continue to gnaw at the bone until he achieves an outcome that he regards as satisfactory. Meanwhile, we Mr Hunt: Despite the amount of work that has been must continue with the debate and the oration of the done in the past year, there is still much to do to Secretary of State. improve safety and care. According to a study based on case note reviews, around 5% of hospital deaths are Mr Hunt: The decision to place 11 trusts into special avoidable. That equates to 12,000 avoidable deaths in measures last summer was not taken lightly, but we can our NHS every year, or a jumbo jet crashing out of the see today that it was the right decision. Across the sky every fortnight. On top of that, every two weeks, the whole NHS, the number of people who think they wrong prosthesis is put on to a patient somewhere in would be safe in an NHS hospital is as high as it has the NHS. Every week, there is an operation on the ever been, the number of people who think that people wrong part of someone’s body. Twice a week, a foreign are treated with dignity and respect has risen by six object is left in someone’s body. Last spring, at one percentage points over the year and the number of hospital, a woman’s fallopian tube was removed instead people who think that people are treated with compassion of her appendix. Last summer, the wrong toes were has gone up by eight percentage points. This Government amputated from a patient. This spring, a vasectomy was have introduced new chief inspectors of hospitals, general given to the wrong man. To tackle such issues, we need practice and adult social care to oversee the toughest, to make it much easier for NHS staff to speak out when most transparent and most independent rating system they have concerns. We need to back staff who want to of any country anywhere. We have improved accountability do the right thing, and we are currently looking at what with a statutory duty of candour, and we are supporting further measures may be necessary to achieve that. staff by publishing ward-level nurse staffing levels for every trust. Today, this Government vow never to turn back the clock on the Francis reforms, and I urge the shadow Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock) (Con) rose— Health Secretary to do likewise when he stands up. Another vital set of reforms that we need to make if we Barbara Keeley rose— are to prepare the NHS for the future involves the total transformation of out-of-hospital care. We know that prevention is better than cure and that growing numbers Mr Hunt: I will give way to my hon. Friend because of older people, especially those with challenging conditions she is affected by Basildon hospital. such as dementia, could be better supported and looked after at home in a way that would reduce their need for Jackie Doyle-Price: I thank my right hon. Friend for much avoidable and expensive care. This year, three giving way. I am sorry that his congratulations to Basildon important steps have been taken towards that vital goal. hospital were so dreadfully interrupted earlier, because First, the new GP contract brought back named GPs its journey since 2009, when real deficiencies were for the over-75s—something that was so shamefully highlighted, to where we are now with the special measures abolished by Labour in 2004. Older people often have being lifted is, as he has said, real testament to the chronic conditions that make continuity of care particularly leadership of the hospital’s new management and the important. However, Labour scrapped named doctors, commitment of the staff. I thank him for the impetus and we are bringing them back. that he has given that process, because it is only by admitting when things go wrong that we can put them We are also acting to break down the silos between right; that is the difference between the Government the health and social care systems with an ambitious and the Opposition. £3.8 billion merger between the two systems. The better care programme is, for the first time, seeing joint Mr Hunt: I congratulate my hon. Friend for her work commissioning of health and social care by the NHS campaigning for higher standards at her local hospital, and local authorities, seven-day working across both and I agree with her. Why is it that interventions to do systems and electronic record sharing, so that patients with improving safety and compassionate care are coming do not have to repeat their story time after time and only from Government Members and that the Opposition medication errors are avoided. are not interested? I just challenge Labour Members on whether they are really on the right side of the big Barbara Keeley: The Secretary of State touches on a changes that need to happen in our NHS. couple of issues, including safety, but ignores one of the most important ones, which is nurse-to-patient ratios. A Several hon. Members rose— safe patient-to-nurse ratio has been adopted at Salford Royal, and it could be adopted elsewhere. He is now Mr Hunt: I am going to make some progress because talking about the better care fund. There is no new we have had lots of interventions. [Interruption.] Iam money in that fund, and if he is worried about pressure going to make some progress and I have been very on the NHS, surely he should think about the £2.68 billion generous. [Interruption.] that is being taken out of adult social care. In my local 293 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 294 authority of Salford this year, 1,000 people will lose Mr Hunt: I am drawing to a close, so I shall continue their care packages. How is that good for alleviating by saying that a long-term plan for our NHS that pressures on the NHS? recognises immediate challenges and the need to reform going forward is what the Government have put into Mr Hunt: Perhaps I can reassure the hon. Lady on practice. It is not easy to implement, but it is the right those matters. First, the better care fund is the first thing to secure its future, and the right thing for our serious attempt by any Government to integrate the country. When the right hon. Member for Leigh (Andy health and social care systems and eliminate the waste Burnham) rises to speak in a moment, he will say—he caused by the duplication of people operating in different told The Independent that he would—that the NHS silos. The Government require all trusts to publish should have been included in the Queen’s Speech, ignoring nurse-staffing ratios on a website that will go live this the Bill to introduce additional child-care subsidies month. It is an important, radical change, and we are that will benefit thousands of NHS employees and encouraging trusts to do exactly what she says is happening ignoring the impact on NHS finances of the Bill to curb in Salford. It is important to say that, where other excessive redundancy payments—something for which Governments have talked about integration, we are his Government were largely responsible. He will not delivering it. We are doing one more important reform: mention the straightforward security that the Government we are taking the first steps to turn the 211 clinical offer the NHS by sticking to a long-term economic plan commissioning groups into accountable care organisations that is working, so that we have the best possible chance with responsibility for building care around individual to ensure that the NHS can be properly funded going patients and not just buying care by volume. forward. From next year, CCGs will have the ability to If the right hon. Gentleman does not address those co-commission primary care alongside the secondary points, I hope that he will use his speech to show that he and community care they already commission. When has learned from some of the big challenges facing the combined with the joint commissioning of social care NHS over recent years. Does he accept that, without through the better care fund, we will have, for the first the reorganisation of about 20,000 administrators, the time in this country, one local organisation responsible NHS would not be able to afford 7,000 more doctors for commissioning nearly all care, following best practice and 3,000 more nurses? Does he accept that, without seen in other parts of the world, whether Ribera Salud restoring named GPs, we will not be able to offer the Grupo in Spain, or Kaiser Permanente and Group joined-up care to vulnerable older people that he claims Health in the US—[Interruption.] to champion? Most importantly, will he say publicly that, without honesty about poor care—honesty that he Mr Speaker: Order. I say to the hon. Member for has repeatedly criticised as running down the NHS—we Rhondda (Chris Bryant), who has just published an would not now be turning round 15 failing hospitals extremely cerebral tome on the history of Parliament, such as Basildon? In that spirit, will he categorically that he should not be yelling and exhorting from a retract his statement, as reported in the Health Service sedentary position as though he is trying to encourage Journal last week, that mid-Staffs was a local failure a horse to gallop faster. It is not an appropriate way to whose significance for the NHS has been exaggerated behave. by this Government? If he does not do so, I have to say that we disagree profoundly on the biggest change that Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): The Secretary of State our NHS needs. We can state that change in just three mentioned the importance of integrating secondary words: put patients first. It is what NHS staff want to and primary care. He will be aware that the chief do, and they all want support to do it, but it is simply executive of NHS England recently addressed the large not possible unless they have the administrative and number of community hospitals with a sword of Damocles political leadership that puts patients first in every hanging over them and whether or not they will continue policy, target and announcement. The Government are to exist. He said that that issue should be revisited and, proud of our record on the NHS: proud of record levels indeed, has argued that community hospitals should be of high-quality care given to record numbers of patients, developed and that we should protect that area of care. proud of tough economic choices that enabled us to Does the Secretary of State believe that the chief executive protect the NHS budget and, most of all, proud of of NHS England is calling for the retention and reopening 1.3 million NHS staff who work hard day in, day out, to of community hospitals? make our NHS so remarkable. We will not let them or the country down. Mr Speaker: Interventions should be brief—the hon. Gentleman is experienced enough to know that. 5.8 pm Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): Last week, the Secretary Mr Hunt: I agree with the new chief executive of of State told the NHS Confederation that patient safety NHS England. There is an incredibly important role for was crucial to the future sustainability of the NHS. Let community hospitals and, indeed, for smaller hospitals. me begin on a note of agreement. The Health Secretary He was making the point that it is not always the largest is right to continue to send the clearest message to the hospitals that have the highest standards. One reason NHS that patient safety must be its top priority. He why the public like smaller hospitals is that they are knows that he has our support in introducing measures more personal, and very often the doctors and nurses to implement the Francis report and, indeed, learning know people’s names, which makes a difference. They all the lessons from the terrible failings at Stafford are also closer to people’s homes and easier to get to for hospital. A question arises that is perhaps more for the relatives wishing to visit people in hospital. Government to answer than the right hon. Gentleman: why is the Secretary of State’s important priority not Several hon. Members rose— reflected in the Gracious Speech? It is approaching 295 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 296

[Andy Burnham] in the rest of the NHS. He continued: “The consequences for patients are such that it would be quite 18 months since the publication of the Francis report, yet wrong to use a belief that it was unique or very rare to justify many of its recommendations are still to be implemented. inaction.” The failure to make progress in this legislative programme Will the right hon. Gentleman now retract his comment undermines the Secretary of State’s message today. that this was “a local failure” whose impact has been The Francis report recommended new legislation to exaggerated? modernise the regulation of doctors and nurses and speed up the handling of complaints. The regulatory Andy Burnham: I am quite clear what I said. I said bodies said that progress is urgently needed, and they that the finding of the Francis report was that it was a were expecting a Bill in the Gracious Speech to implement local failure, but of course there were lessons to be those reforms. Not surprisingly, both reacted negatively learned. That is why I brought in Robert Francis in the to the decision to drop it. Niall Dickson, chief executive first place to begin inquiries at Stafford. The claim that and registrar of the General Medical Council, said: we just brushed everything under the carpet could not “We are disappointed that the government has not taken this be more wrong. The Secretary of State needs to drop it opportunity to improve patient safety”, and start dealing responsibly with these issues. and Jackie Smith, chief executive and registrar of the The right hon. Gentleman wanted to distract the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: House from what I was saying—that a Bill should have “Both the NMC and the public it protects now continue to be been brought forward in this Gracious Speech to modernise left, indefinitely, with a framework that does not best serve to professional regulation in the NHS. I quoted strong protect the public.” sentiments from Niall Dickson and Jackie Smith. There I hope the Secretary of State will explain why that Bill was no room for such a Bill, but it is hard to find was dropped and answer the concerns of Jackie Smith measures in the rest of the Gracious Speech that may be and Niall Dickson. considered more important than that Bill. The Speech found space, for instance, for measures on pubs and Mr Hunt: The right hon. Gentleman said he would plastic bags, but not on patient safety. There was a time start on a note of consensus on the Francis report, so when the Prime Minister used to say that his priorities does he now retract his comments last week that what could be summed up in three letters—NHS. Not any happened at Mid Staffs was “a local failure” and that more. Those letters did not appear in the Gracious the Government were exaggerating its significance for Speech and received only a cursory mention when the the rest of the NHS? That was a very damaging thing to Prime Minister addressed this House. have said. So what explains the relegation of health down the Government’s list of priorities? One commentator writing Andy Burnham: The Francis report found that the last Thursday offered an explanation. He said that failing at Stafford hospital was principally a failure of “there was no mention of the health service in the Queen’s the local board. I served in the previous Government, Speech. Indeed, the Tories have had little to say on the subject at who inherited problems from the preceding one—care all recently. failings at Bristol royal infirmary and Alder Hey, and I’m told that there is a precise reason for this: Lynton Crosby the Shipman murders. Contrary to what the Secretary has ordered them not to.” of State said today, we took action to act on those I do not know whether that is true, but it does not look failures and bring more transparency to the NHS. We good, does it? It creates the clear impression that the introduced independent regulation to the NHS. He shape of the Gracious Speech had more to do with needs to look at the statements that he has made over the political interests of the Conservative party than the the past year and consider whether his response has public interest of the country. always been appropriate. He has used language such as “Cruelty became normal in our NHS”—[Official Report, Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Is 19 November 2013; Vol. 570, c. 1097.] not another explanation for the absence of any mention Does he stand by such statements and does he think of the NHS in the Queen’s Speech that the Government that is fair to the thousands of NHS staff who give their do not want it? They are quietly privatising the NHS by all every day, doing their best to serve patients? the back door, so they do not need legislation.

Mr Hunt rose— Andy Burnham: I think that that is exactly the reason. They introduced a reorganisation that nobody wanted, Andy Burnham: I will give way to the right hon. that nobody voted for, that put the wrong values at the Gentleman once more, but he needs to answer those heart of the NHS and that has dragged the NHS down, concerns of staff, who feel that he has been running and all the while they are softening it up for accelerating down the NHS. privatisation. That is the record on which they will have to stand before the country in less than 12 months’ time. Mr Hunt: Let me be absolutely clear. I have never If the Secretary of State can justify that record and blamed NHS staff for what happened at Mid Staffs. I breaking the coalition agreement to his constituents, blame the policy failures of the right hon. Gentleman’s I would be very surprised indeed. Government. It is not just I who say so. Robert Francis said in his report: Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): Will the “Stafford was not an event of such rarity or improbability that right hon. Gentleman give way? it would be safe to assume that it has not been and will not be repeated” Andy Burnham: No, I am going to make some progress. 297 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 298

On the day of the Gracious Speech, 60 senior NHS It is not hard to guess why the Government want a leaders wrote to a newspaper to warn period of silence. On every measure, the evidence is “that the NHS is at the most challenged time of its existence.” clear that the NHS is getting worse. When the Prime Minister was challenged— Just when it needs real leadership, it is being offered a period of drift from an increasingly dysfunctional Government and, sadly, the same is true on public Alun Cairns rose— health. The Government should have used this moment to regain the initiative and publish regulations on Andy Burnham: No, I will not give way. When the standardised packaging for tobacco and smoking in Prime Minister was challenged on the wisdom of his cars. Ministers announced on 3 April that they would reorganisation, he said that it should be judged by its publish the draft regulations on standardised packaging effect on waiting times—[Interruption.] later that month—that was what the Minister responsible for public health, the hon. Member for Battersea (Jane Alun Cairns rose— Ellison), said. They have not, and since then almost 40,000 children have taken up smoking. David T. C. Davies rose— The public health Minister wrote to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger), Mr Speaker: Order. The shadow Secretary of State is the shadow public health Minister, saying clearly not going to give way at the moment. “we will now push ahead” with banning smoking in cars following the vote in this Andy Burnham: The Prime Minister set his own test House, but we are still waiting. We did not hear anything for his reorganisation: its effect on waiting times. This on public health from the Secretary of State today. month, waiting times hit a six-year high. Almost 3 million When will they show some leadership and set out a people are now on the waiting list for treatment, up by timetable for these important measures? half a million since 2010, but that is not all. It is not hard to guess the reason for this pre-election period of NHS silence. On every measure that matters David T. C. Davies: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. to the public, contrary to what the Secretary of State The shadow Health Secretary does not seem to want to said, the evidence is clear that the NHS has gone give way to anybody from Wales. Is there any reason for downhill under this Government and that it is getting that, and could it be a case of discrimination of some steadily worse. sort? Mr Speaker: I am always interested in the ingenious Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): On the interventions of the hon. Gentleman, but that is not a subject of preventive measures, my right hon. Friend matter for the Chair and I will not speculate on it or in might be aware that in Britain today child mortality response to the hon. Member for Swansea West (Geraint among those below the age of five is the worst in the Davies). We will return to the shadow Secretary of western world bar Malta, at one in 500? Washington State. university explains the cause as the welfare and austerity changes—food banks and the like. Will he comment on the impact of some of the welfare and other changes Andy Burnham: I just gave way to somebody from that have made the very weakest weaker, poor and Wales. What is the hon. Gentleman on about? unhealthier and are making them die earlier? That is not all. As I said before, the NHS is now missing its standard to ensure that cancer patients start Andy Burnham: It is well documented that the policies their treatment within 62 days. That will cause huge of this Government in a range of areas are damaging distress to thousands of families up and down this the health of the nation, but what we get instead is drift country. from the Government on public health. There is no Another way in which the NHS has got worse, and momentum at all to improve children’s health and the every patient knows this to be true, is that it is becoming Queen’s Speech had absolutely nothing to say on it. harder and harder to get a GP appointment. It is a Where are the measures that the Minister has been common experience for people to ring their surgery proposing? What has she been doing? Why does she not early in the morning only to be told that there is nothing introduce them? available for days. A survey has found that almost half of GPs predict that the average waiting time will exceed The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health two weeks by next year. (Jane Ellison): The right hon. Gentleman will be aware The clearest measure of growing problems in the that the legislation for both the measures to which he NHS is what has been happening in A and E, which is alludes has already been passed by this House. the barometer of the whole health and care system. Problems or blockages anywhere in the health and care Andy Burnham: But regulations are needed. If the system will manifest, in the end, as pressure in A and E. Minister does not know that—[Interruption.] It was If A and E is the barometer, what is it telling us? It is the Opposition who brought forward the vote on smoking warning of severe storms ahead. Hospital A and E in cars and she committed to introduce regulations to units have now missed the Government’s target for implement it. She cannot duck the question. When will 46 weeks running. For the last four weeks, the NHS she do that? If she does not realise that she is going to overall has missed the Government’s target, suggesting introduce regulations, she needs to go back and do a bit that the winter crisis has now been followed by a more homework. summer crisis. 299 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 300

[Andy Burnham] It will only change when we have a Labour Government back in control—a Government committed to putting Why is that happening? The fact is that cuts have the public and patient voice at the very heart of the been made to general practice, social care and mental NHS. health, which are pushing more and more people towards I was talking about A and E and the reorganisation. the acute hospital and placing it under intolerable pressure. We know that Ministers were explicitly warned about Today, many hospitals are operating way beyond safe an A and E recruitment crisis by the College of Emergency bed occupancy levels, and not surprisingly this is taking Medicine a couple of years ago, but they said they were a toll on A and E staff. Today, we reveal that three times too absorbed with the reorganisation to listen or act. as many A and E consultants left the NHS in 2013, That brings me to the nub of the matter before the raising the worrying prospect of A and E now being House: the root cause of the deterioration in the NHS is trapped in a downward spiral. that reorganisation, which nobody wanted and nobody voted for. It threw the service into chaos just when it Barbara Keeley: I thank my right hon. Friend for needed stability. As we warned, it has damaged standards giving way. May I just take him back to the point about of patient care. Four years ago the Government inherited GP access, because that is the start of the patient’s a self-confident and successful NHS, with the lowest journey? In our survey in Salford, we did not find the ever waiting times and the highest ever public satisfaction. situation that we had under the Labour Government, Since then it has been destabilised, demoralised and where 80% of patients could get an appointment within reduced to an uncertain organisation that is increasingly 48 hours. Now only half our patients can get an fearful of the future. appointment within 48 hours, with one in seven having to wait more than a week, which is concerning, and one Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): The right in five unable even to get through to speak to someone hon. Gentleman refers to cuts in funding. The only cuts in their GP surgery. This is concerning us in Salford in funding that we have seen in this country have been in because these are people who may have worries—they the NHS in Wales. With regard to patient satisfaction, may even have cancer and need tests—and they cannot I can assure him that the targets left behind by the get through to their GP. previous Labour Government did nothing to satisfy patients who were left on the ground by ambulance Andy Burnham: My hon. Friend is absolutely right—the services because they had already gone past the eight or deterioration in general practice has been marked during 19-minute limit. I am afraid that the focus on targets, the past few years. There have been changes that have rather than patients, is something that this Government disadvantaged patients. Within weeks of taking office, have had to address. the Government removed the guarantee that patients could have an appointment within 48 hours. That explains Andy Burnham: I think that it would behove Government the situation that my hon. Friend describes, alongside Members to have a bit more self-reflection and humility. cuts to funding of general practice to the point that The hon. Lady was not a Member of the House at the some practices now say they are on the brink of deciding time, but she may recall that before 1997 people used to whether or not they can remain open. The Government spend years on NHS waiting lists, and some never came have responsibility for that situation, but there is not a off them. Over Labour’s 13 years in government we saw word from the Secretary of State about it and there is waiting lists come down, and down, and down, to the not an acknowledgement that people have severe problems point that, when we left office, they were at their lowest in accessing their GP. ever level. I am not claiming that the NHS was perfect and did everything right, but it had the highest ever Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East level of public satisfaction. We must have done something Cleveland) (Lab): In my constituency, the minor right. A bit of balance and accuracy in this debate is injuries unit at Guisborough hospital, the minor injuries just what the NHS needs. unit at East Cleveland hospital in Brotton, a walk-in centre and medical centre in Skelton, and a medical Alun Cairns rose— centre in Park End—all primary or intermediary level facilities—will be closed, putting further pressure on the excellent but already outlying A and E unit at James Mr Sheerman rose— Cook University hospital. When I write to Ministers to ask questions and for a meeting, I am told that I have Andy Burnham: I give way to my hon. Friend. already had too many discussions with them and that I cannot bring it up any further. Will my right hon. Mr Sheerman: Does my right hon. Friend agree that Friend please enlighten me about what he would do if this destabilisation has reached such an extent that very were in power? good hospitals, such as those in Huddersfield and Halifax, have a cloud over them because they might lose their A Andy Burnham: I will move on to that point. Whenever and E departments? What does that do for morale and there is a problem, we are told, “Speak to NHS England.” culture, which have been so good in those two hospitals? I am afraid that is not good enough. Up and down Up and down the country, morale has been shaken to the country we are seeing services closed without the roots. adequate consultation. NHS walk-in centres continue to be closed, piling more pressure on A and E departments. Andy Burnham: What I find surprising is that all over It is just not good enough. We have seen top-down the country plans are being developed to close A and E changes driven through, and the hospital closure departments. How can that make sense when we are in clause is on the books, so sadly this will continue. the middle of an A and E crisis? In west London my 301 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 302 hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith (Mr Slaughter) to them—over 4,000 people have subsequently been has done much work to raise concerns about the changes made redundant and then rehired within the NHS. In to hospitals there. the first three years of the reorganisation, there have been over 32,000 exit packages, averaging £43,500, and Alun Cairns: Will the shadow Secretary of State give 2,300 six-figure pay-offs, 330 of which were worth more way? than £200,000. The total bill is £1.4 billion and counting. What a scandalous waste of NHS resources when people Andy Burnham: The question I would put to the are waiting longer for cancer care. Secretary of State is this: have the Government looked We always know when this Government are on the at the latest evidence? Are they looking at the fact that ropes: it is when they furiously try to blame the previous this year hospital A and E departments have missed his Government. This time, they cite employment contracts, target for 46 weeks? If that is the case, is it safe to but that excuse will not wash. Given that they were proceed with changes on this scale? explicitly warned about this when their health Bill was going through the House before the reorganisation Alun Cairns: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek took place, people will ask why on earth they did not your advice. I am trying to raise a relevant point with bring forward the measures on redundancy in this Queen’s the shadow Secretary of State. I want to point out that Speech before the NHS reorganisation, not after it. It A and E waiting times in Wales have not been hit since all adds up to mismanagement of the country’s most 2009— cherished asset on a spectacular scale. Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman must not use an attempted point of order to try to make a point Alex Cunningham: I would like my right hon. Friend that he would make in the debate if he got the chance to know about Port Clarence, a very isolated community to contribute. He said that he wanted my advice. My in my area which lost the nurse it had for four hours a advice to him is that persistence pays and he should week. People are having to go through a tremendous keep at it, as I am sure he will. tangle within the NHS to find out who is responsible. The local doctors cannot commission the service because Andy Burnham: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman they provide the nurse, so they have to go to NHS before the end of my speech, but not now; I will do so England, yet we cannot get any progress. It is a terrible when I am ready, because I want to develop my point, state of affairs. which is this: a successful NHS was thrown into chaos by reorganisation. Four years after Lansley’s big bang, Andy Burnham: This is the point. The NHS is still the dust has still not settled. People out there are struggling to make sense of the mess that the Government struggling to make sense of the 440 NHS organisations inflicted on it. Just when it needed clarity and leadership, that have replaced the 163 that the Government inherited. what did it get? It got drift and chaos. That is the They cannot make it all fit together and so are still problem it is struggling to deal with. sweeping up the mess. It was always nonsense to commission The redundancy payments did not only cost £1.4 billion; local GP services from a national level. To correct that, they have also cost the NHS dearly in lost morale. I ask NHS England is now suggesting a new round of structural the Secretary of State to imagine how these redundancy changes. This is the reorganisation that never ends. It is payments and six-figure pay-offs look to the staff to now rumbling into the fifth year of this Parliament. In whom he has just denied a 1% pay increase—an increase fixing one problem, I fear the Government are going to that would have cost a fraction of that £1.4 billion. The create another—a local conflict of interest with GPs truth is that he does not know how they feel because he commissioning GPs. The truth that they do not like to refused to meet front-line staff protesting about his face is that the former Health Secretary presented a decision at the NHS Confederation conference. Well, I defective and confused plan, and they now know, in did meet them, and I can tell him how they feel. They their heart of hearts, that instead of pausing it, as find it truly galling and feel that they have been singled they did, they should have stopped it altogether. They out by the Secretary of State, whose decision seems like did not, and however much they tinker it will never a calculated snub. May I suggest that he urgently reconsiders make sense. this approach and finds the time to sit down with staff That is why the only Bill in the Gracious Speech with representatives? Right now, a fragile NHS simply cannot any link to health is the one that tries to clear up the afford a further drop in staff morale. The Chancellor mess of reorganisation. The small business, enterprise promised this increase and the pay review body judged and employment Bill restricts redundancy payments to it affordable; the Secretary of State should honour it. public officials. If ever there were a Bill that locked the stable door after the horse had bolted, this is surely it. The truth is that a whole lot more is needed if the When the Health and Social Care Act 2012 went through NHS is to be put back on track. It finds itself today in a the House, there were repeated warnings from Labour dangerous place. It is facing escalating problems but has Members, including my hon. Friend the Member for a Government who will not talk about them. Leicester West (Liz Kendall), that the reorganisation would result in primary care trust staff being made Simon Hart (Carmarthen Westand South Pembrokeshire) redundant and then rehired, with, as a result, a huge (Con): I want to alert the House as to why the right hon. waste of NHS resources. In June 2011, the Leader of Gentleman has not at any stage mentioned the performance the Opposition challenged the Prime Minister in this of NHS Wales, which on every measurement but one is House on precisely that point. The Prime Minister underperforming its equivalent in England, and which failed to act on the warning. As a result—these are is run not by a previous Labour Government but a shocking figures; Government Members should listen current Labour Government. 303 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 304

Andy Burnham: My shadow responsibilities do not care, but that is not what has happened in practice. extend to the NHS in Wales, but the Government have Section 75 regulations are forcing commissioners to put spent a year or more running it down. Just a few weeks services out to competitive tender when they do not ago, a Nuffield Trust report said that the picture was think it necessary. That is leading to protracted legal more mixed and that there were some areas in which the disputes and millions spent on competition lawyers. NHS in Wales was better than the NHS in England and The nonsense that the Health and Social Care Act vice versa. The Government need to look at themselves has inflicted on the NHS was plain for all to see last and to be fair to NHS staff, and not constantly repeat year when the then Competition Commission intervened the mantra of running down the NHS in Wales and in in the NHS for the first time in its history to prevent England. collaboration between two NHS hospitals on the grounds It was to prevent the NHS from being in this limbo—this that it was “anti-competitive”. What nonsense this is. It silence—that we have brought this debate to the House. was succinctly summed up by the chief executive of the Until the Government face up to some of the problems NHS, who said that caused by their reorganisation, the NHS will not be able “you’ve got competition lawyers all over the place…We are to move forward. In the remainder of my time, I want to getting bogged down in a morass of competition law causing focus on two areas—leadership and competition—where significant cost in the system and great frustration for people in uncertainty urgently needs to be removed. the service about making change happen. In which case, to make First, on leadership, one of the major flaws of the integration happen, we will need to change the law.” Health and Social Care Act is that it has created confusion That is precisely what this Gracious Speech should on that most fundamental question of all: who is in have done: change the law to help the NHS get on and charge? Ever since the Act was passed, I have been told make the changes it needs to make and remove the of continued tension between Ministers and NHS England. competition policy, which is fragmenting the NHS, not Ministers have repeatedly tried to instruct and overrule, integrating it. That is the challenge the Government ignoring the independence of NHS England for which have ducked completely. The problem is that if they stay they legislated. The problem is that thousands of NHS on this path, the NHS will head in the wrong direction. staff are left receiving mixed messages as to who is This Government and their Health and Social Care Act in charge. have placed the NHS on a fast track to fragmentation I want to illustrate that point with reference to the and privatisation when the future demands the integration growing crisis in mental health services, which the Secretary of care. of State did not mention once. There are reports of The Opposition are clear that the market is not the growing problems in accessing mental health care and, answer to 21st-century care. The NHS now needs solutions in particular, a dangerous shortage of crisis beds. Despite of scale to rise to the increasing challenges that it faces. that, NHS England has made a decision on the tariff The NHS needed such leadership in this Queen’s Speech, which will lead to even deeper cuts to mental health care but it was offered nothing. Instead, this Queen’s Speech than to the rest of the NHS. This takes the NHS into leaves it lumbered with a Health and Social Care Act new territory, because for the first time, as far as I can that puts competition before collaboration and the NHS see, there is a direct contradiction between Department on the wrong path for the future. The NHS urgently of Health policy and NHS England policy. The needs a Government who want to talk about the issues Government claim to support parity between mental it faces and to get on with the job of securing its future. and physical health, but their NHS policy is actively Let there therefore be no doubt that the next Labour widening the disparity. Queen’s Speech will repeal the 2012 Act and pave the Therefore, in mental health—a policy of growing way for the full integration of health and social care. importance—we have complete confusion. People still I am coming to the end of my speech—I need only a look to Ministers to sort it out, but they have legislated couple more moments—but I will give way to the hon. themselves into the position of bystanders, shouting on Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Alun Cairns), as I the sidelines with the rest. The care Minister took to promised. Twitter, no less, to vent his disgust at the “outrageous decision” by NHS England. People up and down the Alun Cairns: I appreciate that some light-hearted land will see that and say, “You’re the Minister! Don’t comments have been made on both sides of the House, just tweet—do something about it!” The fact is that but my constituents have to wait longer for treatment, Ministers should have the power to enforce their own particularly for cancer care, as they do not have access policy of parity, but in the interim NHS England should to a cancer drugs fund. Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the decision to inflict cuts on a mental health use all his influence with the Welsh Heath Minister to system that is already in severe distress. get him to look at introducing such a fund so that In the end, the answer to this uncertainty is simple: my constituents have the same access as people in the Government should be legislating in this Gracious England? Speech to correct the flaws of the Health and Social Care Act and restore the Secretary of State’s duty to Andy Burnham: That is obviously a matter for the provide a comprehensive universal service. At a stroke, Welsh Government, but let me provide some clarity on everyone would know where they stand and who is in the issue of cancer care. In Wales, 92% of people start charge, restoring grip and leadership in the NHS when their cancer care treatment within 62 days, compared it faces one of the most uncertain periods in its history. with just 86% in England. I ask the Conservative party The second area about which there is still considerable to think about that, given that it has constantly run confusion is that of competition policy. When the Health down the NHS in the hon. Gentleman’s own country and Social Care Act was going through, the Government’s and constituency, and has misrepresented the outstanding mantra was that GPs would decide how best to organise job it does to treat patients with cancer. 305 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 306

We will legislate for an NHS that has the right values We are confronted with a growing threat in the shape back at its heart: collaboration before competition, of Putin’s Russia, and we have stood by and watched people before profits. We will ask the NHS to lift serial bad behaviour from the Putin Government. They standards in social care, working to bring an end to the cut off gas to Ukraine, in breach of the NATO-Russia culture of 15-minute visits. We will make sure that treaty, and we did nothing. We saw a cyber-attack on people can access care closer to their homes, giving Estonia, and we did nothing. Russia invaded Georgia, patients clear rights, such as the right to see a GP within parts of which it still occupies, and we did far too little. 48 hours. This is a plan to put the NHS back on track, I am afraid that the signal the House sent after the and it shows why a Labour Government cannot come a debate on Syria only gave Putin the understanding that moment too soon for the NHS. further aggression would not be rewarded with real resistance by the west, and I am afraid that the events Several hon. Members rose— we have seen in Ukraine are, at least partly, a result of how such decisions have been interpreted. We must be Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. careful to ensure that our behaviour does not further The House will be aware that a great many colleagues reinforce that position. desire to take part in the debate this evening and that time is limited. I am afraid that I therefore have to We have allowed wishful thinking on Russia to replace impose a time limit of eight minutes. critical analysis. We have all wanted to see Russia develop as an open, democratic, pluralistic system, but that is 5.42 pm not going to happen, at least not under the current regime. The quicker we understand that, the better for Dr Liam Fox (North Somerset) (Con): Perhaps I may the wider security picture. It is a bullying and thuggish allow the House a slightly more bipartisan interlude regime that is not likely to change. Its modus operandi by concentrating for the moment on a different part of is clear: it pumps money into regimes or city states— the Gracious Speech, which is the part relating to our wherever it can—to try to encourage them to be more country’s national security. I was delighted to see in the Russia-friendly.It issues huge numbers of Russian passports Gracious Speech the Government’s commitment to the to citizens in those places and then claims that it has to NATO alliance, which is underpinned by the hosting in defend them. Wales of the NATO summit later this year. The whole debate about the Ukrainian crisis misses From 4 April 1949, when it came into being, NATO one essential point: it is not to do with strategic or even has become the major instrument of stability and security tactical interests; it is a direct challenge to international in Europe. It has taken in newly emerging democracies, law. Putin has said that the protection of ethnic Russians— such as Greece and Spain. It has been extended to not even Russian citizens—lies not with the states in countries formerly in the Warsaw pact, creating a far which they live, or with the laws, constitutions or forms more safe and stable continent. It has embraced countries of government of such states, but with an external state, such as Norway in the far north and Turkey, giving us Russia, which can intervene to protect ethnic Russians security in places where we perhaps have greatest strategic wherever they may be. If we allow that to stand, there vulnerability. will be no international law, because it will sweep away However, as we approach the summit in Wales, we every norm of international behaviour that has been need to accept that there are big weaknesses inside our accepted since world war two. major military alliance. To an extent, the political and military roles that we clearly understood during the Geraint Davies: President Obama has made it clear cold war have dissolved away, and western countries that he is against Britain leaving the European Union existing in peace and freedom have become fat on the or Scotland leaving the UK. What does the right hon. prosperity and security that they have come to take for Gentleman think President Putin’s position would be granted. Only four members of the NATO alliance on those issues? currently meet the 2% of GDP floor of spending that they undertook to meet when they joined and, as a Dr Fox: With all due respect to anybody outside our consequence, the European continent gives a lower own borders, what the United Kingdom decides to do is priority to defence and is ever more addicted to welfare. a matter entirely for the United Kingdom, and what As the Prime Minister and Chancellor Merkel have Scotland decides to do is a matter for Scotland. Nevertheless, regularly pointed out, we have now reached a situation since the hon. Gentleman asked me what I think about in which the European Union represents 7% of the President Putin’s view on those issues, I will tell him global population, 25% of global GDP and 50% of what I think about Scotland. Any fragmentation would global social spending. That picture is utterly unsustainable. be not only a fragmentation of our country’s defences It is a situation in which the pressures of defence have but a potential weakness inside NATO, and that is become great. unlikely to help or give comfort to anyone other than Of course, NATO has had recent success in the way it those who are a potential threat to our national security. took charge of operations in Afghanistan, what it did in The hon. Gentleman raises an important point, in that response to the invasion of Kuwait and, perhaps more events that take place inside the United Kingdom may successfully, what happened in the Balkans. However, well have resonances that are not naturally considered not long ago the Libyan conflict showed us how many when decisions are being taken. weaknesses the alliance has. We did not have enough of I want briefly to mention another area of national some key assets—such as intelligence, surveillance and security of which the House must be very cognisant: the reconnaissance, or air-to-air refuelling—to the extent changing nature of the threats we face. We have gone that we would not have been able to carry out the from state threats in the cold war to the domestic terror Libyan campaign without the United States being on threat we faced from the IRA, and we now face a board. Such is the current weakness of European NATO. transnational terrorist threat. That threat has come at a 307 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 308

[Dr Fox] product of the neo-liberal orthodoxy worshipped by the right hon. Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), time when we have seen a huge growth in the internet, which has gripped Governments from the era of Margaret which allows a lot of the enemies of this country to Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, and which this Government hide. Back in 1995, when President Clinton was President still seem to be in the grip of. In the US, for example, the of the United States, there were 130 websites in the number of defined benefit schemes halved in under world; at the end of 2012, there were 654 million. That 30 years, while direct contribution schemes tripled. Australia, is a lot of places for our enemies to hide. also worshipping such neo-liberalism, saw an 80% reduction Our security services need to be able to operate in the in the number of workers covered by defined benefit same environment as our enemies, and that to me was schemes from the 1980s. the essence of the great betrayal of Snowden. We depend That is the background, but there are disadvantages on a moral and legal relationship between our employees to the new pension freedom. For example, people might and the Governments of our allied states to maintain decide to spend all their pension savings at the point of our security, and there were three elements to what retirement, dooming themselves to poverty later in life. Snowden did. The first was his disclosure about the Having saved into a pension fund, received tax relief for extent of National Security Agency surveillance. Had many years and reached retirement with a pot of money, he done that inside the law it would have been a legitimate they might be tempted to blow the lot at once, meaning debate in a democracy, but to go further and set out the that they will never have the benefit of the extra income means by which our security forces carry out their that they would otherwise have had as they got older. If business, or even potentially to set out the names of that happens, the tax relief they receive would not fund particular operatives, goes well beyond what is acceptable. a pension, and employer contributions that they may In my view it goes from legitimate debate into the have received along the way would end up funding business of treason. immediate consumption, rather than providing a long-term We do not have massively overwhelming security income. We know that some people will do that; we do apparatus in this country. We spend 0.3% of Government not know how many but we hope the number will be spending on all our agencies put together, which is what relatively low. Pensions expert Ros Altmann suggests we spend on the NHS every six days. We have good, that about 7% of people currently say that they would strong oversight of our security services in this country spend it all. In truth, it impossible to predict that that we should be proud of, but we must be clear when it accurately. comes to national security that peace and security are not the natural state of the world. Those things have to Geraint Davies: I am sure that my right hon. Friend is be fought for with every generation, and we have a a supporter, as I am, of the idea of a British investment responsibility to fund that appropriately. We can have bank. Does he think that the Chancellor should have set neither such restricted freedom that we start to become up tax incentives to encourage people who have liberated what we claim to oppose, nor go off on a libertarian their pension pots to reinvest in a British investment rant that takes us to a place that leaves us far less secure bank and create jobs and wealth for the future, instead than we ought to be. If we get that balance right, we will of it being blown on everyday consumption? be doing our duty in this House. Mr Hain: That is a very good point. 5.51 pm The new flat-rate state pension, which is cited in Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab): I wish to speak specifically mitigation for this new approach to pensions, still means about the pensions tax Bill and the private pensions Bill that a lot of people will fall back on the state having in the Queen’s Speech. The Government have proposed spent all their pension savings. Around 20% of pensioners the biggest reform to pension tax rules in nearly a will still be on means-tested benefits even after the new century. There is no denying that it is popular to give system starts. People might also try to game the system citizens—especially those with small pension pots—the by taking all their pension money and recycling it into a choice to take lump sums that may be more beneficial new pension fund, getting more tax free cash and another to them than eking out a living from the small annual lot of tax relief. That could mostly benefit those who payments on which they would otherwise rely. Paying are reasonably well-off with high incomes in later life, off a mortgage or a loan on retirement by drawing and it could be costly in extra Exchequer spending on down a lump sum may well be better for such pensioners, tax relief. but there is real danger in destroying good annuities. This is mainly a market problem, and it should perhaps That has been going on for a few decades now, and is have been possible to reform that market without the bequeathing a nightmare that Government policies are draconian retreat from annuities proposed by the nowhere near capable of preventing. Government. Would it have been possible to insist that We have a rapidly ageing population that is dumping insurers are obliged to treat customers fairly, and ensure a huge additional burden on the young, many of whom they would be liable if they did not carry out suitability are already leaving university with massive debts thanks checks to identify which type of annuity was best and to this Government’s dysfunctional policies. Now they offer a good rate? Would it have been possible to reform will be saddled with subsidising through their future the way annuities work, and allow more freedom but taxes older people who are being encouraged to live for not complete freedom? What protections will be built today and not protect themselves for tomorrow. into the new system to ensure that unsophisticated The closure of defined benefit schemes and the shift consumers are not left at the mercy of product providers towards defined contribution schemes has been an utter offering poor product choices, or higher risk products catastrophe. Accelerated further by record demographic that people simply do not understand and through changes, that shift is a worldwide phenomenon and a which they end up losing significant sums? The Financial 309 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 310

Conduct Authority needs to be on top of that right next election. I am glad he is following my example, but from the start, but judging by past form can we be I am sorry to hear that he will be lost to this place. I confident of that? I have very serious doubts. have not always agreed with him, but I have always liked If guidance is delivered by product providers, those and admired him. I am sure he will be missed by this providers are liable to entice their customers towards House and by his constituents. more poor-value products. Experience shows that they Last year, I had the honour to propose the Gracious will do whatever they can to try to keep customers’ Speech, a task ably performed this year by my hon. money, or give them poor value and make extra profit. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Penny The annuity market has worked poorly for years, with Mordaunt). Like me, she got her loudest laugh for a rising profits to insurers and reducing value for customers. joke about genitalia, which probably says all one needs How will the Government ensure that the new products to know about this place. developed finally offer good value, and that the charges I was tempted to tear up my prepared remarks—they are fair and terms reasonable? are not on health, but on the health of our democracy— The Government are right to legislate to permit collective thanks to the rather shockingly partisan speech from defined contribution pensions, but I warn Ministers the shadow Secretary of State. I will not be tempted about over-hyping the benefits. In principle, such pensions down that path, but I will make one point on health. ought to be better for employers than traditional final My father-in-law died over Christmas in a national salary schemes and better for workers than traditional health service hospital. He had spent nine weeks in two defined contribution schemes, but in practice they still different hospitals on five different wards, always receiving suffer from market and actuarial risks. Ros Altmann outstanding medical care but never that full personal, points out that lower earners may subsidise higher human and true compassionate care that the Secretary earners, and younger members may subsidise older of State spoke about in his opening remarks. I wish him members. The new pension freedoms to take most, if every success in his campaign to drive compassionate not all, of the pension pot in a lump sum, however care in the NHS, because it desperately needs it. attractive and justified that may be to certain people, I hope it goes without saying that I strongly support may also mean that people prefer pure defined contribution the coalition Government and their achievements, so I schemes that they can access in retirement if they wish. shall pass over that section of my speech in the interests Collective defined contribution schemes, admirable as of the eight-minute limit. I will simply say this: the they may be in principle, usually mean that people Queen’s Speech is not the most radical of recent times, cannot just take the cash, which means they may well be but that is not necessarily a criticism. It contains good less attractive for members. and worthwhile measures that I applaud warmly. Indeed, My challenge to the Government is this: rather than I think the desperate search by politicians for novelty, leaving the private pension system to market providers sometimes engendered by the 24-hour media questing and their whims, why not build a new system that sensation, can actually work against genuinely good works? We need a system with longevity that savers will government. understand and find confidence in—a lack of confidence I want to set my remarks in the context of 2015, in this Government’s approach to pensions is something which is not just an election year but an important year that I imagine savers and I share. While the Chancellor’s for Parliament. It would have been good if the Gracious right hand further fragments and individualises pensions Speech had made at least passing mention of the fact through these tax proposals, the pension Minister’s left that in 2015 we will celebrate two important anniversaries: hand makes legal collective direct contribution pensions. 750 years since the de Montfort Parliament of 1265, Why should any employer move to that collective system and 800 years since the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215. when they can see the Treasury going down precisely I know that you, Madam Deputy Speaker, have worked the opposite route? I doubt whether many will do so. very hard with Sir Robert Worcester on the Magna The Government are not doing anything like enough Carta 800th Committee. Magna Carta embodies the to face up to the time bomb of our ageing society and principles that have underpinned the emergence of the whole person social care that the shadow Health parliamentary democracy and the legal system in the Secretary eloquently advocated, or anything like enough UK and across the world: limiting arbitrary power, to face up to the pensions needed to underpin the new curbing the right to levy taxation without consent, life that is rapidly overtaking us, and the whole person holding the Executive to account and affirming the rule care necessary to protect us. The whole Government of law. De Montfort’s Parliament 50 years later flowed philosophy of leaving private pensions to the market almost inevitably from just those principles. and saying to citizens, “Effectively, you are on you own” I have the privilege to be the Commons Chair of the has failed abysmally in the past, just as I believe it will Speaker’s Advisory Committee on the 2015 anniversary, fail abysmally in the future at a terrible cost to all of alongside Lord Bew from the House of Lords. These us—pensioners, taxpayers and the public in general. I anniversaries provide a special opportunity for all of us urge the Government to look again and come back with in this place to engage the public in the history and proposals that really begin to meet the scale of both the purpose of our democracy. Parliament’s programme for pension challenge and the whole person care challenge 2015 will increase public understanding of the fact that that haunts the whole of this country. Parliament’s work really matters to them, raising awareness of Parliament at work on a local level, particularly with 6pm young people. I hope hon. Members will participate in Sir Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire) (Con): I am sure an initiative we are launching with individual schools in it would be churlish of me to consider for a second that our constituencies later this year. the speech by the right hon. Member for Neath (Mr Hain) The celebration of and debate on Magna Carta and owes anything to his new-found interest in pensions our emerging Parliament should serve to remind us of following his decision to retire from this place at the perhaps neglected fundamentals. Democracy is not just 311 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 312

[Sir Peter Luff] My final remarks perhaps reflect my deepest concern about democracy in our country. I end with one measure about voting once every four or five years for a local of direct relevance to my constituents and their sense of council, Parliament or the European Parliament. The justice and fair play and the upholding of their democratic first condition of democracy is the establishment of rights: the planning system. This one issue has done freedoms and rights in a society that can be upheld more to disillusion many of my constituents about the independently of the ruler or ruling elite. Voting comes reality of local democracy than any other I am aware of. next. That leads me to my three main concerns about I agree we need to build more houses both nationally the Queen’s Speech: the consequences for defence, liberty and locally. The three councils of south Worcestershire— and the local experience of democracy. Wychavon, Malvern Hills and Worcester City—agree On safety overseas, the Queen’s Speech said surprisingly with that view with passionate conviction, but I worry little. My right hon. Friend the Member for North about exactly what is meant by the commitment in the Somerset (Dr Fox) made a powerful speech, saying Queen’s Speech to increase housing supply and home many of the things I wished to say. In the year in which ownership by reforming the planning system. British troops end their combat mission in Afghanistan, A packed meeting at Badsey Remembrance hall on we might have hoped for more on defence in the Gracious Friday was powerful evidence of the sense of betrayal Speech. The UK has committed to spend 0.7% of GDP that people in many parts of England feel about the on international development. I welcome that, but why collapse of local planning policies. Indeed, I believe my do the Government, who already spend more than 2% party has lost more voters to UKIP over this breakdown of GDP on defence in accordance with NATO guidelines, in planning than over the EU. At Friday’s meeting, seem so reluctant to commit formally to this target? attended by parish councils and residents from across Why do they not do more to engage our European the Vale of Evesham and throughout Wychavon, I told colleagues in meeting that target too? Why did the the audience about what was being done and our great Queen’s Speech not say something about the preparatory success in building houses—some three times the national work for the next strategic defence and security review? average in my constituency—in south Worcestershire. We need a debate on Britain’s place in the world, a Our area is pulling its weight. We want to build houses debate that would inform the Scottish independence in the quantities needed, but where local people believe referendum and our relationship with the EU. An open they should be built and not where developers decide. debate ahead of the SDSR would be invaluable, and it It is the developers who have the whip hand in my would have been good to see a commitment to that in constituency. Through no fault of my council, we are the Queen’s Speech. being punished for not having a local plan in place. The On liberty, the Bill to strengthen the powers to prevent only reason we are late is that the Government failed to modern slavery and human trafficking is an excellent abolish the old top-down system of regional spatial one to enact in the year of Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary. strategies in good time. We followed Government policy, The work of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority has but we are being punished for doing so. made a major contribution in my constituency to reducing Wychavon district council wants to do the right thing the exploitation of those working in the farming and and build the new homes that we need, but still the horticultural sectors, but much more remains to be done. Planning Inspectorate makes it clear that it expects even I am proud to support a Government who are putting more. The result is a demoralised district council and such an enlightened and important piece of legislation angry communities. All the inspectorate needs to do is on the statute book. When we think of personal liberties, say that planning permissions already granted will count we should recall that of all Magna Carta’s many clauses against our target and commit to ensuring that our new only four remain on the statute book today. Two of local plan can be the test of new applications from those, clauses 39 and 40, are about no freeman being developers now, not when it finally comes into effect. imprisoned except by the lawful judgment of his peers, At Badsey on Friday night I was given a bag of Vale and no one being denied justice. of Evesham soil. The person who gave it to me wanted I welcome the action on modern slavery, but I must it to remind me of the valuable horticultural land being sound a loud warning note on legal aid, for which lost to unplanned development. It reminds me of much, further changes are planned in this Session, including much more: it is the soil of the county where the secondary legislation on Crown court advocacy fees. founder of our parliamentary democracy, Simon de We must recognise that access to justice is not just a Montfort, died. It stands for the liberty of the people. It Magna Carta right, but a fundamental part of our is our sacred duty in this place to protect it. democracy. We cannot lecture authoritarian states on their lack of democracy if our own system is denying 6.8 pm ancient rights to our citizens. If the state proceeds Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): This is the seventh against an individual unreasonably, as has manifestly occasion I have quoted from patients’ letters on the happened on several occasions recently, the individual NHS. They are patients from all over the country. In should have the proper means to defend himself or some cases I will name where they come from, because herself against those proceedings. The legal aid bill is they have given me their permission to do so. tiny: at £2 billion, it is just one-twelfth of the £24 billion A few weeks ago, when I gave evidence to the Select housing benefit bill. In other words, an 8% saving in Committee on Health, I was asked whether things had housing benefit would pay for the whole legal aid bill. changed as a result of the report I produced jointly with This Parliament should be profoundly concerned that Professor Tricia Hart last year. The only way I could injustice will grow and families will suffer if deep cuts to answer was to say that I will know that things have legal aid are made. In the run-up to the commemoration changed when the letters stop. I am afraid the letters of Magna Carta, we should be especially heedful of have not stopped: they keep coming, and while they such things. keep coming I shall continue to quote from them. 313 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 314

I received a letter from a woman who went to see a x ray revealed a fracture of the pubis and my mother was again friend in hospital. The friend was given an enema while admitted as an inpatient that evening.” she was there. The letter states: She then talks about the standards of medical attention, “Myself and other visitors therefore waited outside while this stating that the took place. The nurse then disappeared for forty minutes. When I “care received was negligent, her treatment was inappropriate and questioned the nurse about being away for so long she explained exacerbated her injury. The consequence for my mother is long that there are two other staff members on the ward but they are term and permanent impairment of mobility and quality of life.” not qualified to carry out this procedure…I then waited outside Another letter concerns someone admitted to a hospital again while she was changed. Once this was finished I noticed that her nightgown had not been changed, so therefore assumed it was in north Wales: clean. The next morning when I arrived with a clean nightgown, “Doctors were rarely seen especially not at weekends, equipment she was still in the previous day’s clothing and was not changed had to begged and borrowed from other wards. I feel that when he until she had been washed. Later, when I was going home, I found was admitted he was seen as a very old man who was probably not the previous nightgown shoved into a cupboard in a plastic going to survive…He’d always been a positive, uncomplaining carrier bag. The nightgown was completely soiled, so it was sort of person. It was subsequently discovered that he had an evident that she had been left wearing this from roughly 2pm and ulcerated digestive tract so forcing him to eat, as was initially throughout the night. I reported this to a nurse who said she happening, was bordering on the cruel.” could not explain why this had happened.” Finally, a letter states: This illustrates again the importance of patients in “I went to the GP last February and was diagnosed with a hospital being shown dignity. prolapsed womb. I was put on the proverbial waiting list. After Another letter concerns a wife visiting her husband two months I rang the Princess of Wales hospital to ask how long in hospital: to my appointment. I was told the earliest I would be seen would be end of August possibly early September! A few weeks ago “The oxygen mask he had on had slipped down off his nose so against all my labour principles and out of sheer anxiety of the many times it had blistered it, his wife had to put plasters from the unknown I paid £150 to see a gynae consultant (this was in one pharmacy on herself. On his bed table at the foot of his bed was a week of phoning for an appointment!) The consultant confirmed pack of sandwiches, bottle of fizzy drink, a urine tray with urine I had a prolapse, I would need a hysterectomy and a bladder in it and standing in that was a urine bottle half filled with repair…I was then told if I paid privately I could have the urine…The man 2 beds up soiled his bed, stripped naked and operation in two weeks!” walked round the ward with excrement all up his legs. Out of the ladies toilets came a lady crawling on her hands and knees with at a cost of £6,646. The letter continued: her underwear round her ankles, 2…nurses picked her up, said “However this is the punch line. If I wanted to be put on the she was a naughty girl and dragged her up the ward. Then NHS list it would be 9/10 months! That means from seeing my GP 5 minutes later out of the other door first appeared a walking to surgery will be 18 months. I can not believe it! I refuse to go stick, then a little man wearing a nightgown and a hat with a privately; I want NHS treatment. My condition is now impacting bobble on the top, stick in one hand and dragging his soiled on my everyday life…without going in to the finer details it is nappy full of excrement behind him past” undignified. I went back to my GP last week asking her to her husband’s bed. expedite my referral.” Another letter said: That is one of many shocking cases, and I could fill the “I have been waiting for over three months for a colonoscopy next five hours reading out the others I have received. at Singleton hospital, Swansea. I have pains in my stomach. I attach an e-mail received from the Health Board stating that the 6.16 pm waiting list for urgent endoscopies in Swansea is 35-40 weeks. No estimate is given for non-urgent endoscopies. I find the situation Richard Benyon (Newbury) (Con): It is a great pleasure, scandalous. If you wish to publicise this appalling state of affairs but a daunting prospect, to follow the right hon. Member and use my name, you can do so.” for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd), who is a model of The health board wrote to the man saying: dignity for the House and has shared some truly horrific “Unfortunately, the Endoscopy department is experiencing a experiences with us. I want to talk mainly about public backlog of patients waiting for appointments, due to the ongoing health, but before I do so, I should like to raise an issue demands on the service. The current waiting time in Swansea for that is not unrelated to what the right hon. Lady has an urgent endoscopy can be up to 35 to 40 weeks. Plans are in mentioned. place to address the backlog over the coming months. In the I have been fascinated by the fact that the Mid-Staffs meantime if you are experiencing symptoms which you are concerned about, they would suggest you make an appointment to see your issue has not resonated as a major concern with the vast General Practitioner”. majority of people in this country. Perhaps I missed it; Another letter states: perhaps it is there just under the radar. To me, it should be seared on our collective conscience as a nation. If “My mother aged 85 was admitted to hospital…and treated as an in-patient for 3 weeks for a badly sprained wrist. My concerns 1,200 had wrongfully died, say, in police custody or in about the longevity of the injury and lack of improvement, some other area of direct Government responsibility, continued pain and swelling were ignored and only after an there would be crowds of people out on the streets. Yet official complaint was made…by me did medical staff agree to re this was a collective failure and a national failure. x-ray the wrist, where upon it was found to be badly broken. Irrespective of what has been said in certain journals by Whilst still an in-patient…when her wrist was due to be set, my certain Members, this was not a local issue, but a mother’s call for assistance to help her to the bathroom went national one in which neglect, incompetence and something unanswered and she fell in the ward. I was not contacted by the called cognitive dissonance was allowed to fester—and hospital and advised of her fall. When I made it known to staff that I knew she had fallen I was told ‘it was nothing, a little fall people died in large numbers. and there was no injury’. My mother was discharged…I had to We rightly revere the NHS. As with my hon. Friend call out her GP” the Member for Mid Worcestershire (Sir Peter Luff), a couple of days later I have had recent experience of a close relative being “since she was experiencing severe groin pain. Over the weekend treated in the NHS, and I have nothing but praise for the intensity of pain increased and my mother could no longer the staff who treated him. Where there is failure, and walk. She was taken by ambulance to Morriston Hospital, an when people are treated in the sort of way mentioned by 315 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 316

[Richard Benyon] benefit of a lower health care bill for the taxpayer. All that is crucial to our objective of diverting people from the right hon. Lady and dignity and care fall by the health services. wayside, we have to act. I believe that the implementation About 20 years ago, a health service manager said to of the Francis report is a major step on that road. I me, “The trouble is—from my point of view—that applaud the Secretary of State for his determined approach clever people keep inventing expensive new cures which to put patients first, by putting in place measures, we have to fund. People survive longer as a result, and individuals and safeguards so that Mid-Staffs does not that means yet more costs, because they will need the happen again. NHS at a later stage.”I think that he was being light-hearted, As I said, I want to talk about public health, which I but it was probably just a half-joke. His point was this: believe is so important to how we are going to be able in if we, as a society, are to be able to afford the NHS that the long run to afford a national health service. So we want in the future, whichever party is in government, much of that is about diverting people away from we must continue to divert people from it by keeping needing it. It is also about addressing inequalities. I them healthier. The lateral thinking to which I referred have worked hard with other Members to make sure, earlier has never been more important. for example, that rural areas are not left aside. When I I applaud the housing association that, working with was the Minister with responsibility for rural affairs, its local health and wellbeing board, identified a large my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness number of elderly people who were being admitted to (Mr Stuart) raised the issue of stroke treatments in his hospital following accidents in the home. Simply employing constituency. It is, of course, much quicker and easier a handyman to do some work in their sheltered for a stroke therapy consultant to spend all their time in accommodation resulted in a reduction in the number Hull, dealing with many more cases in one day, rather of injuries, particularly serious injuries such as broken than getting out into the rural areas. Addressing those hips, from which many people do not recover. health inequalities is now, however, for the first time a Another initiative in my area is “brushing for health”. statutory requirement. That is a major step forward. It Good oral health is vital, and my local health and does not just involve national bodies such as NHS wellbeing board has launched a programme involving England and Public Health England; local care Sure Start and other children’s centres, encouraging commissioning groups and local authorities are ensuring children to adopt diets that are lower in sugar and to that inequalities are addressed. brush their teeth more regularly, and ensuring that they will have access to a dentist. Promoting that initiative Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): I agree with will mean that less national health dentistry will be the hon. Gentleman that there is a specific need in rural required in the future. communities. Does he support the Government’s action On Saturday, I was delighted to launch the Newbury in taking need out of the assessment for public health dementia action alliance. We know that 800,000 people funding, which has meant that areas such as mine in the in this country are living with dementia, and that it is north-east have lost funds that have been redistributed costing the country £23 billion a year. It is great to hear to wealthier areas in the south? that the G7 world leaders are getting together and making dealing with dementia one of their priorities, Richard Benyon: I do not know what happens in the but what does that mean in our constituencies? It means, hon. Gentleman’s part of the north-east, but I can tell at local level, stimulating the minds of dementia sufferers, him that there is now a real drive to deal with the supporting their carers, ensuring that healthy living is problems in the constituency of my hon. Friend the part of the norm and involving organisations such as Member for Beverley and Holderness. My hon. Friend the fire service and the police. felt that his constituents were getting a raw deal under That was a very quick canter around the importance the old system, and there is now a statutory requirement of public health. I am running out of time, but let me for that to be addressed. end by saying that when we talk about health, we must The new responsibility for public health means a not just talk about the important factors that surround great deal to us as constituency Members. The West the core of the national health service. We need to Berkshire health and wellbeing board, ably led by Councillor prevent people from becoming ill in the first place, and Marcus Franks, is taking the initiative locally, not just that is why the Government’s concentration on public dealing with massively important issues such as reducing health is so welcome. There is, of course, much more to smoking but encouraging, through a partnership approach, be done, but a very important change has been made. lateral thinking and the tackling of disease and illness before they happen. We must ensure that that happens 6.25 pm at local level as a result of legislation that has been Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab): introduced in the past. It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Newbury I was pleased to be one of the authors of the natural (Richard Benyon). Let me begin where he left off. For environment White Paper. We worked closely with the the past two years, along with other Members of Parliament Department of Health, with the aim of helping people representing the north-east and Cumbria, I have been to understand the healing benefits of nature and the arguing against attempts to alter the health service’s great outdoors. Initiatives such as Walking for Health funding formula and reallocate funding, taking it away have created a virtuous circle. Improved health has led from deprived areas with poorer health outcomes to greater companionship and less isolation, and and giving it to more affluent areas with better health organisations such the University of the Third Age have outcomes. Last year, the Government’s original proposals improved the quality of life for lonely and, in some would have led to a reduction of £230 million in the cases, elderly people—and, of course, there is the additional annual health funding of the north-east and Cumbria. 317 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 318

NHS England eventually opted for inflation-proofed The Government should not treat individual increments increases for all clinical commissioning group areas, as if they were pay rises. Forty-five per cent. of nurses along with extra increases for some favoured clinical do not receive an increment. The Government should commissioning groups in more affluent parts of the not set the NHS Pay Review Body recommendations to country. I should welcome an assurance from the Minister one side. They are wrong to insist instead on an offer of that we will not have to go through that fight again. a 1% non-consolidated payment for this year, followed The Government’s top-down reorganisation of the by a 2% non-consolidated payment for the following national health service is riddled with gaps and negative year. If nothing else happened at the end of this period, consequences. It has significantly increased pressures the nurses would be substantially worse off than they on A and E departments, which have now become the are today. These are pressing issues for the national default places to visit if people need to see a doctor health service. within days. It is no longer possible to make an appointment I should like to make a more general point about the with a GP a day or so in advance, and many people have Queen’s Speech’s failure to touch on the most significant to wait several weeks for an appointment. There are problem facing the north-east of England. Unemployment arbitrary, cost-influenced restrictions on procedures and in the region remains the highest in the country, at treatments, leading to a postcode lottery whereby some 10.1%. Despite recent national falls in unemployment, services are free in certain parts of the country but not it remains stubbornly high in the north-east. in others. The unemployment rate for the region has actually Clinical commissioning groups are reported to have increased in 2014. There is a continued need to create spent more than £5 million on competition lawyers to sustainable well-paid jobs through private sector economic try to navigate competition law in relation to commissioning development in the region. The tragedy is that the services. More than £1.4 billion has been spent on parties do not quarrel about this: we agree on what redundancies in the NHS, only for thousands of people needs to be done. The issue is doing it. Youthunemployment to be re-hired under the new structures. I understand remains high and more needs to be done to open up the latest figure is over 4,000. That point was made opportunities to work and training. forcefully by my right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) in his opening speech, and I support Four years ago, the Government made sweeping changes every word that he said. to the delivery of economic development in the English regions. The Government’s reorganisation is not working There has to be an answer to this, and it is not coming for the north-east of England. Apart from the projects from the Government. Health Ministers are increasingly that were already under way under the last Labour hiding behind NHS England when it comes to big Government, the present arrangements have little to policy questions relating to the NHS, and more and show. Governments often make their largest mistakes in more answers to parliamentary questions are being their first 100 days. Having abolished the regional referred away from the Department and to unelected, development agency and Business Link, the Government largely unaccountable bodies. There is also the overarching have spent the last four years trying to set up structures issue of GPs’ now having key functions as commissioners, that will carry out the functions that those bodies used as well as functions as providers of services that are to undertake, and in our region the efforts so far have being commissioned. The obvious conflict of interest is achieved very little. This matters because it is our region’s corrosive to the ethical underpinning of the NHS. core problem. I have the honour to represent the Freeman hospital and its internationally renowned heart units, including The Government’s original idea was that the new its high-achieving children’s heart unit. In the 2001 localism contained the answer to the north-east’s economic review of the Bristol children’s heart unit, Professor development questions. The coalition Government argued Sir Ian Kennedy clearly stated that England needed a that the setting up of new locally based bodies would be smaller number of centres of excellence to undertake the right way to provide economic development at local the complex, highly skilled procedures involved. No one level. Over the past four years, the means has become has refuted his arguments, but, 13 years later, we are no the end. All energies have been focused on those structural closer to achieving the outcome that he said was desirable. questions. The purpose for which they were originally We cannot, and should not, let that issue drift. The intended has almost been completely lost sight of. A Government have an obligation to set out a clear way single Minister needs to get a grip of these arrangements, forward that is compatible with Sir Ian’s recommendations, which now span a range of different Departments, and and to do so on the merits of the medical arguments force them to focus on specific economic development and not on the basis of political expediency. The delays initiatives. in addressing the issue over the four years of the current These are important issues. Now that the House has Parliament pose the risk that it will extend beyond the committed itself to fixed-term, five-year Parliaments, it next general election, yet we are no clearer about the is likely that all future final sessions will have something future of children’s heart units in England. Again, a of the character of this one. There is something response from the Minister on the issue would be welcome. unsatisfactory about it all. I feel that some of the big I want to raise the recommendations of the NHS Pay questions and the attendant debate are slipping away Review Body and the blocking of the recommendations from Parliament. by the Government. That decision comes after a two-year pay freeze and significant pay restraint following the 6.33 pm two-year period. When factored against inflationary pressures, nurses’ pay has fallen by 10% in real terms Priti Patel (Witham) (Con): It is a pleasure to speak over the past four years. Alongside that, contributions in the debate because it is a Queen’s Speech that will to the pension arrangements have increased, coming help to deliver a stronger economy for this country and out of take-home pay. better and stronger public services. Four years ago, this 319 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 320

[Priti Patel] Priti Patel: Just a second. Our GPs are among the most highly subscribed in the country, with 2,200 patients Government embarked on a radical and necessary per GP compared to the national average of 1,500—that programme of measures to turn the fortunes of this is over 40% more patients per GP than average. Not country and our economy around. For 13 years, my only did Labour fail to plan, but the former PCTs have constituents were betrayed and let down by the previous left a chilling legacy of debt and financial mismanagement, Government, as taxes rose while unemployment soared, which has held back our new clinical commissioning the economy went into meltdown and public services group from providing innovative solutions and new wasted taxpayers’ money on a colossal scale. local health care. It is a tribute to this Government’s economic focus I thank NHS England, the Department of Health and policies that we have been able to turn things and the Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. around. Ministers have implemented many clear measures. Friend the Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich For example, unemployment in my constituency is now (Dr Poulter). They have been incredibly accommodating almost half the level it was when it peaked under the and are looking to create local solutions and to expand previous Government in 2009. These are the positive front-line services in Witham town. We have been looking policies that I bring to today’s debate on the NHS. It is a at bringing in a new, purpose-built medical centre in the testament to this Government’s commitment to the town, which would provide new and integrated primary NHS that we are now seeing an increase in spending. care services and make services more accessible for local I heard the opening speeches in the debate, including people. Such a centre could even go as far as integrating by Labour Members. It is appalling that the Labour our local ambulance services, too, in order to bring party likes to talk as though it owns the NHS politically. greater collaboration and integration across our local That is wrong. Labour should listen to some of the facts NHS, which is needed. not just in my constituency but in the eastern region. These provisions do not need to be included in legislation. The fact is that Labour went into the last general This is not about new legislation in the Queen’s Speech. election with plans to cut NHS spending—we have This is about a commitment at the grass roots from heard about the impact of that in Wales—while we have health providers and GPs to get on and start delivering continued to invest in the NHS. While Conservatives these services. We did not have that commitment before. recognise the increasing pressures that the country faces Another example of where we were completely neglected from demographics and the health care needs of the is the East of England Ambulance Service. It is a fact public— that we have had endless problems. That was down to a culture of mismanagement. Front Benchers will be Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): Will the hon. Lady familiar with the crisis that we had in our ambulance give way? trust. We had great paramedics who were doing a very difficult job, but they were being let down by hospitals, Priti Patel: I want to develop my discussion and go A and E, and the target culture. The service was worse into more detail on the NHS. More investment in the than poor; it was inadequate. The trust is now recovering, NHS is required. This is not about cutting services, thanks to Dr Anthony Marsh. Last Thursday night, I including front-line services, or funds. It is about expanding joined the ambulance trust and its team from Witham the NHS in the right way and, as the Secretary of State ambulance station on patrol and I cannot praise them said, putting patients first and moving away from the enough for the work they do. It was interesting to see bureaucratisation of the NHS. the handover in patient care as we turned up at Broomfield hospital and Colchester general hospital. We need greater Lyn Brown: Will the hon. Lady give way? integration so that we are putting patients first in the provision of front-line services. Priti Patel: Let me continue. Colchester hospital has been held back because of the legacy of the culture of targets. Because of the There were classic examples of that not just in my problems we had with East of England Ambulance constituency but more widely in Essex. We heard earlier Service, Colchester hospital had a target-driven culture about Basildon hospital. In my constituency, one primary that led to horrific examples of falling standards of care care trust saw its number of managers and senior managers and data being manipulated. Investigations are taking increase tenfold over a decade. At the same time, it place now. While what has happened at Colchester is failed miserably to recognise the health needs of my nowhere near as damaging as what we have seen at constituents; we have a growing population as well as other hospitals such as Mid Staffordshire, it shows what an ageing population. I had cases in 2010 where patients happens when targets overtake the delivery of quality were denied access to life-saving hospital treatment and front-line patient care. This should not be about access to drugs because the PCT sought to prioritise bureaucracy, inputs or targets. We need an integrated spending on the bureaucracy of the NHS, rather than approach so we deliver effective front-line patient care. front-line patient care. We struggled in the eastern region, and in Essex in In Witham town, at the heart of my constituency, particular, with the NHS legacy of the previous there is a chronic shortage of locally accessible health Government. It has been a real challenge for all health care facilities. All the talk by Labour and the slogans care professionals—I have mentioned our hospitals and referring to “record investment” under Labour translated the ambulance trust—and these are individuals who are into nothing in my constituency. Under the previous dedicated to serving patients and doing the right thing, PCT and the previous regime, we had consultation after but they have been held back. The innovations and the consultation but no new services were created. NHS reforms, as well as the new investment being provided, will help to secure new services for my constituents Lyn Brown: Will the hon. Lady give way? and a more patient-friendly approach in Witham town. 321 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 322

6.41 pm which maternity units will be “reconfigured” or which A and Es will be downgraded to emergency centres, Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab): rather than full-blown A and Es, but, after years at risk, Today I would like to add my voice to those of all who nobody thinks St Helier’s future is secure. have expressed disappointment and surprise that the Queen’s Speech contained not one word about the The leader of Merton council, who won an overwhelming NHS. Last month’s local elections in Mitcham and mandate just weeks ago, is so angry that he has told the Morden, and in large parts of London, were dominated chair of Merton’s clinical commissioning group, who by the issue of health. The verdict was overwhelming: has headed the local NHS throughout BSBV, that the overnight, Merton went from no overall control to people had spoken and his job was no longer tenable. Labour control, with the people of Mitcham and Morden Councillor Alambritis said: electing 30 Labour councillors out of 30 for the first “BSBV has been a fiasco and the voters of Merton delivered a time in history. In large parts of Merton one issue stood devastating verdict...Ultimately, responsibility lies with the Chair, out: the future of my local general hospital, St Helier. and he has to go…Merton’s residents have demanded change, and Anyone driving through Morden will see hundreds of the Chair needs to respond to that”— signs in front gardens and windows—yellow signs with and so should the Government. They have spent the last a red heart in the middle, all saying “Save St Helier.” four years undermining, rather than strengthening, our NHS. The Government should have used the Queen’s Speech to listen to the people. Labour would introduce an NHS In 2010, the Conservative party manifesto said it Bill; the Government included not a word about the would stop the centrally dictated NHS. During the local election campaign, Merton’s “closure of A&E and maternity wards, so that people have better Conservatives said that, no ifs, no buts, St Helier was access to local services, and give mothers real choice over where to safe. Their leader proclaimed that have their baby”. “St Helier Hospital has been saved”, The people of Merton remembered that quote, and it is no wonder they voted the way they did a fortnight ago. but St Helier has been under attack for years under this Government. In 2011, the local NHS said the Government This is a democracy. The Government should respect had told it to the ballot box. My constituents do not want a Queen’s Speech that has not got a single word to say about the “deliver £370 million savings each year...around 24% in their NHS. They want a Queen’s Speech to save St Helier, costs.” and save our NHS. A new body called Better Services Better Value was set up. It announced it would close A and E and maternity units across south-west London and Surrey, 6.46 pm and St Helier would also lose its intensive care unit, Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock) (Con): I have reflected paediatric centre, renal unit and 390 in-patient beds. A on the comments of the hon. Member for Mitcham and save St Helier campaign was launched, and the petition Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) and I really must tackle has now been signed by more than 13,000 of my head-on the belief that because there is no Bill on the constituents. Three local campaigners—Sally Kenny, NHS, that is a weakness. The reality is that the NHS Stan Anderson and Mary Curtin—decided the issue does not need more legislation. What it needs is good was so important that they should stand in the local leadership and good performance management so that elections in Lower Morden as residents whose primary it delivers what we want it to deliver for our constituents. aim was to save St Helier. Given the backing they had We will not improve the care of patients by sitting on from Councillor Stephen Alambritis, the Labour leader these Benches and pontificating and giving the benefit of Merton council, they stood for Labour. Just before of our experience. What we need to do is empower real the election, doctors in Surrey, where Epsom hospital practitioners to actually deliver change. was also threatened, vetoed the plans. BSBV was wound down in ignominy. It seemed we had won a reprieve, but Siobhain McDonagh: May I inform the hon. Lady when the huge banner covering the front of St Helier that many of my constituents in Mitcham and Morden hospital that said believe the withdrawal of clause 119 from the Care Bill “Coming soon—We’re spending £219m on a major development” would have done a lot for their NHS? was taken down, residents realised that victory was only temporary. Jackie Doyle-Price: I cannot agree with the hon. The best any of us could hope for was a few years’ Lady. The important thing is that Government Members peace and quiet. As it happened, the reprieve lasted make it clear to the NHS that we expect it to put the until only five days after the election, when the local interests of patients at its heart. I want again to draw NHS published a new five-year plan that it says will attention to what has happened in Basildon and Thurrock university hospitals trust because it is perhaps the best “change the way we deliver health services”. example of the profound change we have had in NHS Far from listening to the people, who voted in culture over the last five years. We now have a Government, unprecedented numbers to save St Helier, it ignored the and leaders within the NHS, who are finally prepared to verdict of the people. The plan describes the face up to what is going wrong and to deal with it, “likely need to reconfigure maternity and neonatal services”. rather than to cover up, be complacent and say, “We’re Of course, “reconfigure” is just a euphemism for closures, no worse than anyone else.” and it suggests that A and E units will be downgraded I have to say that it has been a turbulent journey for by 2018, with what it describes as the introduction of those of us involved in Basildon hospital over those five two levels of emergency departments—major emergency years. The shadow Health Secretary, who is not in his centres and emergency centres. The plans do not say place, will recall coming to this House in 2009, at the 323 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 324

[Jackie Doyle-Price] but I have worries that this tool is not effective and that its unintended consequences may bring about worse same time as he spoke about Mid Staffordshire, to health outcomes than doing nothing at all. Sir Cyril highlight exactly what was going wrong at Basildon. Chantler is said to have examined that as part of his Since then I have had a number of conversations with review, but I am not persuaded of the evidence. In senior managers in which I was told, “Well, we’re no particular, I believe that introducing standardised packaging worse than anyone else. You’ll find this everywhere.” will worsen the public health outcomes if unregulated That was not good enough, but after two and a half illicit tobacco products replace the regulated ones. We years of not making any progress at all, Members of all know how toxic regulated cigarettes are, but when this House had very robust discussions with Monitor unregulated products enter the market the health outcomes and said, “This needs proper intervention.” That led to will be very much worse. a complete change in the leadership. A new board was Sir Cyril Chantler has concluded that Her Majesty’s appointed that was more inclined to give challenge Revenue and Customs has been very effective in tackling where it was due. We had a leadership team that put contraband and illicit tobacco, and he has cited figures stronger emphasis on good clinical leadership, and a going back to 2001. Although they show an improvement, chief executive was appointed who was determined the nature of the problem has changed over that period. to make sure that Basildon hospital delivered the European Union enlargement took place during that standards of care that all patients deserve. What we time and there was an immediate rise in the amount of have had is cultural change, and cultural change illicit tobacco, but that has been tackled, mainly through comes from leadership; it does not come from legislation. co-operation with tobacco manufacturers. That illicit As I have said in many contexts, any organisation is a tobacco was also a legal product, whereas the illicit creature of the person at its top, so when we get good tobacco coming into this country today is not from leadership in individual hospitals we get a step change Europe and it is not from regulated markets; it tends to in performance. be made in places such as China and Indonesia. Some I also wish to pay tribute to the Secretary of State for of these products are extremely nasty, with tobacco the continued emphasis he places on patients, because rolled with whatever is available and containing high when the head of the NHS—the person operationally levels of tar. I commend The Sun for the exposé it ran responsible here in Parliament for performance—is last week in which an illicit producer from Indonesia articulating that, it will spread the cultural change explained just how toxic some of his products are and which will deliver the real change in performance. I pay how standardised packaging will help him make money tribute to Clare Panniker, Basildon hospital’s current by reducing the costs of production. chief executive, who has delivered this significant change in the 18 months she has been in post. She has taken Alex Cunningham: The Government’s own inquiry Basildon from being one of the worst performing hospitals showed that there would not be an increase in the to a position where it is coming out of special measures. amount of illicit tobacco traded in this country. Does She has been ably supported by the chairman of the the hon. Lady not trust her own Ministers and the trust, who has also been prepared to give a robust report they commissioned? challenge and to stand behind her when she was doing so. Most of all, I wish to pay tribute to all the staff at Basildon. It has not been easy for them—it has not been Jackie Doyle-Price: I was quoting that report and good for their morale to see in the newspapers regular challenging its conclusions, which are based on a flawed reports of the latest horror story of poor care within the analysis of the market—that is what I have been trying trust—but they have reacted to the cultural change that to explain. No, I do not trust that report. It is superficial Clare Panniker has brought. They have bought into it and it has been put together with a particular agenda. and given good, honest feedback, and I no longer get As I say, it will lead to unintended consequences which whistleblowing letters from staff about the latest incident. will be very bad for public health. They have procedures to act on things and the management My constituency contains Tilbury docks and the then implement that change. It says a lot about the Purfleet ferry terminal. Despite the best efforts of Border commitment of the staff in that hospital that they have Force, Essex police and the port of Tilbury, these products bought into that process and delivered us to where we are getting through. Despite large seizures every week, are now. We all need to learn that sunlight is indeed the Border Force does not believe that it is getting even 10% best disinfectant. It is not good enough to pretend that of the illicit product that is coming into the marketplace. there is not a problem when there so clearly is, and it is It is estimated that one in three cigarettes smoked in important that we continue to put patients at the heart London are illicit, and a good proportion of them will of the NHS. Only by doing that will be able to ensure come through the ports in my constituency. Standardised that the incidents witnessed at Mid Staffs and Basildon packs will inevitably reduce costs for illicit manufacturers, will become a thing of the past. who will be able to produce the product without I wish to turn my attention to another issue that was differentiation in brand. I believe this proposal is a charter not mentioned in the Queen’s Speech but which is on for a lot of very nasty people to make a lot of money, the Government’s legislative timetable for the coming and if they do, the health outcomes we wish to see will year: the plan to introduce standardised packaging for not be achieved. tobacco products. I have to say to the Minister of State, Let us be frank: we are talking about packets of Department of Health, my hon. Friend the Member for cigarettes sold from holdalls behind pubs for a couple North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) that it is a very bad of pounds. Children do not start smoking by walking idea. I fully support the policy objectives of tackling into their newsagents and picking a branded product; tobacco consumption and, in particular, of dissuading they are introduced to smoking via that holdall, at the and preventing children from ever taking up smoking, back of the bike sheds or at the back of pubs. When 325 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 326 cigarettes become that cheap, because of the proliferation My next Bill would restore health and safety for workers. of illicit products in the market, these children will be The health and safety budget has been cut by 35%, so smoking some very nasty things. I ask Ministers to we need a Bill to put that right for working people. think again, because this is not the best tool for achieving My fifth Bill would bring an end to privatisation. a reduction in smoking and there will be unintended There would be no more privatisation of the trains or consequences for public health. I ask this Minister to sit the buses—[Interruption.] Never mind about the increases down with Border Force and understand just how difficult and the costs; this is my Queen’s Speech, not Labour’s. the fight is that it is waging against serious organised There would be no more asset stripping of public crime and smuggling. facilities. Bill No. 6 would be to get rid of Trident, which would make me popular, especially with the Scottish 6.56 pm nationalists. Mr Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley) (Lab): Interestingly, My seventh Bill would put the buses and trains back health is not even covered in the Queen’s Speech, but we into public ownership. It would try to stop the privatisation are debating it so I will say a few words about it. The of the east coast main line, but I very much doubt that good news is that my granddaughter has just been we can stop it now, as this Government are hell bent on accepted by Liverpool university to study midwifery, so getting rid of it before they go out of power. But we will that is some compassion coming back into the health restore it to public ownership—at least I hope we will; I service. The bad news is that on Friday I had a meeting hope that our Ministers are listening, and that we will with GP commissioners who came to see me because restore it. they are teetering on the edge. I am talking about the My eighth Bill would bring education back under Northumberland commissioners who are running the local democratic control. We have heard in the statement doctors consortium. They had a budget, worked to it today how out of control things are. Local authorities and were doing all right until the Government came are wavering. Their spending has been cut, and they along and clawed money back. I would not mind if the have very little say over the academies or the free Minister tried to say why the Government clawed money schools. Anything could happen in the education service back from them; I would be interested to know that. now, because we no longer have that local watch, so we need to bring it back. We know what is happening in the health service and we know why there is no Bill. Since this Government My ninth Bill would be about the national health came to power we have seen creeping privatisation; no service. I want free public health care for all. That corner of the health service is untouchable as far as would be a big Bill and it would cost a lot of money, but privatisation is concerned. Sometimes I just wonder we need to stop this creeping privatisation. I would get what is going to happen in the next few years—God that money from one place: I would go to the City and forbid if the Tories get elected again, with this lot here tell all those spivs and bankers, “Your bonuses are in charge. Are we going to be paying for our health stopped, because of all the money you have spivved off service? Are charges going to be put on the health service? the working people of this country.” It is the working That is a good question to ask to see whether we can get people who have had to pay for the austerity measures. I a denial from the Government— would tax those people and get the money for the Bills in my Queen’s Speech. David T. C. Davies rose— 7.2 pm Mr Campbell: Sit down, you will have your Welsh Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD): The health service question in a minute. It would be good if the Minister is very close to everyone’s hearts, and there are a lot of could deny that he has any intention of charging for any political gains to be made from it. I have to say that, as services in the health service in the future, because they the Member of Parliament for Burnley, my election are creeping in little by little. As for the nurses—the chances were boosted when Labour’s Secretary of State people who run the health service and do all the work—their closed down our A and E unit. I am delighted to say miserable wage rises are absolutely disgraceful and this that the coalition Government have now delivered us a Government should be ashamed of taking even that 1% brand new emergency centre in Burnley, which shows away from them; they should get more but the Government that the coalition Government have delivered good are not even going to give them the 1%. things, especially for the people of Burnley. Let us get back to the reality. This Queen’s Speech There is one issue that I really want to talk about was the dullest one I have seen in my 27 years in this today. I have been a councillor for 31 years—I stood for place, and I think everyone would agree on that. I sat election only last month and increased my majority down and I said to myself, “How can I liven it up? What over Labour in my ward—and the issue that has become if it was my Queen’s Speech? What if I jumped on very close to my heart is the care of elderly people. I am the bike of my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover talking about elderly people who are on their own. (Mr Skinner)—although it has been pinched—and got People from companies call on them in the morning to into Buckingham palace to ask them to take my speech get them out of bed. They stay for 10 minutes to make to the House of the Commons instead of the one they sure they are up and have had some breakfast. They were going to read out?” My first Bill would be on the then come back at lunchtime to make sure they have national minimum wage—I would put a Bill through to eaten some lunch, and then again in the afternoon to increase it to £10 an hour. My second Bill would be on a make sure they have had their tea. They come back in shorter working week—32 hours without loss of pay. the evening. As one elderly man said to me, “They come My third Bill would call for full employment with no back at 8 o’clock and tell me to get ready for bed.” He redundancies. There would be a repeal of all anti-union said, “I don’t want to go to bed at 8 o’clock in the laws, and the reintroduction of collective bargaining. evening. I am 87 years old. I fought for this country, 327 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 328

[Gordon Birtwistle] Gordon Birtwistle: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her intervention. I do not know of a company that and now they are telling me that I have to go to bed at delivers services in Burnley that has an owner who 8 o’clock. I don’t want to do that.” What he wants is for drives a Lamborghini. In fact, I do not know anyone in someone to come and see him in the morning and talk my neck of the woods who has a Lamborghini. I do not to him. He is housebound, and he does not have a know many people who can spell the word Lamborghini. family. He is not the only one in that situation. There At the end of the day, the hon. Lady is right: there are are many more like him in Burnley. companies that are taking money, particularly from the We are a poor town and people cannot afford to pay state, and giving a very poor service. I do not want this for private services. These people want to talk to somebody to be a political point. What I want is to plead with the in the morning when they get up; they want a bit of Minister and with the people in control—I am not in conversation. They do not want staff running in with control, so I cannot deliver this—and say that we are their meals-on-wheels food in a foil container saying, living in an age where people are getting old and need “We’ll come back and see you later.” They want to talk looking after. Why can we not do a little bit more to to someone. They want to know that there is somebody look after these people? The people who get the sums of who cares for them; somebody who is interested in money to deliver this service should be a little bit more listening to them. This elderly man has some fantastic considerate and compassionate. They should not just stories about his life; I have seen him many times. When walk through the door with a metal tray with a bit of the staff come back in the evening, he is not asking food on that no one wants to eat, because it does not them to stay all night. He is asking them to show a little feel like the proper food they used to eat. Can we not bit of interest in him, and he certainly does not want to just do a little bit more? go to bed at 8 o’clock at night. He has never gone to bed My message today is: can we do a bit more people for at that time and for someone to tell him that he has to our old people—the people who have put us where we do so, “or he’ll be on his own” is wrong. I am not being are today, who have delivered the prosperity of this political here. All I am saying is that we should care country over the years; and who have fought for us in more for the elderly people of this country. I am talking wars? Can we not show them a bit more consideration? not about people who are in their 60s, but about people If those companies with Lamborghinis exist, can we who are in their 80s and 90s who, unfortunately, have lean on some of them to train people properly to ensure been left on their own. They might be elderly ladies that they have a bit more compassion? whose husbands have died. These are people who have worked for this country all their lives and fought for this Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam) (LD): I hope my country, and are now, certainly in my constituency hon. Friend will forgive me for turning my back to him, anyway, being left alone. I find that hard to accept. I but I want to tell him through the Chair that one of the might be unusual. There might be people who think it is places that is trying to do what he is talking about, and tough and bad luck, but I do not think that. We should which I visited recently, is Wiltshire, which is using its be looking after these people and showing them some relationships with contractors to drive out 15-minute compassion. We are a wealthy country. Apparently, we contracting and drive up training standards, which is are the fourth or fifth wealthiest country in the world, making a difference. That is happening now, and it and the contribution that these people have made over needs to happen in more places. their lives has helped to put us in that position. Burnley is an industrial town; we had the pits and the Gordon Birtwistle: I am delighted to hear that, and I mills. Now we have high-tech industry where young would like Wiltshire to become a standard that everyone people work and create wealth. Fortunately these days, else copies. I would hope that my constituency and the they are able to put something aside for their pension, rest of Lancashire copies that. There are great companies—I which will help to look after them in their old age. The know a few good companies that really care about the elderly people from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s could not do customer. These elderly people are customers: if Tesco that; they were on poor salaries. In the main, the wives treated people like some of those carers, they would did not work. My mother never worked. My father shop somewhere else. Unfortunately, elderly people cannot brought up our family, and my mother never worked. go anywhere else, because a contract has been organised, All right, my mother and father are dead, but there are and they have to use it. I urge the Minister to consider still people around who were in the same position. those suggestions and look at ways of improving the Many have lost a partner and in the main their children service that we deliver to our old people. I would be very are out of the area, and they need us to care for them. Is happy if he did so, and I am sure that he would be too. it a lot to ask for someone to turn up and say, “Hello, Mr Jones. How are you?” The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb): I completely agree with what my hon. Friend is Lyn Brown: The whole House is listening very quietly trying to achieve. I hope that he is reassured that the to what the hon. Gentleman is saying because it resonates. Government have effectively introduced compulsory My father is 87. He pays for carers to come in from an minimum training for all care assistants for the first agency. What has upset us is the fact that his life savings time. I think he will welcome that. are paying the wages of people who drive Lamborghinis, who employ people on the minimum wage and who Gordon Birtwistle: I do welcome it, and I am delighted provide very poor care to the people the hon. Gentleman to have heard that. I just hope that we make it a major is talking about. This Government need to act to ensure condition of all Government and local authority contracts that the care offered to our people, which they pay for that all companies deliver that service to our elderly out of their meagre savings, is of the quality that they people. We will all become elderly—I am catching up deserve. very quickly—so who knows how soon it will be before 329 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 330 someone comes to my house to say, “Gordon, it’s Angus Robertson: I have very little time, and I would bedtime. It’s 8 o’clock—it’s toilet time.” That’s the worst like to make progress. The Government in Scotland thing I think I have ever heard—someone coming in have protected the front-line NHS budget—Labour said and saying that it is toilet time. An old man said to me: that they would not—and there is high patient satisfaction “I do not want to go to the toilet, but I am told that it is in the NHS. Obviously, there is always much to do, but time to go to the toilet.” It is just not acceptable to do 87% of people are fairly or very satisfied with local that to an elderly man. I am delighted to hear what the health services, which is an increase of 7%. We have Minister said, and I hope that we ensure that it continues seen the abolition of prescription charges in Scotland, in future so that we really respect and care for the which is extremely welcome. Prescriptions still need to people who have put us where we are today. be paid for in England, and I encourage the UK Government to consider following the example of the 7.12 pm Scottish Government. A Scottish patient on a low income saves £7.85 per prescription, compared with a similar Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): It is an honour to patient in England, and people with long-term conditions follow the hon. Member for Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle). save £104 per annum compared with a patient in England, The House was listening raptly to a speech full of where there is provision for a pre-payment certificate. humanity and compassion. I pay tribute, too, to the right hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd), who Free prescriptions are not the only advantage. Free read out a lot of examples of what everyone will agree personal care, which was championed by the former was shocking treatment. I genuinely hope that Ministers Labour First Minister in Scotland, Henry McLeish, has listened closely to those speakers and to many others been introduced, and there is pride across the political who have made important points. spectrum in Scotland about that. Free personal care for the elderly improves the lives of over 77,000 older In the limited time available, I should like to draw vulnerable people in Scotland, where personal care is attention to the obvious point that this is the last Queen’s free for people over 65 who need it. That kind of service Speech before the historic and exciting independence would be beneficial for the kind of constituents about referendum in Scotland on 18 September. It is worth whom the hon. Member for Burnley talked so movingly. making the point that this Queen’s Speech and Westminster Of course, patients in England are not entitled to free governance—the choices that the Government have personal care. introduced—can and should be seen through that prism. There are 100 days left before people in Scotland are Those are examples of better decision making and able to determine whether we should become a normal better outcomes, because in Scotland we have the ability country making all the normal decisions that successful in our Parliament and through our Government to democracies make. pursue the policies that we wish to pursue, as opposed to those that are pursued by Governments whom we Today, we have been encouraged to speak about have not elected, such as those pursuing privatisation in health, so I was pleased to find a recent international the NHS in England. There is a concern about protecting health watchdog report issued only a few days ago in budgets in Scotland against further cuts from Westminster Canada, which said: and the austerity agenda that it is driving, which is why “Imagine a land where a patients’ charter of rights and people are now talking about full financial responsibility. responsibilities is in place that includes wait-time guarantees; over I looked closely at the Queen’s Speech to see how that 90% of patients requiring elective care are treated within 18 weeks might take place: all three UK parties have now said from referral by a family physician to start of treatment/procedure including all diagnostic testing and specialist consultations. Over that they wish to see the transfer of further powers, 98% of in-patient procedures and day-surgery cases are treated notwithstanding the fact that only a few years ago there within 12 weeks of agreement to treat. Over 90% of patients are was a line in the sand. There were to be no more seen within four hours in the emergency department (i.e., admitted, transfers but, lo and behold, when the SNP won with an transferred or discharged). Citizens can access the most appropriate absolute majority and a referendum was in sight, suddenly member of their primary care team within 48 hours. Up-to-date everyone was in favour of more powers. However, there statistics and reports on wait times and health system performance were no specific proposals in the Queen’s Speech— indicators are publicly available. In addition to providing timely access, this land has been successful in improving other dimensions reinforcement of the reality, if anyone needed it, that to of quality of care (e.g., significantly reducing levels of hospital have the powers to make a difference in people’s lives acquired infections, reducing the level of inappropriate care), and and build on the successes of devolution, we have to performance in all of these dimensions is being tracked through vote yes. the measurement and reporting of performance targets available I would wish the Queen’s Speech to include a series of for use by patients, providers and system managers alike. Fortunately, measures that were not included: building and enlarging this land already exists—Scotland.” free child care; abolishing the bedroom tax; halting That report was issued only a few days ago by the the further roll-out of universal credit and personal physicians watchdog in Canada. independence payments to create a fairer welfare system; I pay tribute, as did the Health Secretary, to the work simplification of the tax system to reduce compliance of health professionals, who make a tremendous difference costs; negotiation of the removal of Trident nuclear to people in the NHS system in England and, no doubt, weapons from Scotland; protecting the value of the to the NHS system in Wales and Northern Ireland. I state pension and putting more money into the pockets pay tribute to all of them, and in particular to those of pensioners; supporting enterprise in the economy by who work in NHS Scotland. I am proud of the difference increasing personal tax allowances; making sure that that the Scottish National party Government have made the minimum wage increases at least in line with inflation; since taking power in 2007. Staffing has increased under the creation of an oil fund so that we do not see the the SNP by more than 6.7%. wasting of that natural resource, which can be there for future generations; and negotiating directly with the Tom Blenkinsop: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? European Union to get a better deal for farmers and 331 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 332

[Angus Robertson] the service, but he was wrong in thinking that the costs of that service would diminish with time. Clearly, they fishing communities. The list goes on. Those are all have not. measures that could have been in a Queen’s Speech in What is there to do? I would say there are four things. Scotland if Scotland were in charge of all the normal First, we need to find a way of reducing demand on the powers that normal democracies are in charge of. services. This morning I attended an induction as I am This Queen’s Speech was totally empty of any of about to start working at an urgent care centre in my those proposals—proposals popular with the electorate constituency. It was striking to note who was coming in Scotland, proposals that can be brought forward if through the door. The demand is great and it is growing, we use the power that is in our hands on 18 September. and we need to deal with it. Between 7 am and 10 pm on that day the people of Secondly, we must improve the physical structures in Scotland will have the power of Scotland in their hands. the system. Our hospitals are 19th and 20th-century The simple choice for them will be whether we keep it buildings and we are trying, and at times failing, to or hand it back. I will be voting yes and I believe the deliver 21st-century care in those environments. We majority of people in Scotland will do so too. need to improve them and to do it fast. In order to secure an appropriate plan for our nation, I suggest that 7.20 pm we need some sort of cross-party committee and cross-party Dr Phillip Lee (Bracknell) (Con): I shall take this understanding of where those acute hospitals will be in opportunity in what is nominally the health debate on the future. We will have fewer of them, but we will have the Queen’s Speech to speak more broadly about the more community-based hospitals delivering chronic care. national health service. I welcome the fact that there is Let us not forget that over 80% of the NHS budget is not much in the Queen’s Speech on health policy, because now spent on chronic care. We need to make sure that what we have done already under this Government that care is delivered closer to patients’ homes. needs to bed down. In the future we will have telemedicine, which will I have always tried to build cross-party consensus in deliver care in patients’ homes. This is the reality. It is the Chamber. At no point have I sought to make any already being piloted in Scotland, with some very good party political points in relation to health care, primarily outcomes. because, as a clinician who still practises in the health service and who has an extensive network of friends Angus Robertson indicated assent. from medical school who are all approaching consultancy, I have been aware of the challenges that the NHS faces Dr Lee: We need to recognise that, but with that will and have therefore always believed that there needs to come changes in hospital infrastructure and, yes, extremely be an understanding across the Benches for us to find difficult politics. We have heard about the difficult politics the appropriate solutions. in south-west London, west London and elsewhere. That We need to get a grip of the NHS challenges that we will be replicated irrespective of who wins next year’s face. Significant changes are afoot in our society—changes election. The problem is here and now and we need to in attitude and behaviour, and patients’ expectations deal with it. All parties should put skin in the game and change as each generation passes away. A stoic wartime make a decision on where those hospitals should be. generation is being replaced by arguably much softer The third element is funding. This is the most emotive ones. Their experience of pain and their approach to topic to discuss. Colleagues on the Labour Benches suffering are different, in my clinical experience. Each have proposed co-payments. From those on the Government generation is becoming more and more obese. As I have Benches, there have been suggestions of health accounts already said, the society we live in is ageing. There have and supplementary insurance schemes. There is a plethora been some poignant contributions to this debate. That of ways of funding health care—one only has to look is fine and I share the concerns, but let us not kid abroad. In Norway people pay to see their GP; in ourselves: more than 20% of the population is now aged Denmark they pay for their drugs at cost; in Germany over 60. The proportion of people paying tax compared there are supplementary insurance schemes; in France with the proportion of people who have retired is there are means tests, and the list goes on. diminishing. We cannot lose sight of that reality, and we I have not 100% decided what I think would be the need to recognise that change is inevitable. right thing in future in this country, but the debate is There are some welcome advances in medicine—in needed. I cannot see how we can go above 10% of GDP drugs, technology and the application of that technology on health care spending and balance the books across to the care of patients—but these have invariably been the whole of Government. Perhaps there are people expensive. The National Institute for Health and Care who think we should spend north of 10% on that—fine— Excellence does a pretty good job of the cost-benefit and approaching almost 20% on welfare if we include analysis, but we are now saying no to drugs that enhance pensions. We are approaching £1 billion a day expenditure people’s lives. We need to reflect on that. on these two areas. I do not think that is sustainable, but The NHS was introduced in 1948 by Nye Bevan, who I know that if it is to change we need a cross-party represented a constituency that I sought and, funnily debate on the matter. It is not easy. enough, failed to take in 2005. At that time, the budget Finally, the political cycle does not help. We have was £437 million, the equivalent of £9 billion in current heard how it helped the hon. Member for Burnley money. We are approaching or may have touched above (Gordon Birtwistle) get elected at the last election, and I £110 billion per year. He said that there would be an am sure this will be replicated on both sides of the initial expense when he introduced the service and that House in future. There is no avoiding it. I have walked costs would then fall as the population became healthier. the walk in my constituency: I stood at the last election I am sorry—Mr Bevan might have been right to introduce calling for the closure of my local hospital, because I 333 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 334 know that if we consolidate services in my region, we It is in the detail of the implementation that we have a get better outcomes. People live who otherwise would major problem. NHS England is apparently seeking to not live. People suffer less. I did not think it was have a total of 780,000 fewer patients admitted to A appropriate for a clinician who had worked in the and E over the course of the next two years. The region in which he was seeking to represent a constituency “Shaping a healthier future” agenda translates into a to say otherwise. I thought it appropriate that I stood reduction of 15% in the number of A and E admissions on that. I continue to stand on it and I continue to stand to be achieved in north-west London. As the King’s for the consolidation of acute services in my region and Fund’s health economist John Appleby has said, that is for chronic care to be offered locally to people. “not realistic or feasible”. The problem is not that it is In conclusion, this country is very privileged to inherit not desirable or that we do not want to see it achieved a health care system that is pretty good. It is approaching over time, but that we are in the middle of a period of first class by global standards, but it is a legacy that we rising demand for A and E and the capacity simply is must protect. Our grandparents have given it to us and not there, either elsewhere in the acute hospitals sector we need to protect it in future, which means that we or in community and primary care services. need to be open-minded about the changes required. I Only a few months ago, Imperial College Healthcare think the solutions will come from more than one NHS Trust, at the heart of the “Shaping a healthier political party and more than one expert group, but the future” agenda, said: time is now and we all need to work together. “We are yet to see any impact of primary care and community Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention…schemes and 7.28 pm therefore are planning to maintain the level of emergency care we provided” Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab): It is over the course of this winter. So, a hospital is saying often in the specific and the particular that we understand that it cannot rely on the primary and community how public policy is most effective, far more than in services being in place to divert people from A and E, mission statements, PowerPoint presentations and the yet almost in the same week the Secretary of State’s sub-sections of the legislation that we pass. That is letter confirmed that the closure of the accident and particularly true of the NHS. We have heard two striking emergency units at Hammersmith and Charing Cross, examples of that already in the contributions from my as we understand them, will go ahead as soon as possible. right hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann We now have a date in September, and his letter stated Clwyd) and the hon. Member for Burnley (Gordon that Birtwistle) talking about social care. It is also true of the reconfiguration and change in the health service, “the process to date has already taken 4 years causing understandable which I shall address in the few minutes available to me. local concern”. In many respects we understand across the piece what Mr Slaughter: My hon. Friend has written a devastating changes need to take place, yet we find that so many of critique to the new chief executive at Imperial about the the changes that have taken place at a higher level of fact that Hammersmith A and E in my constituency as public policy, particularly those implemented by the well as other A and Es are being closed before there is Government through the Health and Social Care Act appropriate provision to replace them. I would not hold 2012, have made it harder rather than easier to bring my breath for a reply if I were her. I am still waiting for about the change that we need to deliver. In London in one to the letter I wrote to the clinical commissioning particular, an exceptionally complex environment, we group on 26 April on the same subject of failure to saw that set out very clearly by the King’s Fund in its provide primary care. report last year, which made it clear that the Government’s reorganisation of the health service, carried out at considerable expense, had made it harder rather than Ms Buck: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who easier to deliver the fundamental changes that we need reinforces my exact point. by fragmenting its structure and undermining its capacity Since the Secretary of State’s letter and the decision to introduce strategic leadership. to proceed with the Hammersmith and Charing Cross In north-west London, which we have already heard closures, it has been reported in the Evening Standard mentioned today, we are facing one of the most that Imperial is having to use winter pressure beds fundamental changes in the delivery of health care since routinely to cope with patients displaced by the planned the establishment of the national health service. The A and E closures, admitting that there are “risks” of “Shaping a healthier future” agenda is rooted in a set of over-crowding, and warning that ill patients will have to principles with which most of us could agree. We want spend longer in ambulances. This is a demand for to reduce the number of accident and emergency winter pressure beds in the middle of the summer. The attendances and, in particular, to reduce the number of expectation is therefore that there is already insufficient accident and emergency admissions when patients can capacity years before the construction of a planned new be better cared for elsewhere, particularly within primary and improved A and E unit at Imperial hospital. The and community services, and we want to reduce the closures are going ahead and Imperial clearly cannot length of stay, particularly for elderly patients who cope. An Imperial official said: would be better and much happier to be cared for with “We have extra acute beds at St Mary’s Hospital, normally appropriate social care support in their own homes. used during the busy winter period to ensure we can quickly Those are undeniable facts that are supported by the admit those patients” general principle that in many cases the higher level of in need. That is fine, but what will happen if and when acute care is more efficaciously provided in larger and we have a winter crisis or simply during the additional more specialist units. Those things go together and they winter pressures? That capacity will not be available to are worthy objectives. help deal with them. 335 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 336

[Ms Buck] The problem is that the fragmentation and delay caused by the reorganisation in the national health None of this is meant to suggest that there are not service since 2010 have undermined what should have fine people in clinical and managerial practice focusing been a sensible method of progressing and building up their attention on ensuring that services are in place to community services to reduce the pressure on the acute assist with that transition, but the scale of the challenge sector. Meanwhile, today and in the coming weeks my appears to be beyond what can be achieved realistically constituents will find that their hospital is at capacity within the timetable. In the middle of all this—and no but is expected to deal with the extra demand from the doubt connected to it—there came halfway through the Hammersmith and Charing Cross accident and emergency year a letter from the west London clinical commissioning closures, whereas the constituents of my hon. Friend groups announcing that they have the Member for Hammersmith (Mr Slaughter) face the “made an important decision to put funding into a central loss of their accident and emergency units without any budget…£139 million…which means CCGs with a surplus will be appropriate provision. It is a shambles, I am extremely supporting those with a deficit…We also agreed to explore how to concerned, and I hope it is not too late to ensure that we bring together commissioning of primary care services across can put something in place to prevent a true winter organisational boundaries”. crisis this winter that would be of the Government’s That seems to me to be perilously close to the end of own making. clinical commissioning groups as far as we understand them. My understanding was that clinical commissioning 7.39 pm groups were designed to be rooted in their local communities, to work in effective local partnerships and David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): Living in and to reflect the local service providers, particularly primary representing a constituency on the border has given me care service providers and patients, at a local level. That a unique insight into the different systems that have has all gone with the wind in west London and I am now grown up in the NHS in Wales and the NHS in extremely worried about it. England. One thing has become absolutely clear—not just to me but to any independent organisation that has I am all the more worried because the whole transition looked into this—and it is that the standards of care programme is predicated on the delivery of improved being delivered by this coalition Government are far social care, and it is social care with which we are now higher in England than they are in Wales, where the struggling to cope. In my local authority area, 1,000 fewer NHS is run by members of the Labour party. residents are getting social care than in 2010, and there will be a further £2.9 million cut this year. It is no The reality is that, judged on virtually any single surprise that the chief financial officer at Imperial trust, indicator that one would care to look at, standards of Bill Shields, has said: treatment are better in England than they are in Wales. The waiting times for cancer have not been met in Wales “The cynic in me says” since 2008; the four-hour accident and emergency target that the proposal to take money away from the national has not been met in Wales since 2009; the ambulance health service to fund social care response times targets have not been met in Wales for “is a way of taking money from the NHS and passing it on to the 21 months; and in Wales the funding for the NHS from local authority…this will allow them to make good the cliff edge Labour, which claims to be the party of the NHS, has they have been through in the last few years and rebuild the local been cut by 8% while NHS funding has been ring-fenced government public finances.” in England. It would also mean That has led to all sorts of situations. For example, an “a significant real-terms reduction in NHS income…going forward”. Opposition Member talked earlier about cancer in England. In England, of those people being diagnosed with cancer Mr Slaughter: My hon. Friend makes a point about less than 2% have to wait longer than six weeks for their this panicked attempt to find more money in the primary diagnosis, while in Wales 42% of people being diagnosed care budgets and slosh it around west London at any with cancer have to wait longer than six weeks to receive consultation, and that is exactly the issue on which I am a diagnosis. The treatment times are also different; in still waiting for an answer. This is chaos in the health Wales, people wait around 26 weeks, whereas in England service and is a reaction to closure programmes that the wait is just 16 weeks. have been carried out on financial grounds and that have now reduced the health service in west London to Behind these dreadful statistics are a range of human a chaotic and dangerous state. stories. I was grateful to the Secretary of State for Health for allowing me to meet him with a constituent Ms Buck: It is extremely worrying because the whole of mine, Mariana Robinson. She had been trying thing is shrouded in a lack of transparency and a lack unsuccessfully to get treated in Wales for months and of effective communication about what is going on. The there was absolutely no interest in helping her. She local authority is cutting its own social care funding wanted to be treated in England; she was one of many and needs money to fill its black hole, whereas the trust people who would rather be treated by this coalition at Imperial says that that is exactly what it is worried Government in England than by the NHS in Wales. about. It says it is concerned about the transfer of Finally, after a great deal of correspondence and after money because that might not give it the increased local receiving advice from the Secretary of State in London, community services that would allow it to reduce emergency the NHS in Wales has finally relented in this instance, A and E admissions, which is what we want. In fact, and Mariana will now be treated in Bristol. I am those things are so far from being effectively integrated grateful to the Secretary of State for his help. in a common purpose that the different sectors of the Even this afternoon, while I was waiting to speak, I health service appear to be at war with each other had yet two more e-mails from people who are totally financially, if not in any other way. dissatisfied with the treatment they are receiving in 337 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 338

Wales at the moment and who would be prefer to be us see the direction of movement, because I know that treated in England. I was contacted by an 88-year-old an enormous number of people will immediately opt veteran who had served in the Korean war in the Fleet for the lower waiting times, the better diagnosis and the Air Arm of the Royal Navy. He is in constant pain at wider access to drugs that are available to people in the moment and unable to sleep because of a problem England. with wisdom teeth. He has been told that he will have to wait nine months for treatment in Wales. I do not Geraint Davies: Does the hon. Gentleman accept that believe that such a thing would be allowed to happen in there are only 3 million people in Wales, and that when England, but he has been told that he cannot seek any we compare Wales with a lot of the English regions and treatment in England; he has no right to transfer his hospitals we do just as well? In London, we obviously health care to a place where it can be provided more have international centres of excellence. In Wales, we efficiently. spend more cash per head. There is a sparser population Labour Members talked about the privatisation of and more nurses per 1,000 people, and we have better the NHS. The Conservative party will never privatise results on cancer than elsewhere, so there is a mixed the NHS; we have always believed that treatment should picture. He is being completely political and undermining be free at the point of service. It is members of Labour the morale of people working in the health service in his in Wales who are responsible for supporting private constituency; it is disgraceful. health care, because they are putting patients in Wales in a situation where the only chance they have of being David T. C. Davies: It is not a mixed picture at all and treated is to go and seek private health care. The 88-year-old we should be very clear about that. People wait longer veteran of the Korean war was told that if he wanted to for treatment in Wales than they do in England. People have something done about the constant pain he is wait longer to be diagnosed in Wales than they do in suffering, he would have to go private. England. People wait longer for an ambulance in Wales I was also contacted today by a lady, the retired head than they do in England. Money for the NHS is being teacher of a school in my constituency, who found a cut in Wales and it is being ring-fenced in England, lump in her breast. She expected to be seen by someone because the NHS will be a priority. almost immediately, as she would have been in England, The real disgrace is that Labour Members have always but she was told that the first appointment she will have prided themselves on being the party of the NHS and will be some time in late August. have gone out of their way to do so. Because they have That is the reality of what is happening in Wales that reputation, they know that in Wales, and possibly under a Labour-run NHS, and the Leader of the in England too if they ever end up running things, they Opposition has said that we should “take lessons”—this can get away with making cuts and with cosying up to is to quote him—from how the NHS is being run in the unions because they feel that people will trust them. Wales and try to implement them in England. My I say to anyone independent and impartial who wants message today is to warn everyone, particularly Government to know what it would be like for NHS patients if Members, not to let these people be in charge of the Labour Members ever get into government, they should NHS, because what we will end up with in England is look at what is happening in Wales right now. longer waiting lists, slower ambulance response times, people not being diagnosed properly and no cancer Andrew Gwynne rose— drugs. Apparently, 150 people in Wales have died while waiting for heart treatment. It is an absolutely disgraceful situation. David T. C. Davies: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman even though he did not extend that courtesy I have talked to Government Members about a to me or to anyone else from Wales. suggestion that I made in relation to the Government of Wales Bill, which is to let these people put their money where their mouth is. If they think they are doing a Andrew Gwynne: Of course, people only needed to good job with the NHS in Wales, they should allow see the NHS at its highest satisfaction levels in 2010 patients in Wales and England to opt to go wherever to know what Labour in Westminster would do. I will they want to for treatment. At the moment, we have two correct the record on cancer waits, because of course totally separate NHS systems, so patients in Wales do Wales has a better record on cancer waits than England not have the right to access treatment in England and, does: 92% of people in Wales are seen within 62 days, as of course, patients in England could not go to Wales. A opposed to 86% of people on this side of Offa’s Dyke. lot of patients in Wales want to be treated in England. I do not believe there are any patients in England who David T. C. Davies: That is a fairly minor difference— would want to be treated by the Labour-run NHS, but [Interruption.] Oh yes. However, what the hon. Gentleman perhaps there are some out there who fancy waiting has forgotten to say, of course, is that those people in longer to be diagnosed and then waiting longer again to Wales will have waited far longer for the diagnosis of get the treatment that they have a right to expect. cancer than people in England. That is why he is not Let us see Opposition Members supporting a change being entirely straight in putting his facts across. When to legislation that would allow patients in England to be he is winding up, I challenge him to say whether he treated in Wales, with the money required being added thinks what is going on in Wales at the moment is good to the block grant given by the Government to the and something that Labour Members would like to aim Welsh Assembly every year, and patients in Wales who for. Is what is going on in Wales what they aspire to? want to be treated in England having the right to access I urge anyone in the Opposition to look at The that treatment in England, with the money required Guardian, which recently did an exposé of the NHS being deducted from the block grant that is handed over systems around the UK and showed that people in to the Labour party in Wales every single year. And let Wales have the longest waiting times of anyone in the 339 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 340

[David T. C. Davies] reflect on that. Nine out of 10 local authorities now set their eligibility for social care at “substantial needs” or United Kingdom, and that is the vision for the NHS higher, compared with less than half of that in local that Labour Members want to impose on the people of authorities in 2005-6. Therefore, fewer people are receiving England. I advise people in England to look at the publicly funded care—300,000 fewer since 2008. Of figures before they decide to vote for Labour Members. course more of the care work load therefore falls on I ask the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish unpaid family carers, who in turn report suffering more (Andrew Gwynne) if he would be prepared to allow stress and depression. patients in Wales to be treated in England, and patients Carers UK reports that the ever-increasing need for in England to be allowed to go and be treated in Wales care and support in our ageing population will outstrip if they wish to do so. I doubt very much whether he the number of family members able and willing to would support such a thing. provide it. A carers week survey found that fewer than three in 10 people believe that they will become carers, Andrew Gwynne: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman but about six in 10 of them will have caring responsibilities for giving way again. He is obviously not aware that the at some time in their lives. Between the last two censuses, number of English patients being treated in Welsh the number of over-65s providing care grew by 35%. hospitals has increased by 10% since 2010. Among carers aged 60 to 64, 54% of men and 36% of women who were caring were also in paid work. Therefore, David T. C. Davies: I am well aware of that, but the the pressures on men and women juggling work with hon. Gentleman might not be aware that those patients caring have intensified. have no choice. [Interruption.] He is laughing, but he Carers UK has found that one in five carers surveyed does not understand how the system works. There are have had to give up work because either they were many patients on the English side of the border who are unable to secure flexible hours or their employer lacked treated in Wales, but they have no choice about that. understanding of their caring work load. Many carers They have set up a pressure group, Action for our then build up significant debts and have to cut down on Health—he can look it up on one of his smart phones— basic expenditure, even on heating and food, to manage. because they are so disgusted with the service that they This afternoon, I met a couple of carers at a speed are getting in Wales that they want to be treated in networking event downstairs who told me exactly that. England. The point is that they do not have a choice, They had had to give up their jobs to care. and I believe that they should. Those English patients are very angry about the fact that they are treated in Dr Jamie Wilson, a dementia physician, has said that Wales and not given the choice. “the financial welfare of carers should form part of a holistic assessment of needs. The combined effects of loss of income, When the Secretary of State was talking about some additional costs of care and declining state benefits have led to an of the things that have gone wrong in the NHS, I heard increasing impact on the resilience of carers and their ability to an Opposition Member shout, “He hates the NHS.” maintain the health of their loved ones.” My right hon. Friend does not hate the NHS, but he The Care Act 2014 represents a wasted opportunity, does believe in putting patient choice and patient voice because it places on local authorities a duty to assess a first. He believes in standing up for patients against carer’s support needs, but it places no similar duty on vested interests, wherever they may be. I fully support the NHS. The Act makes it clear that a local authority him in that and commend him for what he has done. My can charge for the support provided to carers. I feel that only criticism of Ministers in this Government is that the Government are failing carers in two ways. Giving they have improved services in England so much that I carers new rights to assessment is meaningless when the have an enormous mailbag of letters from people who support available is dwindling as a result of higher want to access the services that they have put on offer. If eligibility criteria and increased charges. A right to a anyone wants to find out what would happen if Labour local authority assessment is of little help to carers who ran the NHS in England, they should look at the facts have no contact with their local authority. and figures for Wales. At the meeting downstairs, I spoke with a carer called Caroline, who had come in with Macmillan Cancer 7.50 pm Support. She has a multiple caring work load but has Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): As never been referred by her GP, or by any doctor she had this is carers week, I want to talk first about the impact ever met, to any sources of support. She only found that legislation and financial policy have on the one in Macmillan Cancer Support through a website. That is eight people who are unpaid carers. We know that being why identifying carers is so important. Macmillan’s a carer can have a significant impact on a person’s survey of over 2,000 carers found that over 70% came finances, career, relationships and, of course, health. into contact with health professionals during their caring Full-time carers are more than twice as likely as non-carers journey, yet health professionals identify only one in 10 to have poor health, but sadly the pressure on them is carers, with GPs identifying less than that. We cannot increasing. Surveys last year told us that six out of be smug or self-satisfied about that situation. 10 carers reported suffering depression, and nine out The need for NHS bodies to identify carers and of 10 felt more stressed due to their caring role. ensure that they are referred to sources of advice and Since 2010, local government budget cuts have led to support was raised at all stages of debate on the Care funding on adult social care falling rapidly. By this Bill in the Commons, but the Government did not March, local authority spending on adult social care accept amendments on the issue, so now we will need had fallen by £2.68 billion in four years—a 20% fall. further legislation. Another weakness of the Act is that Those Government Members who have talked about it restated the option for local authorities to charge funding today have nothing to be proud of when they carers for services. Carers’ organisations have repeatedly 341 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 342 asked the Government to make it clear once and for all Several hon. Members rose— that local authorities should not charge carers for the support they receive. However, Ministers did not consider Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I it appropriate for the Act to remove that discretion, regret to inform the House that more Members wish to which I think is a shame. I think that the Government speak than time allows under the current time limit. are failing carers in a number of ways, as I have outlined. Therefore, to ensure that everybody gets in, I must now This carers week, it is time to show carers that we do reduce the time limit to seven minutes. Even that is value their caring. really tight, so Members might like to be sparing with Let me touch briefly on a further aspect of health their interventions, so that they do not slow us down. policy that relates to the attitude of NHS staff towards patients, as highlighted in the Francis report. An important 7.59 pm source of improvement in that area is the social media Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con): The campaign #hellomynameis, run by Dr Kate Granger. Gracious Speech was an extremely fine speech, but I The campaign started 10 months ago, after Dr Granger’s would have liked more work on the care agenda. The admission to hospital, when she noticed that many Care Act 2014 made a very good start, but there is more health professionals did not introduce themselves when to be done. This concerns me particularly because Devon treating her. She spoke movingly at the NHS Confederation has the highest number of over-65s in the country, and conference last week on the importance for patients and my constituency has a very large chunk of that population. their care of getting the small things right. She pointed out that, in patient relationships, health professionals By 2035, 25% of the population will be over 65, have most of the power, but they can make things more 620,000 will be in care homes, 50% will have a sight equal if they introduce themselves and explain what impediment, and 75% will have a hearing impediment. they are doing. She also explained the impact on her Today, one in five over-80s has dementia, and that when doctors and nurses described her only as “Bed 7” figure is set to double within the next 30 years. The or “the girl with DSRCT”—a rare cancer. As she rightly demand is not going to diminish, while the supply is a says, health professionals should always try to find out real challenge for our society as a whole. Seventy-five the patient’s name and how they like to be addressed. per cent. of current need is met informally through the voluntary sector and by families. We must give thanks The #hellomynameis campaign has had great success for that, but we then need to think about the financial on social media, but it deserves much wider backing. contribution from the state. The NHS budget, which is With 1.6 million people working for the NHS, we need now 8.4% of GDP, is in absolutely the right place—that to spread the message about the importance of treating is exactly what we should be spending given the current patients as people. It should become routine for health state of our finances—but the social care budget is professionals to think about a more courteous and decreasing and has decreased by 10% in real terms since human connection with their patients. I hope that shadow 2010, if Age UK’s figures are correct. The reason is cuts Health Ministers and Health Ministers will do all they in council funding. In my rural constituency, council can to support the campaign. budgets have been seriously hit, and I see the consequences Finally, in the short time remaining, I want to refer to day in, day out. Day centres in Devon are facing closure my concern about issues caused for my constituents by and support for supported living is being ripped out. measures in the Infrastructure Bill to allow fracking or This is a matter of great concern that must be addressed shale gas exploration under properties without permission quickly. or appropriate compensation. The measure will have I welcome the 2015-16 better care fund of £3.8 billion, negative consequences for people with homes, farms or but will it be enough and will it be too late? Age UK businesses adjacent to shale gas wells. We have had an says that £3.41 billion more is required if we are really exploratory shale gas well at Barton Moss in my to meet the need. I am a great believer that we do not constituency since November 2013. I have heard from solve everybody’s problems through money, so we must businesses adjacent to the site that are losing money as look at what we need to do. There is nothing more a result and from constituents who have been trying to important than health and dignity in the ageing population. move but are finding it impossible to sell their homes. I We need to look at what we, in a civilised society, believe have to tell the Minister that the offer of a £20,000 good care should look like. We need a proper debate community payment seems paltry by comparison with about who pays. Is it the individual, their family, or the the losses that my constituents have already suffered, taxpayer? We need to look at who delivers it. Is it the even during the six-month exploration. The Government family, the voluntary sector, or the state? Clearly, it seem more concerned about a rush for shale gas than must be all those. about the communities affected by the industrialisation The Care Act made a good start. It provided uniformity of land caused by this process. We must have more in the funding structure, consolidated the assessment caution and more consideration for our communities. process, capped costs, recognised carers and the need I will end with a story that explains the difference for support, put a duty on local authorities for care and between the NHS in 1997 and 2010. In the run-up to the well-being of our older population, introduced safeguarding 1997 general election, I met someone in Wythenshawe adult boards and the star rating system—very good and Sale East who had been waiting two years for steps forward—and recognised that prevention is better cardiac surgery and was worried that he would die while than cure. In some ways, however, it was a missed waiting. In 2010, in my constituency, I met someone opportunity. The commissioning process that decides who within one week went to his GP, was diagnosed what is ultimately purchased is not overseen. We still and had specialist cancer surgery that saved his life. have a postcode lottery against which people’s only That is the difference a Labour Government did make recourse is an individual appeal. We still have a conflict and could make again. of interest in that our councils can commission and 343 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 344

[Anne Marie Morris] level of substantial need one will not be funded by the state. There is so much to be done and so little time. provide care, as many do. That has to change. On This has to be a priority for Government this year. quality, star ratings are a good move. Let us remember that this is about relativity, not absolute quality. What 8.6 pm are we paying for—brass or platinum? There is, as yet, no reassurance that wherever anybody lives they will get Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC): As a Plaid Cymru MP, the fair share of care that they deserve. it is something of a problem to respond to the Queen’s Staffing issues were not addressed. Best practice as Speech on health matters, not only because it contained regards staff and patient numbers is a ratio of 1:5, but little about health in the first place but because health is the reality is more likely to be 1:7 given the budgetary largely devolved. Some time ago, when Alan Milburn constraints. No thought was given to trying to deal with was Health Secretary, I asked him about nurses’ pay, some of the training concerns. Skills for Care is a and he responded that he was eternally glad that he had voluntary programme. If we are going to make something no responsibility for things Welsh. He was wrong at the really work, there has to be some stick and some carrot. time, but now nurses’ pay is devolved. That is the I am pleased that we have a studio school in Torquay measure of the problem that I face. that meets some of the training needs and that the On the whole, the content of the Queen’s Speech was University of Surrey will introduce a proper foundation rather thin, with little attention given to the growing degree in 2015, but more is needed. challenges we face of rising inequality, regional disparities, Integration could have been addressed. This is not and an economic recovery that is built on fairly precarious just about money; it is also about health and wellbeing foundations. The impacts and consequences for Wales boards. The King’s Fund suggested that there should be are fairly obvious because of our higher rates of sickness a requirement that providers are engaged in health and and disability, higher proportion of older people, and wellbeing boards. At the moment, only 30% are so greater needs in respect of poverty. Hon. Members may engaged, and that needs to change. I am very pleased have seen today’s report on child poverty, which paints that in Newton Abbot we have a pilot on the frail and an alarming picture and casts doubt on the Government’s elderly that deals specifically with integration. ability to reach the 2020 target of eradicating it. I think There has been a missed opportunity for change, and that that is now beyond reach, unfortunately. change must come soon. We need to think about how to Given the nature of the Queen’s Speech, I fear that fund smartly. How can we increase the amount available the coming year will be a matter of treading water. For to councils? After all, prevention is better than cure; Wales, we have the continuation of the Wales Bill, but otherwise A and Es and the NHS pay the price. How we also have missed opportunities. There are matters of can we better support families to care for their elderly as particular concern to Wales, not least the funding of the we help them to care for their children? What can we Welsh Government. I also fear that we will see further possibly do in terms of time, flexibility and tax support? dismantling of the principles of the welfare state, How can we support the voluntary sector? There is not dismantling of public services, and a failure to address an inexhaustible supply of volunteers, and they are fed the deep structural economic weaknesses that we have, up with the form filling that makes their lives burdensome. with a recovery that is driven by an increase in personal How can we reduce the capital burdens that councils debt and spiralling house prices in the south-east and in face when having to deal with providing care? The London, and continues, I am afraid, the UK’s long-term capital cost of the homes and day centres is driving the imbalance that has devastated the economy in Wales, in closures. Let us work with social enterprise, housing parts of England, and indeed in Scotland. associations and others to look for a better model. Plaid Cymru put forward an alternative Queen’s Speech Let us improve quality and remove the postcode with Bills that we would have liked to be included. The lottery. Let us, as we can under the Care Act, ask the Bills have principles central to Plaid Cymru’s vision for Care Quality Commission to review the whole Wales, which is built on equality, prosperity for all, and commissioning process. Let us look at what is provided social justice. We have 10 ambitious and workable Bills by our county councils, what value for money we get, founded on strengthening Wales’ economic position and whether it is the same across the country. What are and its position in terms of democracy, and on improving we paying for? Are we finding that people in one county the lives of our people, not least in respect of health are getting bronze and those in another, where more outcomes. money is allocated, are getting platinum? That cannot be right. Let us look, once and for all, at splitting When the pension tax Bill is before the House, we will purchasers from providers as we have in the NHS. Let call for proper consumer protection for people who will us get rid of the potential bias that exists in this regard. have large pots of money at their disposal, as the sharks Let us review the make-up of health and wellbeing are already circling. We are extremely glad that the boards and make sure that providers serve on them. Government are introducing the modern slavery Bill. Without proper resource, and that means people, we We also welcome the legislation to strengthen the law in cannot get this right. We need to ensure that more relation to child neglect and organised crime. nurses are trained and that they get the respect and the We particularly welcome the Bill to strengthen the pay that makes them want to work in social care as complaints procedures for the armed forces. We have much as they want to work in the NHS. Let us produce campaigned for a very long time on veterans’ issues, a proper career path that drives respect and reduces the particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. We support fear they live in that they are going to be criticised for the proposed measure and hope it will prevent ex-service trying to do their best in an impossible situation. Let us people from suffering mental distress and psychiatric enforce the best practice ratio of 1:5. Let us look at how conditions, which have resulted in so many of them we are going to fill the gap whereby unless one gets to a ending up in the prison system. 345 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 346

Other Bills are appealing at first glance. A case in private sector jobs is a darn good start. Is the reduction point is the heroism Bill, which seems likely to garner of the budget deficit by a third enough? No, it is not, good headlines in certain sections of the press, but I but it is a darn good start. share the TUC’s fear that it will have a bad effect on This debate is a little bizarre, in that it is on health, health and safety legislation and working conditions in even though health was not in the Queen’s Speech. The particularly dangerous industries. people on the doorsteps of Rochford and Southend Turning briefly to our own propositions, we would East have not said to me, “Mr Duddridge, what we need have liked an economic fairness Bill aimed at levelling is a new Bill on the health service.” In fact, I would up the growing wealth inequalities that exist on both an wager that one or two constituents in every constituency individual and geographical basis in the UK, which is would say that we have had far too many Bills on the the most unequal state in the European Union. Such a national health service over the years, including recently. Bill would mirror that part of the German constitution Having set out on this strategic direction in the NHS, it that commits to regional equalisation and prioritises is right that we stick to it, bringing GPs closer to the poorer areas for infrastructure and foreign direct investment. broader care of individuals and bringing together social We would also have liked a Bill to ensure that Wales is services and more traditional NHS care. fairly funded on the basis of need. It is a long-standing The NHS is a great British institution. When I was a complaint that Wales is underfunded to the tune of teenager I attended religious education classes with a £300 million to £400 million, as identified by the vicar, who asked: “If you didn’t know whether you were independent Holtham commission. Every year, Wales going to be born to a rich or a poor country or to a rich loses that amount of money. The cumulative total has or a poor family, whether you were going to be fully had a clear, bad effect on our economy and it is an able or disabled, or whether you were going to be ongoing injustice. More than that, it actually constrains healthy or suffer from ill health, where would you want the Welsh Government and what they can achieve, to be born?” I say to this House that I would want to be forcing them to choose between essential spending on born here in the United Kingdom, and one of the health, education, economic development and many other reasons for that is the national health service. When my desirable targets of expenditure. The effects of underfunding son and grandparents were ill, they would not have are seen throughout Wales, not least in our health received care anywhere near as good elsewhere. Yes, one service, but on this issue the coalition Government in or two places might have a slightly flasher health service—at London are deeply compromised as they chastise the double the cost—with shinier bells and whistles, but Welsh Government for their undoubted failings in health, when a member of my family was ill I remember being while at the same time denying them the resources and told: “Internationally, the hospital in the States is very means to address those failings. good, but the hospital your family member needs is the We were greatly disappointed, though perhaps not one they are going to, because it is the best in the surprised, that the Government botched the chance to world.” I think we are all grateful for that. end zero-hours contracts, particularly in the care sector. My hon. Friend the Member for Bracknell (Dr Lee) We would have liked an employment rights Bill to adopt made an eloquent speech and he knows far more about measures to protect and empower workers. the health service than I do, but he seemed to want politicians to coalesce and form a view that one Member’s I will catalogue the other measures we would have hospital should close and another’s should be extended. liked to see, including a natural resources Bill transferring That is part of a responsible debate in the House, but responsibility for all of Wales’s natural resources from we truly need to trust health professionals. Southend the Crown Estate and Westminster to Wales. We would has a particular problem with its stroke unit, which has also have liked more direct support for the tourism and historically been very good. The Basildon stroke unit hospitality industry and, lastly, a Welsh-language provision started off from a lower base point, but stroke doctors Bill to strengthen the requirements to provide services across south Essex tell me that what south Essex needs in Welsh, particularly by private organisations working is a single, hyper-acute stroke unit. We need to trust without Wales into Wales. In respect of this debate, I health professionals across the board. point specifically to private organisations providing health care in England. I was going to make a speech about pensions on Wednesday, but I am making a speech about health today because I am going to meet the chief executive of 8.13 pm Southend hospital on Wednesday. Despite health being James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con): one of the two ring-fenced areas, there are serious Sometimes we in Westminster get obsessed with the pressures. My hon. Friend talked about changes in pain minutiae and detail of Bills and Committees, but our threshold and people’s demands, but we cannot meet all constituents do not have the same obsessions. As the those expectations. We need to have a balanced national Institute of Directors has argued, it is better to focus on debate about what we can do and the best way to do it. a small number of Bills. A Volkswagen car salesman Turning to other provisions, I welcome the private gets obsessed with the latest VW model, but the general pensions Bill. If the Whip on duty is listening, I would public just appreciate better, cheaper cars. An engineer very much like to serve on the Committee. I cannot gets obsessed with a new widget, but the general public imagine that many Members will volunteer and suspect just want the machines to work. Our constituents do I have already secured my place. More than 12 million not get obsessed with Bills, how many of them there are, people have underfunded pensions. It is a serious issue. or whether they are nuanced towards the left or right. The Chancellor has taken some useful first moves on What they care about is that we get things right—and annuities, allowing greater choice for people coming out we are getting things right. One could argue that things of pensions, but greater clarity is needed for those going are not happening quickly enough, but 1.5 million new into pensions. 347 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 348

[James Duddridge] I heard about the leaflet because the local newspaper, the Ilford Recorder, put on its website a story with the Having previously worked in the investment and pensions heading, “King George A&E to remain open beyond industry, I know that all too often Government tinkered 2015, says Heath Secretary”. That was published on with the system and layered in cost for people who had 20 May. Members know the rules about purdah very only a small amount of money to invest. People often well. I immediately phoned the Department of Health discuss the pensions of those on fat cat salaries, but and asked whether a press statement had been issued by most people’s pensions amount to managing only thousands the Secretary of State that day. I was eventually referred or tens of thousands. A clearer, collective instrument to somebody in the press office—it took a little while—who that shares risk—greater risk can be taken when shared said, “We have made no statements of any kind today.” by a number of people—will be worthwhile. I said that it had been reported by the Ilford Recorder I am not going to rewrite the Queen’s Speech like the that there was a statement by the Secretary of State for hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Mr Campbell). I am not Health. I had not seen the leaflet at that point, but I got sure whether he was being real Labour, old Labour or a a copy of it later. socialist, but I saw Members on the Opposition Front The press office said that it would refer me, if I so Bench give him welcome looks when he said that his wished, to somebody in the private office who would speech was not Labour party policy. It would in many call me back. I did not get a call from the private ways have helped Conservative Members if it had been office—I did not really expect one—but I decided to get Labour party policy. to the bottom of the matter. I have written to the One small change that I would have liked is a help to permanent secretaries in the Cabinet Office and the rent Bill. There are 15 million spare rooms in the United Department of Health to ask for an inquiry into whether Kingdom. I am not talking about Opposition Members’ any officials, civil servants or Ministers were involved in incorrect use of the term, but of spare rooms in houses the leaflet issued in Redbridge. that are owner-occupied and perhaps under mortgage. I hope that the Minister will convey to the Secretary Not everyone wants to rent out a spare room to somebody, of State that I give notice that I shall write directly to but the spare room relief of £4,250 has not been changed him after this debate to ask, under freedom of information since 1997. Rather as we are doing with council and legislation, for all the information about what contacts, housing association property, we could release some of if any, there were between officials, advisers or SpAds— the spare rooms in owner-occupied houses by making it special advisers—in the Department with councillors in more financially advisable to rent out a room. There is Redbridge or anybody else about the publication of the nothing wrong in taking in a lodger— leaflet before the election. As it turned out, Labour won all three seats in Aldborough ward and it was successful Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. in winning control of the council, but it is clear that the leaflet was designed to influence the result of the election. 8.20 pm When I raised this matter in the business statement last week, I was told by the Leader of the House that Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): For the first there “was no announcement”, and that the leaflet was time in my life, I live in a majority Labour council in the just a restatement of existing policy. When I made a borough where I was born. On 22 May, Redbridge— point of order earlier, I could not quite hear what the Secretary of State said, which was why I raised it again. Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): Aptly named. I will have to read tomorrow exactly what he said, but I think that he said that the leaflet was a statement of Mike Gapes: Yes, it is now. That is true. existing policy. If so, why was a leaflet put out that said: In a borough established in 1964, for the first time we “KING GEORGE HOSPITAL IS NOT CLOSING”? have 35 Labour councillors, with 25 Conservatives and Under the existing policy, enunciated on the Government the Liberal Democrats declining to just three. Front Bench in 2011, both the maternity and accident I want to highlight an issue that I had hoped the and emergency departments at King George hospital Secretary of State for Health would have been on the were to close in about two years’ time. Maternity services Front Bench to hear in person. I do not think that he closed last year. The A and E closure was supposed to appreciates its seriousness, given that this leaflet might be by 2014, and then it slipped to 2015 because of the have changed the result in the ward where it was distributed. chaos, the deficit and the fact that the Barking, Havering The leaflet said: and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, covering “Official announcement from the Health Secretary both Queen’s and King George hospitals, has been put Whilst calling on residents over the last few weeks it has in special measures, and we now have yet another chief become clear that the most important issue is the proposed executive to add to the litany of chief executives over closure of King George Hospital A&E. Lee Scott MP together recent years who were supposed to have solved the with the Conservative Councillors have pressured the Health problem. It is a shame that the hon. Member for Monmouth Secretary into clarifying the situation. Please read his statement (David T. C. Davies) is not in the Chamber, but perhaps overleaf. The position is now very clear: he could come to Redbridge to appreciate what services KING GEORGE HOSPITAL IS NOT CLOSING are under a Conservative Government. KING GEORGE A&E IS NOT CLOSING The reason the A and E department has not been Ruth Clark, Vanessa Cole, Thane Thaneswaran”. closed is because it cannot cope with the existing pressures, They were the candidates of the Aldborough ward of and it would not be safe to close it. We have a growing Redbridge borough in the Ilford North constituency. population in north-east London, with very large numbers On the other side is a statement issued by the Secretary of young people and children, and a large migrant of State for Health. population. There are therefore enormous demands on 349 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 350 services. We have relatively poor GP services—we still protected the public. Likewise, the Nursing and Midwifery have single-handed GPs in some areas—so we cannot Council would like powers to reopen cases in which it expect people to go to a GP. Many people are not has been judged there is “no case to answer” if serious registered or are temporary, and they therefore turn up new evidence emerges. Alongside that, the General at the hospital. These fundamental and deep-seated Pharmaceutical Council would like to implement problems must be resolved before we can start to take transparency and to able to take enforcement action. away services. The people of Redbridge understand Those are all simple measures that I hope the Minister that, which is why there is a campaign to save our A and will mention in summing up. I also want the unacceptable E at King George hospital. level of delays to be addressed. I will continue to pursue this issue until I get to bottom of the complicity of someone in the Department Norman Lamb: I want to give a quick confirmation in issuing the leaflets that were designed to mislead the that we will do what we can through secondary legislation public in the few days before the election. I assure the to do what the hon. Lady requests. Minister that this will continue until I get the whole truth. Dr Wollaston: I am very pleased to hear that. 8.27 pm There will not be an absence of debates on health in Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): May I start by this place. Two Bills will probably come here from the paying tribute to my predecessor, Anthony Steen, for Lords in this Session: the Medical Innovation Bill and his tireless work in bringing in a modern slavery Bill? the Assisted Dying Bill. I will briefly put some of my concerns about the Medical Innovation Bill on the Today, however, is for talking about health, which is a record while there is time for it to be amended. I have no great passion for me in this place and outside it. The doubt that it was introduced with the best of intentions NHS touches people’s lives 1 million times every 36 hours, to bring forward innovative treatments. However, I fear which is a staggering figure. I believe that the NHS is that it will have the reverse effect: it could undermine worth every penny of the nearly £110 billion that we research and open the door to the exploitation of people spent on it in the last financial year. I am very proud when they are at their most vulnerable. that this Government have protected the health budget, but that does not of course mean that there are not Currently, clinical negligence law provides redress for enormous financial pressures. We are now in the fifth patients who have been harmed as a result of treatments year of effectively near-flat funding, and the issues set that would not be supported by anybody of medical out by the hon. Member for Ilford South (Mike Gapes) opinion. There is insufficient evidence that doctors are are part of those pressures. We know that whichever not introducing new treatments or are put off from Government were in power, there would have been doing so because of the fear of litigation. The NHS serious challenges. Litigation Authority has made it clear that doctors are If the NHS is to be sustainable, we need to listen to protected from medical litigation in that respect. However, the new chief executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens, the briefing note for the Saatchi Bill talks about a who has called on all staff members to think like a doctor being able to use a novel treatment if he is patient and act like a taxpayer—we must do that to get “instinctively impressed” by it. In other words, doctors every ounce of value out of our NHS—and to address will be able to use an anecdotal base for treatments, issues of patient safety and of how we keep people out rather than a clear evidence base. There are dangers in of hospital in the first place and get on with implementing going down that route. the measures. The nature of the challenge has been set There have been some amendments to the Bill. Lord out in exhaustive detail; now we need to get on with the Saatchi has accepted that a doctor should have to measures that have been put in place to help to prevent consult colleagues and their medical team, but not that hospital admissions, to treat people at the right time in they should consider a body of opinion or consult the right place, and to integrate health and social care. I ethics committees. I fear that we could be turning the want us to look carefully at the better care fund and the clock back. We should rightly be proud of the advances plans for getting best value out of it, and at the issues of that we are making in the field of medical research. We patient safety that were mentioned earlier. should rightly be proud of the push towards greater Given the absence of much legislation in the Gracious transparency, particularly in respect of open data and Speech, there is one regret that I want to point out: drug trials. However, I fear that if we allow people to the absence of the Law Commission’s draft Bill on the access innovative treatments that have no evidence base, regulation of health and social care. I hope that in we will open the door to the purveyors of snake oil, summing up this debate, the Minister will give some rather than those who want to allow patients to enter reassurance that he can use secondary legislation to controlled trials to establish a clear medical evidence bring forward at least some of the measures in that base. draft Bill. It covers issues that touch 1 million people We should not underestimate the extent to which the across 32 professions that are covered by nine regulatory purveyors of snake oil are out there. I put on the record bodies. Unless we clarify the language so that there is a my congratulations to Westminster city council and its common language in respect of patient safety across all trading standards department on fighting two successful those regulators, it will be difficult to implement some prosecutions under the Cancer Act 1939 against two of the core messages from Francis and to act quickly in individuals, Errol Denton and Stephen Ferguson, for response to emerging threats to protect the public. peddling so-called nutritional microscopy to people Every year for three years, the Health Committee has who were at their most vulnerable—cancer patients and called on the Government to allow the General Medical patients with HIV—and telling them that it was an Council to appeal panel decisions that clearly have not alternative to evidence-based treatments. 351 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 352

[Dr Wollaston] The Government should adopt the GP access guarantee to address those inequalities, and the Queen’s Speech We must therefore be careful in how we move forward would have been the right place to introduce such with such legislation. We should take more notice of the proposals. concerns of the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Before its abolition, Newham primary care trust had Trust and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, who a clear plan to tackle and improve the challenging local feel not only that the Bill is unnecessary, but that it situation, of which I was an active and enthusiastic could turn the clock back on evidence-based medicine. I supporter. Today, I am far less sure that mechanisms are hope that the Government will look at the concerns that in place locally that have the capacity and motivation to have been expressed about the Bill in its current form. root out poor practice and promote the best. My misgivings Finally, Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill would were confirmed when I asked who now decides what enable competent adults who were terminally ill to to do when, for example, there is a vacancy at a GP have assistance to end their lives, but it would require practice in Newham. The answer came back—I still the involvement of a medical practitioner. Although find this astounding—that the decision rests with NHS the Bill comes under the responsibility of the Ministry England. What is more, I was told that the London of Justice, it would have profound implications for office of NHS England has a small number of people end-of-life care and medical practice. It would who deal with the provision of GPs, dentists, opticians fundamentally change the relationship between doctors and pharmacists. They must struggle to keep up with and patients. There is a risk that the right to die would the paperwork, let alone have any capacity to look at slide into a duty to die. I have seen how often patients proactive work on quality, improvement and service who are towards the end of their lives fear being a development. burden on their families, and they often go through What local knowledge can NHS England have about periods of profound depression. I do not feel that this what is happening on the ground in Newham? How can Bill is the way forward. that make any sense, and how is NHS England accountable to Newham’s people and its clinicians? What does it say 8.35 pm about the reality of this Government’s commitment to Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): It is wonderful to localism? It is surely a matter of great regret that the follow the hon. Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston), and Secretary of State did not seek to use this Queen’s I totally and utterly agree with her concluding remarks. Speech to address some of those very real issues. Some may say that the absence of any reference to In his response, the Secretary of State will no doubt health legislation in the Queen’s Speech is a blessing; include fine rhetoric about control being in the hands of after all, the unwanted top-down reorganisation foisted GPs locally through the clinical commissioning group. on the NHS by the coalition and the previous Secretary He will laud to the skies their skills, commitment to of State is said by many to have put such a strain and patients and the NHS, and their virtue in all respects. I stress on the NHS that it has been brought to its knees. have talked at length to my CCG in Newham and Many Members present will know from their casework, worked closely with it, and I assure the Secretary of inboxes, surgeries and personal experience that there is State that I share his opinion of its estimable qualities. a rising tide of public concern about the NHS because In fact, I would add more approving words to his of the lack of accountability and because decisions are glowing testimony. I also know, however, of the CCG’s being made upstream from local services. Our constituents absolute frustration at the straitjacket that the new may well view the absence of any mention of health in NHS structure requires it to wear, and I share its the Queen’s Speech as evidence of complacency, disinterest recognition that the reality of local empowerment is and unconcern. I have to say that I would agree with very different from that described by the Secretary of them. The Government have taken away the local means State and enforced with the diktats of NHS England. to secure improvements in services, and in this Queen’s The new structures leave decisions in the hands of Speech they have missed an opportunity to bring back NHS England. Surely the current Secretary of State can local focus and accountability. see that that is nonsense. In his calm, perhaps even I want to look first at GP provision. One of my reflective moments, I think that he knows and would constituents wrote to me in April out of “sheer despair” admit that, if only to himself. What a shame that he did at her inability to get an appointment at her surgery for not use the Queen’s Speech to intervene and turn his an issue that she has said is not urgent. She has a busy rhetoric of localism into more local control over NHS job, is at work at the times she needs to call the surgery, decisions. and cannot leave work at the drop of a hat should she be offered an on-the-day appointment. As she put it, 8.41 pm “the current system is an absolute joke, to put it mildly…this current NHS system is completely useless”. Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): It is a pleasure to My constituent needs and deserves Labour’s GP access follow my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham (Lyn guarantee. Is there anything like that in the Queen’s Brown). I am pleased to speak in this debate, and let me Speech? The short answer is, “No, there is not, but there clarify if I stray slightly off topic that it is a tradition should have been.” that one can be wide-ranging in one’s comments, but I My constituents do not have the same access to GPs will return to the NHS. as people in other areas. Building on NHS England’s In my view the British people do not deserve the most recent survey, the Royal College of General Gracious Speech as delivered. The first sentence contains Practitioners shows that 16.82% of patients in Newham a contradiction. It states that the Government were not able to get a GP appointment when needed, “will continue to deliver on its long-term plan to build a stronger compared with 5.36% in Bath and North East Somerset. economy and a fairer society.” 353 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 354

What is the evidence so far? So far there has been a tax hospitals are needed and where they should be placed. cut to 40% for those earning more than £150,000, while The Government want to use public money in their own at the same time some are struggling to pay the extra way, but they do not want to be accountable for it. rent for the bedroom tax or a spare room. Those are There is a provision, as other Members have pointed among the most vulnerable people in society. out, for redundancies to be capped. The revolving door Added to that is a continued assault on the public and merry-go-round of people being made redundant sector, and as we start the new session, there are still and then rehired as consultants has been exposed time unanswered questions about the Royal Mail privatisation. after time by Her Majesty’s Opposition. That public There are plans to privatise the Land Registry, for money could be used for my constituent Grace Ryder, which there is no case to answer, in addition to other aged 9, who was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. cuts in the public sector. The Land Registry, the possibility She wanted to draw attention to this and raise money of the east coast railway, the Forensic Science Service, for charity, so on Saturday she helped to organise a fair the scientists at Kew Gardens—all that is the Government at Delves Baptist community church. This courageous interfering with services that are profitable, safe and girl has to wear a cannula in her stomach for the should be left alone to carry on with their expertise for delivery of insulin. There is an alternative—a pod that future generations. Even the chief inspector of Ofsted has no tubes—but it is not available on the NHS and has said that he will end its contracts with third-party the family cannot afford the £90 per week that it costs. services and employ school inspectors directly, because Instead of these vast redundancy payments, money he thinks it is too important. So are all those other should be spent on the courageous Grace Ryder and services and so is the legal system, but that does not other children to help them lead as normal a life as seem to bother this Government. This is a giant jumble possible. I would ask the Secretary of State, if he only sale of the public sector. bothered to listen, whether he is as courageous as Grace The Gracious Speech contains a statement about Ryder. Can he make this insulin pump available on the selling off-high value Government land—land and assets NHS? that belong to the British people will be gone for ever. To promote a fair, just and more equal society we Members may remember the selling off of cemeteries need to tilt the balance back to the British people. The for 3p by the former leader of Westminster council. The Government should look again at the scaling back of Government do not need to sell off high-value Government the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the land for housing because that can be done by building equalities agenda. The organisation was there to help on land where there is already planning permission. and to provide evidence for some of the myths that People in this country can use their creativity to find abound that may explain why some communities are new ways to design new homes and build them, such as not tolerant of each other. Her Majesty’s Opposition the programme developed by Walter Segal where people will repeal the Health And Social Care Act, which has on the housing waiting list in Lewisham were taught caused chaos, insecurity and inequality in the NHS and how to build their own homes. That gave them expertise repeal section 75, which forces competition, not and empowered them, and the houses were sustainable. collaboration, wasting millions of pounds on legal advice. My hon. Friend the Member for Worsley and Eccles We will also build affordable homes like those built South (Barbara Keeley) is right when she says that the under the vision of Walter Segal, which became a Gracious Speech will allow fracking under people’s reality in Lewisham. Equality, opportunity, justice and homes whether they want it or not. There is no definitive tolerance should be the foundations of the Gracious evidence that fracking works. Some 75% of the chemicals Speech and our society. used in fracking are toxic and 25% are carcinogenic. There are concerns about its effects on the environment 8.48 pm and on public health. Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): I am sorry As many Members have pointed out, it is no coincidence that this debate began with a speech that was smug and that the Gracious Speech is silent on the NHS. Instead, complacent even by the standards of the Secretary of the Secretary of State wants to punish the very people State for Health. I thought we had reached a low point who have borne the brunt of the reorganisation that, by until I heard the hon. Member for Thurrock (Jackie conservative estimates, amounts to £3 billion. He says Doyle-Price) using a speech on the NHS to promote the they cannot have a 1% pay rise. He is withdrawing tobacco industry. I am glad that those speeches have funding from front-line services, such as GPs’ minimum been balanced by those we have just heard from my practice income guarantee, which affects surgeries in hon. Friends the Members for Walsall South (Valerie places such as Tower Hamlets and some rural practices, Vaz) and for Westminster North (Ms Buck). Indeed, the and which will be withdrawn from Wales a year later. speech from the shadow Secretary of State, my right The Secretary of State cannot blame the Welsh Assembly hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), Government for that. reaffirms Labour’s commitment to the health service, There is a lack of doctors in A and E because they are which is fairly lacking from this Government. going abroad. Where is the long-term plan to end that I am going to speak about the crisis in the west crisis? Where is the Secretary of State’s response, other London health service, partly because it is such a major than leaving it up to NHS England? The lack of crisis and partly because I think it indicates the way the accountability, which was pointed out by my right hon. Tories are dealing with the health service generally. It Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), has began two years ago, almost exactly, with the announcement been exposed since the implementation of the Health of the biggest hospital closure programme in the history and Social Care Act 2012. Nothing has been done. of the NHS. Since then we have had sham consultations Instead, we get announcements about community hospitals with 100,000 people petitioning and being ignored, without consultation with local people about which U-turns, confusion, incompetence, refusal to answer 355 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 356

[Mr Andy Slaughter] clearly said that most of those services—other than treatment services, primary care services and elective questions and political chicanery to make what happened surgery—will not exist at Charing Cross hospital under in Ilford, as we heard from my hon. Friend the Member any analysis. for Ilford South (Mike Gapes), look like a model of I thus went to see Imperial. It was the day after the probity. Now we have the contamination of the whole election and I had been up for 30 hours and was not in a NHS locally, including the primary care sector. terribly good mood. I went to see the new chief executive When the closure programme began, the medical of Imperial, and I tried to persuade her that Charing director of North West London NHS said, candidly, Cross should stay open. I said that I would take the new that if it did not close four A and Es and two major Labour leader of Hammersmith council to see her, as hospitals, it would literally run out of money and go he might be able to persuade her better than I could. I bankrupt. Those are the words he used. I suppose we then left and went home. That evening, she e-mailed to should be grateful to him, because those statements say, “Oh, I forgot to tell you when you were here: we galvanised the population of west London to engage in are closing the other A and E in your constituency on “save our hospitals” campaigns, and they have been 10 September. It was just a short meeting and I did not campaigning for two years in rain and snow. Despite have time to tell you about it.” huge disinformation paid for by the taxpayer, by a At the same time, as my hon. Friend the Member for Conservative council and indeed by the NHS, when I Westminster North said, the CCG is writing to tell us now stand in Lyric square in Hammersmith on a Saturday, that it is good news that in year—in the middle of a I can be sure that 99% of my constituents know what is financial year—it has decided to pull together £140 million actually happening. I pay tribute to those campaigners from the CCGs around north-west London and to from all political parties—including a lot of ex-Tories, redistribute it into primary care. In other words, they as well people from minor parties, Labour supporters are panicking and having to take desperate measures and others. They have really made the running on this because the primary care services are so short of money issue. and cannot pick up the slack from the closure of A and Yes, there were changes. Initially, for example, we E services. We might think, “At least they are doing were going to lose the whole of Charing Cross hospital. something”. A substantial proportion—they will not Now there will be a local hospital on the site. When that say how much—is going out of my CCG and into other was first mooted, a senior member of the local CCGs because, they believe, that is a fair way to distribute Conservatives and a Cabinet member said: money. We are losing not only both A and Es, but “This is an enormous teaching hospital with a 200-year history. our primary care funding and, with the closure of You can’t make the Charing Cross hospital into a local hospital. Hammersmith A and E—if we cannot prevent it from It’s absurd. People won’t put up with that.” going ahead in September—Imperial has admitted in Within weeks, they were spending ratepayers’and taxpayers’ its own board papers that there is insufficient capacity money putting out leaflets saying that Charing Cross at St Mary’s hospital. hospital had been saved. That was compounded last October when the Secretary of State for Health stood Lyn Brown: Has my hon. Friend conducted any analysis here and effectively said, “Oh, it won’t just be an urgent that could reveal whether the redistribution of funds care centre. It’ll be a second-tier emergency department.” among the CCGs will take money from the more deprived Let me clarify the three differences between those two: areas and give it to those that are better off? recovery beds, X-rays and GPs. I thought we had GPs on duty in urgent care centres, but apparently not; we Mr Slaughter: I thank my hon. Friend for that can just have nursing cover. It is an urgent care centre by intervention. In exactly the same way, the Government any other name; to call it an A and E is misleading. It are choosing to close the A and E department at will lead to people with serious medical conditions Hammersmith hospital, which is slap bang in the middle going there and risking their and their family’s lives—as of one of the most deprived areas of London, covering we have already seen at Chase Farm and elsewhere. White City, Old Oak, Harlesden, north Kensington and Charing Cross and Hammersmith will not have blue-light east Acton. That means that 22,000 people who rely on emergencies—except for heart attacks in the case of those A and E services every year will have to travel to Hammersmith. We will not have a stroke unit; we will St Mary’s hospital in Paddington. They will not be not have the 500 emergency beds; we will not have directed to Central Middlesex hospital, which will be intensive treatment. This is a second-class, second-tier closing on the same day, and they will not be directed to health service. Charing Cross hospital, because the plan is to close that The worst transgression happened in only the past within a year or two. They will be told to go to St few weeks during the local election campaign. I am not Mary’s, where there are not enough beds and not enough making this up, Madam Deputy Speaker. After the capacity in A and E to cope with the current demand. postal votes were opened and the Hammersmith That is contrary to undertakings given in the House Conservatives saw that we were ahead in some of their that there would be no closures of A and E services safe wards, the Prime Minister was brought down at until alternative services were provided. There will also short notice and locked in the basement of the Conservative not be enough acute services to provide a training base party offices with a local journalist and came out with for students at Imperial college. this pronouncement: Two weeks ago we won the election in Hammersmith, “Charing Cross will retain its A&E and services”. against the expectations of, at least, the Conservatives, I believe that the Prime Minister is an honourable man, and we won it on this issue. If the Government will not and that he was misled into making that statement. The listen to the 100,000 people who petitioned, perhaps statement is demonstrably false because the NHS has they will listen to the people of west London who, on 357 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 358 the issue of the NHS, overwhelmingly voted Labour Last year, my constituent Emma Latham lost her and against the policies that are being pursued by the husband Steven, aged 43. They had to wait 40 minutes Conservatives. They should listen, and they should for an ambulance. In February this year, she experienced think again about hospital closures that will cost the breathing difficulties. The call was categorised as a health and the lives of my constituents. red 2, but she still had to wait 40 minutes for the ambulance service to arrive. Tony Gunning, another constituent of mine, who has liver and heart failure, 8.56 pm waited over an hour for his ambulance and for dialysis. Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab): I am He is often bundled into a taxi home by Arriva, the delighted to be called tonight. As a by-election winner private sector provider, when it can organise one for just 16 weeks ago, I felt the pressure of being 650th in him. John Ireland, another constituent of mine, has a the order of seniority, but, following the Newark by-election, heart condition. He has been told it will be two weeks I am now 649th. before he can see his local GP. This was my first Gracious Speech, and I am prompted That is not good enough. The Government might not to echo the words of my hon. Friend the Member for want this to be the agenda in the next 12 months but Ilford South (Mike Gapes). I was born and raised in Labour Members will highlight every case, every hospital, Manchester, 95 of whose 96 councillors are now Labour, every downgrade and every closure, and we will make while the 96th is Independent Labour. That reflects the case clear to the British public next May. The NHS people’s serious concerns about health, the establishment will last as long as there are folk to fight for it. We on of Healthier Together in Greater Manchester, and what the Labour Benches will fight for it. has happened to Wythenshawe hospital’s accident and emergency services over the past few years. 9.1 pm I pay tribute to the Leader of the Opposition and the Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): It is Prime Minister for their kind words about Paul Goggins. great to address the packed Benches on the Government He was an extraordinarily dedicated public servant, and side of the Chamber. This Queen’s Speech ought to be the Prime Minister was very gracious in dedicating the remembered as the last Queen’s Speech of the first legislation on child neglect to his memory. My constituents coalition Government since 1945. I confess I am one of and I are grateful for that, and I know that Paul’s family those who thought that it might never happen, but to will be as well. their credit the coalition Government have put aside It often occurs to me that the NHS will really be their differences and come up with a plan for a Bill to 90 years old next year. Aneurin Bevan’s father died in levy a 5p charge on poly bags. That would normally his arms, of pneumoconiosis, without the benefit of any earn them a place in history, but this Queen’s Speech health care provision. Bevan felt that the pain of one has been overshadowed, as we saw again today, by the was the pain of millions, and he decided on that day row between the Home Secretary and the Education that he would build the extraordinarily fantastic service Secretary. Since the theme of today’s debate is health, that became the NHS, which he created years later in let me say to the Education Secretary that trying to 1948. humiliate that lady could be very bad for his health—ask I thought about why the Conservative-Liberal Democrat the Police Federation! Perhaps he should try to recruit a coalition partners did not want health to feature in this retired counter-terrorism officer to mind his back. year’s Queen’s Speech in terms of electoral strategy, This has always been a Government built on hype. It which was probably wrong. The key to any electoral has been there from the beginning, when they claimed strategy is not about two competing answers to the that trebling tuition fees and slashing public spending question, but about who gets to frame the question in were all for our benefit and would eliminate the deficit the first place. The coalition partners want to ignore the within five years. That much heralded and rebranded health service because they know from Aneurin Bevan’s long-term economic plan aims to cut the deficit by the legacy, from the fact that we are leading in the polls, and same amount as my right hon. Friend the Member from the way in which my right hon. Friend Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling) would have for Leigh (Andy Burnham) pounds the Government on achieved. What has become long term is the prospect of these issues day in, day out in every part of the country continuing cuts and a deficit stretching years into the that it is ground that Lynton Crosby wants them to future. avoid. We were led to expect a Bill to regulate health and The top-down reorganisation cost £3 billion, and social care professionals, but that is absent, despite what has it done for my constituency? The Government Winterbourne, the Francis report and the latest Anglia downgraded the A and E centre at Trafford general Retirement Homes scandal. I regret that, because there hospital, the first NHS hospital to be opened by Bevan is little doubt that we need to regulate those professions in 1948. They shut the Wythenshawe walk-in centre, and provide greater assurance and security to patients, and there was then a crisis of pressure in Wythenshawe residents and relatives. I want to be able to tell my hospital’s A and E department. Fourteen weeks ago, I constituent whose elderly relative was induced to give a asked the Secretary of State to meet me to talk about loan of several thousand pounds to her carer to buy a that. I later sent him a personal note, but he has still not car that something will be done and that such crooks contacted me about such a meeting. His own MPs want will not get away with it. I want to be able to tell the to be involved in that meeting. MPs on all sides of the family of Ms Jones that, if they see the call button by political divide want to sort that out. I am demanding the bedside disabled or find their elderly relative naked that the Government meet local MPs to discuss the from the waist down and covered in excrement, something continuing pressures at the hospital. Those pressures will be done. I want to know that the people who are are expounded day in, day out by surgery work. doing the caring have been properly vetted and have 359 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 360

[Steve McCabe] perfect storm of cuts and closures pushed through by NHS England and the local clinical commissioning suitable qualifications and training, are supervised and group, all the result of this Government’s agenda. will be given the time to provide the care that their People in the rural East Cleveland part of my patients need. constituency need NHS services and support seven days Of course I would have liked an admission that a week, and that is why the last Labour Government section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 was a proudly introduced NHS Direct and walk-in centres, disaster. Far from putting GPs at the heart of decision but East Cleveland now faces a triple whammy. The making, it has reduced clinical commissioning staff to South Tees clinical commissioning group wants to end second-rate auctioneers. At a time when Simon Stevens minor injuries provision at East Cleveland hospital and is calling for more local and community services to Guisborough hospital. It has also decided to cease provide care for the elderly, section 75 requires doctors walk-in provision at Skelton medical centre at the end to act like second-hand car salesmen. The way forward of June, while NHS England wants to abolish GP provision is to construct models that bring together statutory and at Skelton medical centre. voluntary services. We need the local state working Ending minor injuries provision does not, in the alongside bodies like churches, community groups and words of the CCG consultation letter, provide even neighbours. Clinical commissioning groups should “better care for the vulnerable and elderly”, be creative and imaginative; instead they are stymied by and I fear that the CCG is trying to disguise cuts to vital the Government’s market dogma. minor injury provision. This leaves no urgent care services As this is carers week, I would have welcomed a law in East Cleveland. that recognised the rights and needs of the users of That is particularly problematic for the villages of health and care services, that empowered them so that East Cleveland, where public transport links are poor joint commissioning bodies were not allowed to close and an ambulance service provided by the North East respite care facilities because accountants advised them Ambulance Service trust “cannot cope”, as its chief it was an easy saving. I am battling to protect the executive admitted. Over six months last year, the North Kingswood bungalows in my constituency, a purpose-built East Ambulance Service recorded 10,599 delays, 196 of facility less than 15 years old, but targeted by those which were for more than two hours. Paramedics are whose priority is to manage the books, not the interests left unable to respond to waiting 999 calls, and a regional of patients; and my constituent with severe autism who BBC programme only last week showed that the situation has lived in a specialist autism community for over is worsening. I have raised this matter in the House on 17 years. It is his home, but just as we have seen the crass many occasions. contempt for people’s needs with the bedroom tax, we Both the two small hospitals I cited were once run by are seeing people like him threatened with eviction the local primary care trust, but after the coalition NHS because the accountants and the joint commissioning reforms were pushed through they were passed on to administrators think they have found a way to save a the main hospital trust for our area, the South Tees few quid. I would have liked some legislation to regulate Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the excellent and enforce action against those who look after their James Cook university hospital in Middlesbrough. The own interests while wrecking the lives of others. trust is already facing a £30 million to £50 million black I welcome the promise to raise the number of hole in financing, having had only a £5 million deficit apprenticeships, because if there is one issue that threatens last year; it is being investigated by Monitor and has to the health and well-being of a generation, it is the make drastic cuts. It is little wonder that what might be spectre of unemployment and the denial of a future for seen as easy targets in ancillary units such as these two our young people, but how many will be real apprenticeships small local hospitals come up on the trust’s radar. targeted on the 16-to-19 age range? As with every other In addition, we have had the CCG and NHS England bit of hype, too many of the current apprenticeships go turning their big guns on another NHS facility in East to those over 25 and are often just an existing job that Cleveland: they are looking at, and have announced as has been redesignated. This is, after all, the Government a fait accompli, the total closure of the Skelton health who think they can send a young graduate already centre and medical walk-in centre. That proposal is part engaged in productive voluntary work to Poundland to of a national coalition approach that has been targeting learn how to stack shelves. walk-in clinics set up by the last Labour Government. If the closure goes ahead, Skelton will lose one of its GP A Bill promising proper training, relevant qualifications, practices, a nurse practitioner clinic and the attached a chance to build a portfolio of skills, real employment pharmacy. The clinic serves people from the poorer opportunities and the full engagement of employers: areas of the ward such as Hollybush, the Courts and that is what young people need. If we are living in the north Skelton. age of micro-businesses, and self and portfolio employment, Like local people, I feel that NHS England is basing then let us give young people the training that allows its views on old numbers which we feel are suspect. The them to make a go of these things, rather than leaving provider, LivingCare, which owns the practice, is them to be ripped off and exploited. gobsmacked, as closure letters to people on the surgery Sadly, this is a Queen’s Speech with none of those list went out before they were told about the possibility relevant interests served. of closure. In certain instances not enough letters were sent to people actually registered with the GP practice. 9.8 pm Skelton as a town is undergoing vast expansion, with new housing going up and more planned. More than Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East 1,000 new homes have been built in the past three years, Cleveland) (Lab): Over the space of a few weeks from with the new local plan indicating a further 400 homes this April, my constituency has been overwhelmed by a on open land to the east of that new estate. 361 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 362

LivingCare was hit by a further blow when NHS health costs in Britain. The question is how we use the England then announced the imminent closure of another existing budget to deliver better health, as opposed to GP facility it runs in my constituency. Unlike the earlier increasing the aggregate amount of money that we closures, this was not in rural East Cleveland, but in spend on health to the levels that are enjoyed in the deep urban south Middlesbrough, on the Park End European Union and the United States. The answer estate. I know the area well as my mother was for many must be to reduce some of the drivers of health costs years a teacher at the St Pius X Roman Catholic primary and the conditions that are causing those costs in the school on the estate, and I have relatives who still live health service. there. The estate has profound social needs, with associated Obviously, the first driver is smoking. The Government poverty and high indices of ill health. The cuts occurring have an opportunity to change packaging, stop children locally in my constituency will increase the likelihood of smoking in cars and accelerate the rate of transfer to people going to A and E, even when that is not appropriate. e-cigarettes. There could be great savings there. At the Our A and E has struggled to cope with demand over moment, it costs us £5 billion a year to treat people for recent years, so these cuts are a false economy. smoking-related diseases. The mess of the Tory-Lib Dem NHS reorganisation, The second driver is obesity. The Forsyth report and the human tragedy it brings in its wake, deepens by suggests that, by 2050, half the UK population will be the day. The coalition has already wasted £3 billion on a obese. There are issues about school meals and exercise. reorganisation and £1.4 billion on redundancies, and it There is an option—I do not know whether the Minister is leaving the NHS weakened and confused. Locally, is interested in this because he is looking at his iPad—to through this consultation, we are beginning to see the put a 20% tax on sugary drinks, which is seen in New consequences on our constituents’doorsteps. The approach York, Mexico, France and Norway. Oxford university being taken flies in the face of the call by NHS England’s thinks that such a measure would reduce the numbers new chief, Simon Stevens, for a marked change in policy of obese people by 180,000 and of overweight people by and a shift away from big centralised hospitals. The 285,000, and generate about £250 million of revenue, health service chief executive says that we need new which could be hypothecated to fund cheaper fruit and models of care built around smaller local hospitals and vegetables for poorer communities. that, combined with comprehensive walk-in and GP The reality is that only 10% of young people under care, is what my constituents need, deserve and rightly the age of 18 consume their five fruit and vegetables a demand. day, but children under the age of 10 are consuming I have not been idle on these issues, but all my efforts 19 grams of sugar. There is a case for a sugar tax. have been stymied by a combination of bureaucratic Coca-Cola contains 11 spoonfuls of sugar, and there is blocking and ministerial indifference, resulting in Ministers’ 50% more sugar in sugary drinks than is advertised. We responding to my requests for meetings with refusals, need to discriminate between certain ingredients, such despite earlier friendly patter. Despite an outcry from as fructose versus glucose, because of their medical local people, a full-page protest poster in the local impact. It has been noted in American that fructose newspaper Coastal View & Moor News and a massive creates a different sort of fat cell in the liver and the petition, I managed to organise a meeting with NHS heart, which causes much higher mortality rates. We authorities that was unhelpful to say the least. Instead need to focus in on the fact that there are different sorts of a commitment to examine the clinical arguments of fat. Ironically, the EU, which I normally support, has and the issue of closures putting more pressure on the suddenly agreed with the fructose lobbyists that fructose A and E unit at James Cook university hospital—a should be called healthier because the high from it is hospital with one of the longest waiting times for A and not as quick, but the damage is much greater. The same E in the region, if not the country—the NHS reps at the goes for palm oil, which is a big killer in America. meeting retreated behind the protection of contractual Some of these issues are about taxing ingredients in timetabling, based on funding cuts issued by the Department processed foods. Madame Deputy Speaker, if I gave you of Health, because the “Darzi clinics”, as they were at a potato and told you to make some money out of it, the time, are coming to the end of their five-year you probably would not—or you might because you are contracts. I can say now, without equivocation, that a good person—just sell that potato. The way to make such an approach will inflame my constituents, as I have money out of the potato is to smash it up, add fat, salt seen already on the doorstep. and sugar, reform it as Dennis’s dinosaurs, put some I still want to offer Ministers the option to meet me packaging around it and a jingle on it and get children to talk about this issue, because I really fear the who are poor into the habit of consuming a large consequences for East Cleveland, and for Park End in amount of it, so they die an early death. We should be particular, of these services being taken away. There is aware of that, and we should be the guardians of the absolutely nothing in the consultation offering the budget and of the people. individuals there any other option. There is no plan to The same is true of advertising. If one looks at the put people in other GP practices. My fear is that we will back of a cereal packet, it will say low fat, but what it have a time lag, and about 2,000 to 4,000 people not means is 50% sugar, and sugar is fat. Sugar is converted knowing where to go for primary care and ultimately to fat if it is not energised through exercise and the like. ending up in the A and E unit—again. We should be here to protect people from that, but we have dismally failed to do so. In fact, the opposite has happened. The Government’s economic policies increase 9.14 pm stress and poverty, which are drivers of poor health and Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): The cost. first line of the Queen’s Speech said that the long-term Britain now has the worst child mortality rates of the plan was to deliver a strong economy and a fair society. western world, bar Malta, with one in 200 children Failure to deliver in that regard is contributing to aggregate dying under the age of five. According to Washington 363 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 364

[Geraint Davies] and have been forced to cut services, knowing that in doing so they would increase pressure on the health university, that is linked to welfare cuts, which have service. driven people into using food banks. We just have to Those who are lucky enough to be entitled to care look at the situation on employment. We are told that find that their care worker can only stay with them for there are all these jobs—I can see the Minister trying to 15 minutes. These workers are poorly paid, with over ignore me—but 1 million of them are on zero-hours 300,000 on zero-hours contracts. A third do not receive contracts. People are moving from benefits into zero-hours proper training. Unsurprisingly, staff turnover is high, contracts, which leads to discontinuity in their benefits. so many clients do not manage to build a relationship They are having to go to food banks. They are under with their carer. The Care Act 2014, which was passed stress and feeling hungry, which leads to ill health for in the last Session, presented an opportunity to address them and their children. Research suggests that 45% of some of those issues, but unfortunately it was an people in debt have mental health problems—[Interruption.] opportunity that the coalition parties did not take. I can hear my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff West They rejected Labour amendments on low pay and (Kevin Brennan) listening to this. Research in the EU zero-hours contracts that would have improved the has shown that recession leads to suicide. Two thirds of standard of care that people receive. They also ignored people on whom the bedroom tax has been cruelly charities that warned that the new eligibility criteria for inflicted are disabled. support would exclude hundreds of thousands of people The Government are responsible for many of the from the care system. costs, which will become intergenerational, long lasting Of course, there are challenges facing social care, but and profound. That is part of a process of saying that we do not solve the problem by cutting support for the health service is too expensive for the poor, so we those with moderate needs, only for them to end up in should privatise it. Aneurin Bevan famously said: hospital. Last year’s QualityWatch report showed that “Illness is neither an indulgence for which people have to pay, about one in five hospital admissions could be prevented nor an offence for which they should be penalised, but a misfortune, by better social care. The ultimate goal should be an the cost of which should be shared by the community.” integrated system like the one argued for by my right I should like to see a future in which that community is hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham). one nation—not the weakest crushed by the strongest—so The Government at least pay lip service to that idea, but that that cost is shared more evenly and is lower and in practical terms they have done very little. The better Britain is healthier for it. We look forward to a more care fund announced last June was meant for that equal Britain in opportunity and outcome, where the purpose, but it was actually just money diverted from health of the nation is better and the salvation of the existing NHS services, proving that the Government are health service is once more in our hands, with a Labour not serious about promoting integration. Britain next year. Underlying all of that are broader questions about public health. Poverty and ill health often go hand in 9.20 pm hand, and malnutrition in particular has become a Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab): Our frighteningly normal part of life in Britain today. I national health service is undisputedly one of the greatest know parents who skip meals so that their children can achievements of any Government, yet the crisis that the eat, and people for whom food banks are the only thing NHS has experienced under the Government’s disastrous standing between them and starvation. Malnutrition privatisation, threatens the survival of services and the affects an estimated 3 million people in the UK, which quality of patient care. I am proud that it was a Labour is a scandal in the fourth richest country in the world. Government who created the NHS, and I am proud it is The previous Government left office with fewer people a Labour Government who will reverse the damage in poverty than when they arrived. Child and pensioner done by the Health and Social Care Act 2012. In our poverty fell even after the financial crisis took hold, and health service, more than 4,000 senior nursing posts we were well on our way to eliminating child poverty by have been lost since 2010. Accident and emergency 2020. But under the coalition, this trend has been performances in the year following the Government’s reversed, and instead of eliminating poverty by the end reorganisation were the worst in a decade. Last year, of this decade the Child Poverty Action Group estimates South Tyneside hospital in my constituency had to that the number in poverty will have risen to 4.7 million. cancel operations because of unprecedented demand The coalition has allowed this crisis to develop, and for A and E services. Only two weeks ago, it emerged the Queen’s Speech needed to recognise families’desperation that the NHS in England had failed to meet a performance by delivering help with living costs such as food, energy target for cancer waiting times for the first time ever. and rent. Poverty, and food poverty especially, has a The Government’s failed reorganisation has increased knock-on effect for our health system. Experts have wasteful spending. The NHS now spends more on warned that there is a public health emergency. We are senior managers and management consultants than beginning to see diseases such as rickets returning as ever before, and it is increasingly bogged down in children no longer receive the balanced diet they need. competition law, forcing it to spend money on lawyers The symptoms of poverty pose serious challenges to that could have gone towards patient care. The pressures our health service in the long term. on our health service stretch well beyond hospital waiting Our national health service survives in spite of this rooms, as demand for NHS services is affected by Government, not because of them. It is strong because trends in public health and the quality of social care. In of its work force and because of a public who resolutely those areas, we have seen massive cuts to local authority believe in it and value it. In communities around the budgets of £2.7 billion. Faced with cuts of that scale, country, families are fed not because their country’s local authorities have been left with impossible decisions Government have helped them to find decent work, but 365 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 366 because their fellow citizens give up their time to lend a Another missed opportunity was to do something to helping hand. Our country faces some of its biggest end the abuse of older people. Why not respond to Age challenges for generations, and people feel that Britain UK’s call to make it an offence to neglect a vulnerable is no longer working for them. Worse yet, people feel adult and to ensure that directors of organisations that that politics has no answers to the difficult questions of provide health or care services can be held accountable our time. All these challenges need a Government who for neglect or abuse? Why not do something about that? are willing to be bold, but this Queen’s Speech gave no There is so much that could be in this Queen’s Speech hope of that. It was more of the same from a coalition and is not but, as my hon. Friend the Member for that has long outstayed its welcome. Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe) said, at least we have the 5p plastic bag Bill and we should be grateful Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): And for that. the prize for patience goes to Nic Dakin. Let me turn to another issue that could have been tackled in the Queen’s speech: the need to up the game 9.26 pm on our work on antimicrobial resistance. Take for example Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): Thank you, Madam tuberculosis, caused by bacterial infection through the Deputy Speaker. It is a pleasure to speak in this debate. air. If left untreated, it becomes deadly and BCG vaccinations are not as effective as they should be. There is unanimity across the House on the importance Many people think that TB has been wiped out, yet of the NHS in our lives and the lives of the people we London has the highest rate of TB of any capital in the serve. The vast majority of people working in the HNS western world. An increasing percentage of those cases do fantastic work day in, day out, often in difficult are resistant to TB drugs and TB has always affected conditions, to deliver a health service that is the envy of the poor. No new front-line drugs have been developed most parts of the world. In our desire to make that even in 50 years, so why not tackle this disease, which is a real better, we sometimes forget the very good things that threat and is already here? are there, but when the NHS fails us, it is important that we tackle those failures effectively. TB can be prevented by relatively low levels of investment in proactive diagnosis, outreach and good social and One thing I have noticed when talking to health clinical care. It is a complex disease that can be made professionals at whatever level in my constituency in more complex by our health services, which often fail to Scunthorpe is that they, to a man and a woman, feel that diagnose it on first sight. Some doctors unfortunately the reorganisation that was thrust upon them by this prescribe antibiotics, which feed the AMR and do nothing Government after promising no top-down reorganisation to help patients with TB. We need to raise awareness of has distracted attention and added work load, when the disease and make sure that patients get the right there is already a challenging work load to tackle without support from health services that are properly staffed having to deal with that. There is a big enough challenge and equipped. We need comprehensive outreach for anyway. TB, with screening, diagnosis and treatment of people “Healthy Lives, Healthy Futures” is the consultation before their health deteriorates and before they can pass that North Lincolnshire clinical commissioning group the disease on to others. In short, we need a preventive is undertaking to find out whether to take forward approach to TB and other infectious diseases like it. health provision locally. That is an important endeavour, We need to invest now to save later, and my point but the growth in the number of people turning up at A about TB is illustrative of the many other things on and E and the ageing population create great challenges which we need action. Instead of that action, in this for everyone. It is interesting that the financial challenges Queen’s Speech we have more of the same inaction and that are faced compound that. The PCT legacy debts inertia. It is not good enough. I mark this Queen’s were provided for and CCGs had further money taken Speech low on its approach to health issues, and I look out of their budget for that. A further £2 million was forward to hearing the responses from the shadow taken out of the CCG budget locally, although its Minister and the Minister. budget is about £100 million, to deal with the pressures in specialist commissioning. The challenges involved in 9.32 pm specialist commissioning need to be tackled. That might have been included in the Queen’s Speech. Liz Kendall (Leicester West) (Lab): We have had a One of the oddities of the Queen’s Speech is how wide-ranging debate. I listened carefully to the powerful little there is in it about the thing that are most important speech by the right hon. Member for North Somerset to us—nothing about standard cigarette packaging, (Dr Fox)—I am sorry he is not in his place—on his despite the Minister saying that she would introduce concerns about Russia, which I share, and to the thoughtful regulations, nothing on smoking in cars, despite the contribution made by my right hon. Friend the Member Minister saying that she would introduce regulations, for Neath (Mr Hain) about the Government’s pension and nothing to make it easier for people to see their GP. reforms. I for one am sorry that this will be his last In its consultation with local people, Healthwatch North contribution in a Queen’s Speech debate and he will Lincolnshire identified access to a GP as one of the big be sorely missed by Members on both sides of the issues locally. I had hoped that something would be House. done on that. I am pleased that the shadow Health The main focus of the debate has been the NHS and Secretary made it very clear that Labour will at the first social care. My right hon. Friend the Member for opportunity repeal the Health and Social Care Act Newcastle upon Tyne East (Mr Brown) and my hon. 2012 and by rolling back the costs of competition and Friends the Members for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain marketisation will guarantee an appointment at the McDonagh), for Ilford South (Mike Gapes), for GP’s surgery within 48 hours. That is something to be Hammersmith (Mr Slaughter), for Wythenshawe and proud of. Sale East (Mike Kane) and for Middlesbrough South 367 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 368

[Liz Kendall] and for Scunthorpe (Nic Dakin) said, that is exactly what has happened. A quarter of all patients now say and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop) spoke passionately they cannot get a GP appointment in the same week, let about their local services and the pressures they face. alone on the same day. We warned that cancer care Those pressures are being experienced by services across would go backwards when the Government abolished the country as our population ages and more people are vital cancer networks, and that is exactly what has living with long-term conditions and the biggest challenge happened. Two weeks ago, the NHS missed the cancer facing us is to reform front-line services to get better waiting time target—the first time any cancer target has results for patients and better value for taxpayers’ money been missed since 2009. We warned that disproportionate when there is far less money around. cuts to mental health services would mean worse care Some services must be provided in specialist centres for patients and extra costs elsewhere in the system, and so that patients get expert treatment 24/7, but there that is exactly what has happened. Patients are being must be a fundamental shift in other services out of sent hundreds of miles away because there are not hospitals into the community, focused on prevention enough beds locally, causing them and their families and joined up with social care so that people can stay terrible distress and costing taxpayers millions of pounds healthy and living independently at home. The last extra. Labour Government had plans to deliver these changes We warned that slashing council care budgets was a in every English region through Lord Darzi’s NHS next false economy that would mean fewer elderly and disabled stage review, and the single biggest mistake by this people receiving the support they need, forcing them Government on the NHS was to scrap those plans and into hospital and piling pressure on families and local instead waste three years and £3 billion on the biggest A and E units. As my hon. Friends the Members for backroom reorganisation in the history of the NHS. Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley), for South Ministers do not want to talk about their reorganisation Shields (Mrs Lewell-Buck) and for Westminster North and their failure to make the real reforms that patients (Ms Buck), as well as the hon. Member for Newton will need in the future. The Queen’s Speech should have Abbot (Anne Marie Morris), rightly said, that is exactly included a Bill to modernise the regulation of doctors what has happened. Fewer elderly people are getting and nurses, in order to improve the safety and quality of vital help, such as home care visits or support from care. That was recommended in the Francis report, it is district nurses, so more of them are ending up in hospital what the General Medical Council and the Nursing and and getting stuck there for longer. Midwifery Council want, and it is what patients desperately We have had the worst year in A and E for a decade, need, but Ministers have failed to deliver. They are with a million people waiting for more than four hours. desperate to avoid another NHS Bill after their disastrous Delayed discharges are at their highest ever for this time Health and Social Care Act 2012, especially in the year of year. These delays cost £268 million last year, which before a general election, but let me remind hon. Members could have paid for 20 million hours of home care. of the mess made by that Act. Where is the sense in that? Ministers said they would cut bureaucracy, but instead Rising emergency admissions mean planned operations they created 440 new organisations: NHS England; are going backwards too. Three million people are now Public Health England; Health Education England; on hospital waiting lists, which is up by half a million four regional NHS England teams; 27 local area teams; people since 2010. Last year, 64,000 operations were 19 specialist commissioning units; 221 clinical cancelled—the highest figure in a decade. commissioning groups; and 152 health and wellbeing The combined effect of the Government’s disastrous boards. It is a system so confusing and dysfunctional reorganisation and their incompetent decisions means that no one knows who is responsible or accountable that Ministers have lost a grip of NHS finances too. for leading the changes that patients want and taxpayers This year, trusts are in deficit for the first time in seven need to ensure that the NHS is fit for the future. years, and twice as many foundation trusts will be in Ministers promised that their reorganisation would deficit compared with last year. The NHS trust deficit save money, but £1.4 billion has been spent on redundancy will be three times higher than they predicted even at payments alone and more than 4,000 people who were the beginning of this year. The real tragedy is that all made redundant have now been rehired somewhere else that could have been avoided if Conservative Ministers in the system. And as if this chaos and confusion was had not been blinded by politics and ideology and if not bad enough, the new chief executive of NHS England Liberal Democrat MPs had had the guts to oppose says there has got to be yet more change, with yet them. another reorganisation of specialist commissioning, because The truth is that there was nothing on the NHS in the costs have spiralled out of control, and a reorganisation Queen’s Speech because the coalition Government have of NHS England’s regional and local area teams. As my no plan and no idea how to solve the problems they right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), have created. In contrast, a Labour Queen’s Speech the shadow Health Secretary, said, this truly is the would repeal the Health and Social Care Act so that reorganisation that never ends. services can work together in the best interests of patients The real cost of the Government’s failure on the and get the best value for taxpayers’ money. A Labour NHS does not stop with their reorganisations. Labour Queen’s Speech would use savings from scrapping the Members warned that handing responsibility for local costs of competition to guarantee new rights for patients GPs to a national quango such as NHS England, to see their GP at a time that is convenient for them. A scrapping the 48-hour waiting target and removing Labour Queen’s Speech would end the scandal of Labour’s incentives for evening and weekend appointments inappropriate 15-minute home care visits and exploitative would mean GP services going backwards and, as my zero-hours contracts so that elderly and disabled people hon. Friends the Members for West Ham (Lyn Brown) get the quality of care they deserve. 369 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 370

A Labour Queen’s Speech would deliver the real was, after all, a Labour Government who mortgaged reforms that patients and their families need to create the future of the NHS to the tune of billions of pounds one health and care system and ensure truly personalised with their private finance initiative programme, giving care: integration, not fragmentation; wise expenditure, massive windfall profits to private consortiums—a scandal not waste; putting people first, not playing politics with of historic proportions. Yet Labour Members continue their health and the services families rely one. That is to argue that the Government are privatising —an what patients want, what taxpayers need and what our argument that is based on thin air, not substance. constituents deserve, and that is what a Labour Government will deliver. Tom Blenkinsop: Will the Minister tell the House at what point the provisions of the Competition Act 1998 9.41 pm were introduced into the Bill that became the Health and Social Care Act 2012? I think it was this Government The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman who did that. In the Public Bill Committee, I commented Lamb): I thank all right hon. and hon. Members who on the fact that they were exposing the NHS and undermining have contributed to today’s debate. It has been a wide- the category B status of the European competition ranging debate stretching well beyond the NHS, as the regulations by putting the Competition Act at the very shadow Minister said. I think that we all enjoyed the heart of the Bill. alternative Queen’s Speech from the hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Mr Campbell). His Front Bench colleagues looked horrified, but it was the authentic voice of Norman Lamb: I am sorry to disappoint the hon. Labour. Gentleman, but it was under the Labour Government that it was made clear that competition law applied to Mr Ronnie Campbell: There were some good policies the health care system. Indeed, the Labour Government’s in there. guidelines on the NHS replicated exactly the regulations under section 75 of the Competition Act that this Norman Lamb: Well, let us just make sure that Opposition Government have introduced. Time and again, we hear Front Benchers listen to the hon. Gentleman. false claims by Labour Members. We can be justifiably proud, it seems to me, of the This Government have developed a new health and action we have taken in health and care over the course care system that is totally patient-centred, led by health of this Parliament. The hon. Member for Scunthorpe professionals, and focused on delivering world-class (Nic Dakin) made a speech that faded away from agreement, health outcomes. The difficult decisions that we have but at the very start he made the point that we should made on public finances have meant that we have been all pay tribute to a really remarkable work force in the able to protect the NHS budget. The shadow Minister NHS—1.3 million people doing incredible work. We spoke as though the Government have had to face want to free those people up as much as possible to do no financial challenge at all. She knows that across the very best they can. Europe, Governments have slashed pay for health workers and introduced co-payments. We have done none of Andy Burnham: Would not the best way to pay tribute that. We have protected the budget for the NHS, and we to those thousands of staff in the NHS be to honour are proud of doing so; Labour did not commit to that in the 1% pay increase that the Chancellor promised them? its manifesto at the last election. The truth is that the NHS is doing extremely well under a great deal of Norman Lamb: That is equivalent to about 6,000 nurses pressure. a year. The right hon. Gentleman has to demonstrate This Government have laid solid foundations to how that would be paid for. The fact is that there is an transform our NHS to help it to meet the challenges of average wage increase of 3% as a result of annual pay an ageing population, drive up standards, and focus increments under Agenda for Change. We have ensured absolutely on compassionate care. My hon. Friend the that at least everyone will get a 1% increase. If he is Member for Mid Worcestershire (Sir Peter Luff) spoke arguing for something different, he has to say where the movingly about his experience of the importance of money would come from to pay for it and how he would compassionate care. We have introduced tough, robust cope with 6,000 fewer nurses, which would be the result inspections overseen by new chief inspectors of hospitals, of his action. of social care, and of general practice. We have introduced For the first time, it is this Government who have ratings of hospitals, care homes and GP practices so made decisive moves to join up the care and health that people know how good their local services are. We system and focus more on preventing ill health. Contrary have introduced, for the first time, fundamental standards to the shadow Secretary of State’s claims, the better and the ability to prosecute—to hold to account care fund has been widely welcomed, and it has initiated organisations and directors who seriously fail patients. action across the country to join up a very fragmented We have introduced a fit and proper person test for system. We have sent out the signal that we encourage directors; for the first time, compulsory training for innovation and change, driven by clinicians from the health and care assistants; and—I am particularly proud bottom up, not from the top down. Brilliant pioneers of this—a statutory duty of candour to ensure that across the country are ending this fragmented system there is openness when things go wrong in the NHS or that has interrupted patient care for so long and failed the care system. patients. Those pioneers are combating loneliness, which my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Gordon Geraint Davies: Given the Minister’s focus on Birtwistle) spoke passionately about. It is so far removed accountability and transparency, why will he not support from the caricature offered by the shadow Secretary of the regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors? My State and the tired old refrain about privatisation. It private Member’s Bill would have protected 1 million people. 371 Debate on the Address9 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 372

[Geraint Davies] the allocation of funding is no longer a political football but in the hands of experts. NHS England is seeking to He or I could set up shop as psychotherapists tomorrow make progress on reducing inequalities. and see these vulnerable people who are currently at The hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Mr Campbell) risk. Why will he not protect them? talked about charging in the NHS. Access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not on an individual’s Norman Lamb: The Government are not convinced ability to pay. That is fundamental to the NHS, and for by the argument for statutory regulation. The hon. as long as this coalition Government are in power the Gentleman and I have had this debate many times, and NHS will remain free. I am happy to continue to discuss the matter with him. We heard from Members on both sides of the House In the wake of Francis, the Government are clear that —my hon. Friend the Member for Bracknell (Dr Lee) poor or unsafe care will not be tolerated. There will be and the hon. Member for Westminster North (Ms Buck)— consequences for those who fail patients. that health care needs to change so that care is provided Opposition Members have criticised the lack of health more locally. The better care fund establishes a £3.8 billion legislation in the Gracious Speech, yet, as several of my pooled fund, to help people to stay healthy and independent. hon. Friends, including the Members for Witham (Priti Patel) and for Rochford and Southend East (James Barbara Keeley: It is not new money. Duddridge), have noted, people are not out there on the streets demanding a new NHS Act of Parliament; they want safe, good, compassionate care. Norman Lamb: Of course it is not new money—this is a different way of working. We have never claimed The Government remain committed to legislating on that it is new money; this is to ensure that we use the professional regulation when parliamentary time allows. money more effectively. Indeed, the hon. Lady’s Front- Bench colleagues have made the argument that by pooling Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland) (Lab): Will the Minister the health and social care budgets, we can achieve more give way? with the money available. Norman Lamb: Let me complete this point. Barbara Keeley: Will the Minister give way? This is a complex area and we should not rush to legislate. We will keep making progress to respond to the scandal of Mid Staffordshire for the remainder of Norman Lamb: No, I will not; I have given way many this Parliament. We are working closely with the regulators times. The fund is the largest financial incentive by any to ensure that key provisions, such as a faster fitness to Government to promote integrated care, and it would practise test for nurses and midwives and English-language be better if Opposition Members applauded the initiative checks for all health care professionals, are in place rather than constantly criticising it. during this Parliament. At the start of this Parliament, this Government had The shadow Secretary of State quoted selected statistics five priorities for health and social care. We have delivered on access to a GP, yet 86% of patients are satisfied with on all of them. Through the Care Act 2014, we have their GP practice. The Government have introduced a delivered the most profound change to the care and £50 million challenge fund, which will support more support system for a generation. After a decade of than 1,000 practices to develop innovative and flexible inaction under the previous Labour Government, we services. That will include Skype and e-mail consultations, have introduced, for the first time, a cap on care costs as well as extended hours, and will benefit more than 7 and extended means-tested support. No one will have million people. to sell their home during their lifetime to pay for care. The right hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) Under the leadership of Public Health England, we again spoke extraordinarily passionately, giving a voice have created a new public health service, giving public to those who feel they have no voice in our system. We health the priority it deserves in local government alongside should all express our gratitude to her for her continued other local services. As my hon. Friend the Member for campaigning on this critical issue, which demonstrates Newbury (Richard Benyon) outlined, it is vital that we that we still have a long way to go if we are to ensure prevent ill health in the first place, as opposed to that we have a system of which we can all be genuinely repairing the damage once it is done. proud. Like the right hon. Lady, I hope that one day the We are transforming health and care so that services flood of letters on poor care will stop. We are doing are integrated around the needs of patients and users. what we can through the actions we are taking and we We have revolutionised NHS accountability and seen a are grateful to her for the enormously valuable work she successful transition to a new health and care system. did on the complaints system. I hope the Labour Finally, by focusing on outcomes rather than top-down Administration in Wales will do the same, especially diktat, we can identify what works and where we need after she eloquently highlighted the problems there in a to give additional support to help the system do more. recent BBC documentary. Mr Jamie Reed: I always enjoy the hon. Gentleman’s Barbara Keeley: Will the Minister give way? emollient Dr Jekyll, in contrast to the Secretary of State’s Mr Hyde. Will he be following the Crosby diktat Norman Lamb: I have given way quite a lot; I need to and keeping his head down and his mouth shut about make some progress. the Government’s record on the NHS between now and The right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne the general election, or will the Liberal Democrats be East (Mr Brown) asked about allocations. It is right that doing something rather different? 373 Debate on the Address 9 JUNE 2014 374

Norman Lamb: I am very happy to speak for myself, Undeclared Work (Reasoned Opinion) and I will do so in due course. I am sure that the [Relevant document: Forty-ninth Report from the European Secretary of State is enormously grateful to the hon. Scrutiny Committee, Session 2013-14, on Undeclared Gentleman for his description of him. Work: Reasoned Opinion, HC 83-xliv.] In the final session of this Parliament, the Government will continue to ensure that the new health and care 9.56 pm system works with both integrity and purpose, delivering safe and compassionate care to patients, their families The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, and friends. Innovation and Skills (Jenny Willott): I beg to move, Ordered, That the debate be now adjourned.— That this House considers that the draft Decision on establishing (Mr Gyimah.) a European Platform to enhance cooperation in the prevention and deterrence of undeclared work (European Union Document Debate to be resumed tomorrow. No. 9008/14 and Addenda 1 and 2) does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity for the reasons set out in the annex to Chapter One of the Forty-ninth Report of the European Scrutiny Committee (HC 83-xliv); and, in accordance with Article 6 of Protocol (No. 2) annexed to the EU Treaties on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, instructs the Clerk of the House to forward this reasoned opinion to the Presidents of the European Institutions. This debate will give the House a welcome opportunity to discuss the proposed platform on undeclared work, and to decide whether to send a reasoned opinion to the European Commission. The Commission proposal seeks to establish an EU-level platform on undeclared work. Undeclared work is defined by the Commission as paid activities that are lawful but are not declared to public authorities. This matter is high on the European Commission’s agenda, against a backdrop of efforts to improve job creation, job quality and fiscal consolidation. The proposal highlights a number of concerns, based on a perception of high levels of undeclared work in the EU, including tax evasion, mis-declaration of hours worked and benefit fraud. The Commission is proposing a platform, whose members will be drawn from member states’ nominated enforcement bodies, to try to improve co-operation, share best practices and identify common principles for inspections. I should of course stress that addressing undeclared work is a priority for the Government. We have taken action at national level to detect and deter fraud through inspection, as well as to encourage good practice by providing guidance for employers. The debate has been called because the European Scrutiny Committee requested an opportunity to discuss its concerns about whether the proposal respects the principle of subsidiarity. There are also very short time scales and deadlines to which the European Commission is seeking to secure agreement on a position; hence the debate taking place tonight. Let me first turn to the issue of subsidiarity. The concerns that I set out in the explanatory memorandum— the Committee shares those concerns—were based on the initial draft of the proposal, which sought to mandate member states to participate both in the platform and in any enforcement activities arising from the platform’s recommendations. Like the Committee, we remain to be persuaded that the Commission has demonstrated a need to mandate member states to take part in the platform or that EU-level intervention action will add value. However, it emerged in negotiations late last week that although member states’ participation in the high-level platform would be mandatory, participation in any cross-border operational activities recommended by the platform would be voluntary. The Council’s legal service has indicated that that is the case, and we have asked it 375 Undeclared Work (Reasoned 9 JUNE 2014 Undeclared Work (Reasoned 376 Opinion) Opinion) [Jenny Willott] time scale involved and the number who would like to speak, we should try to meet the European Commission’s to clarify its official position. Therefore, the principal 11 o’clock deadline, although I doubt that I share the concern about subsidiarity that we identified in the Minister’s enthusiasm or optimism that we will do that, explanatory memorandum—based on an earlier text— given the Members who wish to speak. Nevertheless, as drops away. We could decide, issue by issue, whether the the Minister said, we have the first opportunity for the UK should participate in further activity, and we would House to start banging on about Europe again so soon of course seek the Committee’s views on such matters. in the new Session. However, we have not yet had advice from the Council’s It is worth reflecting on what is in the document, legal service in writing, and the proposals are still being because undeclared work is an important issue. We negotiated, so they may change. I therefore understand should reflect on how harmful it can be to our economy that the Committee will want to decide for itself whether and to the people who participate in it, and particularly the proposal respects the principle of subsidiarity. on bogus self-employment in the construction sector. I Our concerns about the detail of the proposal have was going to talk a little about that, but, given the time been shared by other member states and, together, we scale, I would like simply to agree with the Minister on have secured some changes. The changes, alongside the the issues around subsidiarity and what the proposal is fact that the activities identified will not be mandatory, trying to achieve. mean that the majority of member states will support We have no problem whatever with trying to improve the proposal. Therefore, the original subsidiarity risk co-operation between member states’ enforcement that we identified does not still stand. Moreover, we authorities in order to prevent and detect undeclared should be involved in discussions about activities in work, including bogus self-employment. We should all relation to which we could be asked to take action, even share that aim, and it is welcome for all member states if we probably do not want so to act. Negotiations are to work together on that. We should also be improving ongoing and the European Parliament is yet to begin its member states’ enforcement authorities by giving them consideration of the proposals, so we will be continuing the technical capacity to tackle cross-border undeclared to work throughout the negotiations to ensure that our work. We are very good at that in this country and concerns about subsidiarity are addressed in the final should be sharing our best practice, as well as getting text. best practice from other member states on other Let me now turn to justice and home affairs. Since mechanisms for doing that. publishing the explanatory memorandum, our ongoing The third aim of the document is to increase public analysis has identified that the proposal may include awareness of the urgency of action and to encourage elements relating to justice and home affairs, thus invoking member states to step up their efforts to deal with the UK’s JHA opt-in. That is because the proposals undeclared work across the European Union. I could suggest, for example, that enforcement bodies such as spend a few minutes bashing the Lib Dem Minister and the police will collaborate in cross-border activity. No ask her what she is doing to persuade the Commission decision has yet been made on whether or not to opt in to look seriously at subsidiarity, because if they were to to the proposal. Once a decision has been made, we will remove the mandatory element of the proposal, everyone write to the European Scrutiny Committee. Having said would welcome taking it forward on a non-compulsory that, as it is not mandatory to participate in any activities basis and be able to help other member states to go that result from the discussions, no significant burden forward with the rest of the proposal. would be placed on the UK by opting in. The reality on the ground is that people are often The Commission and presidency are pushing hard on looking desperately for work and will sign any contract the proposal, and we were informed on Friday that they placed in front of them in order to secure employment. hope to reach a general approach on 11 June, which is With the freedom of movement across the EU, it is right very soon. The deadline for sending the reasoned opinion that member states work with one another to tackle to the Commission is 11 pm tonight. With the timing of rogue employers who perpetrate undeclared work and the recess and the Queen’s Speech, this evening was the attempt to hide behind other member states’ borders—they earliest opportunity to facilitate a discussion in time to hide behind undeclared work in order not to pay their meet the deadline, although I appreciate that the timing fair share of taxation and to undermine workers’ rights. is not ideal for such an important discussion. If we run It is that sort of limited and practical proposal that out of time tonight, I will be happy to follow up any shows how the European collaboration project could questions in writing, although given the numbers present, work and add value to member states. that seems somewhat unlikely—[Interruption.] The shadow I do not know whether the Minister will get an Minister may want to raise lots of questions. opportunity to respond to the debate, or whether she will have time to do so, but I would like to pose a Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab) indicated dissent. number of questions; if she does not get an opportunity to respond, perhaps she could write to me to give me Jenny Willott: Oh, I am looking at the wrong side of some comfort. the House. I hope that we will have time for a reasonable What assessment has the Minister’s Department made discussion and come to a decision on issuing a reasoned of the scale of undeclared work across the EU, and in opinion tonight. particular the UK? What investigation has she made into the cross-border problems of undeclared work? 10.1 pm That information may be incredibly helpful in indicating the problem we are dealing with and what the benefits Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): I thank the of such an EU-wide platform would be. What recent European Scrutiny Committee for its consideration of discussions have current enforcement agencies such as this issue and the Minister for her comments. Given the the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, the Employment 377 Undeclared Work (Reasoned 9 JUNE 2014 Undeclared Work (Reasoned 378 Opinion) Opinion) Agency Standards inspectorate, and Her Majesty’s Revenue passed by all member states and—surprise, surprise—the and Customs had with the Government and the European European Commission ignored that fact. The national Commission on undeclared work and the usefulness of Parliaments, which the Commission keeps telling us are the proposal? Finally, I do not think the Minister mentioned so important, took the view that there was a breach of this, but does she agree with the proposals in principle? subsidiarity. On account of that it was assumed that the The Opposition agree with the Government’s position, Commission would withdraw the proposal, but no such and hope we can get it to the European Commission as thing occurred. soon as possible. I say that in general as we start the new parliamentary Session, because it is no good getting these grand 10.5 pm statements—we are getting a lot at the moment—from the likes of Mr Juncker and company about the kind of Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): We are extremely European Union they want. There are very serious conscious of the timetable this evening, and the fact questions about the drive towards political union. If that the whole business must be dealt with by at least they want to trample on national Parliaments, when 10.45 pm. We will do our best—at least, some of us they put forward and achieve the threshold in terms of will—to ensure that we get through the business as reasoned opinions and subsidiarity, and just ignore quickly as possible, but we must also have regard to them, then I am afraid the increase in disaffection with what needs to be said. the European Union will grow exponentially. The explanatory memorandum that the Minister has just discussed states: 10.10 pm “The Government is not yet persuaded that the proposed decision to require Member States to participate on a mandatory Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): I shall be basis is consistent with the principle of subsidiarity and believes very brief, because I, too, know the time limits. I prepared that participation in any platform should be on a voluntary basis.” a great oration to last for 90 minutes, because I know I know that further consideration is being given to that the Minister loves it so much. Really, I have just two position, and as far as we are concerned the matter is of questions: first on the detail of the Government’s position sufficient importance to be regarded as a breach of and secondly on the legal base. subsidiarity. That is our view, and the view of our legal The first question is a fairly easy one. The Government adviser and the European Scrutiny Committee. The were uncomfortable with the legal base put forward by Minister added: the Commission in article 153(2)(a). I am not sure what “The Government’s view is that the proposal lacks the empirical the Government’s current position is and I would very evidence base or analysis of structural failure at Member State or much like to hear what the Minister has to say. Union level which would support a case for intervention.” Equally, I was not quite sure from what the Minister We wish to underline the inadequacy of the Commission’s said whether the Government’s position on subsidiarity impact assessment, which acknowledges the absence of was shifting following the clarification at Council working a clear “incidence chain” linking the establishment of group level that, while participation in the proposed EU the EU platform to a reduction in undeclared work, platform will be mandatory for all member states, greater social well-being and better economic outcomes. participation in the activities of the platform will be We also seek a clear explanation from the Government voluntary. I am not sure that that will be the case, about their position on the content of the draft reasoned because in the proposed text issued by the Commission opinion prepared by the European Scrutiny Committee, it does not appear that the national authorities’participation as well as an indication of how they intend to use it in in the activities of the platform could, or would, be Council negotiations on the draft decision. Will member voluntary. Article 5(1) requires that states continue to express a preference for voluntary “Each Member State shall appoint one single point of contact participation in any EU platform on undeclared work? as a member of the Platform.” The Commission’s impact assessment indicates that most Article 5(4) provides that member states favour a voluntary approach. “Single points of contact shall liaise with all enforcement We wish to press the Minister for a clearer indication authorities which are involved in the prevention and/or deterrence of undeclared work regarding the activities of the Platform and of the scale and significance of the cross-border dimension guarantee their participation at the meetings and/or contribution in tackling undeclared work. In that context we bear in to the activities of the Platform or its working groups if issues mind that, as she has said, there are justice and home discussed involve their field of competence.” affairs implications in respect of that and of whether It strikes me that there is a bit of an issue here, which is there should be an opt-in. Will the Minister confirm one of the very good reasons why we should issue a that the Government will oppose any attempt in the reasoned opinion. I would like the Minister’s clarification general approach proposed to interfere in internal on that. governance structures and the co-ordination mechanisms of national enforcement authorities responsible for tackling Finally, there is quite a budget attached to this platform. undeclared work? Europe is very good at spending money on doing these things. Personally, I do not see the value in half of this I think that that is as much as needs to be said at this stuff, but I would very much appreciate it if the Minister stage, but I wanted to put that on the record and make a clarified those two points. general comment about reasoned opinions. I have been sceptical about reasoned opinions and the yellow card 10.12 pm system for a long time—in fact, from the moment they were first put forward. We know that there are thresholds, Jenny Willott: A number of the points that have been but we were extremely disturbed when, in relation to the raised by hon. Members are very similar. First, it is European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the threshold was important to put on the record that undeclared work 379 Undeclared Work (Reasoned 9 JUNE 2014 380 Opinion) [Jenny Willott] Jenny Willott: We certainly support today’s motion, and we think that we should be sending a reasoned is an extremely important issue across Europe. It is on a opinion. Our concerns are, however, less, now that the larger scale in some countries than others. The hon. rest of it appears to be voluntary. We still feel strongly Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray) asked what about the mandation, which is why we are working with research had been undertaken on the levels of undeclared other member states on the negotiation to ensure that work in the UK. The most recent estimate for the UK the activity that follows from the platform should be was, I think, 1.7%—extremely low. In other member voluntary. That is why we have asked for written states the figure is significantly higher, so it is clearly a confirmation from the Council legal services. We tried bigger issue in other states. to get it for this evening’s debate so that we could be Cross-border working was mentioned by the hon. clear on the position. It is still a moveable feast and we Member for Stone (Mr Cash) and the hon. Member for are still in negotiations, but we hope to reach that Edinburgh South. One of our concerns is that very little position. A number of other member states have similar evidence has been put forward on the implications and concerns about the mandatory element and we are not requirement to take action on cross-border work. On the only member state working to try to ensure that the the assessment of the numbers and the amount of rest remains voluntary. detriment that can be attributed to them, we are not The hon. Member for Edinburgh South referred to convinced that the data are particularly accurate. We the issue of bogus self-employment in the construction have asked the European Commission to identify, in a sector. We hope that the work of the platform will much better way, the scale of the problem. The UK, include looking at such issues and analysing them. We alongside other member states, does a lot of work will press for a full analysis of areas that we think it internationally across borders, in a completely voluntary would be useful for the platform to consider. way, to try to tackle these issues. A huge amount of The points raised by the hon. Member for Stone work is done because, as responsible Governments across about the yellow card system generally are above my different countries, we all think it is really important to pay grade, but I think that his points were well made tackle this issue. We do not feel that the Commission and I will make sure that they are referred back to the has provided evidence that what is being done at the most appropriate Minister. moment is not a good enough approach and we have not seen evidence to suggest that the problem is significantly I hope that I have tackled all the issues raised. If I larger. That is one of the main reasons why we feel that have not—we can go through the Hansard—I will be the Commission has not made the case for why this more than happy to clarify anything I may have overlooked. needs to be done at EU level, rather than at member Question put and agreed to. state level. The hon. Member for Stone asked about participation and about our position on the subsidiary principle, Business without Debate given that we are saying that the position has changed. We still have concerns that the mandatory nature of the platform is a breach of the subsidiarity principle. However, as regards the operation, given that the only mandatory BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (PRIVATE element is attendance at the platform, we now believe MEMBERS’ BILLS) that the concerns we raised in explanatory memorandums about the requirements for member states to take action Ordered, when it is for them to decide—it has been agreed in the That: negotiations that it should not be mandatory—are not (1) Private Members’ Bills shall have precedence over Government such a problem for the UK. Yet we feel it is really business on 5 and 12 September, 17 and 24 October, 7, 21 and important that any activity should remain voluntary 28 November, 5 December 2014 and 9, 16 and 23 January, rather than mandatory. 27 February and 6 March 2015; and (2) the resolution of the House of 2 December 2013 relating to Mr Cash: Is the Minister saying that she still believes Adjournment (February, Easter, May Day, Whitsun, Summer, that, as far as the UK Parliament is concerned, there Conference recess, November and Christmas) shall be amended should be a yellow card for the purpose? The question is by leaving out ‘Thursday 11 September 2014’ and inserting ‘Friday as simple as that. 12 September 2014.—(Mr Lansley.) 381 9 JUNE 2014 Children with Epilepsy (Children and 382 Families Act 2014) Children with Epilepsy (Children and pupils with epilepsy report a lack of understanding on Families Act 2014) the part of members of staff, which I think needs to be tackled. Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House The Children and Families Act represents a major do now adjourn.—(Mr Gyimah.) opportunity in that regard. It has numerous good aspects, but I must ask the Minister a fundamental question: 10.18 pm how can he ensure, as he implements the Act, that the needs of children with epilepsy are not left by the Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): wayside just because they are among the more complex It is a pleasure to be able to initiate a debate on this needs in terms of both health and education? I am sure issue. It is not the first time that we have discussed the Minister agrees that the challenge posed by the Act epilepsy in the Chamber, and I certainly hope it will not will not simply disappear following Royal Assent. If be the last. We had a useful Westminster Hall debate anything, the challenge of implementation is that much back in February 2013, initiated, I believe, by the hon. greater. I ask him to bear it in mind that, as I said Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz), and I had a earlier, 42% of pupils fail to fulfil their educational debate back in October 2010, which was my first on the potential. I should welcome his thoughts about how we topic. can ensure that that percentage is reduced. Rather than look at the wide spectrum of epilepsy As I have said, I think that the Children and Families today, I want to focus—laser-like if I may—on the issue Act contains much that is good. I welcome the fact that of epilepsy in education and the implications of the school governors will have a duty to address the medical Children and Families Act 2014, which has just been needs of pupils who are in their care. I welcome the fact introduced and which I think represents a fork in the that we are moving towards a more practical acceptance road for how we deal with pupils who have serious of epilepsy in the classroom. A couple of months ago, medical conditions such as epilepsy. the Minister and I were lucky enough to launch the Before I get into the nitty-gritty, it would be worth Council for Disabled Children’s “Dignity and Inclusion” focusing once again on the numbers and the context. documents, which provide teachers with a practical way There are 122,000 children with epilepsy at any one time in which to assess how to deal with children with in our schools system—four times more than have epilepsy in their classrooms. However, I think that there diabetes. Diabetes has, quite rightly, had a lot of attention is still more to be done. of late in this Chamber, so it is interesting to balance I myself have nocturnal epilepsy. I have night-time the two. fits, which are triggered by alcohol. When I come to the There are more than 40 types of epilepsy. It covers an next morning, my short-term memory is gone. I struggle amazingly massive spectrum, not just the classic “grand to remember what I did the day before. I would probably mal” fit with which many associate it. It can be as even struggle, initially, to answer that classic question, simple as the occasional “absence”, when people lose “Can you name the Prime Minister?” I would have to their attention for some reason. Epilepsy is often the think long and hard about it, and might actually fail least noticeable of a range of complex conditions that to answer it, although I assure the House that I could an individual has. More than 42% of pupils with epilepsy answeritnow. are on the learning disability spectrum. For some people It must be borne in mind that epileptic attacks, seizures with very severe forms of conditions such as cerebral and fits all have consequences for pupils’ learning. palsy, epilepsy is almost the least of their concerns, but Young Epilepsy, the major charity that campaigns on it is still an ever-present part of their daily lives. behalf of people with epilepsy, which has been a great A recent CHESS—Children with Epilepsy in Sussex help in putting together the information for the debate, Schools—study found that 42% of pupils with epilepsy has produced what it calls “A Manifesto for Change”, were not fulfilling their potential in the school system, which contains some useful guidance on matters on and I think that that important fact represents the crux which I should like the Minister to focus. First and of the debate. This is about not only the medical implications foremost, it wants to ensure that all pupils have access of epilepsy, but the societal context. So much is based to a high-quality personalised assessment of their needs, on ignorance of the condition. That does not just mean rather than being subject to a standard tick-box approach. not knowing what to do when someone is having a I know that Young Epilepsy has a graph assessment seizure; more important, it means ignorance of the tool called ABLE, which may be helpful in that regard. causes, the background and the neurological underpinning It is all very well having an assessment and determining of epilepsy, and, in an educational context, the implications needs, but one must go to the next stage. All pupils, for an individual’s learning capacity. parents and teachers need to understand what the Lurking behind all that are the consequences of entitlements are as a consequence of the assessment. prejudice and the stigma that is attached to epilepsy. I There is no point being assessed and then not knowing often cite one example of that. When I was a Conservative what one is entitled to and what the local offer consists candidate in Twickenham, I wrote to my local paper of. about national epilepsy day in an attempt to raise The third aspect that Young Epilepsy is campaigning awareness of the condition. I was shocked when, the on is perhaps the trickiest: teacher training. I realise following week, a constituent wrote, “Mr Maynard that central Government have little control, if any, over should not have to worry; he has merely been possessed the composition of teacher training syllabuses, but the by evil spirits.” At the time I found it hard to believe key point that it is not just about the first aid aspects of that such a level of prejudice could exist, and I find it dealing with a pupil with epilepsy, important though just as hard to believe now. However, it occurs not that is—it often seems to get the main focus in political just in the playground, but in the classroom. Many debate; it is also about understanding the consequences 383 Children with Epilepsy (Children and 9 JUNE 2014 Children with Epilepsy (Children and 384 Families Act 2014) Families Act 2014) [Paul Maynard] that assessment? Who will be doing the assessing—Ofsted or some other body? Will they have sufficient powers to for an individual’s learning of those epilepsy seizures. assess the health component of what will occur in the More important again, it is about trying to understand educational setting as well as the educational activities? that knowing how to spot the warning signs can incentivise My final question relates to what are called key earlier diagnosis and better care for the pupil. workers, which is a relatively broad term and encompasses I would welcome the Minister’s view on what he can people who truly understand epilepsy and who can help do to encourage a greater role for epilepsy in initial families to navigate their way through what remains a teacher training. What can we do as part of continuous complex minefield of different service providers. It is professional development to incentivise teachers who noted in the Children and Families Act that key workers have already been trained and are in the classroom to are seen to be a good thing, but they are not mandatory: look at epilepsy and understand not just the first aid they are merely an advised addition that local authorities consequences but the learning consequences? The two can consider. I would be interested to know how the go hand in hand. Minister thinks we can strengthen the appeal of key Another aspect that is worth bearing in mind and on workers, though not necessarily to make them mandatory, which I would welcome the Minister’s view is the assessment because I understand the importance of localism and that he has made of the pathfinders that have been ensuring that local authorities make up their own minds. reviewed recently. I understand that one of the initial There is a case, however, for ensuring that key workers conclusions is that within the existing resource allocation, do not become a luxury optional extra that gets tacked it has been very hard to make a real difference to the on at the end of a local offer if there is some money left lives of individual families. I know that that is an initial over, but are the building blocks of the local offer finding. Does he share that view? Does he have an provision for families with children with epilepsy. alternative opinion? I realise that, as is the nature of Adjournment debates, I understand that £70 million has been allocated I have peppered the Minister with detailed questions, across the country to a range of local councils, which some of which I hope he can answer—civil servants in have all spent that money differently. Some have spent it the Box are passing yet more answers to him as I speak. on improving data systems, others on improving the If he cannot answer all my questions, I hope he will be local offer. Others have hired extra staff. How will the able to write to me at a later date. I thank him for Minister assess all these different funding streams? What agreeing to meet Young Epilepsy, which I am sure will has had the most impact on families and the children? be an interesting meeting in the light of this debate. I How will he measure the effectiveness of the £70 million? thank him and all hon. Members who have attended for It is good to have £70 million, but we need to know how their time, and I look forward to hearing his reply. local authorities can best spend it. Equally welcome is the £30 million that will go into 10.31 pm what will be called independent supporters. That term seems a bit nebulous. I am not sure I can give a precise The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education definition on the Floor of the House. I would welcome (Mr Edward Timpson): May I begin in the traditional a bit more information from the Minister on what that and in this case very pertinent way, by congratulating might involve. my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys (Paul Maynard) for once again initiating an I would also like some reassurance. There is a slight important debate about the wide subject of special concern in the epilepsy community that the £30 million educational needs and the specific area of those many may go to the larger charities, which can spend their children and young people who have some form of money on branding, rather than investing in service epilepsy? This is not the first debate of this kind that we delivery, expertise and competency down the years. It have had, and it is good that he reminds us that as we would be a great tragedy if the expertise were not move on from the statute book to the implementation utilised to ensure continuity of care for pupils between of the Children and Families Act 2014, we should keep home, school and any other setting. That is why it is our focus very much on what this means to the families worth paying tribute once again to the Minister for his and children who we hope to benefit from the reforms. determination to ensure that we have education, health and care plans. I know that that was a running sore Like my hon. Friend, I understand the importance of throughout the development and legislative process of supporting pupils with medical conditions such as epilepsy, the Act. We had to try to meld education and health, and it is imperative that the right support is put in place which did not always fit together neatly. It is vital that quickly and effectively. I will try to cover as many of the we have education, health and care plans, which will points that he made as possible, and I will of course allow pupils to fit in between the two. endeavour to make sure he has a full and proper response The other question I have for the Minister relates to in writing to those that I do not. the role of Ofsted. How will it assess the quality of the I should like to start by restating our ambition that provision? At the moment I understand that we can rely every child with SEN, or who has a disability or a on parent satisfaction surveys as a key indicator of medical condition that impedes their ability to learn, whether services are working well. Although those are including those with epilepsy, receives the support they not to be dismissed, I am not sure that they constitute a need, so they can achieve well in school and go on to proper statistical basis on which to make evidence-based find employment and lead happy and fulfilled lives. The policy decisions. I know that the Government are strong special needs reforms in the 2014 Act are deliberately believers in an outcome-based system and in assessing focused on joining up help across education, health and the effectiveness of legislative intervention, but in this social care, so that children receive the help that they specific instance what outcomes will be used to make need when they need it throughout their education. 385 Children with Epilepsy (Children and 9 JUNE 2014 Children with Epilepsy (Children and 386 Families Act 2014) Families Act 2014) Parents and children will be involved in decisions about their development. The plans will help to ensure that the support they receive much more closely than hitherto, school staff know how to support pupils in lessons, how so that they have a genuine say in what they want to to help them with administering medication and what achieve and how they will achieve it. to do in an emergency. They will be drawn up in Epilepsy is just one of the many medical conditions collaboration between the school, the parents and the for which pupils require support, to help them progress pupil—that is important—and the most relevant health properly through school, and it is right to acknowledge care professional, such as the epilepsy specialist nurse. I the excellent work that most of our schools do to am pleased that we have developed the new statutory provide the support that their pupils need. However, guidance in such close collaboration with a wide range there can be no excuse for the poor practice that evidence of interested parties. Young Epilepsy, as a member of suggests exists in some schools. the Health Conditions in Schools Alliance, was actively Under the Equality Act 2010, schools have clear involved in that work and added substantial value to duties not to directly or indirectly discriminate against the guidance, for which we are extremely grateful. children and young people with disabilities. Government In identifying children and young people who need guidance on the Act clearly identifies long-term health additional support and adjustments, whether because conditions, such as epilepsy, as being among the they have a health condition, a disability or special impairments from which a disability can arise, and they educational needs, the key is that professionals should are therefore covered by this duty. As such, this form of look at the particular needs of the individual and seek discrimination is simply not acceptable. to co-ordinate support, so all these needs are addressed As my hon. Friend skilfully argued, however, pupils coherently. Children with epilepsy will not necessarily with epilepsy often face significant challenges and difficulties have SEN. What is set out in a child’s individual health not just in school, but in all aspects of their lives, and I care plan might be enough to ensure that he or she has also recognise that these challenges can be exacerbated access to differentiated, high-quality teaching. However, because of a lack of understanding of the condition by where a child has SEN, the new nought-to-25 SEND— others. special educational needs and disability—code of practice I remember a family holiday from about 30 years ago sets out how schools should work with parents to when we had with us a school friend of my sister who identify underlying issues, including health needs, and had epilepsy, unbeknown to me. During our holiday, reflect those in the support given and the outcomes we this child, who sadly and tragically died this year, suffered all want to see achieved. Where a child or young person an epileptic fit. As a young boy, I was shocked by what I has an education, health and care plan, the code sets saw happen in front of my eyes, but, having had had it out a thorough process—again, with parents centrally explained to me, it has left me in good stead for the rest involved—for putting in place a comprehensive plan of my life, in terms of understanding the cause, effect covering the full range of a child’s needs; obviously, that and manifestation of epilepsy and the surrounding can include support provided by specialist services. context for someone who has it. That was pure chance, These plans are also supported by the strategic and many people, whether pupils or even teachers at arrangements in the 2014 Act. The joint commissioning school, do not have that experience and cannot draw duties require education, care and health services to from it. come together to commission services for children and As my hon. Friend said, that is one reason why we young people with SEN and disabilities. Wider provision introduced a new duty for school governing bodies to is also covered, including through a consideration of make arrangements to support pupils with medical how to integrate education, health and care provision to conditions and to have regard to guidance, so that they provide that most effectively, in line with wider duties. get the support they need at their time of need. Our aim As my hon. Friend will also be aware, the new local in putting that duty in the 2014 Act was to send out a offer will set out details of all the services for children clear message that poor practice will not be tolerated and young people with SEN and disabilities in a local and that conditions such as epilepsy must be properly authority area and how to access them. We expect that recognised. Pupils with medical conditions deserve to that will reflect the full range of services, including be supported properly in schools and to have the same those for children and young people with epilepsy, and chances as everyone else to succeed in whatever they those offered by the voluntary and community sector. choose to do. On initial teacher training, I fully understand the case The new statutory guidance on supporting pupils my hon. Friend makes, and it is always tempting to look with medical conditions acknowledges the negative social to ITT as a solution in respect of the desire to see every and emotional implications associated with medical teacher well versed in the practice of dealing with many conditions such as epilepsy. That is why there is a clear of these conditions. Teaching standards include duties expectation for a child’s social and emotional needs to on schools to ensure that their staff understand how to be taken into account when considering the support deal with children’s special educational needs. We can that they require. This guidance, which comes into force also look at reviews into initial teacher training to in September, is deliberately child-focused, recognising satisfy ourselves that they are going far enough. that medical conditions will present differently in different My hon. Friend will know that there have been a children. Epilepsy is a case in point; no two children number of evaluations of pathfinders in 31 local authority with epilepsy will have identical needs, and it is therefore areas. We now have pathfinder champions who are right, as my hon. Friend said, that each case is treated helping those non-pathfinder areas to learn from the individually, based on the needs of each child. evaluation of the progress that they have made. We have That is why we have also made it clear in the guidance excellent examples of families who feel that the culture that the school’s policy should cover the role of individual has shifted. For the first time, they have been able to sit health care plans and clearly state who is responsible for in a room with someone from education, someone from 387 Children with Epilepsy (Children and 9 JUNE 2014 Children with Epilepsy (Children and 388 Families Act 2014) Families Act 2014) [Mr Edward Timpson] that they value more than anything else is to have someone who is not from the local authority, the school health and someone from social care, and they have or one of the health providers to provide them with that been asked what they think should happen, rather than genuine independent support to navigate them through it being told to them. what can sometimes be seen as a very convoluted system—a The special educational needs reform grant of £70 million system that we are trying to make clearer and easier to has gone to local authorities. We have done a local access. It is very much an investment in service delivery, authority readiness test to see how each local authority as my hon. Friend says, and the £30 million will be is performing in preparation for the changes in September. invested over the next two years. To monitor its progress, Ofsted is doing some thematic work to look at how we will work closely with our strategic partner, the some of the reforms will bed in over the next months Council for Disabled Children, to make sure that it is and years, and I hope to see progress in time towards a having the impact that we all want to see. more cohesive inspection regime of special educational Over and above that, I will be saying more tomorrow need provision across all the different services. Ofsted is about how we will ensure that the extra burdens that we starting to consider that that is the best way forward for are placing on local authorities will be met, so that the children’s services, and there is a good case for looking authorities have sufficient funds to ensure that the more carefully at how education, health and social care system really does reach the parts that we want it to. inspection can be brought together, so that it looks at Ultimately, this is about ensuring that parents and the experience of the child and the family, rather than at young people who have special educational needs and the individual services. disabilities see that cultural change in the system that The independent supporters are, in many ways, the for too long has been absent. As my hon. Friend says, key workers about whom my hon. Friend was talking. this is a fork in the road, and we need to take the right The £30 million will pay for 1,800 independent supporters path. I believe that we can do that, but we need to pull who will be drawn predominantly from the charitable together to make sure that this really does make the sector. I encourage organisations such as YoungEpilepsy, difference that we all want to see. which want to get involved, to contact the Council for Question put and agreed to. Disabled Children, which is helping us to recruit those independent supporters. It works out at about 12 in each local authority area. We know from speaking to 10.43 pm parents right across the country that one of the things House adjourned. 21WS Written Statements9 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 22WS

The Commission updated member states on the current state Written Statements of play of key enabling technologies and raw materials, during which it announced the adoption of a new list of critical raw materials. Monday 9 June 2014 In the afternoon the research, innovation and space agenda opened with a discussion on the draft Council conclusions on improving relations between the EU and the European Space Agency (ESA), during which the importance of improving the relationship between these institutions was stressed, with a number BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS of member states noting that the best way to achieve this was through revision of the existing framework agreement or the creation of a new EU pillar in the ESA. The Council agreed with the conclusion on European research EU Competitiveness Council infrastructures. The UK intervened to explain why a declaration with eight other member states had been tabled. All of the signatories explained that they felt strongly that the Commission should spend no more than half of the moneys set aside for The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation research infrastructures this year (¤90 million) on the top three and Skills (Michael Fallon): My noble Friend, the Minister priority projects. The presidency outlined its paper which argued for Trade and Investment, Lord Livingston of Parkhead, that there should be a public-public partnership (article 185 of has made the following statement: the treaty) for Euro-Mediterranean co-operation. Eight member states gave their full support. The UK, along with four other The Competitiveness Council took place in Brussels on 26 May. member states were all supportive of the general ambition of the The UK was represented by Shan Morgan, the Deputy Permanent initiative, but asked for additional information about the likely Representative to the EU. Internal market and industry was added value and an impact assessment before taking a final discussed during the morning session with research, innovation stance. The Commission welcomed the progress made. and space being discussed in the afternoon session. Finally, the Italian delegation gave a presentation on their The Council opened with a presentation by the Commission presidency, noting that they will prioritise mainstreaming on the current state of play of the state aid modernisation competitiveness, industrial competitiveness, small and medium-sized programme. In the discussion that followed the UK expressed its enterprises (SMEs) and the review of the Europe 2020 strategy. support for strong state aid rules and added that further work should be undertaken by the Commission to streamline and accelerate the approval system. Modernisation of trade defence instruments was then discussed UK Coal Production Ltd as an any other business item. The discussion focused on the Commission’s decision to adopt the non-legislative guidelines before agreement of the legislative proposal. Several member The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation states, including the UK, intervened stating that the initiative should have been presented as a package. However, the Commission and Skills (Michael Fallon): I want to update the House rejected this noting that it has exclusive competence on matters on matters concerning UK Coal Production Ltd, further relating to trade and that no undertaking had been made, committing to the statement I provided to the House on 10 April the Commission to issuing the guidelines and legislation as a 2014, Official Report, column 24WS. package. As the House will recall, the Government’s intention Following this, the Commission presented a progress report on in principle is to provide a commercial loan, alongside the package travel directive, which the Council noted. contributions from private sector parties, as part of a The Council then considered three intellectual property issues. consortium created to avoid the immediate insolvency First, the Commission provided a progress report on the trade of UK Coal. Such participation remains conditional on mark package (there was no substantive discussion). Secondly, both the negotiation of final terms that provide adequate the Council agreed a general approach on the trade secrets directive. During discussions, the UK, with support of other the protection to taxpayers, and the Government securing member states, intervened to praise the presidency’s draft and assurance that all parties are committed to successful confirm this was the only draft that could result in an agreement. delivery of the closure plan. Finally, the presidency presented an information point on the Significant progress has been made in this regard European patent and unitary patent court, during which it noted since April. However, a number of important matters the positive outcome of a referendum in Denmark on the establishment of the unitary patent court. The UK, along with several other need to be concluded before the final terms of the loan member states, intervened to note the importance of the court are agreed among all the parties and the funds can be and to emphasise that implementation should not be rushed so as made available to the company. to ensure that systems are right. The company has performed well and production Denmark and the Netherlands introduced an any other business levels have been better than forecast. It is hoped that item on the frontrunners initiative. The initiative is designed to resolution and conclusion will be reached in the coming further improve the single market through the sharing of best weeks. The exact amount of any Government loan is practice, peer review and ambitious approaches to the implementation of single market rules. yet to be finalised and is still expected to be in the region of £10 million. The UK is a participant in the frontrunners initiative and intervened to express its support for it. The initiative was welcomed It is the Government’s intention that any party who by both the incoming presidency and the Commission. wishes to come forward with investment to maintain the The Council agreed a general approach on the regulation on mines beyond autumn 2015, without Government support, the deployment of the eCall in-vehicle system. This is an automatic will remain free to do so. system which alerts the emergency services when a vehicle has been involved in an accident. The UK has long opposed this and I should also like to again acknowledge the continuing intervened, opposing the general approach, maintaining that a support the company is receiving from its work force, voluntary approach would be best given the costs of the regulation customers, suppliers and creditors during this challenging outweigh the benefits. period. I will continue to keep the House updated. 23WS Written Statements9 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 24WS

DEFENCE Operation Althea (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Reserve Forces (Dr Andrew Murrison): The House will be aware that the UK is a long standing supporter of the EU mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), EUFOR, and its role The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mr Mark Francois): to ensure a safe and secure environment in BiH. A new call-out order has been made under section 56(l)(a) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to enable reservists to I wish to inform the House of the UK’s plans to be called into permanent service as part of the UK’s contribute additional military personnel to EUFOR contribution to EUFOR operations in Bosnia and Althea for a period of up to six months in the run up to Herzegovina over the period July to December 2014. the elections. This is in support of a request made by deputy supreme allied commander Europe to member We anticipate calling out only a small number of states, following civil unrest in BiH in February this reservists with specialist skills and experience who will year. This unrest highlighted the need for additional operate alongside their regular colleagues. This is fully capability in EUFOR, including situational awareness in line with our policy of having more capable, usable, and operational planning. integrated and relevant reserve forces. The UK will be contributing two staff officers to Currently, we plan on calling out only willing and support HQ planning activity and two reconnaissance available reservists, who have the support of their employer. platoons (around 90 personnel in total) for a period of The order takes effect from 29 May 2014 and ceases six months, starting in July 2014. This will help to to have effect on 31 December 2014. ensure EUFOR is fully prepared for any eventualities that occur during the election period.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation Review Board for Government Contracts

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): Further to my statement of 10 March 2014, Official The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Report, column 2WS regarding the preferred bidder for (Mr Philip Dunne): I announced updated Government the strategic business partner (SBP) to operate with the profit formula (GPF) allowances to the House on 15 April Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), I am able 2013, in line with recommendations made by the to announce that the contract has now been awarded to independent Review Board for Government Contracts. Capita in conjunction with URS and PA Consulting. The review board is an independent non-departmental The introduction of a strategic business partner will public body established in 1968 following an agreement enable the DIO to make a significant contribution to between the Government and industry and its role is to departmental savings as set out in the 2010 strategic recommend a fair and reasonable return for industry defence and security review and will strengthen the based on the principle of comparability in those situations service we provide across defence. where there is only one supplier of a particular good or Following the establishment of the DIO in April service and, therefore, where there is no recourse to 2011, a significant transformation programme was instigated competition to establish prices. and in early 2011 the Ministry of Defence board considered Following the recommendations set out by Lord Currie the outline case for the introduction of an SBP for DIO. of Marylebone in his 2011 report into the existing single The case set out the potential financial benefits of source procurement system, the Government undertook adopting a different business model in DIO whereby an a major reform programme aimed at delivering a more SBP would be engaged to drive the transformation of suitable and modern means of delivering on this key DIO further and deliver rationalisation and efficiency part of our procurement activities. This programme is improvements. The key areas were: making good progress and forms part 2 of the Defence Reform Act 2014 which received Royal Assent on 14 May a. access to market-competitive skills and a right-sized 2014. This legislation will replace the review board with organisation through organisational optimisation work during the short-term transformation phase of the contract; a more empowered public body, the Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO). In the meantime, we expect b. access to greater capacity for transformation and specialist the review board to continue to produce recommendations skills through reach-back to the partner company; for the current profit rate. c. access to private sector funding that might be brought into use for pump-priming estate rationalisation and for spend-to-save The review board has recently completed its 2014 on efficiency improvements. General Review and has made its recommendations for the profit rate for the year beginning April 2014. The Capita in conjunction with URS and PA Consulting Government have accepted the board’s recommendations has been selected as the strategic business partner for a and the updated allowances will be implemented on 10-year contract on a predominately incentive based new single source work undertaken in the financial year gain-share arrangement. The DIO will now undertake beginning 1 April 2014. further trade union consultation with the intention of creating a GovCo to manage defence infrastructure A copy of the review board’s 2014 general review from 2016. report will be placed in the Library of the House. 25WS Written Statements9 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 26WS

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE violations. All our assistance is carefully calibrated and legal, is aimed at alleviating human suffering and supporting moderate groups and is regularly monitored and evaluated. Gifting of Search and Rescue Equipment (Syria) The Treasury has approved the proposal in principle. If, during the period of 14 parliamentary sitting days The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth beginning on the date on which the departmental minute Affairs (Mr William Hague): The situation in Syria was laid before the House of Commons, a member remains dire. Innocent civilians have faced the brunt of signifies an objection by giving notice of a parliamentary the increasingly brutal war, with an estimated 140,000 question or a motion relating to the minute, or by people killed since the conflict began over three years otherwise raising the matter in the House, final approval ago. The Assad regime continues to use the most barbaric of the gift will be withheld pending an examination of military methods and tactics available, including the use the objection. of indiscriminate artillery fire and barrel bombs. The UK is also concerned by recent reports that the regime continues to use chemical weapons against its own JUSTICE people. The UK remains committed to doing all it can to promote a political settlement to end the conflict, to alleviate the humanitarian suffering and to protect UK Transforming Youth Custody security. On 23 January 2014, I laid a departmental minute The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice before the House and issued a written ministerial (Chris Grayling): On 17 January 2014, I informed the statement—Official Report, column 10WS—setting out House of the Government’s plans to put education at our plans to gift civil defence equipment to nine 25-man the heart of detention and launch the first purpose-built teams operating in opposition-controlled areas of Syria. secure college in the east midlands in 2017. The Criminal No objections were raised to the gift and the UK Justice and Courts Bill, which will create the statutory distributed the equipment to civil defence teams alongside framework for secure colleges, is currently before this a comprehensive training package. The civil defence House. teams have saved lives by rescuing civilians trapped in damaged buildings and by providing emergency first A pathfinder secure college will open in April 2017, aid. Our assistance has helped increase the legitimacy which will have a strong focus on the education and and capacity of moderate opposition, enabling them to rehabilitation of young offenders, equipping them with save lives and deal with the aftermath of attacks. the skills, qualifications and self-discipline they need to turn away from crime and fulfil their potential. The Government intend to expand the scale and scope of this programme by additionally training incident The Ministry of Justice has selected a preferred provider commanders, offering courses to a larger number of to design and build the pathfinder. A competition has rapid response teams and by providing further specialist taken place under the Ministry of Justice’s strategic training on fire-fighting and medical emergency response. alliance agreement framework and Wates has been selected. The departmental minute sets out in detail our plans to The Ministry of Justice will enter into a project partnering gift £1.6 million in equipment to Syrian beneficiaries agreement with Wates and work with them to develop delivering civil defence services. The proposed list of the design for the pathfinder. equipment includes cutting and rescue tools, personal A competition for an operator to run the pathfinder protective gear including helmets and goggles, stretchers, will commence in 2015. medicines and medical supplies, and office and communications equipment. The programme will also raise awareness among local communities on how to Personal Injury Claims prepare for, respond to and recover from regime attacks through community awareness training and the circulation The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice of print and online material. Finally, the programme (Mr Shailesh Vara): My noble Friend, the Minister for will increase co-ordination between the Syrian interim civil justice and legal policy, Lord Faulks QC, has made Government and civil defence teams. The programme is the following written ministerial statement: part of a range of support the UK is providing to help bolster the moderate Syrian opposition, including by The Government intend to bring forward at the earliest opportunity legislative measures aimed at tackling unjustified personal injury enabling them to deliver essential services to the Syrian claims. people inside opposition-held areas of the country. It is First, we intend to introduce legislation to require the court to expected to cost up to £4 million and will be funded dismiss in its entirety any personal injury claim where it is through the Government’s conflict pool. satisfied that the claimant has been fundamentally dishonest, The use of conflict pool funds to cover the costs of unless it would cause substantial injustice to the claimant to do the gift has been approved by members of the conflict so. These provisions are particularly relevant both to cases where pool strategic programme board from the Foreign and the claimant has grossly exaggerated his or her own claim, and to cases where the claimant has colluded with another person in Commonwealth Office, Department for International a fraudulent claim relating to the same incident (for example, a Development and Ministry of Defence. The gift has “phantom passenger” case where a claimant is genuinely injured been scrutinised to ensure that the provision of this in a car accident, but colludes with another person who dishonestly equipment is consistent with export controls and complies claims to have been in the vehicle and also injured). with our international obligations. Recipients have been Under the current law, the courts have discretion to dismiss a carefully selected to prevent equipment being given to claim entirely for fraudulent behaviour, but will only do so in very those involved in extremist activities or human rights exceptional cases, and will generally still award the claimant 27WS Written Statements9 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 28WS compensation in relation to the “genuine” element of the claim. We will be seeking to deliver these benefits through We intend to strengthen the law so that dismissal of the claim in the TransPennine Express and Northern franchises, its entirety should become the norm in such cases. while also securing significant efficiency improvements Secondly, the Government intend to bring a statutory ban on to ensure the taxpayer benefits, and we welcome views the offer of inducements by lawyers in personal injury cases. on the best way to achieve this. Examples abound of solicitors offering money or gifts such as iPads to clients for pursuing a personal injury claim. We want to ensure that the Northern and TransPennine This encourages unnecessary claims, and suggests that lawyers Express franchises we deliver best serve the needs of the are making too much money out of the process and seeking to people that will use them. To that end we are working offset the effect of the Government’s much needed ban on the closely with Rail North, a new body bringing together payment and receipt of referral fees. the local transport authorities across the whole of the On 1 April 2013, the Ministry of Justice banned claims management north of England, in the development of them. This companies from offering cash inducements to consumers to make consultation is being carried out jointly with Rail North claims, and we propose to introduce a similar prohibition to cover and aims to capture the views of the wide range of lawyers as soon as legislative time allows. stakeholders in the region. We are confident that our developing partnership with Rail North will help to bring a stronger local focus TRANSPORT to the two franchises. Through this, and the skills, investment and innovation brought by the successful bidders, we can deliver a top-class railway for the north TransPennine Express and Northern Rail Franchises of England.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Stephen Hammond): Today I have published a consultation Northern Lighthouse Board and Trinity House document on the future of the TransPennine Express (Triennial Review) and Northern rail franchises. I have also published the prospectuses for both the TransPennine Express and Northern franchises. These accompany the pre-qualification The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport documents published on 6 June 2014 and an Official (Stephen Hammond): On 12 December 2013, I announced Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice submitted the commencement of the triennial review of Northern for publication on 5 June 2014. These steps mark the Lighthouse Board (NLB) and Trinity House (TH). start of the formal competitions to find new operators Today, I am pleased to announce the conclusion of the to run passenger rail services in the two key rail franchises review and the publication of the report. in the north of England. The review was conducted in accordance with Cabinet There have been great improvements in the railways Office guidance (Guidance on Reviews of Non- nationally and regionally since privatisation. We have Departmental Public Bodies, June 2011). seen record growth in passenger numbers, achieved NLB and TH were involved at key stages of the much higher levels of passenger satisfaction and one of review, and the findings of the report have been discussed the best safety records in Europe. This growth has been with both bodies. The key conclusion is that the primary particularly strong in the north of England with both function of the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) franchises experiencing greater numbers of passengers (i.e. the provision of marine aids to navigation) is still than predicted when the franchises were last let. We necessary and that this is best delivered through the want to continue to build on this and to deliver excellent NLB and TH as non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). railway services for passengers across the region, providing value for money for both passengers and taxpayers. The review also identified a number of measures which, if implemented, should improve the bodies’ The public consultation invites views from the public governance transparency and accountability. The and from stakeholders on the improvements to service Department for Transport will be taking these levels and facilities that passengers may wish to see, in recommended measures forward in discussion with the order to provide a railway that supports the growth in GLAs over the coming months. passenger numbers we expect to see and delivers the wider economic benefits it is capable of. This Government I would like to thank the GLAs for their assistance, have committed to a major programme of investment in and all those stakeholders who were involved during the the rail infrastructure in the north of England. The course of the review. projects currently under way, such as the £600 million The final report of this triennial review can be found “Northern Hub” schemes, will allow substantial increases on the gov.uk website: http://mrws.decc.gov.uk/ and I in capacity, improved journey opportunities and cleaner have made available copies in the Libraries of both and more efficient operation through route electrification. Houses. 1W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 2W

Kris Hopkins: Data provided by local authorities are Written Answers to published online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live- Questions tables-on-homelessness See Live Table 775 for national figures on the number of households placed in temporary accommodation in Monday 9 June 2014 another local authority district. See ‘Detailed local authority level homelessness figures’ for quarterly data for each local authority. The quarterly statistical release ‘Statutory Homelessness NORTHERN IRELAND in England’ available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/homelessness- Northern Ireland Government statistics provides commentary on these data. Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times she has met the This Government has invested £470 million to prevent Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development in and tackle all forms of homelessness over the spending the last 12 months. [198757] review period. The homelessness legislation in England provides one of the strongest safety nets in the world for Mrs Villiers: I have met the Northern Ireland Minister families with children and vulnerable people who become for Social Development twice in the last 12 months. homeless through no fault of their own. No council should be sending tenants en masse to a different part of the country— the law is clear that councils have a responsibility to take into account people’s COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT jobs and schools when securing homes for those in need. And we have given them more power to provide Affordable Housing families with suitable, settled accommodation in the private rented sector to avoid long waits in temporary John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for accommodation. Indeed the average stay in temporary Communities and Local Government what the average accommodation in England has been reduced from rent was for new homes built under the Affordable 20 months at the beginning of 2010 to 14 months now. Homes programme in each local authority from the The Government has also made £445 million of Discretionary Housing Payments available to local launch of that programme to date. [198762] authorities to ease the transition across the welfare Kris Hopkins: The information is not held centrally. reforms in this Spending Review. We expect them to use these effectively to help households who have particular needs to stay, and to give short-term help, for example, Building Alterations: National Parks through school exams. Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing: Bassetlaw Communities and Local Government if it remains Government policy that barn conversions to dwellings without the need for planning permission will not be John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for permitted in national parks; and if he will make a Communities and Local Government how many new statement. [198987] houses are under construction in Bassetlaw district. [198795] Nick Boles: As I outlined in my written ministerial statement of 6 March 2014, Official Report, column Kris Hopkins: The Department does not hold data 51WS, the permitted development right for the change centrally on the number of homes currently under of use from an agricultural building to a dwellinghouse construction. Data are recorded when a building is does not apply in national parks. There are no plans to started, defined as the laying of the foundations and change this. However, we have been clear that we expect when the residence is completed, defined as when ready national parks and other local planning authorities to for occupation or supplied with a completion certificate. take a positive and proactive approach to sustainable The length of time between these two points will vary development, balancing the protection of the landscape and therefore we cannot know how many are currently with the social and economic well-being of the area. under construction. Statistics on house building starts in Bassetlaw District Homelessness: Greater London are published in the Department’s live tables 253 (annually) and 253a (quarterly), which are available at the following Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for link: Communities and Local Government with reference to http://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables- the answer of 19 December 2013, Official Report, on-house-building column 714W, on homelessness: Greater London, what use his Department makes of the statistical return John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for provided to his Department by local authorities in Communities and Local Government how many new London on the number of homeless families placed out houses have been built in Bassetlaw district in each of of borough. [198944] the last five years. [198799] 3W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 4W

Kris Hopkins: Statistics on house building completions ‘Assessmentof the publication of equality objectives by English in Bassetlaw District are published in the Department’s public authorities’ was published in Autumn 2013. This report live table 253, which is available at the following link: sets out the findings of an assessment of how public authorities in England are publishing equality objectives. Data for the assessment http://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables- was collected between September and December 2012 and covered on-house-building 2,010 public authorities. Social Rented Housing These reports do not estimate the associated costs of producing and publishing equalities information. Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many tenants from elsewhere in the UK have taken advantage of Home Swap Direct to arrange exchanges DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER to Scotland in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [199053] Electoral Register Kris Hopkins: Details of the number of moves that have taken place under the HomeSwap Direct Scheme Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he from elsewhere in the United Kingdom to Scotland in will bring forward legislative proposals to provide that each of the last three years are not held centrally. the freeze dates for population size for boundary HomeSwap Direct increases opportunities for social reviews and the census be in the same year. [198970] tenants who wish to find a new home by allowing tenants looking for a swap to see details of every Greg Clark: The Government has no plans to do so. possible property nationwide, no matter which mutual Using population figures derived from census data would exchange website their landlord has chosen to subscribe not provide a better basis for a review of constituency to. The scheme has operated very successfully since its boundaries than using the electoral register. launch in October 2011 with tenants carrying out over 18 million searches of the property data held on HomeSwap Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what Direct. steps he is taking to disseminate the lessons learned from the data mining pilots for the introduction of individual electoral registrations; and if he will make a statement. [198972] CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Greg Clark: The Government published its results in Equality March 2012 and July 2013 and can be found at: Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/60723/FINAL-Data-Matching- Media and Sport (1) how many reports on equality Evaluation-Report-new.pdf information and objectives each category of public https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ authority has published under the Equality Act 2010 attachment_data/file/223850/ (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011 in each year since Data_Mining_Evaluation_FULL_Report_FINAL.pdf the regulations came into force; and what the cost of The Electoral Commission also produced their producing those reports was for each category of assessment of the pilots. Their reports can be found at: public authority in each such year; [198764] http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/ (2) how many public authorities in each category of pdf_file/0016/162106/Data-mining-pilot-evaluation- public authority published equality information and report.pdf objectives under the Equality Act (Specific Duties) http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/ Regulations 2011 in each year since they came into pdf_file/0010/146836/Data-matching-pilot-evaluation.pdf force. [198765] Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what Mr Vaizey: The specific information requested is not assessment he has made of the introduction of collected or held centrally. individual electoral registration in Northern Ireland. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), [198973] an independent statutory body, is responsible for the enforcement, monitoring and assessment of how public Greg Clark: The experience of Northern Ireland has bodies comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty helped inform the plans for the transition to Individual (PSED) and specific duties. The EHRC has published Electoral Registration (IER) in Great Britain. As a two reports to date which look at the performance of result the approach in Great Britain differs from Northern public bodies in England under the PSED and specific Ireland in several key respects. Unlike the transition to duties: IER in Northern Ireland in 2002, in Great Britain data ‘Publishing equality information: Commitment, engagement matching is being used to ‘confirm’ the majority of and transparency’ was published in December 2012. This report current electors on the existing register without them looked at how public authorities had performed with regard to having to make a new application. The transition is the first specific duty (publication of equality information). Data being phased over two years, which means no one who for this assessment was collected between February and April registered to vote at the last canvass will lose their right 2012 and covered 1,159 public authorities in England. The report indicated that about half of the public authorities reviewed were to vote at the General Election in 2015. The annual publishing equality information on their workforce and service canvass is also being retained and on-line registration is users by April 2012. Many more (78%) were publishing information being introduced to make electoral registration more on either their staff or their service users. accessible. 5W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 6W

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister with (3) if he will publish the findings of all market reference to the answer of 20 May 2013, Official research on attitudes in Scotland towards Scottish Report, column 443W, on electoral register, what the independence and related matters commissioned by the results were of his Department’s cooperation with data Devolution Team in his Department since May 2011; holding organisations on datasets that can be used to [198770] ensure completeness and accuracy of the electoral (4) what plans his Department has to commission register. [199000] polling on attitudes in Scotland towards Scottish independence and related matters before 18 September Greg Clark: The Government published the results of 2014; and what the (a) scope and (b) value of each its pilots in March 2012 and July 2013 and are publically such contract is. [198771] available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Greg Clark: The UK Government regularly commissions attachment_data/file/60723/FINAL-Data-Matching- independent research to inform and evaluate major Evaluation-Report-new.pdf policy programmes. Cabinet Office has contracted Ipsos https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ MORI for the purposes of providing market research in attachment_data/file/223850/ relation to the Scotland Analysis Programme. Two formal Data_Mining_Evaluation_FULL_Report_FINAL.pdf tenders for this research were issued in March and August 2013 respectively and, as with other tenders for Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister with Government contracts, these processes were managed reference to the answer of 27 January 2014, Official by the Government Procurement Service (now part of Report, column 387W, on electoral register, what the Crown Commercial Service). estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of Cabinet Office has also contracted Engine Partners gathering and holding information on the proportion LLP for the purposes of providing communications of attainers who are registered to vote; and what support work in relation to the Scottish independence assessment he has made of the usefulness of such referendum. A formal tender for this work was issued in information for improving the introduction of September 2013 and was managed by the Government individual electoral registration. [199037] Procurement Service. As part of the Government’s commitment to Greg Clark: The Government has made no such transparency in expenditure information relating to the estimate or assessment. costs of both sets of work is publicly available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office- Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister with spend-data reference to the answer of 23 April 2012, Official Report, column 623W, on electoral register, what steps he has taken to improve student registration in the run up to individual electoral registration. [199048] TRANSPORT Abbey Railway Line Greg Clark: The Government is working with the Higher Education sector to maximise the registration of Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for students. Transport if he will take steps to ensure that (a) Measures include provision of data from the universities enhanced frequency and (b) restoration of late night to the EROs to help them contact students individually trains are mandatory requirements in the specification and promoting the use of online registration, when it for the tendering process of Abbey Line between becomes available, particularly during course enrolment. Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey station. The Government has produced guidance for university [198822] registrars to help them implement these steps before the Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport start of the 2014/15 academic year when students will intends to negotiate a Direct Award for the West Midlands register under Individual Electoral Registration. franchise to run from April 2016 to June 2017. We will work with the incumbent train operator, London Midland, Sovereignty: Scotland to consider service enhancements and we will include the Watford Junction-St Albans route in our discussions. Mr Weir: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he Any improvements will have to demonstrate both a will publish the (a) scope, (b) date of commissioning, positive business case and that they are affordable within (c) date of polling and (d) cost of polling the budget provided for the franchise. commissioned by the Devolution Team in his Cycling Department on attitudes in Scotland towards Scottish independence and related matters from (i) Ipsos-MORI Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for and (ii) other opinion survey companies since May Transport when the last meeting of (a) the Cycle 2011; [198768] Stakeholders Forum and (b) the safety sub-group of (2) if he will publish the (a) scope, (b) date and (c) the Cycle Stakeholders Forum took place; and what cost of contracts for public relations services future meetings are scheduled. [198790] commissioned by the Devolution Team in his Department from (i) Engine Partners and (ii) other Mr Goodwill: The most recent meeting of the full public affairs and public relations consultancies since Cycling Stakeholder Forum was on 30 September 2013 May 2011; [198769] and that of the safety sub-group was on 16 July 2013. 7W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 8W

The next meeting of the full Cycling Stakeholder Forum for medicines as new safety information emerges and is scheduled for 24 June 2014. I am chair of the High will ensure this new information is brought to their Level Cycling Group, a sub-group of Cycling Stakeholder attention. The Think! campaign is in the process of Forum that meets frequently. The most recent meeting being developed but we expect to start informing the of the High Level Cycling Group was 21 May 2014. public about the new offence just prior to its introduction followed be a more concentrated campaign on its Driving Under Influence: Drugs introduction.

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Pedestrian Crossings Transport (1) whether guidance provided to police officers on the implementation of the new drug driving Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for offence will include information on the position of Transport what progress his Department has made in patients taking legitimately prescribed medications; reviewing the adequacy of the amount of time allowed and if he will make a statement; [198826] for pedestrians to use pedestrian crossings including (2) what guidance will be provided to police officers those crossings out of the scope of the consultation on on the implementation of the new drug driving offence; the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. and if he will make a statement; [198827] [198803] (3) what discussions his Department has had with external stakeholders regarding guidance for police Mr Goodwill: Local councils are responsible for setting officers of the implementation of the new drug driving pedestrian crossing timings with reference to the Department for Transport’s guidance walking speed of offence; and if he will make a statement. [198833] 1.2 metres per second. Mr Goodwill: The Department is in regular contact The Department is conducting a review of the Traffic with the Police Service about the implementation of the Signs Regulations and General Directions, which includes new drug driving offence and has every confidence that all pedestrian crossing types, and once that is complete the police will implement it effectively including the will consider the need to update the guidance. application of the statutory medical defence. Railways: Cumbria The Police Service is in the process of amending their procedures, which will include the statutory medical defence and its operation. These will be issued in advance Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for of the introduction of the new offence. This will provide Transport what recent representations he has received each force plenty of time to consider the new procedures. on the reopening of the Keswick to Penrith railway We are confident forces will properly consider and line. [198813] include the new offence alongside current drink and drug drive training. Stephen Hammond: In the last two years the Department for Transport has received four letters on the matter. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department for Transport is aware of an ongoing Transport (1) what discussions his Department has had campaign led by a group called CKP Railways to reopen with external stakeholders on planned communications the Penrith to Keswick line. As any reopening would regarding the new drug driving offence; and if he will primarily address local rather than strategic transport make a statement; [198834] needs, it would be for Cumbria county council and the Local Enterprise Partnership to determine whether the (2) with reference to the answer of 30 April 2014, reopening of the line is a priority and secure funding Official Report, column 760W, on driving under from locally allocated funds, such as the Local Growth influence: drugs, what the proposed timetable is for the Fund. We have received no indication that this scheme steps his Department proposes to take to communicate is a priority for the council. the new drug driving offence. [198828]

Mr Goodwill: Officials working on the new drug driving legislation meet regularly with stakeholders from CABINET OFFICE both the law enforcement and health care sectors. These meetings include discussions on how the new offence Armed Forces: Medals will be communicated. The medical profession has assisted the Department Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Minister for the in developing guidance to health care professionals to Cabinet Office (1) when the proposals on medals policy use in discussion with their patients. We expect to put forward by Sir John Holmes will be published. publish the guidance later in the summer and will [198810] circulate it to the medical profession. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (2) which claims for medals remain outstanding is currently working with pharmaceutical companies to following Royal approval of the latest proposals put update the product information of those medicines forward by Sir John Holmes. [198811] implicated by the new legislation. MHRA also expect to issue a ‘Drug Safety Update’ article later in the summer Mr Maude: The next set of reviews is to be discussed to include details about the new offence for health care by the Committee on the Grant of Honours this month. professionals. This will be accompanied by an article for An announcement will be made once the full set of patients. MHRA also work closely with the British reviews is complete and has been approved in the usual National Formulary to update the prescribing information way. 9W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 10W

Average Earnings: York Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average weekly gross earnings of Letter from Joe Grice: full-time (a) men, (b) women and (c) people in York On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National has been in (i) cash terms and (ii) at constant prices in Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate the UK each year since 2006-07. [198533] Statistics Authority has made of average net weekly household income in the City of York Council area in each year since Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the 2004-05 in (i) cash terms and (ii) at current prices. (198534) responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Table 1 shows the average net weekly equivalised household asked the authority to reply. income for the City of York Council and York Central constituency areas, both before and after housing costs for the years 2004/05 to Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated June 2014: 2007/08, the latest period for which data are available, in cash On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National terms and 2013 prices. These figures are based on small area Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary income estimates published by the ONS. The data in the table Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the have been adjusted to 2013 prices, the latest available, using the average weekly gross earnings of full-time (a) men, (b) women implied expenditure deflator for the household sector. and (c) people in York has been in (i) cash terms and (ii) at These estimates, as with any involving sample surveys, are constant prices in each year since 2006-07 (198533) subject to a margin of uncertainty. This information is contained within the York Unitary Authority The next year for which ONS small area income estimates will section of the answer provided to your Parliamentary Question be available will be 2011/12. The release date for these statistics reference 198532. A copy of the table will be placed in the Library has not yet been finalised, but it is anticipated that they will be of the House. released in January 2015. Table 1: Average net weekly equivalised household income in the City of York Council and York Central parliamentary constituency areas, 2004-05 and 2007- Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 081,2 Office what estimate the UK Statistics Authority has £ per week made of the median gross weekly earnings of (a) men, York Central parliamentary (b) women and (c) all people employed (i) full-time City of York council constituency and (ii) part-time in the areas covered by (A) York Mean Mean Mean Mean travel to work area, (B) City of York local authority income income income income (before (after (before (after area and (C) York Central constituency (1) in cash housing housing housing housing terms and (2) at constant prices in each year since 1997. costs)3 costs)3 costs)3 costs)3 [198532] (A) In cash terms Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the 2004-05 410 380 390 350 responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have 2007-08 480 400 460 370 asked the authority to reply. Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated June 2014: (B) In 2013 prices On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National 2004-05 520 480 500 450 Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary 2007-08 570 470 540 430 Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate 1 the UK Statistics Authority has made of the median gross weekly Incomes are presented net of income tax payments, national insurance contributions and council tax. earnings of (a) men, (b) women and (c) all people employed (i) 2 Figures rounded to the nearest £10. full-time and (ii) part-time in the areas covered by (A) York travel 3 Housing costs include rent (gross of housing benefit), water charges, to work area, (B) York Unitary Authority and (C) York Central mortgage interest payments, structural insurance, ground rent and constituency (1) in cash terms and (2) at constant prices in each service charges. year since 1997 (198532) Source: Office for National Statistics. The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of Business: York earnings information in the United Kingdom. Weekly levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE, and are provided for employees Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet on adult rates of pay, whose earnings for the survey pay period Office how many businesses there were in City of York were not affected by absence. Figures relate to employee jobs, local authority area in each year since 2001. [198537] which are defined as those held by employees and not the self- employed. Individuals with more than one job may appear in the Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the sample more than once. responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have The tables show estimates of median gross weekly earnings, for asked the authority to reply. male, female and all employees in each area, broken down by Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated June 2014: full-time and part-time employees. This is provided at current and constant (2013) prices from April 1997 to April 2013, the latest On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National period for which results are available. A copy of these tables will Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary be placed in the Library of the House. Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many businesses there were in the City of York local authority area in each year since 2001. [198537] Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Annual statistics on the number of businesses (enterprises) are Office what estimate the UK Statistics Authority has available from the ONS release—UK Business: Activity, Size and made of average net weekly household income in the Location at: City of York council area in each year since 2004-05 in http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bus-register/uk-business/ (i) cash terms and (ii) at current prices. [198534] index.html 11W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 12W

Data on the number of enterprises broken down by districts, Civil service employment in York 2008-131,2,3,4, all employees counties and unitary authorities can be found in table B1.1 of the Full-time equivalent publication. Department5 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 The table has been produced using extracts from the Inter Departmental Business Register. (IDBR) It shows the number of Health (Department 90 90 80 100 80 20 of) enterprises in the City of York local authority area from 2001 to HM Revenue and 200 180 180 170 150 130 2013. Data for 2014 will be available at the end of October 2014. Customs The figures in the table have been rounded to protect confidentiality. Please note that these numbers do not include very small businesses, Home Office 0 * 0*0* typically those below the threshold for VAT and PAYE. Justice (Ministry of) 260 250 190 150 170 170 Office for Standards 0000040 Count of enterprises in the City of York local authority area, 2001-13 in Education Number Transport 10 10 20 20 20 20 (Department for) 2001 4,760 Work and Pensions 320 490 490 420 400 380 2002 4,775 (Department for) 2003 4,945 Total 2,290 2,420 2,390 21,290 2,030 1,940 2004 5,090 2005 5,325 Employment at 640 670 720 640 640 690 2006 5,480 DEFRA Food and Environment 2007 5,690 Research Agency at 2008 5,740 Sand Hutton6 2009 5,820 1 Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10, and cells containing between one and five employees are represented by ″*″. 2010 5,745 2 York is defined by the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, Level 2011 5,700 3; this may not be the same as the City of York. 3 2012 5,815 Departments with employment greater than5manyoneyearare represented. 2013 6,065 4 Information at regional level (Yorkshire and Humberside) covering 1995- 2010 is held by the National Archive. 5 Agencies may move Departments over time. This is reflected by some year on year departmental changes. Civil Servants: North Yorkshire 6 Represented by all civil service employment at postcode YO41 1LZ, which is outside the boundaries of York. Source: Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Annual Civil Service Employment Survey Office how many full-time equivalent civil servants of each Department or Executive Agency were employed Electoral Register in (a) the City of York and (b) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs central science Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet laboratory at Sand Hutton on 31 March in each year Office what estimate he has made of the number and since 1997. [198536] proportion of people eligible to be on the most recent (a) census and (b) electoral register who were not Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the recorded. [198969] responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated June 2014: asked the authority to reply. On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Letter from Joe Grice, dated June 2014: Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I full-time equivalent civil servants of each Department or Executive have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking Agency were employed in (a) the City of York and (b) the what estimate has been made of the number and proportion of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs central people eligible to be on the (a) most recent census and (b) most science laboratory at Sand Hutton on 31 March in each year since recent electoral register were not recorded (198969). 1997 (198536). The population of England and Wales was estimated to be York is defined for the purpose of this information by the 56,075,900 at the 2011 Census and, of these, it was estimated that Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, Level 3, and may 3,789,100 did not respond. This implies a coverage rate of 93.2 differ from the City of York. The data was not available for York per cent. prior to 2008, as data was only collected at regional level, therefore A summary of the response and coverage rates can be found in we have provided the information you requested for the years the explanatory paper published on 16th July 2012, available at: 2008-2013 inclusive in the table. http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/census- Civil service employment in York 2008-131,2,3,4, all employees data/2011-census-data/2011-first-release/first-release--quality- Full-time equivalent assurance-and-methodology-papers/response-rates-in-the-2011- Department5 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 census.pdf An accompanying spreadsheet, showing rates for England, Attorney-General’s 200 320 340 330 300 290 Wales and all local authorities was also published and is available Departments at: CabinetOffice0*0000 http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/census- Defence (Ministry of) 650 680 710 630 520 470 data/2011-census-data/2011-first-release/first-release--quality- Environment, Food 560 400 380 370 330 360 assurance-and-methodology-papers/census-response-rates.xls and Rural Affairs (Department for) ONS does not have the data required to answer the question in Food Standards 00006060respect of the electoral register. While data are collected on the Agency number of people who are registered to vote, no data are collected 13W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 14W on the number of people who are eligible to vote but who choose Health: Statistics not to register. The latest electoral statistics were published on 1 May 2014 and are available from: Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/pop-estimate/electoral-statistics- for-uk/2013/index.html Office what (a) subjective and (b) objective measures the Office for National Statistics uses to measure public wellbeing; and whether that Office is considering any Employment: Females changes to those measures. [198857] Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Minister for the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Cabinet Office what proportion of women in Pendle asked the authority to reply. were in work in each of the last five years. [198562] Letter from Peter Fullerton: Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Minister for the Cabinet Office what (a) subjective and (b) objective asked the authority to reply. measures the Office for National Statistics uses to measure public Letter from Peter Fullerton: well-being; and whether that Office is considering any changes to those measures (198857). On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary There are currently 41 measures used in Measuring National question to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions asking Well-being. The attached table gives a list of these measures what proportion of women in Pendle were in work in each of the under the ten themes (domains) and is annotated to show which last five years. (198562) are subjective and which are objective. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles estimates of Measuring National Well-being is an ongoing development the number people in employment from the Annual Population programme so that the measures and their sources are regularly Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) reviewed. definitions. National Well-being Measures, March 2014 The table shows the percentage of women aged 16 to 64 Domain Measure resident in Pendle constituency who were in employment according to survey responses from the APS for the 12 month periods Personal well- Medium/high rating of satisfaction with their Subjective ending in December from 2009 to 2013. being lives overall Medium/high rating of how worthwhile the Subjective As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject things they do are to a certain level of uncertainty. Rated their happiness yesterday as medium/ Subjective National and local area estimates for many labour market high statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant Rated their anxiety yesterday as medium/low Subjective count are available on the NOMIS website at: Population mental well-being Objective http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Table 1: Percentage of women aged 16 to 64 in employment resident in Our Average rating of satisfaction with family life Subjective Pendle constituency relationships Percentage Average rating of satisfaction with social life Subjective 12 months ending December: Has a spouse, family member or friend to rely Subjective on if they have a serious problem 2009 57.7 2010 67.5 Health Healthy life expectancy at birth (male/female) Objective 2011 62.3 Reported a long term illness and a disability Subjective 2012 65.4 Somewhat, mostly or completely satisfied with Subjective 2013 54.3 their health Source: Some evidence indicating symptoms of anxiety Objective Annual Population Survey Table or depression

Government Departments: Telephone Services What we do Unemployment rate Objective Somewhat, mostly or completely satisfied with Subjective their job Richard Burden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Somewhat, mostly or completely satisfied with Subjective Office what progress Departments have made on their amount of leisure time implementing the Guidance on Customer Service Lines Volunteered more than once in the last 12 Objective months published in December 2013. [198817] Engaged with/participated in arts or cultural Objective activity at least 3 times in last year Mr Hurd: The guidance we published in December Adult participation in 30 minutes of moderate Objective 2013 set out that Departments should use prefixes intensity sport, once per week offering a geographic call rate as a default policy position for the provision of core public services. This was not Where we live Crimes against the person (per 1,000 adults) Objective the case in the past. Felt fairly/very safe walking alone after dark Subjective (men/women) My officials are working with the cross-Whitehall Accessed natural environment at least once a Objective group on customer service lines. week in the last 12 months Agreed/agreed strongly they felt they belonged Subjective We will publish information from Departments on to their neighbourhood their customer telephone lines later in the summer. 15W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 16W

National Well-being Measures, March 2014 There is a NUTS3 area that corresponds directly to the Brighton Domain Measure and Hove unitary authority area. However, for South Hampshire there is no single area that matches your request. There are Households with good transport access to key Objective NUTS3 areas for both Portsmouth and Southampton unitary services or work (2010 = 100) authorities, with the remainder of Hampshire and the Isle of Fairly/very satisfied with their accommodation Subjective Wight having separate NUTS3 areas. Below are the latest figures (provisional estimates for the year Personal Individuals in households with less than 60% Objective 2012) for Brighton and Hove, Portsmouth, Southampton, and a finance of median income after housing costs combined Portsmouth/Southampton aggregation that is not published Median wealth per household, including Objective but has been calculated by combining the two NUTS3 areas. pension wealth Median household income Objective Total GVA (£ Area million) GVA per capita (£) Somewhat, mostly or completely satisfied with Subjective the income of their household Brighton and Hove 5,712 20,712 Report finding it quite or very difficult to get Subjective by financially Portsmouth 4,471 21,617 Southampton 4,656 19,446 Portsmouth and 9,127 20,452 The economy Real net national income per head Objective Southampton UK public sector net debt as a percentage of Objective Gross Domestic Product These figures are taken from the Regional GVA (Income Inflation rate (as measured by the Consumer Objective Approach) statistical bulletin published in December 2013: Price Index) http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/regional-accounts/regional- gross-value-added--income-approach-/december-2013/stb- Education and Human capital—the value of individuals’ Objective regional-gva-2012.html skills skills, knowledge and competences in labour market Five or more GCSEs A* to C including Objective English and Maths ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS UK residents aged 16 to 64 with no Objective Biofuels: Air Pollution qualifications Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Governance Voter turnout (at UK General Elections) Objective Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to Those who have trust in national Government Objective the answer of 8 May 2014, Official Report, column 272W, on biofuels: air pollution, for what reasons The natural Total green house gas emissions (millions of Objective estimated social costs of biomass emissions of fine environment tonnes) particles contained in his Department’s answer of Protected areas in the UK (millions hectares) Objective 26 March 2009, Official Report, column 697W, on air Energy consumed within the UK from Objective pollution, were not reflected in that answer; and for renewable sources what reasons his Department no longer estimates the Household waste that is recycled Objective social costs of fine particles emitted by biomass combustion. [198818] National Income: South East Dan Rogerson: The social (health) costs included in the answer of 26 March 2009 were calculated by DEFRA Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet to evaluate specific scenarios of uptake of biomass heat Office (1) what the gross value added was for the (a) in 2020. These costs were calculated for policy development Brighton and Hove and (b) South Hampshire built-up purposes in accordance with Treasury Green Book areas in the latest period for which figures are available; guidance and methodologies developed with the support [199401] of the Interdepartmental Group on Costs and Benefits. Estimates of emissions by source (including biomass (2) what the gross value added per capita was for the emissions) are updated annually and reported in the (a) Brighton and Hove and (b) South Hampshire National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, but social built-up areas in the latest period for which figures are (health) costs by emissions source are not routinely available. [199400] calculated. Estimates of the health burden due to total anthropogenic Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the UK are calculated responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have as part of the Public Health Outcomes Framework asked the Authority to reply. indicator. This is based on modelled annual population Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated June 2014: weighted mean total anthropogenic PM2.5 levels in the On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National UK. Statistics I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Bovine Tuberculosis Questions (199400 and 199401) asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the latest estimates of gross value added (GVA) and GVA per capita were for the (a) Brighton and Hove, and (b) Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for South Hampshire built-up areas. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether (a) the Prime Minister or (b) officials in his Office have ONS produces regional estimates of GVA for areas according to the European classification Nomenclature of Territorial Units ever advised the National Farmers’ Union not to for Statistics (NUTS). The smallest areas for which GVAestimates communicate with journalists during the are produced are at the NUTS3 level, which generally corresponds commencement phase of the pilot badger culls in to counties and unitary authority areas. Somerset and Gloucestershire in 2013; [198755] 17W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 18W

(2) what meetings his Department had with the Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for National Farmers’ Union in the six months before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he start of the pilot badger culls in Gloucestershire and has made of the amount of (a) refuse-derived fuel and Somerset in 2013; and whether he advised that union to (b) solid recovered fuel produced annually in the UK. operate a media blackout during the first phase of the [198852] culls; [198763] (3) what meetings (a) the Prime Minister and (b) Dan Rogerson: Data cannot be obtained on the amount officials in his Office had with the National Farmers’ of refuse-derived fuel and solid recovered fuel produced Union (NFU) on the pilot badger culls in annually in the UK. The amount of refuse-derived fuel Gloucestershire and Somerset in 2013; what advice he received at incineration plants in England in 2012 was has given to the NFU on communications with the 768,173 tonnes and the amount of refuse-derived fuel media during the commencement of the culls; and if he exported from England and Wales in 2012 was 977,452 will make a statement. [198753] tonnes. Flood Control George Eustice: Meetings were held with the National Farmers Union in the six months prior to the start of the pilot culls in 2013. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for There was no media blackout during the pilots. DEFRA Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent and the National Farmers Union continued to make representations he has received on the funding formula spokespeople available to talk to the media throughout for flood defence; and if he will make a statement. the period in which culling was taking place. [198854] However, both the National Farmers Union and Dan Rogerson: DEFRA regularly receives representation DEFRA were always clear that operational information from those seeking Government funding for flood and that could compromise the effectiveness of the cull or coastal risk management schemes to be more focused the safety of those involved would not be disclosed on delivering a particular type of outcome such as during the operation. improved protection for homes, agricultural areas or Energy: Waste infrastructure at risk of flooding. These representations are not in a consistent direction. Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for A recent external evaluation found that, on the whole, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the current partnership funding approach is progressing assessment he has made of the effect of export of well in meeting its policy objectives and that the funding refuse-derived fuel and solid recovered fuel for use in formula should not be changed at present. energy from waste plants overseas on the availability of Our focus is on working with Risk Management such fuel for similar plants in the UK; and if he will Authorities and local communities to put together a make a statement; [198844] six-year investment programme on the basis of the (2) if he will review the export of refuse-derived fuel current funding formula, for announcement this autumn. and solid recovered fuel for use in energy from waste The programme will reduce flood risk for 300,000 plants overseas; and if he will make a statement. households by March 2021. [198890] Floods Dan Rogerson: We published a call for evidence on the refuse-derived fuel market in England on 12 March. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for This included a request for evidence on the effect that Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much of the exports of refuse-derived fuel had on its availability on Flood Defence Repair Fund paid to the Environment the domestic market. The call for evidence closed on Agency has been (a) allocated to the Environment 9 May. We are currently analysing the evidence submitted, Agency and (b) spent by the Environment Agency to which will aid our understanding of the situation, help repair flood defences to date. [198652] us to determine whether there is a need for some form of intervention and, if so, help us to develop policy Dan Rogerson: DEFRA has made available to the options. Environment Agency an additional £30 million in 2013-14 and up to £135 million in 2014-15, to respond to the Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for winter floods and repair flood and coastal defences. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he The Environment Agency spent £31.2 million on repairs has made of the amount of (a) refuse-derived fuel and and emergency response between January and March (b) solid recovered fuel produced in the UK exported 2014. This includes £26 million on asset repair costs, annually for use in energy from waste plants overseas. £1.5 million of which was paid to local authorities. The [198850] remaining £5.2 million was spent on other associated costs, such as incident management and emergency Dan Rogerson: In 2012 (the most recent year for response. These are the latest figures available. which definitive figures are available), 977,452 tonnes of refuse-derived fuel and 7,783 tonnes of solid recovered Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for fuel were exported from England and Wales for use in Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much of the energy from waste plants. Data for Scotland and Northern Repair and Renew Grant for flooded businesses or Ireland is collected separately and falls under the households has been (a) allocated to local authorities responsibility of the Scottish Government and the Northern and (b) received by households or businesses to date. Ireland Executive respectively. [198654] 19W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 20W

Dan Rogerson: Local authorities make payments to Water: EU Law households and businesses and invoice DEFRA quarterly for these amounts. We are expecting the first invoices in Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for July. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what basic measures his Department takes in relation to (a) Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for controls on abstraction and (b) prevent and control Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much of his pollutants from diffuse sources in order to comply with Department’s partnership funding framework has been Article 11.3 of the Water Framework Directive. spent on property level protection schemes to date. [198576] [198656] Dan Rogerson: Controls on water abstraction are Dan Rogerson: Property Level Protection describes a applied through the licensing system operated by the suite of measures used in places where other solutions Environment Agency, which sets out prior authorisation are either not cost effective or not practical. The amount and control of water abstractions and impoundments. allocated to schemes since the partnership funding approach Measures to prevent and control pollutants from was launched in 2012 is £2.43 million. This consists of diffuse sources include: £2.08 million in grant in aid from the Government, and i. Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations contributions of £0.35 million from partners. 2010. These make it an offence to cause or knowingly permit a water discharge activity or groundwater activity, except under, Livestock: Transport and to the extent authorised by, an environmental permit. The Environment Agency regulates discharges under the environmental permitting regime. It can carry out works itself to rectify activities Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for causing pollution, or issue anti-pollution works notices to require Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it work to take place to prevent, remedy or prohibit pollution, as his policy to check all lorries containing live animals well as prosecuting offenders if pollution does take place; for export at UK ports. [198838] ii. the Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008, which aim to reduce agricultural nitrate pollution and the risk of further George Eustice: The Animal Health and Veterinary such pollution occurring. The regulations implement the Nitrates directive, and apply within designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) takes a risk-based (57% of England); approach to vehicle inspection in relation to exports of iii. the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry livestock for slaughter. The Government has no plans and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (England) Regulations 2010, which set to change this approach. standards for storing silage, livestock slurry and agricultural fuel oil to minimise the risk of water pollution. These are applicable Water: Drugs nationally; and iv. cross-compliance requirements for those farmers claiming direct payments and those participating in various rural development Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for schemes. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 6 May 2014, Official Report, column 41W, on drinking water, whether his Department has conducted a study of levels of psychotropic drugs in ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE UK rivers and seawater. [198996] Boilers Dan Rogerson: Currently no psychotropic drugs have been identified as Priority Hazardous Substances, Priority David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Substances or UK Specific Pollutants under the Water Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward Framework Directive. As such no routine monitoring is proposals to encourage households off the mains gas carried out for these substances in England. grid to use condensing boilers. [198780] However, previous research by the Environment Agency Michael Fallon: The Government fully recognises on pharmaceuticals in surface waters included that Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and oil, like other environmental monitoring for the psychotropic drug fossil fuels, will continue to play a part in the UK’s fluoxetine (an anti-depressant). In 2005, monitoring energy mix, while the way we heat our homes changes. was undertaken in rivers downstream of a number of DECC has introduced the domestic renewable heat sewage works across England and Wales. 39 samples incentive (RHI) scheme to support renewable heating were taken with fluoxetine occurring in 85% of samples systems. The domestic RHI is targeted predominately at with a maximum concentration of 0.044 microgrammes/ off gas-grid households, by compensating for the additional litre, and norfluoxetine in 51% of samples with a maximum costs faced when replacing an oil boiler with a renewable concentration of 0.083 microgrammes/litre. heating system. New incentives for oil and LPG boilers During 2011, a programme of monitoring for pesticides would undermine the balance struck in the design of was undertaken in six catchments. The psychotropic the RHI, and potentially cause confusion for consumers. drugs carbamazepine and gabapentin were detected The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) will continue in all six catchments with maximum levels of to support oil and LPG condensing boilers for low 0.7 microgrammes/litre and 1.2 microgrammes/litre income and vulnerable households. By February this respectively. year around 320,000 households were helped under The report published by the Drinking Water Inspectorate ECO. We are making changes to ECO to provide a evaluated the risk from psychotropic drugs in river greater incentive for targeting measures at off-gas grid water used for abstraction for drinking water supplies. households. 21W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 22W

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Table 2: Number of Bankruptcies, Debt Relief Orders and Individual Voluntary 1 Energy and Climate Change for what reasons Arrangements in each London borough, 2011-12 Bankruptcies Debt Relief Individual condensing oil and liquefied petroleum gas condensing Orders Voluntary boilers were excluded from being eligible technologies Arrangements for the purposes of the receipt of monies from the London Green Deal Improvement Fund. [198781] borough 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 City of 36012 5 Gregory Barker: DECC has introduced the domestic London renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme to support renewable Barking and 131 95 78 89 178 187 heating systems. The RHI aims to compensate householders Dagenham for the additional costs they face when installing a Barnet 160 138 44 37 160 147 renewable heating system compared to an oil heating Bexley 126 103 63 82 190 151 system. The domestic RHI is targeted at, but not limited Brent 131 88 57 78 148 138 to, homes off the gas grid. Incentivising oil and LPG Bromley 144 148 57 69 154 155 boilers in this context would undermine the design of Camden 101 90 70 71 58 71 the RHI, and potentially cause confusion for consumers. Croydon 199 187 96 71 266 261 For more vulnerable customers, support is available Ealing 148 115 36 49 147 137 through the Energy Company Obligation, with proposals Enfield 154 140 82 55 165 177 to strengthen this support for off-grid properties. For Greenwich 114 108 198 171 157 142 these reasons, DECC considers it appropriate to exclude Hackney 136 87 95 71 111 94 these heating measures from the Green Deal Home Hammersmith 79 61 58 35 66 67 Improvement Fund (GDHIF) scheme. and Fulham Haringey 164 95 83 83 101 104 Harrow 103 68 25 13 95 105 Havering 137 110 55 68 152 138 BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Hillingdon 116 121 48 62 175 160 Bankruptcy Hounslow 136 107 59 62 183 163 Islington 117 86 122 113 87 73 Kensington 84 80 68 60 42 33 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for and Chelsea Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) Kingston 66 52 44 44 56 69 bankruptcy orders were granted and (b) individual upon Thames voluntary arrangements were agreed in each (i) region Lambeth 126 95 116 105 141 128 of England and (ii) London borough in (A) 2011-12, Lewisham 130 104 111 105 145 151 (B) 2012-13 and (C) 2013-14; and if he will make a Merton 90 71 49 25 91 100 statement. [199140] Newham 138 109 112 116 187 166 Redbridge 133 141 67 79 140 114 Jenny Willott: Figures for the number of bankruptcies, Richmond 72 57 65 45 60 63 debt relief orders and individual voluntary arrangements upon Thames in each region of England and each London borough in Southwark 130 134 80 91 150 136 2011 and 2012 can be found in the tables below. The Sutton 111 93 100 91 175 103 sum of these procedures represents the total number of Tower 180 104 100 93 129 98 individual insolvencies in each area. Hamlets Waltham 144 96 167 147 135 126 The Insolvency Service compiles its regional individual Forest insolvency statistics on a calendar year basis, therefore Wandsworth 112 72 61 56 108 132 financial year totals are not available. Figures for 2013 Westminster 132 95 62 34 74 62 will be available on the Insolvency Service website from 10 July 2014. London 4,047 3,256 2,528 2,371 4,228 3,956 Table 1: Number of Bankruptcies, Debt Relief Orders and Individual Voluntary 1 Where individual has provided a valid postcode Arrangements in each Region of England, 2011-121 Individual It should be noted that these figures do not account Debt Relief Voluntary for any changes in the base population over time. Using Bankruptcies Orders Arrangements the rate of bankruptcies per 10,000 adults allows for a Region 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 like-for-like comparison across years. North East 2,367 1,834 1,907 2,090 3,046 3,000 Headline figures for insolvencies in England and North West 5,491 4,378 3,993 4,465 6,718 6,608 Wales can be found in the quarterly “Insolvency Statistics” Yorkshire and 4,317 3,295 2,791 3,278 5,147 4,692 The Humber release, a National Statistics publication. Figures for East Midlands 3,902 2,743 2,553 2,649 4,501 4,330 January-March 2014 were published on 29 April 2014, West 3,756 2,943 2,984 3,306 5,224 4,805 and can be found here: Midlands https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/insolvency- East of 4,141 3,149 3,053 3,102 4,904 4,857 statistics-january-to-march-2014 England London 4,047 3,256 2,528 2,371 4,228 3,956 Annual numbers and rates of bankruptcies by region South East 5,756 4,180 3,372 3,500 7,302 6,686 for 2000-2012 are available in the “Individual Insolvencies South West 4,564 3,615 3,966 4,269 4,519 4,661 by Region” publication, which can be found at the following link: England 38,341 29,393 27,147 29,030 45,589 43,595 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/insolvency- 1 Where individual has provided a valid postcode statistics-individual-insolvencies-by-region 23W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 24W

Business: Billing Medical Research Council expenditure on Type 1 diabetes, 2008/09 to 2012/13 Expenditure (£ million) Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken 2008/09 4.7 to speed up payments by public bodies and private 2009/10 3.7 concerns to small businesses; and what recent 2010/11 3.6 assessment he has made of average payment times. 2011/12 4.0 [199086] 2012/13 3.6 Note: Matthew Hancock: We announced further reforms to Where a research project is related to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, 100% of the project value has been included in the totals shown public procurement on 30 May to speed up payments above. by public bodies to small businesses. These include The MRC does not routinely analyse expenditure on improvements to e-invoicing, procurement processes diabetes research beyond an analysis of T1D and Type and greater powers for Ministers to investigate 2 Diabetes research. However, details of all research complaints raised by the Cabinet Office’s ‘mystery shopper supported by the MRC, including summaries describing scheme’. the aims of the research and links to research publications We have also announced new legislation that will and outputs can be found on the Research Council require larger businesses to report on their payment UK’s Gateway to Research at: performance and practices. Increasing transparency and http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/ driving openness is at the heart of building a more responsible payment culture that UK businesses need to The MRC does not normally allocate funds to particular thrive. topics but always welcomes high quality applications into any aspect of human health. All applications are Recent research suggests that UK businesses experience judged in open competition and the primary considerations an average 17 day delay to payment of invoices. This is a in funding decisions are scientific quality and importance reduction in the past two years but a figure that is still to human health. In keeping with the Haldane principle, too high and is holding back investment and growth. decisions on research priorities and funding are taken by the Research Councils based on advice from the Conditions of Employment scientific community through peer review. The Technology Strategy Board spend on T1D in the Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, last three years was £354,879.00. This relates to a project Innovation and Skills what information his which ran in 2010/11. Department holds on the number of zero-hours contracts in the UK which bar any additional Insolvency employment. [198782] Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Jenny Willott: The Department for Business, Innovation Business, Innovation and Skills how many insolvencies and Skills has not collected any quantitative information there were in each (a) region of England and (b) on the number of zero-hours contracts in the UK which London borough in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) bar any additional employment. The Chartered Institute 2013-14; and if he will make a statement. [199141] of Personnel and Development (CIPD) suggested, in its report ‘Zero Hours Contracts: Myth and reality’ that Jenny Willott: Figures for the number of individual 9% of workers on zero hours contracts reported that insolvencies in each region in England and each London they were never allowed to work for another employer borough in 2011 and 2012 can be found in the following when their primary employer had no work for them. tables. Individual insolvency figures include bankruptcy orders, debt relief orders and individual voluntary Diabetes arrangements. The Insolvency Service compiles its regional individual insolvency statistics on a calendar year basis, therefore Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for financial year totals are not available. Figures for 2013 Business, Innovation and Skills how much his will be available on the Insolvency Service website from Department has spent on research for a cure for Type 1 10 July 2014. diabetes in the last three years; and if he will take steps Regional breakdowns for the number of company to increase such funding in the forthcoming financial insolvencies are not currently available. year. [198819] Table 1: Number of individual insolvencies in each region of England, 2011-121 Mr Willetts: The Medical Research Council (MRC) Region 2011 2012 is one of the seven Research Councils sponsored by the North East 7,320 6,924 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). North West 16,202 15,451 The MRC funds a broad portfolio of diabetes research Yorkshire and The Humber 12,255 11,265 which amounted to £24 million in 2012/13. Of this, East Midlands 10,956 9,722 £3.6 million (15%) is relevant to Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). West Midlands 11,964 11,054 This includes underpinning studies relevant to diabetes East of England 12,098 11,108 in general, as well as studies on the prevention, treatment London 10,803 9,583 and the downstream consequences of T1D. Expenditure South East 16,430 14,366 on T1D research over the last five years is as follows: South West 13,049 12,545 25W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 26W

Table 1: Number of individual insolvencies in each region of England, 2011-121 Matthew Hancock: We continue to work hard to Region 2011 2012 provide the right support to make life easier for all England 111,077 102,018 people setting up and growing a business, including 1 Where individual has provided a valid postcode. disabled people. The website: 1 Table 2: Number of individual insolvencies in each London borough, 2011-12 www.gov.uk/business London borough 2011 2012 is the home for Government services and information City of London 5 12 online. One of the tools available is the ’Business Finance Barking and Dagenham 387 371 and Support Finder;’ that can provide a customised Barnet 364 322 source of Government backed support and finance for Bexley 379 336 business. The website: Brent 336 304 www.greatbusiness.gov.uk Bromley 355 372 also provides support and advice for anyone trying to Camden 229 232 grow a business as well as for entrepreneurs starting Croydon 561 519 out. Ealing 331 301 In addition to online support, the Business Support Enfield 401 372 Helpline (0300 456 3565) is available to provide a quick Greenwich 469 421 response on queries about starting a business, or a Hackney 342 252 personalised and in-depth advice service for more complex Hammersmith and Fulham 203 163 needs. For those looking for start-up finance and advice Haringey 348 282 there are Start-Up Loans: 19 loans worth a total of Harrow 223 186 £53,855 have been drawn down in Kilmarnock and Havering 344 316 Loudoun to date. Hillingdon 339 343 Hounslow 378 332 Finally, the New Enterprise Allowance helps people Islington 326 272 claiming certain out of work benefits to start up their Kensington and Chelsea 194 173 own business. As of March 2014, 7,420 disabled people Kingston upon Thames 166 165 (or a total of 40,420) had started a new business with Lambeth 383 328 the help of the NEA. Lewisham 386 360 Students: Loans Merton 230 196 Newham 437 391 Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Redbridge 340 334 Business, Innovation and Skills if he will consider Richmond upon Thames 197 165 changing student loan payments from three termly Southwark 360 361 instalments to monthly instalments; and what steps his Sutton 386 287 Department has taken to help students learn to budget. Tower Hamlets 409 295 [198825] Waltham Forest 446 369 Wandsworth 281 260 Mr Willetts: The Government is not currently intending Westminster 268 191 to change student loan payments from three termly London total 10,803 9,583 instalments to monthly instalments. Payments of living 1 Where individual has provided a valid postcode. costs support for full-time students in higher education It should be noted that these figures do not account at the start of each term give students the flexibility to for any changes in the base population over time. Using meet up-front costs such as accommodation costs. the rate of bankruptcies per 10,000 adults allows for a Advice on effective budgeting is available through the like-for-like comparison across years. BIS Student Finance Tour where recent graduates share their personal experience with prospective students on Headline figures for insolvencies in England and how to manage their living costs spending while at Wales can be found in the quarterly “Insolvency Statistics” university. Around 120,000 prospective students attended release, a National Statistics publication. Figures for the Tour in 2013, and the aim is to increase this number January-March 2014 were published on 29 April 2014, to 140,000 in 2014. Budgeting advice is also available and can be found here: through university student support services including https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/insolvency- the Money Doctors Initiative. Additional resources are statistics-january-to-march-2014 available through the National Union of Students and Annual numbers and rates of bankruptcies by region the National Association of Student Money Advisers. for 2000-12 are available in the Individual Insolvencies by Region publication, which can be found at the following link: DEFENCE https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/insolvency- Air Force statistics-individual-insolvencies-by-region Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for New Businesses: Disability Defence with reference to the answer of 29 April 2014, Official Report, column 636W, on the Air Force, (1) Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for whether any such UK personnel are embedded or Business, Innovation and Skills what assistance is otherwise interact with the (a) 22nd, (b) 30th, (c) available to disabled people who wish to start their own 867th and (d) 732nd Air Force Reconnaissance businesses. [198945] Squadrons; [199004] 27W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 28W

(2) whether any such UK personnel are embedded or Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft otherwise interact with the US Air Force’s 17th Reconnaissance Squadron. [199005] Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the through life cost is for each of the Mr Francois: 732nd is an Operations Group which 14 Voyager aircraft. [198947] comprises four Reconnaissance Squadron’s—17th,22nd, 30th and 867th. No UK Remotely Piloted Air System Mr Dunne: We do not possess through life cost personnel are embedded with, or interact with the 732nd information for individual aircraft in the Voyager fleet. Operations Group Squadrons. Under the Voyager PFI solution the MOD is not buying aircraft but a 27 year integrated Air Transport and Air to Air Refuelling service which is underpinned by the Astute Class Submarines provision of 14 aircraft, the infrastructure, personnel, training and training school (including a full mission simulator), aircraft maintenance and engineering, spares, Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for despatch and ground support. The outturn value of the Defence what contracts are outstanding in the Astute contract is £10.5 billion over 27 years, excluding fuel programme. [198946] and other associated usage costs.

Mr Dunne: The following table describes the current HMS Montrose Ministry of Defence contracts solely for the Astute class submarine programme. All contracts, except serial Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for 9, are with BAE Systems Marine Ltd. Once in service, Defence (1) when HMS Montrose will take over the platforms, including the Astute class, are supported via Fleet Ready Escort task; and what ship it will replace in extant Fleet wide arrangements. that role; [199112]

Serial Contract Description (2) what maintenance HMS Montrose will undergo before being assigned to the Fleet Ready Escort task; 1 Batch 1 The build of Astute boats 1-3. and whether such tasking after a long deployment is a 2 Boat 4 The build of Astute boat 4. regular occurrence. [199149] 3 Boat 5 The provision of long-lead materials and activities to support the build of Astute boat 5. Mr Francois: HMS Montrose was previously deployed 4 Boat 6 The provision of long-lead materials and activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. She returned to the UK to support the build of Astute boat 6. for a period of planned maintenance and post-deployment 5 Boat 7 The provision of long-lead materials and activities leave before conducting a short port visit in London to support the build of Astute boat 7. and then participating in a NATO Exercise. 6 Base To provide the initial spares provisioning for Spares Astute boats leaving Barrow. Royal Navy ships are programmed in accordance 7 — Foundation Placed to deliver the savings required with our operational requirements, but for security by the 2010 SDSR through performance reasons we do not discuss specific future operational improvement and cost-benefit initiatives. To tasking. note that this contract impacts on both the Astute and Successor programmes. 8 Submarine The provision of In Service technical assistance. Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft Design Services Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for 9 Astute A PFI contract for the provision of Astute Defence whether any RAF pilot has flown the Joint Class class crew training. The contract is placed with Strike Fighter B at (a) supersonic speeds, (b) above Training FAST Training Services Ltd (a consortium of Service BAE Systems, L-3 Communications and Babcock 18 degrees angle of attack and (c) past 4.5 g-force. International). [199142]

Mr Dunne: The RAF test pilot at NAS Patuxent Cyprus River routinely flies the Joint Strike Fighter B at supersonic speeds, above 18 degrees angle of attack and past 4.5 g-force. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to decide whether Cape Pyla Libya in the Cyprus sovereign base area of Dhekelia will be designated as a protected area. [198677] Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish his Department’s assessment Mr Francois: Designation of Cape Pyla as a Special of lessons learned from the recent Libyan campaign. Area of Conservation under the Protection and [199068] Management of Nature and Wildlife Ordinance 2007 is being considered. As part of this process, the Administration Mr Francois: The Department has a very thorough must take account of representations about the proposed lessons learned process which is normally applied when designation before making a final decision. It is hoped an operation is initiated. However, due to operational that a decision on designation can be achieved in 2015, security sensitivities we do not, as a matter of course, following the consultation period and work to determine publish the findings of such processes. We have no plans the precise boundaries of the designated area. to publish any lessons learned from Op Ellamy. 29W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 30W

Nigeria Banks: Loans

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Defence if he will provide an update on the use of his (1) what representations he has received about the Department’s resources to help efforts to locate publication of personal and business lending data by abducted girls in northern Nigeria. [199093] postcode; and if he will make a statement; [199106] (2) if he will require banks and their financial Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence is contributing institutions to release further personal and business to the international effort to find the missing school lending data by postcode; and if he will make a girls through the deployment of a Sentinel surveillance statement; [199138] aircraft to help improve the intelligence picture, (3) if he will require banks to publish data on the complementing other international intelligence and number of new small business accounts in 2011-12, surveillance assets. UK military personnel have also 2012-13 and 2013-14; and if he will make a statement; been deployed to a multi-national intelligence fusion [199107] team based in Nigeria, whose role is to assist the Nigerians (4) if he will require the Prudential Regulation in their efforts to locate the girls. Authority to conduct an analysis of recently released Nimrod Aircraft personal and business lending data by postcode to examine (a) levels of disparity in lending and (b) progress in achieving financial inclusion; and if he will Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for make a statement. [199137] Defence what estimate he has made of the total disposal cost of the Nimrod MRA4 airframes. [199145] Andrea Leadsom: In July 2013 the Government announced that it had reached an agreement with the Mr Dunne: The Nimrod MRA4 airframes were major UK banks to publish lending data across 10,000 dismantled on the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s behalf individual postcodes. by Metal and Waste Recycling Ltd at a cost of around £500,000. As part of the contractual arrangements with The first dataset was published in December 2013 the company, the MOD received receipts from the sale and shows the outstanding stock of lending that has of the dismantled airframes to the value of just over £1 been committed to customers across three categories: million. loans and overdrafts to SMEs, mortgages and unsecured personal loans (excluding credit cards). The data will allow challenger banks, smaller building societies, credit unions and community development TREASURY finance institutions (CDFIs) to find areas where there is a lack of lending so they can offer finance to those Air Passenger Duty: Scotland customers who are crying out for support to help their business grow. Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount Cash Dispensing of revenue accruing to the Exchequer from air passenger duty in respect of (a) domestic and (b) Richard Burden: To ask the Chancellor of the international flights from each airport in Scotland in Exchequer what steps he is taking to improve access to 2013-14. [198983] free to use cash machines. [198801]

Nicky Morgan: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Andrea Leadsom: 95% of communities in the lowest does not collect information on the contribution to air quartile of the Government deprivation index now have passenger duty (APD) revenues made from flights to or free-to-use ATMs within their area or less than two from specific airports or countries. thirds of a mile from the area’s centre. This has brought access to free-to-use ATMs to over 1.5 million people HMRC has published a set of statistics presenting and progress towards covering even more communities estimates of the disaggregation of tax receipts between continues. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, available at: LINK has established a Financial Inclusion Programme to provide free-to-use ATMs where they are needed, by https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disaggregation- of-hmrc-tax-receipts installing ATMs that are subsidised to make their operation commercially viable for operators. The cost of this The estimate for the total amount of APD revenues subsidy is shared out among LINK member banks. attributable to Scotland in 2012-13 was £227 million. 1,400 target areas now have access to an industry subsidised This estimate is not broken down by revenues from ATM through the programme. domestic and international flights. I am aware Toynbee Hall is due to complete research Information on APD revenues and passenger numbers on this issue shortly. by band is available at: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/ Gaming Machines: Taxation TaxAndDutyBulletins.aspx Information on the number of passengers flying to Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Chancellor of the and from UK airports is available at: Exchequer for what reason the threshold charge http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80&pagetype payable for a type 2 machine for the purposes of =88&pageid=3&sglid=3#Data calculating machine gaming duty was set at £5. [199029] 31W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 32W

Mr Gauke: I refer the right hon. Member to the Personal Savings: Young People Explanatory Note for Clause 117 of Finance Bill 2014, which can be found at: Graham Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage young attachment_data/file/298680/ savers. [198958] ENs_Finance_Bill_2014__1_.pdf Gold: Prices Mr Gauke: At the Budget it was announced that, from 1 July 2014, the limits for Junior ISAs and Child Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Trust Funds (CTFs) will rise from £3,720 to £4,000. Exchequer with reference to the answer of 24 February Following a public consultation, the Government has 2014, Official Report, column 29W, if he will make an decided to allow the transfer of savings from CTFs to assessment of the effect of US regulatory authorities’ Junior ISAs. We are committed to ensuring that there is interventions in the gold market on gold market-related a clear and simple way to save for all children and securities in ISAs. [199054] believe that parents should be allowed the opportunity Andrea Leadsom: The Government monitors to transfer from a CTF to a Junior ISA if they consider developments in the gold market including, where relevant, this to be the most appropriate account for their child. regulatory action in other jurisdictions. The Government The Government has clauses in the Deregulation Bill, is committed to taking action, whenever necessary, to currently making its way through Parliament, which ensure the efficient functioning of these essential markets. will enable the transfers. We hope this option to transfer will be available by April 2015. Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Bank of England has engaged Remittances in any selling, leasing, loaning, hypothecating or re-hypothecating either independently or in conjunction with other parties, which could have had Angie Bray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the effect of lowering or suppressing the quoted market (1) what recent progress has been made on enabling the price of gold since May 2010. [199055] continuation of money transfer abroad from UK financial institutions; and if he will make a statement; Andrea Leadsom: The Bank of England has not been [198756] active in the gold market during or since May 2010, (2) what discussions his Department has had with its either in its own capacity, or acting as agent for Her Somali counterpart on ensuring that remittances can Majesty’s Treasury for the UK’s official reserves (the continue from UK financial institutions; [198752] ″Exchange Equalisation Account″ or EEA). (3) when the action group on remittances will next As a result, the Bank did not engage in any selling, meet to consider the issue of money transfer abroad. leasing, loaning, hypothecating or re-hypothecating of [198754] gold during this period. Mortgages: Huntingdon Andrea Leadsom: The UK Government is committed to supporting a healthy and legitimate remittance sector, Mr Djanogly: To ask the Chancellor of the and ensuring that UK citizens are able to continue to Exchequer how many applications have been made (a) remit funds safely to family abroad. The progress of the successfully and (b) unsuccessfully under the second Action Group on Cross Border Remittances is on track stage of the Government’s Help to Buy mortgage and the group is next due to meet on 27 June 2014. guarantee scheme in Huntingdon constituency. [199061] Further information on the Action Group, including future meeting dates can be found on the group’s web Andrea Leadsom: The Government publishes quarterly page: official statistics relating to the Help to Buy: mortgage https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/helping-developing- guarantee scheme. The first of these were published on countries-economies-to-grow/supporting-pages/enabling-the- 29 May 2014. continued-flow-of-remittances This report, along with accompanying tables, can be A key output of the group is improved guidance, found at: both for financial institutions which provide banking https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/help-to-buy- facilities for MSBs and for MSBs themselves on how to mortgage-guarantee-scheme-quarterly-statistics-october- comply with their anti-money laundering and counter 2013-to-march-2014 financing of terrorism obligations. These two key pieces Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties of guidance were endorsed by the Action Group in its most recent meeting and are subject to normal approval Jim Shannon: To ask the Chancellor of the processes. Exchequer if he will bring forward legislative proposals The UK Government is liaising closely with the to exempt people in receipt of attendance allowance Somali Government on activity under way to ensure the from paying vehicle excise duty. [199105] continued flow of remittances from the UK to Somalia. The ambassador of Somalia to the UK (or his Nicky Morgan: Consistent with the approach taken representative) has attended all of the Advisory Group by successive Governments there are no plans to exempt Meetings for the UK-Somali Safer Corridor. Officials attendance allowance recipients from Vehicle Excise from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Duty. However, all taxes are kept under review as part Department for International Development and World of the annual Budget process. Bank have also held bilateral meetings with the ambassador. 33W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 34W

Tax Allowances: Pensions Regional analysis April Mr Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 if he will make an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer North 30 71 95 98 76 68 49 of equalising the tax relief given on employee East contributions to pension schemes at 30%. [198645] North 514 685 784 803 775 706 576 Mr Gauke: Estimates of the Exchequer effect of West equalising the tax relief given on employee contributions Overseas 6 11 9 6 3 16 13 to pension schemes at 30% are not available. Scotland 21 26 30 32 28 29 33 South 193 294 358 370 361 326 267 East South 62 81 100 113 113 100 93 JUSTICE West Buses: Accidents Wales 61 73 95 81 101 88 66 West 206 321 408 404 358 292 208 Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Midlands Justice on how many occasions coroners have Yorkshire 230 316 366 387 329 245 176 attributed motor accidents involving fatalities to the and age and deterioration of tyres on coaches since 1994. Humber [198902] Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust Simon Hughes: The Ministry of Justice collects data from coroners on the deaths reported to them for the Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for annual Coroners Statistics bulletin. Justice (1) how many unfilled posts of each grade there The bulletin is available at: were in the Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust in (a) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coroners- April and (b) May 2014; [198934] statistics-2013 (2) how many unfilled posts of each grade there were The statistical information is collected in summary in the Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust in each form and does not include data at the level of detail month since January 2012. [198978] requested. Claims Management Services Jeremy Wright: The information requested is not held centrally. Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) Vacancies were managed locally by probation trusts what estimate he has made of how many claim which have now ceased to exist. management companies operated in each region since 2008; [198901] (2) how many claims management companies were operating in the Yorkshire and Humber region in each INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT year from 2008 to 2014. [198875] Acanchi Mr Vara: With rigorous new measures being brought in across the board, we are taking strong action to rein Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for in the rogue firms operating in this sector. International Development with reference to the Continued action to remove licences from companies answers of 12 May 2014, Official Report, column with poor practices alongside forthcoming claims 328W, on developing countries: marketing and of management regulation reforms proves just how much 21 June 2004, Official Report, coumn 1215W to work is going on to get tough on companies that defy question to 179188 on ACTIS/CDC, what the nature of the rules and bombard the public with unwelcome calls the work conducted by Acanchi was; and how much and misleading information. was paid for that work. [198767] We are changing the law to further toughen the regime, including introducing fines, and ensuring firms Justine Greening: CDC is a public limited company cannot buy in any contact details which have been with an independent management and Board. DFID is gathered unlawfully. not involved in CDC operational matters and therefore does not hold the information requested. The number of claims management companies (CMCs) operating in each region between April 2008 and April Afghanistan 2014 were as follows: Regional analysis Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for April International Development how much her Department 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 spent on contracts for consultancy groups on the Bost Agri-Business Park and Airfield projects in East 107 134 165 173 146 138 114 Afghanistan in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) East 56 97 131 139 152 137 120 2013. [198786] Midlands London 253 378 545 531 524 444 340 Justine Greening: I refer the Hon. member to the Northern 005336 4 Ireland answer that I gave to him on 5 March 2013, Official Report, column 967-68W. 35W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 36W

Consultants Overseas Aid

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what criteria her International Development whether it is her Department uses for decisions on contracts to Department’s policy to send only departmental consultancy groups on development projects. [198788] development experts to oversee development projects overseas. [198787] Justine Greening: Procurement tendering processes conducted by my Department are completed in accordance Justine Greening: DFID sends a variety of developmental with EU directives. Contracts are awarded following a experts to oversee projects overseas. competitive tendering process. Invitations to tender are Syria specific to the nature of the intervention required. Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she International Development how many consultancy made of the humanitarian situation in Syria; and if she groups currently have global contracts with her will make a statement. [198809] Department as development implementers. [198789] Justine Greening: The humanitarian crisis in Syria Justine Greening: Procurement tendering processes has reached catastrophic proportions. The UN estimates conducted by my department are completed in accordance that 9.3 million people are in dire need of humanitarian with EU directives. Contracts are awarded following a aid within Syria. At least 6.5 million people in Syria competitive tendering process. Invitations to tender are have been forced to flee their homes to other areas of specific to the nature of the intervention required. the country and there are now over 2.8 million refugees DFID has no contracts providing global services. in the region. Developing Countries: Females

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for HOME DEPARTMENT International Development in which countries in Asylum: Children receipt of her Department’s funds in each of the last two financial years women are known to have been Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the murdered (a) for apostasy and (b) in honour killings Home Department with reference to the answer of 6 with impunity; and if she will make a statement. May 2014, Official Report, column 66W, on asylum: [198986] children, which local authorities have used the fund Lynne Featherstone: Given that globally one in three and how much to support asylum seekers who are care women will experience violence in her lifetime, preventing leavers in each of the last five years. [198605] violence against girls and women in all its forms is a James Brokenshire: The total amount of funding priority for DFID. While DFID does not collect or provided in each of the five years is set out in the hold the information in the form requested, the UK has following table: prioritised addressing violence against women and girls around the world. We are also committed to help 10 £ million million women access justice through the courts, police, and legal assistance by 2015. 2013-14 11.9 India 2012-13 12.9 2011-12 15.3 Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 20.3 International Development what steps her Department 2009-10 11.0 has taken to investigate allegations that employees of The figures for 2009-13 inclusive are taken from the programmes in Bihar State funded by her Department audited accounts of the UK Border Agency. Figures for are not receiving their salaries. [199094] 2013-14 are provisional and subject to audit and possible Mr Duncan: DFID is aware of a contractual dispute adjustment. between a contractor to the Government of Bihar and The following lists the local authorities that receive its sub-contractors. We have looked into this, and are the leaving care funding. clear that this is now a matter for the Government of Local authorities receiving leaving care funding, 2009-14 Bihar. Barking and Dagenham Nigeria Barnet Bexley Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Bedfordshire International Development pursuant to the answer of Birmingham 13 May 2014, Official Report, columns 549-50W, on Brent Nigeria, whether her Department collects this data on Brighton and Hove a state-by-state basis. [199097] Bromley Lynne Featherstone: The 2008 Demographic and Health Cambridgeshire Survey is conducted by the National Population Camden Commission. The data requested are collected on a City of London national basis rather than state by state. Croydon 37W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 38W

Ealing Members: Correspondence Enfield Greenwich Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to reply to the Hackney letter to the Immigration and Security Minister dated Hammersmith 7 April 2014 from the right hon. Member for Hampshire Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Asif Khan Haringey Uriakhel. [198698] Harrow James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member Havering on 20 May 2014. Hertfordshire Hillingdon Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to reply to the Hounslow letter to her dated 8 April 2014 from the right hon. Islington Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Kensington and Chelsea Naraendra Singh Bhati. [198699] Kent Kingston James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 20 May 2014. Lambeth Leeds Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Leicestershire the Home Department when she intends to reply to the Lewisham letter to the Immigration and Security Minister dated 7 April 2014 from the right hon. Member for Lincolnshire Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr M. Frimpong. Liverpool [198701] Manchester Newcastle James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 20 May 2014. Newham Northamptonshire Private Investigators Oxfordshire Redbridge Sir Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of Richmond 13 May 2014, Official Report, 462W, on private Sheffield investigation, whether she plans to consult upon the Slough terms and conditions of licences for private Solihull investigators prior to their implementation under the Southwark new statutory licensing requirement. [198722] Staffordshire Karen Bradley: The Security Industry Authority (SIA)— Suffolk the regulator of the private security industry—will engage Surrey with the private investigations sector on the development Thurrock of licensing criteria and conditions prior to the Tower Hamlets implementation of the new licensing regime. Waltham Forest Warwickshire FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE West Sussex Westminster Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences Worcestershire. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Legal Aid Scheme Department has taken with UN Women in the planning of the June 2014 summit to end sexual Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for the violence in conflict. [198823] Home Department (1) how many cases funded by legal aid taken against her Department where public interest Mr Swire: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office lawyers have represented clients were won by her (FCO) is working closely with a broad range of UN Department in each of the last 10 years; [198661] agencies who work on sexual violence, including UN Women.UN Women have provided a valuable contribution (2) in how many cases against her Department to Summit planning, as well as the wider development funded by legal aid public interest lawyers represented of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative and will clients in each of the last 10 years. [198665] have an active role at the Summit. The FCO will continue to work with UN partners, including UN Women, to Karen Bradley: The Home Office does not keep a ensure that Summit outcomes and ongoing work on central record of which cases brought against it are this agenda are supportive of the UN Action 2014-2017 legally aided, or of the law firms that represent litigants. Strategic Framework. 39W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 40W

Balkans Mr Swire: Women’s organisation representatives from the Karen Women’s Action Group, the Gender Equality Sir John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Network and the Women’s League of Burma have all Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his been invited and are attending the Global Summit to Department has provided to (a) Serbia and (b) End Sexual Violence in Conflict. In addition, faith Bosnia-Herzegovina following recent flooding in those leaders and other civil society activists are attending as countries. [199098] part of a Burmese civil society delegation. I will be hosting this delegation in the Foreign and Commonwealth Mr Lidington: I discussed the impact of the floods Office on 10 June. with Prime Minister Vucic of Serbia in Belgrade on Central African Republic 2 June and with Prime Minister Bevanda in Sarajevo on 3 June. During my visit to the region I also met the Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Serbian Red Cross and travelled to Maglaj in Bosnia- and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken in Herzegovina to meet the Mayor and representatives of response to the recent violence in the Central African World Vision. Republic. [198837] In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), between 18 and 23 May a 33 person water rescue team from the British Mark Simmonds: The UK is working closely with Fire Service was deployed to work alongside EUFOR international partners to ensure an effective and Operation Althea and local rescue efforts. They rescued co-ordinated international response to the current nearly 200 people, delivered large amounts of humanitarian humanitarian and security crisis in the Central African aid, and helped restore power in villages North of Republic (CAR). The UK will continue to work with Bijeljina. the AU and UN to ensure the effectiveness of the AU In Serbia, the UK provided 64 radios for the Serbian mission as well as the effective deployment of a UN Ministry of the Interior, to assist with the coordination Peacekeeping Operation. The UK has also provided of their response teams, and donated £280,000 worth of airlifts to help with deployment of the EU security heavy lift and transport vehicles to the Serbian Red mission (EUFOR); has provided a planning officer to Cross to aid their relief distribution effort. the Operational Headquarters; and is providing a share A team from the UK flew out to Serbia and Bosnia of EUFOR’s common costs as well as engaging with and Herzegovina in the week commencing 20 May to EU partners on EUFOR’s approach and rules of assess likely humanitarian and recovery needs. During engagement. We remain the second largest provider of my visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina I was able to humanitarian aid, having given £23 million since the announce that the UK had approved £250,000 to support crisis began. I last discussed with interim President a World Vision flood response project in the region Catherine Samba-Panza on 23 May. focusing on sanitation and health and providing support Colombia for 140,000 people made homeless by the floods. In addition to this bilateral support, the UK provided Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for support to BiH, Serbia and Croatia through the EU, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether UN and other international organisations. In BiH, EUFOR officials from the British Embassy have visited Huber Operation Althea, to which the UK contributes troops Ballesteros in La Picota prison in Bogota; [198773] in-theatre and in reserve, assisted the BiH Armed Forces in their response to the flooding. The First Battalion, (2) how many times officials from the British The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who provide part of Embassy have asked to visit Huber Ballesteros in La EUFOR’s intermediate reserve, and are in BiH for a Picota prison in Bogota; [198774] routine operational rehearsal, will assist the BiH Armed (3) what representations his Department has made to Forces in this regard. the Colombian authorities over the treatment of Huber The UK has worked closely with the EU European Ballesteros in the last eight months; [198775] Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), and offered (4) whether officials from the British Embassy will advice and assistance during all phases of the flood observe the trial of Huber Ballesteros in Colombia; response effort. ECHO have released ¤3.2 million in [198776] humanitarian aid to support the most vulnerable population (5) what preliminary hearings in the case of Huber in BiH and in Serbia (to which the UK will have Ballesteros officals from the British Embassy in Bogota contributed 15%). have attended. [198777] The Government will work closely with the UNDP, the EU and other international organisations to assess Mr Swire: The UK cannot interfere in Colombia’s what further help might be given to help both Serbia judicial process but will continue to raise any concerns and Bosnia Herzegovina recover from the impact of the regarding due process and conditions with the Colombian floods. authorities. The embassy is currently awaiting authorisation from Burma the Municipal Criminal Court to visit Huber Ballesteros in prison. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for To date, the British embassy has not yet been authorised Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which women’s to visit Huber Ballesteros in prison, this is despite organisations from Burma have been invited to the requesting permission on six different occasions. global summit on sexual violence in conflict being held No representatives of the British embassy were able in London in June 2014. [198824] to attend the preliminary hearings in the case of Huber 41W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 42W

Ballesteros due to unrelated security concerns. His trial enhancing the capacity of Commonwealth members’ will take place on 26 and 27 of June and the British national human rights institutions. Through our regular embassy intends to send officials to observe this. dialogue with the Secretariat on human rights, we urge them to work across the Commonwealth to uphold the Commonwealth values and principles agreed in the Commonwealth Charter. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Egypt Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions on (a) collective action to promote human rights and (b) accountability for violations of the Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Charter were held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the value of Commonwealth Law Ministers’ Meeting in May 2014. (a) exports to and (b) imports from Egypt was in each [198835] of the last three years. [199103]

Mr Swire: The Commonwealth Law Ministers discussed Hugh Robertson: According to the Office of National a wide range of issues relating to human rights, rule of Statistics (ONS), UK imports from Egypt were worth law and preventing violence against women, as well as £1.36 billion in 2010, £1.41 billion in 2011 and £1.21 billion the Commonwealth’s activities in these areas, during in 2012. Over the same period, UK exports to Egypt their meeting in May 2014. We welcomed their were worth £1.77 billion in 2010, £1.70 billion in 2011 acknowledgement that a number of challenges and and £1.59 billion in 2012. ONS figures from 2013 will be gaps remain in the Commonwealth, particularly in published in October 2014. members’ ratification of the nine core international human rights treaties, their engagement with the United Iran Nations Universal Periodical Review (UPR) mechanism and in their establishment of national human rights Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign institutions compliant with the Paris Principles. and Commonwealth Affairs what recent The UK underlined the need for the Commonwealth representations he has made to his Iranian counterpart and its members to adhere to the values and principles about the destruction of an historically important in the Commonwealth Charter at all times and secured Bahá’í cemetery in Shiraz. [198727] improved wording in the final communiqué—not least agreement that the fundamental values of the Hugh Robertson: I was deeply concerned to learn of Commonwealth Charter must be taken into account in the destruction of a Baha’i cemetery in Shiraz, where the context of work to tackle violence against women approximately 950 Baha’is are buried. On 14 May 2014, and a commitment to review implementation of the I made a statement on this issue, calling for Iran to Latimer House Principles. abide by its international commitments to ensure all Iranians are free to practise their religion without fear We continue to encourage the Commonwealth Secretariat of persecution. This includes protection of religious and member states to uphold the commitments in the sites. Commonwealth Charter. We also continue to urge the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, as the custodian Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign of Commonwealth values, to take action where and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call on the infringements of the charter occur. Iranian authorities to halt the destruction of an historically important Bahá’i cemetary in Shiraz; and if Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for he will make a statement. [198766] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the resources and Hugh Robertson: I was deeply concerned to learn of effectiveness of the Commonwealth Human Rights the destruction of a Baha’i cemetery in Shiraz. On Unit; and what discussions he has had with (a) his 14 May 2014, I made a statement on this issue, calling Commonwealth counterparts and (b) the for Iran to abide by its international commitments to Commonwealth Secretariat on the role of the ensure all Iranians are free to practice their religion Commonwealth Human Rights Unit. [198836] without fear of persecution. This includes protection of religious sites. Mr Swire: We support the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Human Rights Unit and welcome the Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Secretariat’s recent statement confirming that the budget Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has and staffing for the Unit has more than doubled under been made towards negotiating a peaceful solution the Commonwealth’s four-year Strategic Plan, which with Iran on the nuclear issue. [199124] was agreed by all Commonwealth members in May 2013. Hugh Robertson: The November interim agreement We monitor the work of the Human Rights Unit between the E3+3 and Iran was a significant first step through our membership of the Commonwealth Executive to resolving the nuclear issue. It has created time to Committee and Board of Governors. The Board of negotiate a comprehensive agreement. On this we are Governors last met on 29 May. making progress although we are under no illusion The Human Rights Unit undertakes valuable work in about the difficulty of reaching a successful outcome. assisting member states with the adoption of international Talks resume on 16 June in Vienna, with the aim of standards on human rights; providing support to member reaching an agreement by the 20 July which is when the states in the Universal Periodic Review process; and in interim deal currently expires. 43W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 44W

Members: Correspondence We have made it clear to the Thai authorities that we will not continue to have normal bilateral relations until Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for an elected government is in place. We are currently Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply reviewing the scope of our cooperation with Thailand. to the letter of 13 May 2014 from the hon. Member for We are consulting with EU members, the US, Australia Harrow West regarding Mr Dipesh Vadera of Harrow; and other allies, to ensure that the international community and if he will make a statement. [199006] speaks with one voice on this. Mr Lidington: The Minister of State, my right hon. Ukraine Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), responded to the right hon. Member on 9 June 2014. Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Morocco assessment he has made of political developments in Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Ukraine; and if he will make a statement. [198804] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information Mr Lidington: On 25 May the Secretary of State for he has received on allegations of human rights Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. violations perpetrated by the Moroccan Security Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) Forces. [198926] congratulated the Ukrainian people on the conduct of Hugh Robertson: We are aware of the allegations the presidential election. The high turnout showed the against the Moroccan Security Forces, particularly when Ukrainian people’s determination to decide their own policing demonstrations. We regularly emphasise to future without outside interference, and sent a decisive Morocco the importance of respect for human rights in signal of their support for unity, reform and a new Western Sahara, including when policing demonstrations. future for their country. The Foreign Secretary also I raised this during my visit to Rabat in March this year. paid tribute to election commission staff who were subjected to appalling levels of intimidation by illegal Pakistan armed groups who sought to deny the citizens of Donetsk and Luhansk their right to vote but who strove to do Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for their duty, and to the citizens in eastern Ukraine who Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is overcame all obstacles to vote or who tried to do so. taking to address human rights abuses in Pakistan. Each vote cast there was an individual act of courage. [198808] The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) spoke to Mr Petro Poroshenko Hugh Robertson: Pakistan is included as a “country on 30 May, congratulating him on his election as the of concern” in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office President of Ukraine and welcoming his clear messages Annual Human Rights Report. We regularly raise the on democracy and financial and political reform. The subject of human rights for all Pakistan’s citizens with Prime Minister also praised the Ukrainian people for the Government of Pakistan in accordance with their their determination to hold elections in such difficult constitution and international standards. The Prime circumstances and choose their own future, offering his Minister and other Ministers raised human rights concerns continued support in helping Mr Poroshenko to build a with the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during secure and prosperous Ukraine through an inclusive his recent visit. national dialogue. Thailand On 4 June G7 Leaders welcomed the successful conduct under difficult circumstances of the 25 May Ukrainian Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for presidential election, and commended Mr Petro Poroshenko Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent for reaching out to all the people of Ukraine. G7 representations he has made to the Thai government Leaders stand by the Ukrainian government and people on the restoration of democracy in that country. in the face of unacceptable interference in Ukraine’s [198807] sovereign affairs by the Russian Federation, and call upon the illegal armed groups to disarm. G7 Leaders Mr Swire: Following a statement by the Foreign continue to encourage the Ukrainian authorities to Secretary on 22 May, I made a statement on 25 May maintain a measured approach in pursuing operations expressing my strong concerns about the situation in to restore law and order and fully support the substantial Thailand and calling for a clear timetable for elections contribution made by the Organisation for Security and the restoration of democracy. Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to the de-escalation of Our ambassador to Thailand has communicated through the crisis through the Special Monitoring Mission and senior Thai civilian officials our serious concerns about other OSCE instruments. The G7 remains committed the military takeover. Through them, he has urged the to continuing to work with Ukraine to support its Thai military authorities to provide a clear and detailed economic development, sovereignty and territorial integrity timetable for the restoration of civilian government. and encourages the fulfilment of Ukraine’s commitment Most recently he met with the Permanent Secretary to to pursue the difficult reforms that will be crucial to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 3 June. The Head of support economic stability and unlock private sector-led ASEAN Department in London met the Thai chargé growth. d’affaires, also on 3 June to deliver the same message. G7 Leaders confirmed the decision by G7 countries Our Defence Attaché in Bangkok meets members of to impose sanctions on individuals and entities who the Thai military on a daily basis and repeats these have actively supported or implemented the violation of points each time. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and who 45W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 46W are threatening the peace, security and stability of Ukraine. Hugh Robertson: MINURSO is effective in implementing G7 countries are implementing a strict policy of non- its role in Western Sahara. MINURSO is mandated to recognition with respect to Crimea/Sevastopol, in line monitor the ceasefire between Morocco and the with UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262 and POLISARIO: the situation in Western Sahara is generally stand ready to intensify targeted sanctions and to implement calm and the ceasefire continues to hold. significant additional restrictive measures to impose further costs on Russia should events so require. Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign The Prime Minister met President Putin on 5 June and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has and reiterated that there is an opportunity for a successful, received of changes in the number of Moroccan troops peaceful and stable Ukraine, but the current situation along the Berm in Western Sahara from the levels needs to change. He said that Russia must properly specified in the 1991 agreement. [199052] recognise and work with this new president and there must be action to stop arms and people crossing the Hugh Robertson: In its 2014 report to the UN Security border. Council, the UN peacekeeping operation in Western Sahara (MINURSO) recorded that the estimated number of troops along the Berm has not recently changed. It USA also states that this number is believed to exceed the provisions of the 1991 agreement. Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support the full release of the United States Select Intelligence Committee’s report on the WORK AND PENSIONS CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program. [199056] Access to Work Programme Hugh Robertson: The release of the Committee’s report is a matter for the United States. Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for cost of providing a BSL interpreter for each individual Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the needing one to fill an access to work position Government has made representations or had adequately. [199095] discussion or meetings with (a) the United States Select Intelligence Committee or (b) others on the Mike Penning: Access to Work is a discretionary grant award designed to assist disabled people and their CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program. [199057] employers to overcome individual barriers encountered Hugh Robertson: The British Government has an at work. We assess the costs for all awards, including ongoing dialogue with the United States over its detention those for BSL interpreter support, against the specific and interrogation programs. As part of engagement needs of individual customers. As such, there is no with the US Congress, our embassy in Washington has single estimate of the cost of the support the scheme met with the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to provides. discuss its work, including in relation to the detention Employment and Support Allowance and interrogation program. Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Western Sahara Work and Pensions what the average length of time taken for decisions on requests for reconsideration of Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign fit for work decisions in relation to applications for and Commonwealth Affairs if he will issue a statement employment and support allowance has been since cautioning UK businesses against investing in October 2013. [198667] Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara. [198630] Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Hugh Robertson: The British Government advises Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of companies considering investing in Western Sahara to mandatory reconsideration periods have exceeded obtain independent legal advice. We make companies 14 days; and if he will make a statement. [198805] aware that such investment raises complex and sensitive issues. Mike Penning: The Department is collecting information We consider Morocco to be the de facto administering to understand how the introduction of mandatory power of Western Sahara. We therefore consistently reconsideration is operating, including completion encourage Morocco to meet its commitments under timescales. However, this data is not sufficiently robust Chapter XI, Article 73 of the UN Charter by ensuring and reliable to make available. that it acts to protect and further the interests of the In the production of new statistics, which all the people of the territory. This includes ensuring that above would be, the Department works to guidelines set the resources of the territory are used for the benefit of by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to the people of the territory. publish statistics that meet the high quality standards expected. Departmental statisticians need to assure Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign themselves of the quality of administrative data sources and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has before releasing information as official statistics, and made of the effectiveness of MINURSO in before the exact timing and format of statistics can be implementing its role in Western Sahara. [199050] confirmed. 47W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 48W

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for would give a skewed representation of the process since Work and Pensions if he will introduce a statutory limit steady state has not yet been reached and natural on the length of time decision makers in his reassessment has yet to roll out across the country. Department can take to respond to a request to reconsider a refusal of employment and support Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for allowance. [198908] Work and Pensions when he expects Mr Andrew Cottrell of Prenton, to undergo his medical Mike Penning: We have no plans to introduce a examination as part of his application for the personal statutory time limit for deciding a mandatory independence payment. [199007] reconsideration. Members: Correspondence Mike Penning: The Department cannot respond to the House of Commons with regards to a specific case. Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work I will write to the right hon. Gentleman. and Pensions if he will arrange for replies to be sent to the hon. Member for Walsall North to his letters to (a) Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for the Chief Operating Officer, Pension, Disability and Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the Carers Service of 7 April and 7 May; and if he will number of applicants who have faced delays to their arrange for a substantive reply to be sent to that hon. personal independence payment claim because of Member to his letter to the Chief Executive, Capita- partial PA4 IT failures in the past 12 months. [199096] PIP ref PIP100 34851/101 of 7 April 2014 on behalf of a constituent. [198876] Mike Penning: The requested data is not held by the Department. Mike Penning: A reply to all of the issues that you raised in both of your letters will be sent to you by one Social Security Benefits: Scotland of our directors by 13 June 2014.

Personal Independence Payment Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households have been Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work subject to the benefit cap in (a) each parliamentary and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of the constituency and (b) each local authority area in number of people who have submitted a claim for Scotland. [198982] personal independence payment and have been waiting for more than six months for a medical assessment in Esther McVey: Information on the number of households (a) the UK, (b) London and (c) the London Borough subject to the benefit cap in each parliamentary constituency of Harrow; and if he will make a statement; [198779] in Scotland have not yet been published as Official (2) how many people in each (a) region of England Statistics. We intend to include this information as part and (b) London borough had been waiting six months of an upcoming release in line with the Code of Practice or longer for a medical examination as part of their for Official Statistics. Information on the number of assessment of entitlement to a personal independence households subject to the benefit cap in each local payment on 1 May 2014; and if he will make a authority in Scotland has been published and is available statement. [199111] at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-cap- Mike Penning: We are committed to ensuring personal number-of-households-capped-to-march-2014 independence payment (PIP) claimants receive high quality, objective, fair and accurate assessments. Since Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the introduction of PIP new claims in April 2013, we Work and Pensions how many households subject to have been closely monitoring all aspects of the process. the benefits cap in (a) each parliamentary constituency As personal independence payment (PIP) is a new and (b) each local authority area in Scotland have benefit, processes are currently bedding in. Our latest received transitional support via discretionary housing analysis is telling us that the end-to-end claimant journey payment to date. [198984] is taking longer than expected. We are working closely with the assessment providers to ensure that they are Esther McVey: The information requested is not available. taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants receive a satisfactory experience. We are also seeking to ensure that all the Unemployed People: Travel steps in the process run as smoothly as possible and that there are no barriers in our processes and systems that Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for contribute to claims taking longer than necessary to Work and Pensions what the cost of refunding travel progress. expenditure by jobseekers to jobcentres in Kilmarnock The first official statistics for the number of people and Loudoun constituency was between January 2014 claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was and May 2014. [198918] published on 5 June alongside updated statistics on PIP new claim registrations, decisions and awards. Esther McVey: The cost of refunding travel expenditure Statistics on clearance times are not being published by Jobseekers to Jobcentres in Kilmarnock and Loudoun at this stage. Statistics on clearance times are intended constituency between January 2014 and May 2014 was : for future publication but releasing them at this stage January 2014 to May 2014: £1,456.88 49W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 50W

Work Capability Assessment (2) what average number of GP visits was required prior to diagnosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and ankylosing spondylitis in (a) 2012 and (b) 2013. and Pensions how many claimants died in each month [198812] of the last three years (a) after attending a work capability assessment and (b) having been assessed as Norman Lamb: Information concerning the number fit for work and then appealed, but died before that of patients diagnosed with either rheumatoid arthritis appeal was heard. [198772] or ankylosing spondylitis on an annual basis is not Mike Penning: The information requested is not readily collected. available and to provide it would incur disproportionate Asthma cost. Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Work and Pensions when he expects Atos to appoint (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that patients new agency staff to administer appeals on reassessment discharged from hospital following a severe asthma of eligibility for disability benefits. [198778] attack receive appropriate care and support in the Mike Penning: Appeals on the disability benefits are community; and if he will make a statement; [198829] administered and heard by Her Majesty’s Courts and (2) what estimate he has made of the number of Tribunals Service. Atos has no role to play. patients with asthma who have received an asthma care plan; and when he expects all patients with asthma to Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for have received such a plan; [198832] Work and Pensions what consideration is given to fibromyalgia in the work capability assessment; and (3) what steps he is taking to improve the quality of how many and what proportion of people diagnosed care given by GPs to people with asthma. [198830] with fibromyalgia have been declared fit for work following such an assessment. [198802] Jane Ellison: Information on the number of asthma patients with a care plan is not collected. However, the Mike Penning: As with any medical condition, DWP Government’s mandate to NHS England says that by recognises fibromyalgia as a potentially significantly 2015, everyone with a long term condition should be disabling condition. The statistical information requested offered a personalised care plan. is not readily available and could be provided only at NHS England is supporting clinical commissioning disproportionate cost. groups to improve out of hospital treatment for those with asthma by giving doctors more control over the HEALTH commissioning of asthma services and improving information links between general practitioners and Ambulance Services hospitals. The implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence asthma quality standard, Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for that sets out what good quality care looks like, will also Health (1) what recent discussions his Department has raise the standard of care people with asthma receive. had with the North West Ambulance Service NHS NHS England, through its National Clinical Director Trust on its emergency ambulance cover; [198954] for Respiratory Disease, will continue to work with (2) for Health what assessment he has made of the Asthma UK and professional groups in both primary quality of emergency ambulance cover in the North and secondary care to improve outcomes for all those West; [198948] with asthma. (3) what recent discussions his Department has had with the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust on Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health its ability to meet emergency 999 calls in the Greater what assessment his Department has made of the Manchester area. [198949] conclusions and recommendations of the report of the National Review of Asthma Deaths, published on Jane Ellison: There have been no recent discussions 6 May 2014. [198831] between the Department and the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust on these matters. Decisions about Jane Ellison: We welcome the report of the UK ambulance services are a local matter and it is for National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) which clinical commissioning groups to ensure appropriate provides a wealth of information about the causes of services are provided to their populations. mortality from asthma. Patients have a right to high quality and reliable urgent and emergency care, whenever they call on it, While deaths rates from asthma have fallen steadily and we expect all ambulance trusts to provide this. over the past three decades, and the number of deaths are small compared with those from cancer and heart The North West Ambulance Service met the three disease, we are concerned about the proportion of deaths ambulance performance standards for 2013-14 and in in children and young people that, in theory, could be April 2014. preventable. Arthritis Patients (including children and young people) should Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for be reviewed regularly and have personal action plans in Health (1) what proportion of patients diagnosed with place. They and their families or carers should know the rheumatoid arthritis received treatment within three right medications to use at the right times and how to months of symptom onset in (a) 2012 and (b) 2013; use them, and to understand the importance of monitoring [198815] their condition and how to do this. NHS England has a 51W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 52W programme of work in place through a “house of care” Diabetes model to help ensure that patients with long term conditions such as asthma, can largely self-manage Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for their condition with appropriate support from health Health what support, advice, guidance and funding his care professionals. Department makes available for children and adults diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. [198820] Carers Jane Ellison: Our overall aim is for all people with Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for diabetes to have the right support to manage their Health what steps he is taking to improve support for condition, with access to specialist care when they need carers. [198796] it. To help deliver this, NHS England has set out in “Action for Diabetes” how it will support improvements Norman Lamb: Carers are central to the Government’s in outcomes for people with diabetes, focusing on earlier reform of social care and support, with significant diagnosis of all diabetes, and support for people to improvements in the Care Act which extends carers’ manage their diabetes and so improve their quality of rights to an assessment which will be based on the life. appearance of a need for support. For the first time, In addition, NHS England has recently piloted a local authorities will be required to meet carers’ eligible sample service specification for the management of needs for support. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes based on the NICE Quality We have provided £400 million to the national health Standard for Diabetes with a number of clinical service over four years from 2011 for carers to have commissioning groups. This is a tool that commissioners breaks from their caring responsibilities. For 2015-16, can choose to use to deliver high quality care and offers the carers’ breaks funding will be in the Better Care a model for commissioning integrated care for those Fund. with diabetes. It highlights the specific care needs for We have also provided more than £2 million in recent those with Type 1 diabetes where they differ from those years to the professional bodies such as the Royal with Type 2 diabetes. College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Also, the Department’s National Institute for Health Nursing, Carers UK and the Carers Trust to develop Research (NIHR) makes a significant contribution to initiatives to raise early awareness of carers among global research on Type 1 diabetes, in particular through health care professionals and to help identify and support its world-class research infrastructure. The NIHR Clinical carers. We have committed more than £1 million in Research Network is currently recruiting to 32 studies 2014–15 to enable these organisations to build on this in Type 1 diabetes, in addition to 58 studies relevant to work and to develop new initiatives. both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Expenditure by the We set out our vision for transforming primary care NIHR on research on Type 1 diabetes through research in ‘Transforming Primary Care: Safe, proactive, personalised programmes, research centres and units, and research care for those who need it most’. It recognises the training awards rose from £1.8 million in 2011-12 to an importance of involving and supporting carers and sets estimated £2.8 million in 2013-14. out a clear expectation for general practitioners to Endometriosis identify carers as a matter of course. Carers are also central to the work that NHS England Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Health is leading to improve the quality of life of people with (1) what steps he is taking to help women suffering long term conditions. Their action plan, ‘NHS England’s from endometriosis; [198726] Commitment to Carers’ includes a series of commitments (2) what steps he is taking to raise awareness of around eight priorities, including raising the profile of endometriosis. [198731] carers. Dr Poulter: Information on endometriosis is readily Dental Services available to health care professionals and the public. Both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for (RCOG) and NHS Choices have published information Health what recent assessment he has made of the for the public on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment efficacy of the General Dental Council’s fitness to of endometriosis. Further information can be found on practise regime. [198885] the RCOG website: www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/clinical-guidance/ Dr Poulter: The Department has made no recent endometriosis-what-you-need-know assessment of the efficacy of the General Dental Council’s and NHS Choices website: fitness to practise regime. www.nhs.uk/conditions/Endometriosis/Pages/ It is the role of the Professional Standards Introduction.aspx Authority (PSA) to independently review the performance To support women with endometriosis all obstetricians of the regulators on an annual basis, to check how and gynaecologists have been trained in the diagnosis, effective the regulators have been in protecting the investigation and management of the condition, which public and promoting confidence in health and care is specifically listed as a topic in the core curriculum for professionals. obstetrics and gynaecology. The European Society of Further information on the PSA reviews can be found Human Reproduction and Embryology has published on their website using the following link: clinical guidelines on the management of women with www.professionalstandards.org.uk/ endometriosis to assist clinicians. 53W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 54W

In addition, NHS England has developed a service Number of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 with either a primary or secondary diagnosis2 of fetal alcohol syndrome3 for the years 2009-10 to 2012- specification for severe endometriosis under the specialised 13.4 commissioning area of complex gynaecology.NHS England Age 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 expects all units providing a service to women with severe endometriosis to provide care which meets the 1 Finished admission Episodes (FAEs) A FAE is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one standards laid out in a specification which can be found health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the on their website: admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period. www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/e10-comp- 2 Number of episodes in which the patient had a primary or secondary gynae-endom-0414.pdf diagnosis The number of episodes where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary Foetal Alcohol Syndrome diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for 3 ICD-10 diagnosis code Health how many children were diagnosed with fetal ICD-10 diagnosis code used Q86.0 Fetal alcohol syndrome (dysmorphic). 4 Assessing growth through time (Admitted patient care) alcohol syndrome in each of the last four years. HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over [199090] time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For Jane Ellison: The following table contains the number example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Data quality: of finished admission episodes where there was either a HESs are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary primary or secondary diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for in England. activity commissioned by the English NHS. Health and Social Care Information Centre liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of It should be noted that these figures are not a count complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings of people as the same person may have had more than about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in one episode of care within any given time period. the independent sector. Number of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 with either a primary or Source: secondary diagnosis2 of fetal alcohol syndrome3 for the years 2009-10 to 2012- Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Health and Social Care Information 13.4 Centre (HSCIC) Health Professions Age 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for 045453468Health what methodology his Department uses to calculate workforce requirements for (a) community 127403125physiotherapists, (b) podiatrists and (c) occupational health therapists; and what future projection he has 220172722 made of staffing levels in such professions. [198814] 3 6 16 10 36 Dr Poulter: Health Education England (HEE) was 4 10 8 17 14 established to ensure a greater connection between the needs and demands of local employers and education 559165and training commissions. HEE holds information contributing to, and are responsible for, the secure 664119supply of the England NHS funded workforce. 7274206 Health: Business

852358 Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 945405which companies that have been asked to report on progress relating to the Responsibility Deal have not 10 7 7 2 4 yet done so. [199066]

11 1 5 6 8 Jane Ellison: Reports from Responsibility Deal (RD) partners are published on the RD website as they are 12 3 2 8 5 submitted and processed, which takes place throughout the year. Full details of the 675 partners signed up to 13 4 5 2 4 the RD, the pledges they have signed up to and their 14 1 4 1 7 annual updates are available on the RD website at: https://responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk/partners/ 15 1 — 4 3 As at 5 June 2014, more than 70% of expected reports had been submitted for the 2013-14 reporting cycle. 16 2 4 — 2 Partners new to the RD (signed up after 1 October 17 1 — 4 1 2013) and those signed up to new pledges launched during 2013, were not expected to provide an annual 18+ 9 14 32 20 update. Other partners signed up to one or more of the majority of collective pledges were asked to provide an Total 184 212 270 252 annual update. 55W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 56W

The RD reporting cycle does not always map with Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust section 251 organisations’ cycles (for example clearance at board notification DAAG application reference MR1320 and level) and end of fiscal year is a busy period for most (d) UK Biobank DAAG application reference partners. Some updates will also be in a ‘draft’ status MR1109. [198887] where they are partly completed by partners and not yet submitted. This means there can be delays, and we Dr Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information expect further submissions over the next few months. Centre (HSCIC) register as published on 3 April 2014 Partners can also update their submissions in-year, reporting only covers data releases approved and data released by on further progress made. the HSCIC within the period 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2013. Heart Diseases: Children The applications the hon. Member refers to have been approved by the Data Access Advisory Group’s Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for (DAAG) but are not included on the HSCIC Register Health with reference to the recommendations of the of Approved data releases as they are not within the Leeds Children’s Heart Surgery Services Review, scope outlined for the following reasons: published on 13 March 2014, if he will make it his (a) Department of Health Dental and Eye Care Analytical policy that continuing audits of performance should be Team DAAG application reference 240413-a, this request was for conducted at all children’s heart surgery units. [198761] additional access for an individual field by Department of Health through the Business Objects online system, access to which was Jane Ellison: NHS England and the regulators constantly approved prior to 1 April 2014. This means of access has subsequently monitor the outcomes at all children’s cardiac centres. been replaced, and the Department’s access to the new system is These data are provided regularly by the National Institute covered by row id 373 in the approved release register; for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research. Specialised (b) HCV Research UK DAAG application reference MR1316— commissioning is currently reviewing the type of the release of data to this customer has not yet been approved by information that it analyses as part of the ongoing new the HSCIC; Congenital Heart Disease Review into these services. (c) Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust section 251 notification DAAG application reference MR1320—the applicant Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea has received no data from the HSCIC within the time period; and (d) UK Biobank DAAG application reference MR1109—this was approved prior to 1 April 2013. Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number of women who are receiving IVF treatment Mental Health Services who have been diagnosed with hypothelamic amenorrhea. [198746] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which mental health services he and each Jane Ellison: The information requested is not held Minister in his Department have visited since they were centrally. appointed; and what the date of each such visit was. [199088] Medical Records: Databases Dr Poulter: The following list provides details of the Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for visits undertaken by the Secretary of State for Education, Health what steps the Health and Social Care my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath Information Centre takes to ensure that all its registers (Michael Gove) and his ministerial team to mental are complete and can be easily cross-referenced. health services in an official capacity, since their [198884] appointment. Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): Dr Poulter: As part of continuous improvement, the 6 February 2014 Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) Redwoods Centre, South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS will continue to review the completeness of all the Foundation Trust registers that are being released. The HSCIC has committed 13 March 2014 to publishing details of all approved data releases including Springfield Hospital, South West London and St George’s the purpose for which data was released, on a quarterly Mental Health NHS Trust basis and continue to welcome scrutiny of these registers 1 May 2014 and feedback and will ensure that any genuine omissions are incorporated within these updates. East London NHS Foundation Trust Minister of State for Care and Support (Norman Lamb): Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for 13 November 2012 Health with reference to the answer of 10 April 2014, Raid Birmingham Heartlands Hospital Official Report, column 330W, on medical records: 19 December 2012 data protection, for what reason the Health and Social Care Information Centre’s register of approved data South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Trust releases does not contain entries on the Data Access 7 February 2013 Advisory Group (DAAG) register of approved The Children and Young People’s Improving Access to applications for (a) Department of Health Dental and Psychological Therapies programme and Child and Adolescent, Eye Care Analytical Team DAAG application Mental Health services project, Oxford reference 240413-a, (b) HCV Research UK DAAG 4 July 2013 application reference MR1316, (c) Hull and East Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust 57W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 58W

19 August 2013 Motor Vehicles: Smoking Leicester Mental Health Triage Care Project 5 September 2013 Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Gnosall Surgery, Stafford Health when he plans to bring forward secondary 12 September 2013 legislation on (a) banning smoking in cars with children in them and (b) the introduction of Yeovil Hospital standardised packaging of tobacco. [199087] 12 September 2013 Royal United Hospital, Bath Jane Ellison: The Children and Families Act 2014 31 October 2013 provides regulation-making powers for the introduction Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust of standardised packaging of tobacco and banning 19 December 2013 smoking in cars. Broadmoor Hospital Regulations for making it an offence to smoke in 3 January 2014 private vehicles carrying children are being drafted at present. Bethnal Green Police Station (Bi-lateral visit with Damian Green MP Home Office), London (A Liaison and Diversion A final, short consultation in order to ensure that a scheme, this scheme brings together three large mental health final decision on whether to introduce standardised trusts) packaging is properly and fully informed will be published 17 February 2014 shortly. Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Crisis Resolution Service 12 March 2014 NHS Property Services Humphrey Booth Resource Centre, Manchester Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health Health what salary the Chair of NHS Property (Dr Daniel Poulter): Services receives for (a) that role and (b) his other 11 July 2013 roles in the Department of Health and the NHS; and Disraeli School and Children’s Centre, High Wycombe for what hours he is contracted to work in each of his 17 October 2013 roles. [198886] Parkview Clinic, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Dr Poulter: Mr Robin Williams holds the following 8 May 2014 positions within Department/National Health Service Bethlem Royal Hospital—Channi Kumar Mother and Baby organisations: Unit (Perinatal mental health) Chair of NHS Property Services Limited (NHS PS) Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health (Earl He receives a directors’ fee of £60,000 per annum, less any tax Howe): and/or national insurance contributions payable monthly in arrears 18 April 2012 for this role. He is required to devote 10 days a month to this role. He was appointed in April 2014. BuddyApp—Mental health innovation product launch—Maudsley Hospital Non-Executive Chair of NHS Professionals Limited Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health (NHSP) (Jane Ellison): He receives a directors’ fee of £60,000 per annum, less any tax and or national insurance contribution payable monthly in arrears 15 April 2014 for this role. He is required to devote eight days a month to this Roshni Ghar Mental Health Charity, Keighley. role. He was appointed in January 2010. The workload on both posts is such that the time Mental Health Services: Young People commitment is the monthly average over the year. On his appointment to NHS PS, he formally confirmed his other commitments did not prevent him fulfilling his Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for contractual obligations to NHSP. Health which NHS England’s review of Tier 4 Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services provision will be complete. [198794] Palliative Care

Norman Lamb: This mapping exercise looking at Tier Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for 4 Child and Adolescent Mental Health services has Health how many full-time equivalent employees of his been completed. NHS England is now formulating an Department are engaged in forward planning to 2030 implementation plan and is preparing to publish a for end-of-life care. [198793] report of the exercise along with the implementation plan as soon as possible via the governance processes of Norman Lamb: There are currently 2.9 full-time NHS England. equivalent staff in the Department working exclusively The implementation will proceed via two distinct on policy areas in Domain 2 of the NHS Outcomes phases recognising that there are urgent actions which Framework, which includes end-of-life care. need to be taken to improve access and to reduce long Since April 2013, NHS England has been responsible distance referrals. The second phase will focus on the for delivering improvements in end-of-life care, with more medium-term actions required. The implementation Public Health England responsible for providing plan when finalised, will be clear about the timescales. information and data on this policy area. 59W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 60W

Forward planning for future end-of-life care needs is PHE job title1 PHE salary level Change (if any) considered by all three organisations as part of their responsibility for policy development. Head of Engagement Grade 6 (Inner Promotion London) Programmes Manager SEO (Inner Promotion London) Pregnant Women: Alcoholic Drinks Deputy Director of Strategy SCS1 Integration Manager Grade 7 (Inner Promotion Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for London) Health what Government-funded education and Head of Operations and Grade 6 (Inner support on alcohol consumption during pregnancy is Corporate Management London) available to pregnant women. [199091] Healthy Adults Coordinator Grade 7 (Inner Promotion London) Tobacco Control Programme Grade 7 Pay reduction Jane Ellison: The National Institute for Health and Manager (National) Clinical Excellence’s 2008 guideline includes Head of One to One Marketing Grade 7 (Inner Promotion recommendations for doctors and midwives on the advice London) they should give to pregnant women about drinking Deputy Director—International SCS1 alcohol. Commercial Healthcare Policy Programmes and Policy Manager Grade 7 This advice is complemented by Government funded (National) information provided through the Start4Life Information Business Manager Grade 7 (Inner Promotion Service for Parents, Start4Life and NHS Choices websites. London) The Government funds the Start4Life Information Strategy Unit Team Member Grade 7 Promotion (National) Service for Parents service, which provides pregnant Head of Planning Grade 6 ((Inner women/new mothers and their partners with comprehensive London) advice on staying healthy in pregnancy, preparing for Integration and Engagement Grade 7 Promotion birth and looking after their baby, and includes advice Manager (National) on risks of drinking before conception and during Deputy Director of Strategic SCS1 Promotion pregnancy. Partnerships Strategic Partnership Manager Grade 7 (Inner Promotion The Information Service for Parents is a digital service London) which provides national health service and other quality Engagement and Policy Manager Grade 7 (Inner Promotion assured advice, including on alcohol consumption via London) regular text and e-mail updates. Since launching on Expert Adviser—Behavioural Grade 6 (Inner Promotion 18 May 2012, 339,277 new parents have signed up to the Insight London) service (as of 1 June 2014). Senior Nutrition Science Officer SEO (Inner Promotion London) The Government is also committed to improving the Head of Communications Drugs Grade 7 (Inner Promotion labelling of alcoholic drinks, including a warning for and Alcohol London) women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. Senior Alcohol Policy Adviser HEO (Inner London) As part of the Public Health Responsibility Deal, 1 Previous Department of Health job title not available. alcohol retailers and producers have a responsibility to PHE’s salary levels were published in November 2012 help raise this awareness and committed to putting an in the Public Health England People Transition Policy agreed warning or a pregnancy warning logo on 80% of Module 2 Module 2 and can be found at: labels on bottles and cans by the end of 2013. An independent market survey is under way to measure www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/213175/single-combined-document.pdf compliance. Senior civil service salary levels are set centrally by the Cabinet Office. The range for SCS1 is £60,000 to Public Health England £117,800. Radiotherapy Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people who used to work in his Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Department have taken up jobs at Public Health with reference to the answer of 24 March 2014, Official England; and what their job titles and salary levels (a) Report, column 132W, on radiotherapy and with were at his Department and (b) are at Public Health reference to section 3 of the guidance issued by England. [199089] Monitor on the Commissioning of Radiosurgery Services on 4 April 2014, which primary care trusts in Jane Ellison: Public Health England (PHE) was the south west of England commissioned treatment established as an Executive Agency of the Department with the gamma knife at University College Hospital of Health on 1 April 2013. 184 staff from the Department London for patients before 1 April 2013. [198759] were transferred to PHE as part of a planned transfer of functions. Their terms and conditions of employment, Jane Ellison: NHS England has advised that no primary job titles and salary levels all remained the same. care trusts in the south west of England commissioned gamma knife treatment for patients at University College PHE has since appointed 21 staff formerly employed Hospital London before 1 April 2013. by the Department as set out below. These appointments were made following competitive selection procedures Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health carried out in accordance with the Civil Service with reference to the answer of 24 March 2014, Official Commission’s recruitment principles. Report, column 132W, on radiotherapy, and with 61W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 62W reference to section 3 of the guidance issued by EDUCATION Monitor on the Commissioning of Radiosurgery Services on 4 April 2014, (1) for what reasons NHS Chief Social Worker for Children and Families England is not funding patients to be treated with the gamma knife at University College Hospital London; Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for [198760] Education (1) what public speeches the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families has made since (2) with reference to section 3 of the guidance issued taking up her post; and where those speeches are by Monitor on the Commissioning of Radiosurgery published; [R] [199084] Services on 4 April 2014, if he will require NHS England to publish the evidence on which it based its (2) what meetings (a) he and (b) other Ministers in decision not to allow patients to be treated with the his Department have had with the Chief Social Worker gamma knife at University College Hospital London. for Children and Families since she took up her post. [198758] [R] [199082] Jane Ellison: Section 3 of Monitor’s substantive guidance Mr Timpson: Since starting as the Chief Social Worker on ‘The National Health Service (Procurement, Patient for Children and Families in September 2013, Isabelle Choice and Competition) (No.2) Regulations 2013’provides Trowler has spoken at a wide range of events. In particular guidance to commissioners on publishing new contract she has made presentations to and engaged in discussion opportunities for national health service health care with more than 2,500 social workers to support and services. challenge the profession and spoke at the National On page 42 of the guidance, it states that: Fostering Association conference on 13 May 2014. Isabelle’s ″a commissioner may decide to carry out a detailed review of presentations are not published. the provision of particular services (for example, A&E services) in As the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, its local area in order to understand how those services can be Isabelle provides independent expert advice to Ministers improved in the interests of patients. The review may involve on social work reform. She meets the Secretary of State extensive public consultation and engagement with existing and for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for potential providers and other stakeholders. Reviewing available Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), and other Ministers in services and providers in this way is good commissioning practice and something that commissioners should consider doing as a the Department for Education frequently to discuss her matter of course.″ ideas for social work reform and to provide policy In its role as commissioner, NHS England is currently advice. undertaking such a review of stereotactic radiosurgery Children in Care services. This will inform procurement decisions for these services. Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for University College London Hospitals is not contracted Education what estimate he has made of the number of by NHS England, nor was it contracted by former children in care in residential children’s homes who primary care trusts, to provide Gamma Knife services. have been placed outside their local authority area. [R] It is for this reason that NHS patients cannot normally [199085] be treated at this facility. Instead, NHS patients requiring Gamma Knife treatment should be treated by the Gamma Mr Timpson: This information is available in Table A3 Knife services commissioned by the NHS, that have of “Children looked after in England, including adoption” been shown to meet NHS England service specifications. statistical first release: These can be accessed by patients in London without a https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-looked- waiting time, fully maintaining the continuity of their after-in-england-including-adoption care and normally with the same consultant and clinical team. Children: Abuse Until the capacity requirements are made clear as Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for part of the review being undertaken, NHS England has Education if he will take steps to liaise with the said that it would be inappropriate to encourage new Secretary of State for Health over publication of market entrants to provide this service as it cannot be reports into historic child abuse. [199083] clear what the potential consequential impacts on service quality, sustainability (financial and clinical) and potential Mr Timpson: Officials from the Department for unintended changes to patient pathways will be. Until Education are already working closely with other relevant the review is complete NHS England has said no substantive Departments to ensure that there is a consistent approach changes will be made to the current provision. to investigations into allegations of historical child Tomography abuse, including on the publication of reports. Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Passports Health if he will take steps to ensure access to CT scanning is more readily available to NHS patients. Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for [198783] Education what representations his Department has received from families groups on allowing the names of Jane Ellison: All acute trusts have access to computerised parents and legal guardians to be included on a child’s tomography (CT) and NHS England is not aware of passport. [198577] any patient access problems. The NHS England standards for seven day services support seven day access to CT. Mr Timpson: The Department for Education has no CT involves ionising radiation, so is a test that has to be record of family groups (or anyone else) making justified and used in appropriate patient pathways. representations on this matter. 63W Written Answers9 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 64W

Private Education: Offences Against Children with a student under the age of 16 years in (a) maintained schools and (b) independent schools. Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for [198580] Education with reference to the answer of 6 May 2014, Official Report, columns 59-61W, on private education: Mr Timpson: Since April 2012, where a teacher has offences against children, how many referrals the been dismissed, or resigned in the face of dismissal, as a National College for Teaching and Leadership has (a) result of serious misconduct all schools have had a received and (b) acted upon since that body’s statutory duty to consider referring the matter to the establishment. [198607] National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). The NCTL acts as the regulator of the teaching profession Mr Timpson: The National College for Teaching and on behalf of the Secretary of State. It is responsible for Leadership has received 40 referrals from independent determining whether the referred individual should be schools in respect of matters outlined in the answer of prohibited from teaching on the grounds of unacceptable 6 May 2014, Official Report, columns 59-61W. professional conduct, conduct that might bring the All of these referrals have been considered, or are in profession into disrepute and/or conviction of a relevant the course of being considered, in accordance with the offence. Information about cases considered by NCTL procedures outlined in that answer. is not held in the format requested and to obtain the Pupils: Foreign Nationals information requested would incur disproportionate cost. Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for In addition to the NCTL process for regulating teachers, Education how many pupils in (a) infant schools, (b) the Department’s Independent Education and Boarding junior schools, (c) secondary schools and (d) sixth Team (IEBT) administer the wider regulatory system form colleges in (i) Liverpool, (ii) the North West and for independent schools. This team can receive information (iii) England are non-UK nationals. [198909] about allegations of abuse from a variety of sources, including Ofsted, local authorities, parents and the Mr Laws: The Department for Education does not police. The Department’s records show that there have collect information on the nationality of pupils and been five referrals since April 2012 and two from January students. 2009 to March 2012 where sexual abuse of a pupil by an adult working at the school was a factor. When such Teachers: Offences Against Children referrals are received, the Department’s role is not to investigate the allegations, which are a matter for the Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for local authority and the police, but to determine whether Education what records his Department maintains of the school is meeting the independent school standards, instances where a teacher has had a sexual relationship and take action to ensure it does so. 1MC Ministerial Corrections9 JUNE 2014 Ministerial Corrections 2MC

When it has come down to it, we have been able to Ministerial Correction accomplish a substantial legislative programme and we will continue to do so in this Session, with better Monday 9 June 2014 scrutiny and legislation as a result. [Official Report, 5 June 2014, Vol. 582, c. 119.] Letter of correction from Mr Lansley: LEADER OF THE HOUSE An error has been identified in the answer given to Business of the House the hon. Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle). The following is the answer given by the Leader of the The correct response should have been: House of Commons, the right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley) to the hon. Member for Mr Lansley:...... As it happens, in the last Session we Wallasey (Ms Eagle) during Business of the House on passed 20 Bills, while in the penultimate Session of the 5 June 2014. previous Parliament, 18 Bills were passed. An interesting contrast is that so far in this Parliament, 24 Bills had two Mr Lansley:...... As it happens, in the last Session we days of scrutiny on Report in this Chamber, while the passed 20 Bills, while in the penultimate Session of the figure for the whole of the previous Parliament was previous Parliament, 18 Bills were passed. An interesting only 10. When it has come down to it, we have been able contrast is that in the last Session, 24 Bills had two days to accomplish a substantial legislative programme and of scrutiny on Report in this Chamber, while the figure we will continue to do so in this Session, with better for the whole of the previous Parliament was only 10. scrutiny and legislation as a result.

WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Monday 9 June 2014

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 21WS JUSTICE...... 26WS EU Competitiveness Council ...... 21WS Personal Injury Claims...... 26WS UK Coal Production Ltd ...... 22WS Transforming Youth Custody...... 26WS DEFENCE...... 23WS Defence Infrastructure Organisation...... 23WS Operation Althea (Bosnia and Herzegovina) ...... 24WS TRANSPORT ...... 27WS Reserve Forces ...... 23WS Northern Lighthouse Board and Trinity House Review Board for Government Contracts ...... 24WS (Triennial Review)...... 28WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 25WS TransPennine Express and Northern Rail Gifting of Search and Rescue Equipment (Syria)... 25WS Franchises...... 27WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 9 June 2014

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 21W EDUCATION—continued Bankruptcy ...... 21W Children: Abuse ...... 62W Business: Billing...... 23W Children in Care...... 62W Conditions of Employment...... 23W Passports...... 62W Diabetes ...... 23W Private Education: Offences Against Children ...... 63W Insolvency...... 24W Pupils: Foreign Nationals...... 63W New Businesses: Disability...... 25W Teachers: Offences Against Children...... 63W Students: Loans ...... 26W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 20W CABINET OFFICE...... 8W Boilers...... 20W Armed Forces: Medals...... 8W Average Earnings: York ...... 9W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Business: York...... 10W AFFAIRS...... 16W Civil Servants: North Yorkshire ...... 11W Biofuels: Air Pollution ...... 16W Electoral Register...... 12W Bovine Tuberculosis ...... 16W Employment: Females...... 13W Energy: Waste ...... 17W Government Departments: Telephone Services...... 13W Flood Control...... 18W Health: Statistics ...... 14W Floods...... 18W National Income: South East...... 15W Livestock: Transport ...... 19W Water: Drugs...... 19W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 1W Water: EU Law ...... 20W Affordable Housing...... 1W Building Alterations: National Parks ...... 1W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 38W Homelessness: Greater London ...... 1W Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences ...... 38W Housing: Bassetlaw ...... 2W Balkans ...... 39W Social Rented Housing...... 3W Burma...... 39W Central African Republic ...... 40W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 3W Colombia ...... 40W Equality ...... 3W Commonwealth ...... 41W Egypt ...... 42W DEFENCE...... 26W Iran...... 42W Air Force...... 26W Members: Correspondence ...... 43W Astute Class Submarines...... 27W Morocco ...... 43W Cyprus ...... 27W Pakistan ...... 43W Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft...... 28W Thailand ...... 43W HMS Montrose...... 28W Ukraine...... 44W Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft...... 28W USA...... 45W Libya...... 28W Western Sahara ...... 45W Nigeria...... 29W Nimrod Aircraft...... 29W HEALTH...... 49W Ambulance Services ...... 49W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 4W Arthritis ...... 49W Electoral Register...... 4W Asthma ...... 50W Sovereignty: Scotland...... 5W Carers ...... 51W Dental Services ...... 51W EDUCATION...... 62W Diabetes ...... 52W Chief Social Worker for Children and Families...... 62W Endometriosis...... 52W Col. No. Col. No. HEALTH—continued JUSTICE—continued Foetal Alcohol Syndrome ...... 53W Claims Management Services...... 33W Health: Business...... 54W Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust ...... 34W Health Professions ...... 54W Heart Diseases: Children...... 55W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 1W Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea ...... 55W Northern Ireland Government...... 1W Medical Records: Databases ...... 55W Mental Health Services ...... 56W TRANSPORT ...... 6W Mental Health Services: Young People...... 57W Abbey Railway Line...... 6W Motor Vehicles: Smoking...... 58W Cycling...... 6W NHS Property Services ...... 58W Driving Under Influence: Drugs ...... 7W Palliative Care...... 58W Pedestrian Crossings ...... 8W Pregnant Women: Alcoholic Drinks...... 59W Railways: Cumbria...... 8W Public Health England...... 59W Radiotherapy ...... 60W Tomography...... 61W TREASURY ...... 29W Air Passenger Duty: Scotland ...... 29W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 36W Banks: Loans ...... 30W Asylum: Children...... 36W Cash Dispensing ...... 30W Legal Aid Scheme ...... 37W Gaming Machines: Taxation...... 30W Members: Correspondence ...... 38W Gold: Prices ...... 31W Private Investigators...... 38W Mortgages: Huntingdon...... 31W Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties...... 31W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 34W Personal Savings: Young People...... 32W Acanchi...... 34W Remittances ...... 32W Afghanistan ...... 34W Tax Allowances: Pensions ...... 33W Consultants...... 35W Developing Countries: Females...... 35W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 46W India ...... 35W Access to Work Programme ...... 46W Nigeria...... 35W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 46W Overseas Aid...... 36W Members: Correspondence ...... 47W Syria...... 36W Personal Independence Payment...... 47W Social Security Benefits: Scotland ...... 48W JUSTICE...... 33W Unemployed People: Travel...... 48W Buses: Accidents ...... 33W Work Capability Assessment...... 49W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Monday 9 June 2014

Col. No. LEADER OF THE HOUSE...... 1MC Business of the House...... 1MC Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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 16 June 2014

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CONTENTS

Monday 9 June 2014

Extremism [Col. 245] Answer to urgent question—(Mrs May)

Birmingham Schools [Col. 264] Statement—(Michael Gove)

Debate on the Address [Col. 286] Debate adjourned

Undeclared Work (Reasoned Opinion) [Col. 374] Motion—(Jenny Willott)—agreed to

Children with Epilepsy (Children and Families Act 2014) [Col. 381] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 21WS]

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

Ministerial Correction [Col. 1MC]