Tuesday Volume 580 13 May 2014 No. 161

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Tuesday 13 May 2014

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 553 13 MAY 2014 554

great progress in this area. He will know that the House of Commons devolution of business rates, for example, allows London, and other parts of the country, to keep 50% of business Tuesday 13 May 2014 rate income. That is worth £3 billion a year to London, and those retained business rates have helped to pay for the £1 billion Northern line extension to Battersea, so The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock this is working in London.

PRAYERS Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): May I press the Minister a little more on real devolution to the regions of this country? Yorkshire now has no [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] democratic voice; it has no organisation that strategically focuses on Yorkshire in the coming years. Yorkshire has BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS a bigger population than Scotland, so when can we have that kind of focus and leadership? TRANSPORT FOR LONDON BILL [LORDS] Second Reading opposed and deferred until Tuesday Greg Clark: The hon. Gentleman is wrong about 10 June (Standing Order No. 20). that. I have a great deal of respect for him but he has not noticed the creation of the combined authority in Yorkshire, which has brought together the councils BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (FILMING ON in the area for precisely that purpose. It has included HIGHWAYS)BILL [LORDS] the signing of a city deal, which has been hailed by the Lords message (7 May) relating to the Bill considered. people of Yorkshire, including the leader of Leeds city Resolved, council, who says: That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution.—(The “This…spells…a fundamental shift in the relationship between Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.) Whitehall and the regions. It marks the first steps of a new era” That will allow the north to “truly control” its “own destiny.” I think the hon. Gentleman should talk to Oral Answers to Questions Councillor Wakefield.

Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (LD): Would the Minister concur with the view that in the DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER event of Scotland rejecting the independence option in September, the option of devolving power from Westminster The Deputy Prime Minister was asked— and Whitehall represents a post-referendum way forward— but that it can be only one side of a two-sided coin, with Devolution of Powers the other being more re-dispersal of power within and across Scotland? The highlands and islands have lost 1. Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): What recent power from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to Edinburgh, discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues from the Crofting Commission to Edinburgh, and over on further devolution of power from Westminster and regional and local control of our emergency services. Whitehall. [903978] That is not what those of us who were arguing for devolution before some Scottish National party Members The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark): I were Members of this House had in mind. am a member of the local growth committee, which is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and brings together Greg Clark: The policy and the practice of this Ministers from a wide range of Departments monthly Government has been to devolve power from this place to focus on local growth programmes, including the to our great cities across the country. I do not think that delivery of the recommendations of the Heseltine review. has been the policy of the Administration in Scotland, To date, we have completed 24 city deals and by the who have centralised power and reduced the influence summer all 39 local enterprise partnerships, which have of our great cities north of the border. submitted their economic plans, will have been assessed and we will make the announcements of local growth deals at that point. Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): City deals are a good start, but if our city regions really Bob Blackman: Further devolution has taken place to want to prosper the time has come to give them the Scotland and to Wales, and it has now been a year since power to levy a supplement on the business rates, as the the London Finance Commission reported on proposals Mayor of London has. for devolution to London and the great cities. What progress has my right hon. Friend made in his discussions Greg Clark: I am a great fan of the hon. Lady’s with Treasury colleagues on devolving property taxes to efforts to promote Birmingham, which she does very London and the other great cities of this country? successfully in this House, and to make sure that that great city has the powers and the future that are a Greg Clark: My hon. Friend is a great champion of tribute to its glories in the past. Through the city deals empowering our great cities—he is a distinguished leader we are giving more control of the very considerable of a London council—and he knows we have made expenditure that currently is made in Birmingham but 555 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 556 which is handled by central Government. If we do that, That is why our 24 city deals have been based on what we can come on to address proposals that Birmingham local leaders and businesses want; it is their ideas that is making on other matters. they have put forward and we back them.

Local Enterprise Partnerships (Devolution) Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab): The Government have conceded the principle of territorial 2. Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): What Ministers in England with the appointment of the City discussions he has had with the Cheshire and Minister for Portsmouth. As I understand it, the reason Warrington local enterprise partnership on devolving the Government did that was economic development-led. powers and responsibilities from central Government. Surely the case for the north-east of England is far [903979] stronger, with unemployment rates being higher.

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark): I Greg Clark: The right hon. Gentleman was a regional met the board members of Cheshire and Warrington Minister in the previous Government. Let me just reflect local enterprise partnership, including Christine Gaskell for a moment on my home town of Middlesbrough. I and Howard Hopwood, and the council leaders of carry around with me a medallion that was struck to Cheshire east, Cheshire west and Chester, to discuss commemorate a statue, publicly unveiled, to the first their strategic economic plan on 19 March. We are mayor of Middlesbrough. We are still waiting in considering their proposals in their plan and expect to Middlesbrough to see a public move to erect a statue to make an announcement on the growth deal in July. the former regional Minister of the north-east. We want to empower our local leaders, and what we are doing is Stephen Mosley: One project being promoted by the the right way round. Cheshire and Warrington LEP is electrification of the west coast main line from Crewe to Chester and beyond Mr Speaker: I am sure we are all very interested in the into north Wales. Does my right hon. Friend agree that Minister’s medallion. that and other such proposals show the importance of LEPs acting as strong local champions for critical John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con): I agree with the infrastructure projects? Minister that this idea of regional Ministers is not the way forward, and that it is important to strengthen Greg Clark: My hon. Friend is right, and he is exactly local government. Does he agree that there is a place for such a strong local champion. As a result of his impressive elected mayors within that? campaign, that proposal features very strongly in the Cheshire and Warrington strategic plan. I know that it Greg Clark: I do agree with that. Having cited the has also attracted attention from Sir David Higgins and first mayor of Middlesbrough, Henry Bolckow, and his report on HS2, which mentions the case for further noted that a statue erected by public subscription was improvements east and west, so he is doing a good job. made to him, I think that it would be good if we had a We will be considering those plans over the next few rash of them across the country in tribute to the leadership months, but he has made his point very forcefully today. that mayors can play.

Regional Ministers Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Does the Minister not realise that devolving power is useless—worthless—if, 3. Mr David Ward (Bradford East) (LD): What the at the same time, this Government are cutting local Government’s policy is on introducing regional government funds by 40%? Ministers to champion specific areas of the country. [903980] Greg Clark: That is not the view of council leaders in the hon. Gentleman’s area, who have been extremely The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark): enthusiastic about the city deals that have been struck. This Government have instituted the most radical The chair of the Sheffield city region, in which the hon. devolution of power and financial autonomy to local Gentleman’s constituency is involved, says that the powers councils and community groups for a generation. It is that have been devolved through the city deal will our policy to empower local leaders in cities, counties “drive forward real economic growth and create jobs” and districts. Local leaders support that approach. for the whole region, including for the hon. Gentleman’s Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester city council, constituency. said that there has been more progress on giving cities control of their destiny in three years of this Government Trade Union Funding than under 13 years of Labour. 4. Priti Patel (Witham) (Con): What steps he plans to Mr Ward: I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he take to reform the system of party political funding now answer the question that I put about regional and donations to political parties by trade unions. Ministers, and say what he thinks about that as a way of [903981] providing a voice and focus for regions across the piece? The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Nick Clegg): The Greg Clark: The route we have taken is to empower Government have always been clear that any reform of the leaders of our great cities and counties to provide party political funding is best achieved by consensus. that leadership of their area. We do not want to send, as Despite seven meetings, it is disappointing that, as on the previous Government did, governors-general from previous occasions, there has been no agreement between Westminster and Whitehall to preside over the regions. the three parties on beginning party funding reform. 557 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 558

Priti Patel: Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree Decentralisation that new laws to restrict the money and influence of trade unions in British political life are required? Will 6. Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD): What recent he join the Prime Minister in supporting reforms to assessment he has made of progress on the strike laws to protect the public from unnecessary industrial Government’s policy of decentralisation in England. action? [903983]

The Deputy Prime Minister: I certainly agree that all The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark): parties need to get big money and vested interests out of This Government have instituted the most radical party funding. That can best and only be done through devolution of power and financial autonomy to local consensus. It did not happen this time; I very much councils for a generation. After ever-increasing centralisation hope that all parties will make a commitment that under the previous Government, we believe that all everyone will stick to in the next Parliament. regions, cities and towns can play a part in securing the economic recovery and in building a better and stronger John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab): Will the economy for the future. Deputy Prime Minister confirm that trade union funding has been given a clean bill of health by three public Lorely Burt: Does my right hon. Friend agree that inquiries, whereas his own party has taken large amounts giving local enterprise greater control over its own of money from a convicted fraudster? destiny has helped to rejuvenate the entrepreneurial spirit of local areas? Will he commend the ambition of The Deputy Prime Minister: It is really important that Birmingham and Solihull LEP’s strategic economic plan, vested interests representing one part of society or which aims to create 41,000 jobs for a Government another do not dominate the funding of one major investment of only £86 million next year? political party, as with the Labour party. That does not seem to be right for the Labour party or for the quality Greg Clark: I will indeed commend that ambition. It of democracy in this House. is appropriate that the enterprise partnership that brings together Birmingham and Solihull has the great good fortune to be led by Andy Street, the managing director Local Enterprise Partnerships (Devolution) of John Lewis and one of the country’s most admired business people. It is fantastic that he is devoting his 5. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): time to helping the local economy to grow and providing What discussions he has had with the Leicester and that private sector leadership, which is in marked contrast Leicestershire local enterprise partnership on devolving to the regional development agencies that we had in the powers and responsibilities from central Government. past, presided over by governors-general such as the [903982] right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East (Mr Brown). The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark): I Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles) (Lab): The social was in Leicestershire on 24 March this year to launch economy is becoming an increasingly important driver the Leicester and Leicestershire city deal, when I visited of innovation and growth. We have 75,000 social enterprises the Loughborough university science and enterprise in this country, employing 1 million people, and one in park. The city deal will support the expansion of the four businesses in the European Union is now a social science park by opening up new employment land. It business. Will the Minister commit in his conversations will also increase investment in youth employment schemes about city deals and about local enterprise and growth and give tailored business support. to ensure that social enterprises and the social economy are at the heart of that drive to reinvigorate the regions Andrew Bridgen: Last Friday, I spoke at the “North of this country? West Leicestershire means business” event at the world- famous Donington Park race track in my constituency. Greg Clark: I certainly will. I completely agree with At the event, we heard contributions from the Leicester the right hon. Lady. I recall going to Brighton to sign and Leicestershire enterprise partnership about their the Brighton city deal in a social enterprise—a hub for efforts to promote economic growth. Will my right hon. start-up tech businesses, brought together by the voluntary Friend outline how he believes the recent city deal will and social enterprise sector, that is thriving. Part of the help to promote further economic growth across the deal was to expand it. That is a model to which I hope county of Leicestershire? other places in the country will aspire.

Greg Clark: I will indeed. I pay tribute to my hon. Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): Does the Minister agree Friend for his support for the city deal, which includes that the Government are right to pursue the principle of not only the city of Leicester but the whole of the decentralisation, because local communities are best county of Leicestershire. One of the features of the city placed to make public investment decisions in their deal proposed by local businesses was to give support area? An excellent example is the Coventry and and guidance to small businesses that are seeking to Warwickshire city deal, building on the strength of the expand. Grants of up to £1 million are available to area, which is advanced manufacturing. small businesses throughout Leicestershire that have that potential. I know that he drew the scheme to the Greg Clark: I do indeed agree and my hon. Friend attention of his businesses and I hope that he will was a stalwart in campaigning for the city deal. The continue to do so. people who know and understand their areas best are 559 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 560 those who live and work in them. That is the simple register their students and Northern Ireland now has principle behind our city deals and the policy of this registration rates among young people that are higher Government. than those in the rest of the United Kingdom. Will the Minister introduce a similar duty to apply to schools Sadiq Khan (Tooting) (Lab): May I thank the Minister and colleges in the rest of the United Kingdom so that for his answers and his commitment to this area in we maximise the number of young people who are general, which we support? Council leaders of all parties registered? in London and the Mayor of London believe that greater powers, including financial responsibility, should Greg Clark: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s interest be devolved to London. The Minister answered the in this matter, as he knows. We have learned the lessons question from the hon. Member for Harrow East (Bob from Northern Ireland and that is one reason we have Blackman) about business rates—a move that we provided the funding we have to enable groups of people welcome—in the past tense. Do the Government have to go into schools and encourage people to register. One any plans to transfer power from Whitehall to city hall of the differences from which we have learned a lesson and town halls in London? concerns the importance of online registration, which was not available in Northern Ireland. Our approach to Greg Clark: Yes. I know that the right hon. Gentleman registering young people is to encourage them to register takes a personal interest, as he is hoping to move on online, and that will be carried out across the country. from this place to city hall, although he might face a tough fight in doing so. We are committed totally to Topical Questions moving power from here to the city halls and town halls of the country. At the moment, we are negotiating a £2 billion a year transfer of funds from the centre to T1. [904003] Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland every city and county across the country, including South) (Lab): If he will make a statement on his London, to put control of these resources in the hands departmental responsibilities. of local people rather than officials in Whitehall. The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Nick Clegg): As Electoral Register Deputy Prime Minister, I support the Prime Minister on a full range of Government policy and initiatives. 7. Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab): What steps Within Government, I take special responsibility for the he is taking to improve the accuracy and completeness Government’s programme of political and constitutional of the electoral register. [903984] reform.

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark): Bridget Phillipson: Real wages are down, 1.4 million Individual electoral registration will help enhance the people are stuck on zero-hours contracts and thousands accuracy of the electoral register by verifying applications more families have been forced to turn to food banks. Is against Government records. We will also use data that the right hon. Gentleman’s party making a difference matching to ensure the completeness of the register in government? during the transition to the new system by confirming the vast majority of existing electors. Five national organisations and every local authority in Great Britain The Deputy Prime Minister: The hon. Lady might are sharing £4.2 million of funding aimed at maximising have forgotten that when we came to power her party registration. The introduction of online registration will had left an absolute economic catastrophe behind. The be of particular help to groups such as overseas voters, great Labour recession in 2008 cost every household in students and young people. this country more than £3,000. Her party predicted that more than 1 million more people would be unemployed Yvonne Fovargue: If the Electoral Commission when in fact 1.7 million new jobs have been created, of recommends in its report due in 2015 that the move which we are very proud. should not go ahead because too many voters have dropped off the register, will the Minister listen to its T5. [904007] Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) advice? (Con): I know that the Deputy Prime Minister has been somewhat exercised about minimum terms for knife Greg Clark: With respect, the hon. Lady is bringing crime, but he must be aware of the repeated guidance together two different points. The Electoral Commission of senior judges and the residual discretion that will has already said that individual voter registration should exist in the proposals to reflect other minimum terms. proceed, stating: What is his beef? “We have independently assessed how ready the plans are for this change…and have concluded that it can proceed.” The Deputy Prime Minister: It is important that The decision on whether to close the transition is a sentences fit the circumstances of a crime and that, in decision for the next Government and the Electoral seeking to address knife crime, which is a concern that Commission has said that it will provide advice during unites the House, we do not unwittingly do something the next Parliament. that can lead to higher reoffending rates. As we know from bitter experience, decanting young people into Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): prison for short sentences leads to a revolving door of When individual registration was introduced in Northern crime. I want to see less crime, not more, and that is why Ireland, the registration of young people fell dramatically. I want us to be smart, not simply to talk tough on A duty was then placed on schools and colleges to help crime. 561 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 562

Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham) (Lab): T3. [904005] Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) Not least as a result of difficulties in being able to afford (Lab): The Deputy Prime Minister claims that he has to buy a home, 9 million people are now renting. That lowered taxes for poorer households by raising the figure includes 1.3 million families with children, for personal allowance, but will he confirm that the whom security and continuity are particularly important. localisation of council tax support is raising taxes for Does the Deputy Prime Minister back our plans to the very worst off? move from one-year tenancies with unpredictable rents, to three-year tenancies with predictable rents? Will he The Deputy Prime Minister: As I said earlier, we back our proposal to stop letting agencies charging inherited a situation in which we needed to restore tenants as well as landlords? stability to the public finances, create growth, create employment and create an incentive for people to work. The Deputy Prime Minister: The right hon. and learned That is why there have been some controversial reforms, Lady makes an important point about the virtues of but we have also introduced the biggest change in longer-term tenancies. We are working on a model the personal income tax system in a generation, taking tenancy agreement that will support tenants and families 3 million people on low pay out of paying any income who want a longer fixed-term tenancy, and will publish tax. the final agreement in the summer. T7. [904009] Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Although the right hon. Lady rightly identifies the Poole) (LD): How big a contribution is the problem on agencies’ charges, the solution that she Government’s universal free school meal policy suggests may lead to higher rental costs for people expected to make to social mobility? renting properties. That is why we will announce today that we will place new obligations on agents to publish The Deputy Prime Minister: Despite some claims to with full transparency the fees that they charge, so that the contrary, this policy has been researched and worked people can shop around and get the best deal available. on for many years, including two two-year pilots. The evidence shows not only that children get a health Ms Harman: But transparency is not good enough. benefit from eating more healthy meals and a social We need to be sure that letting agents do not rip tenants benefit as they sit together to share those meals but that off by, as well as charging the landlords, charging the the policy is having dramatic effects on closing the tenants. There will be a vote in the House today. Will he attainment gap, which is still too wide in far too many vote with us to protect people in rented accommodation, of our schools across the country. or will he back the Tories in standing up for the rip-off letting agencies? T4. [904006] Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab): Last week, I met a disabled Sheffield grandmother who The Deputy Prime Minister: As I explained, we all helped her two daughters to stay in work by looking share the right hon. and learned Lady’s concern about after her grandchildren a few times a week, but two those charges. We just want to make sure that the of her three bedrooms were deemed surplus by the solution does not make the situation worse, because Government. In tears, she told me that she could not once rents go up, they tend to stay up. make ends meet because of the bedroom tax. The Deputy Prime Minister is trying to distance himself The fundamental problem, for which her party bears from the Conservatives, but why not on the bedroom a heavy responsibility, is that we are simply not building tax, which was only voted through with his support? enough affordable homes in this country, and have not done so for a long period. Under the previous Government, The Deputy Prime Minister: As the hon. Gentleman fewer social homes were built than under the Thatcher and I have debated in the past, the fact that many Government. Now, the rate of affordable house building families, including in Sheffield, live in overcrowded is higher than it has been in the past 20 years. properties where there is no space for young children to do their homework, and not enough space for people to T6. [904008] Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) live in decent conditions, is a fundamental problem. (Con): Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that Overcrowding is a real issue, yet we have many other consumers deserve to have clear labelling of all halal places where people live in social rented accommodation meat in stores and restaurants? If my constituents go to with rooms that they do not need. In some way—I Pizza Express, they expect the guidance and labelling know that the hon. Gentleman wants to put his head in to be on the menu, not just on the website. the sand like the rest of his party and does not want to deal with any of these difficult issues—we need to make The Deputy Prime Minister: I have a lot of sympathy sense of that, and that is what we are trying to do. with what my hon. Friend says. Consumers need the right information about the food that they are buying. T8. [904010] Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): Some meat is already voluntarily labelled as halal or Cummins Turbo Technologies, David Brown and kosher. This is an issue that provokes strong responses, Huddersfield university have benefited from regional and for some people it is important that all meat is growth fund investment. What plans does the Deputy labelled clearly. We are working with other EU countries Prime Minister have for further rounds of that to look at the best options for compulsory labelling, to investment scheme, which is sustaining, safeguarding give consumers the choice they want. A study into this and creating sustainable jobs in my part of west matter will finish this summer, and we will review the Yorkshire. options then. The Deputy Prime Minister: I congratulate my hon. Mr Speaker: Rosie Cooper is not here. I call Mrs Emma Friend, who is a great champion of the regional growth Lewell-Buck. fund. I have visited a number of the projects that he 563 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 564 mentioned. Rounds 1 to 5 of the regional growth fund T12. [904014] Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con): have awarded Yorkshire and Humber £270 million across Given the Deputy Prime Minister’s chairmanship of 52 projects and programmes, which is expected to generate the Home Affairs Cabinet Committee, does he agree 64,000 jobs and private investment of £1.7 billion. with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the There are many examples, as he himself has cited. The vast majority of the British people that it would be in next round—round 6—will open this summer, so local the country’s best interest to have a net reduction in net bidders will be able to make further bids for regional migration? growth fund money at that point. The Deputy Prime Minister: As the hon. Gentleman T9. [904011] Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) (Lab): knows, there has been a significant reduction in the At the last election, political parties spent 10 times number of people coming to our country from outside what third parties spent, so why did the Government the European Union. I have never been an advocate of choose to clamp down on third parties, which will do specific net migration figures, because there are many very little to take the big money out of politics? factors—not least freedom of movement across the European Union—over which we do not have any The Deputy Prime Minister: I will send the hon. control. I want to have an immigration system that is Gentleman the statistics. The amount of expenditure by tough where it needs to be tough. That is why I am a third parties at election time has increased dramatically. leading advocate of the reintroduction of exit checks— What all of us on both sides of the House want to avoid which were removed by previous Governments—so that is an American-style situation in which more and more we can count people out as well as in, but being welcoming organisations effectively seek to influence the electoral to those people who want to play by the rules, pay their contest in different areas and constituencies, but do not taxes and make a contribution to British life. abide by the same levels of transparency as political parties. All we are doing is saying to people who want to Mr Speaker: I note that the hon. Member for Newport influence the outcome of an election that they need to West (Paul Flynn) is sitting in a diagonally opposite publish the same amount of information in the same position to his usual preferred berth. transparent way as we do as representatives of our political parties. T14. [904017] Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): It is difficult to hit a moving target, Mr Speaker. There are T11. [904013] Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): It is very enormous variations in the numbers registered by welcome and appropriate that the Government electoral registration officers: the best figure is in north officially recognise that Cornwall has a significant role Wales, where up to 97% of eligible voters are registered, to play in the celebration of diversity in the UK, but but it is clear that some areas are not doing the same given the Government’s clear desire to devolve, will my job. What will the Deputy Prime Minister do to right hon. Friend ensure that Cornwall is given the encourage these English laggards to catch up with the appropriate powers within the EU funding programme splendid example set by Wales? to make decisions and drive the programme itself? The Deputy Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman The Deputy Prime Minister: I share with my hon. makes an important point. Of course, we need to see Friend the good news that the Government have formally the highest rates of registration possible. That is why, as recognised the distinct identity of the Cornish people we move towards individual voter registration, there and, indeed, have provided more support for the teaching will be several opportunities to transfer people automatically of the Cornish language. On the issue of the so-called on to the new register and to make sure that there are convergence programme and the management of EU door-to-door visits by electoral registration officers to funding programmes in Cornwall, discussions are ongoing. give people the opportunity to register properly. I believe Cornwall will have full input through the growth programme we are putting in place all the belt-and-braces measures board and through local committees. we can to make sure that registration levels increase.

T10. [904012] Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) T13. [904015] Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): (Lab/Co-op): The Government are keen to talk up their Tomorrow, the Chester-based Registered Digital investment in cities, but they are doing nothing to Institute, along with supporting charities such as ensure that superfast broadband is rolled out properly, Childnet, the Internet Watch Foundation and the with a third of businesses in Shoreditch, where Tech National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to City is, not having access to it. Will the Deputy Prime Children, will come to Parliament to demonstrate the Minister take that up in government? What will he do new friendly wi-fi scheme, which will help ensure that about it? public networks are safe for families and children to use. Will my right hon. Friend support this worthwhile The Deputy Prime Minister: If the hon. Lady wishes new initiative to improve online safety? to write to me about a particular instance in which she feels that progress has not been made, I am more than The Deputy Prime Minister: I welcome, as no doubt happy to take that up. As she will know, huge progress does my hon. Friend, any initiative taken by industry to has been made in rolling out superfast broadband across help parents keep their children safe online. I warmly the country, but she is right that there are bottlenecks welcome the initiative that he is involved with tomorrow. that we are working constantly to alleviate. If she wants The more we can encourage partnership between industry to raise any specific instances with me, I am happy to and Government, the police and other agencies, the make sure that they are addressed. better for the safety of our children. 565 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 566

Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) as my hon. Friend’s view reflects local opinion, which I (Lab): The outgoing chief executive of the North Eastern do not know as well as she does, we would like to local enterprise partnership has said: reinforce that in Whitehall as well. “I have six big programmes, most are £100 million-plus, with a six-person team. That simply does not work.” Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Has not Patrick Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with those comments Mercer’s recent resignation as MP for Newark reinforced and, if so, what are the Government going to do about the urgent need for measures on recalling MPs, which it? the Deputy Prime Minister has promised? When will he introduce them?

The Deputy Prime Minister: If I understand it correctly, The Deputy Prime Minister: Both the Prime Minister that is an issue about the resources which are allocated and I have made it clear that we want to proceed with in the council to those big projects. One of the answers—the proposals on recall, and when we do they will be properly Minister of State, Cabinet Office, my right hon. Friend scrutinised; the early drafts have already been scrutinised the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark) alluded by the relevant Select Committee. We are trying to to this earlier—is ensuring that there is greater devolution, strike the right balance between ensuring that the public greater control, greater autonomy and freedom to local feel that they have a right of recall in circumstances in councils and local areas. That is why the city deal, for which serious wrongdoing has occurred and avoiding instance, has been so warmly welcomed in the north-east. this becoming a sort of kangaroo court arrangement, with people simply seeking to take actions against each Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) other. That is the balance we are trying to strike. We will (Con): Can my right hon. Friend tell the House whether of course bring forward proposals in due course. there are any plans to extend into Basildon the £20 million TIGER—Thames Gateway innovation, growth and Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con): On the same enterprise—fund currently directed at Thurrock? issue, given recent events, does the Deputy Prime Minister still believe that voters will be satisfied with a recall The Deputy Prime Minister: My understanding is system that is triggered by the Standards Committee, that the proposal to extend the fund is being actively rather than constituents? Does he still believe that, considered now, but no final decision has yet been despite recent controversies? taken. The Deputy Prime Minister: As the hon. Gentleman Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) knows, we were quite open in the coalition agreement, (SNP): The Government have hushed up an opinion right at the beginning of the Government—I know that poll from the taxpayers who paid for it at a cost of he does not like this—that we felt that there needed to £50,000. The poll reportedly shows a surge in support be some triggers to prove that serious wrongdoing had for Scottish independence. Tory and Labour scare stories occurred before recall takes place. I actually have quite are not working. There should be no Government secrecy, a lot of sympathy with his much more radical approach, so will the Deputy Prime Minister be straight with the but I doubt that it would curry much favour across the public on independence and publish that poll? There is Floor of the House. I want to get something done, no reason that it should be kept secret. rather than aiming for the stars and ending up with nothing.

The Deputy Prime Minister: I have learned to try to Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): What influence does the be a bit wary about opinion polls. The only poll that £960,800 donated to the Liberal Democrats by the counts is the poll that will take place on 18 September. I Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust have on Government very much hope, and people such as me who do not policy? have a vote—those of us south of the border—fervently hope that the Scottish people will decide to remain part The Deputy Prime Minister: A whole lot less than the of the family of nations that makes up the United influence the trade unions have on anything asked by Kingdom, because there is so much that we can do Labour MPs in this Chamber. together that we simply cannot do apart. That is very much the argument that I hope will prevail on 18 September. Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con): Further to the answer the Deputy Prime Minister gave my hon. Friend Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): the Member for South Swindon (Mr Buckland), does Can the Deputy Prime Minister ensure that not just he recognise the inconsistency of his position on minimum local councils’ work, but economic development through sentencing for knife crime, given that he voted for it in the local enterprise partnership, is centralised? Will he 2011 on amendments I introduced with the Government give the House an assurance that York will remain with for mandatory sentencing for knife crime offences? York, North Yorkshire and East Riding local enterprise partnership? The Deputy Prime Minister: That was for a different offence, as the hon. Gentleman knows. His proposal The Deputy Prime Minister: Many of the decisions would make simply possessing a knife an offence, assuming about exactly where the lines of the maps are drawn in that the individual already has a knife-related offence respect of the remit of local enterprise partnerships against their name. In those circumstances, in which should, wherever possible, be driven heavily by local judges would have no discretion whatsoever, the proposal consensus—by people agreeing among themselves, rather could, in my view, lead unwittingly to precisely the than having some diktat imposed from above. Inasmuch revolving door of higher rates of reoffending that we 567 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 568 saw time and again under the Labour Government, Jack Lopresti: Does my hon. and learned Friend when endless populist gimmicks led to higher rates of agree that the forthcoming Modern Slavery Bill will reoffending. One of the things that I am proud of is that play a significant part in moving forward to prosecute this coalition Government, by avoiding that approach, those involved in the dreadful offence of human trafficking? have seen crime fall to the lowest levels ever recorded. The Solicitor-General: Yes, I very much agree. The Jenny Chapman (Darlington) (Lab): The Government forthcoming Bill will play a vital role in tackling the are not doing nearly enough to move public sector jobs abhorrent practices of human trafficking and modern out of London and into the regions. What does the slavery. It will strengthen the law and protect and support Deputy Prime Minister think we should be doing to victims. I am a member of the inter-ministerial group, move organisations such as the Care Quality Commission and my officials and the CPS have been closely involved and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in developing these measures under the leadership of to places such as Darlington? the Home Secretary, who is widely admired for her stance on this issue. The Deputy Prime Minister: I am always open, as are the Government, to proposals on moving further parts Karl McCartney: Does my hon. and learned Friend of the public sector from Whitehall and London to agree that an important part of the process of increasing other parts of the country. Sheffield has benefited the number of prosecutions for human trafficking is to enormously from that, with the Department for Work ensure that there is sufficient support for victims of this and Pensions and the business bank being established terrible crime? What further support is the CPS providing there. The BBC, a public sector body, has had a huge to victims in this regard? imprint on the north-west. We will of course look at any sensible proposals in the same direction. The Solicitor-General: Yes, I entirely agree. A focus on supporting victims, stronger prosecutions and better Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): In assessing data collection is key. In December, the Director of LEP plans from across the country, will the Deputy Public Prosecutions held a meeting with voluntary bodies Prime Minister be kind enough to pay particular attention and others, and he has produced an action plan that is to the need for an extra junction on the A14 near very much focused on supporting victims. Kettering, which features in the plans of both the Northamptonshire and South East Midlands LEPs? Rehman Chishti: What steps are being taken to improve The Deputy Prime Minister: Any proposal that enjoys international co-operation to increase prosecutions for the support of not only one local enterprise partnership, human trafficking? but two should of course be considered very seriously, and that is exactly the nature of the consideration being The Solicitor-General: My hon. Friend has raised this devoted to that proposal. issue before, and it is very important. The new National Crime Agency has a focus on organised crime gangs at a regional, national and international level. The Crown Prosecution Service has officials in other countries working ATTORNEY-GENERAL to strengthen capacity and ensure that prosecutions are properly evidenced. Joint investigation teams are an important feature. On 9 April at the Vatican, the Home The Attorney-General was asked— Secretary set up the Santa Marta group, which is a Human Trafficking group of senior enforcement officers from across Europe and the world. This was highly praised by Cardinal Parolin of the Vatican and by the United Nations. 1. Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con): What steps the Crown Prosecution Service is taking to increase the number of prosecutions for human Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): What trafficking. [904018] use does the CPS make of the National Crime Agency’s database to identify victims of human trafficking in 5. Karl McCartney (Lincoln) (Con): What steps the order to ensure that any prosecution that follows takes Crown Prosecution Service is taking to increase the into account the relevance of the fact that they have number of prosecutions for human trafficking. [904023] been trafficked?

7. Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): The Solicitor-General: The hon. Lady makes an What steps the Crown Prosecution Service is taking important point. There needs to be a very strong effort to increase the number of prosecutions for human to ensure that the victims of trafficking are treated as trafficking. [904025] such in cases where it is possible that they should be prosecuted, if they are victims rather than the main The Solicitor-General (Oliver Heald): The Crown perpetrators. All the resources of the sort she mentions, Prosecution Service is supporting victims, strengthening and others, are to be looked at. I think she will be investigations, raising awareness among front-line pleased when she sees the Modern Slavery Bill in its new professionals, and improving data collection. The form. data for 2013-14 show an increase in the number of defendants prosecuted. The CPS is actively involved in Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): the development of provisions in the Government’s What does the Solicitor-General think about extending draft Modern Slavery Bill. the period of reflection from the 45 days that are 569 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 570 currently allocated to a longer period to ensure that good faith in the advice and opinion they give. If there there is full support for victims of trafficking who may is evidence that a doctor has not acted in good faith, then be more willing to be witnesses in any prosecutions? that will clearly be one of the important evidential components that will be taken into account when deciding The Solicitor-General: The hon. Lady will appreciate whether any prosecution should be brought. that that is not a decision for the Law Officers. It is important, however, that all support for victims should Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): Accounts of abortion be considered within the inter-ministerial group, and I on the grounds of gender are of increasing concern to will certainly ensure that it is fully considered. In other many in this House. Will the Attorney-General confirm terms, I cannot go much further. that the strongest sanction possible will be brought against individuals, whoever they may be, who are Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ implementing abortion on the grounds of gender? Co-op): Nigeria is the largest source country for people trafficked into the UK. Given that there is widespread The Attorney-General: I fully understand the hon. fear that the girls who were kidnapped a month ago Gentleman’s concerns. I want to make clear—as, indeed, could become victims of trafficking, what special efforts I have made clear in the past—that, on abortion on the are the Government making to work with and support grounds of gender, we have to look at the question of the Government of Nigeria, and agencies there, to the good faith involved in allowing such a thing to take prevent that from happening? place. The tests have been well explained by the previous DPP and any case in England and Wales would be The Solicitor-General: As the hon. Lady may know, viewed according to them. To make the position clear: the Crown Prosecution Service has had staff in Nigeria abortion on demand, as it is sometimes described, is not and has worked hard on capacity building. The response provided for by the Abortion Act 1967. to the Boko Haram outrage is being dealt with by other Departments, but I know that right across the House Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): What is the there will be very great concern for those girls and their penalty for such an offence? families, and that is certainly something I share. The Attorney-General: My hon. Friend takes me gently Abortion by surprise. I think it depends on the nature of the offence under the Abortion Act, but my recollection is 2. Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): What steps he is that the procurement of an abortion illegally is a very taking to ensure that cases of non-compliance with the serious offence. I will write to him as to the exact law on abortion by practitioners and providers are penalty. prosecuted. [904019] Mr Speaker: I think the House would benefit from The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve): The Crown having a copy of the letter in the Library. We are Prosecution Service will review any cases referred to it grateful to the Attorney-General. by the police, in accordance with the two-stage test set out in the code for Crown prosecutors. Following Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): The Department of observations by the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Health seems to advise that it would be okay if neither the Department of Health is developing further guidance of the two signing doctors had actually seen the woman for practitioners on the procedures to be followed when referred for an abortion. Does the Attorney-General a woman requests an abortion, and that will be taken believe that that is some distance from a strict reading into account when future decisions are made about of the 1967 Act? prosecutions. The Attorney-General: As I understand the matter, Fiona Bruce: My right hon. and learned Friend the form exists so that two doctors may make an will have seen reports arising from recent freedom of independent evaluation of whether the abortion is necessary information releases about 67 doctors who pre-signed for the health and well-being of the woman concerned. abortion certificates effectively authorising abortions It seems to me, as a matter of logic, that that requires a without ever having seen or had any knowledge of the conscious act of assessment. I leave it to the hon. women involved. He will also be aware that the General Gentleman to work out whether a conscious act of Medical Council failed to report those cases to the assessment is going to take place on the pre-signed police. Will he assure the House that they will now be form. dealt with by means of a thorough investigation and on a case-by-case basis? No one should be above the law, particularly in such cases. Justice Systems: Developing Countries

The Attorney-General: I fully understand my hon. 3. Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): What steps the Friend’s concerns. She will appreciate that, in the first Crown Prosecution Service is taking to assist instance, this is a matter for investigation by the development of justice systems in developing countries. Metropolitan police, not the CPS, which, obviously, has [904020] no investigative capacity. Should the matter come to the CPS, it will indeed be considered on a case-by-case The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve): The Crown basis. She will be aware that when this matter has been Prosecution Service works closely with the United Kingdom before the House in the past, it has been pointed out and international partners to deliver targeted justice that the essential ingredient is that a doctor has to act in assistance in developing countries of priority to UK 571 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 572 national security. It does this on a range of important Serious Fraud Office threats and topics, such as counter-narcotics, counter- terrorism, asset recovery and cyber-crime. 4. Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): What recent assessment he has made of the Jeremy Lefroy: I welcome that answer. What specifically effectiveness of the Serious Fraud Office. [904022] is the CPS doing in countries that are experiencing high levels of conflict, particularly Afghanistan? The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve): I meet the director of the Serious Fraud Office regularly to The Attorney-General: The CPS has until reasonably discuss the continuing progress that it is making under recently had an important programme in Afghanistan, his leadership. The Serious Fraud Office underwent an although it is currently at an end. The programme inspection by Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service enabled prosecutors to work with local counterparts to inspectorate in 2012, at my request, and a follow-up deal with narcotics and corruption investigations and inspection of the SFO is currently taking place. I will prosecutions, one of which was the massive Kabul bank discuss the outcome of that inspection with the director fraud, which saw two former bank chiefs convicted and following publication of the report. jailed in March 2013. I visited that project when I was in Kabul. Mr Bain: The year 2010 was the last in which a In addition, there are projects in Nigeria, to which criminal sanction was imposed on a corporate defendant my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General has by the Serious Fraud Office. Does the Attorney-General referred and which have been complimented by the agree with the Opposition and the director of the Chief Justice of Nigeria for speeding up the criminal Serious Fraud Office, David Green QC, that there should process. There has also been a major project in the be a review of our highly restrictive laws on corporate Indian ocean area that has led to 110 pirate cases being liability, with a view to securing more prosecutions? prosecuted by CPS prosecutors. The Attorney-General: I have great sympathy with the points raised by the hon. Gentleman. In my judgment, Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): Some crimes this is an area that ought to be looked at and on which committed by British companies or British citizens can there may, indeed, be a degree of consensus across the be tried in this country or in a foreign country if they House. Of course, if we were to do that, we would also are transnational financial crimes committed in a foreign have to make sure that such a process operates in a fair country. What is the Crown Prosecution Service doing and reasonable way, but I have to say that I have listened to equip developing countries with investigative mechanisms very carefully to what the director of the Serious Fraud to ensure that more of those cases are tried in the Office has said, and it seems to me that his remarks have countries in which the offences are committed? considerable force.

The Attorney-General: It is important to understand Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Last week, the work of that the Crown Prosecution Service has limited capacity, the Serious Fraud Office was severely undermined when but it has prioritised for co-operation a series of overseas a case it was prosecuting was stayed. What discussions aid projects in a number of countries, including the has the Attorney-General had with the Lord Chancellor United Arab Emirates, the ones I have just given, and to address that issue? St Vincent and the Grenadines. In addition, it is worth bearing in mind that the United Kingdom Government The Attorney-General: The case did not involve the use the assistance of non-governmental organisations, Serious Fraud Office, but the Financial Conduct Authority. such as the Slynn Foundation and the Bingham Centre In the circumstances, that case is not a matter that I for the Rule of Law, to provide capacity building as have had to discuss with the director of the Serious well. Simply to give an example, I have seen projects in Fraud Office. the west bank being brought forward with the help of those organisations, so not just the Crown Prosecution Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) Service can help in this area. (Lab): Yes, but the Attorney-General will agree that the rule of law means that no one is above the law. It is, of Graeme Morrice (Livingston) (Lab): Corruption and course, very important that those who commit complex bribery are major factors undermining the rule of law fraud should be prosecuted as the common criminals in many developing countries. However, the serious they are. Will he not therefore take this opportunity to fraud squad has yet to land a secure conviction under express his dismay at the fact that meticulous cases the Bribery Act 2010. What steps has the Attorney-General taken to court by the prosecuting authorities may be taken to ensure that the agency has the resources it stopped because such people cannot be tried, because in needs to investigate these important cases? turn they cannot be represented, because in turn there is insufficient legal aid? If the Attorney-General wished The Attorney-General: The director of the Serious to have my support in his meeting with the Lord Chancellor Fraud Office is quite clear that, for him, bribery is a to explain the rule of law, I would be very happy to priority area. I am fairly confident, from the cases help him. currently being investigated and looked at, that we will see such prosecutions brought successfully. In so far as The Attorney-General: As the specific case to which resources are concerned, if there was any case in which the hon. Lady refers is before the Court of Appeal and, he had difficulty in respect of resources and felt that he therefore, sub judice, I will not comment on it. On the was not able to take it forward, he would certainly come general point that she makes, I certainly agree that it is to speak to me about it. clearly in the public interest that alleged serious crime 573 Oral Answers13 MAY 2014 Oral Answers 574 should be prosecuted. We will have to await the outcome Henry Smith: In recent years, the use of social media of the case to see whether the resources that are made such as Twitter and Facebook to express opinion has available in this instance are satisfactory. increased significantly. What advice can my right hon. and learned Friend give those who are taking part in Contempt of Court court proceedings to ensure that, in using those methods of communication, they are not in contempt? 6. Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): What steps he is taking to raise awareness of the law relating The Attorney-General: The change that we have to contempt of court. [904024] introduced is that we tweet and post online the advisories that we issue. Whereas in the past those were sent 8. Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): What steps he is confidentially to the media, they are now accessible in a taking to raise awareness of the law relating to similar, if not identical, form to individuals who may contempt of court. [904026] take an interest in the trial process. We hope that individuals will thereby be warned about the dangers of The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve): Since inappropriate comment and that, as a result, fewer taking office, I have been active in ensuring that the proceedings against those who abuse the system will be public are better informed of the law of contempt and, necessary. in particular, the dangers of online commentary. I have done that in a variety of ways including education, Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con) rose— delivering speeches, attending symposia on contempt, and review by asking the Law Commission to look Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Hexham can at the law of contempt and legislation. New criminal scarcely contain his excitement. I call Mr Guy Opperman. offences of juror misconduct and amendments to the law of contempt are being introduced in the Criminal Female Genital Mutilation Justice and Courts Bill. Finally, where necessary, I institute contempt proceedings against contemnors. 9. Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): What steps the Mr Buckland: I thank my right hon. and learned Crown Prosecution Service is taking to prosecute cases Friend for that answer. I welcome the new offences in involving female genital mutilation. [904027] the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill. How does he see the interrelation between those new offences and the The Solicitor-General (Oliver Heald): The first prosecution existing law of contempt working? In other words, how is under way. Lead prosecutors have been appointed for will judges be expected to deal with the often knotty each CPS area. The Director of Public Prosecutions problems that come before them when jurors misbehave? and I have written to Ministers in the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health to The Attorney-General: I hope that the benefit of this suggest ways in which the criminal law could be change to the law will be to emphasise the criminal strengthened. nature of the conduct of a juror who fails to follow the judge’s directions and acts in a way that undermines the Guy Opperman: I urge the Solicitor-General to take fairness of a trial process. At the same time, by providing note of the Home Affairs Committee report on this that it is an indictable offence that is triable by jury, issue and to target the local communities in this country there will be better safeguards for jurors in terms of and abroad where this abhorrent crime is increasingly fairness if they are prosecuted as a result. I trust that the taking effect. combination of those two things will enable judges to be more robust in their directions to the jury at the The Solicitor-General: My hon. Friend is right that a outset when explaining that it has an important function prosecution is, in a sense, a failure because we want to to perform, and that that must be performed within the diverge from this activity, stop it happening and change framework that the judge lays down in his directions. In minds in communities. That is the essence of what the my experience, jurors are, for the most part, animated Government are trying to achieve, although we have to entirely by good will towards the public interest, so I have prosecutions where necessary and we have a strong feel that if we do that, some of the regrettable problems action plan to achieve them. that we have had may be further reduced. Several hon. Members rose— Mr Speaker: I am sure that the House will agree unanimously that we are all now considerably better Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry to disappoint colleagues, informed. but we must move on. 575 13 MAY 2014 Ukraine 576

Ukraine next month of Georgia and Moldova’s association agreements with the EU, which will also establish deep 12.34 pm and comprehensive free trade areas, and are currently under parliamentary scrutiny. I gave our strong support The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth to the Moldovan Government’s plans to sign and implement Affairs (Mr William Hague): With permission, Mr Speaker, the agreement, and encouraged them to make more I would like to make a statement on recent events in progress on reform and in the fight against corruption. Ukraine. I will update the House on the situation on the In Georgia I discussed, and thanked the Government ground, the diplomatic work going on to reduce tensions, for their contribution to, their partnership with NATO. the decisions we made at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels yesterday, and the approach that we will continue In Ukraine I met the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister to pursue over the coming weeks. and the Head of the National Security and Defence Presidential elections will be held in Ukraine on Council, as well as the Governor of Donetsk and two 25 May. In the vast majority of the country, preparations presidential candidates. I encouraged all Ukraine’s leaders are proceeding well under the observation of the to communicate with people in the south and east of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. the country, and to counter Russian disinformation. I The UK is contributing 100 observers to the OSCE welcomed the steps the Government have taken to Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights launch an inclusive dialogue on constitutional reform election observation mission, which is 10% of the total and decentralisation, and to offer an amnesty for those number, as well as £429,000 for the first round of who peacefully leave occupied buildings in eastern Ukraine. elections. We have also given £1 million in funding so I assured Ukrainians of our support for the presidential far to the special monitoring mission. I met the heads of elections, which must be allowed to take place free from both those vital missions in Ukraine last week, and I violence and intimidation. thanked them for the hard work of their teams in On top of our strong support for the work of the difficult and sometimes dangerous circumstances. OSCE, the UK is providing technical assistance to However, in two of Ukraine’s 25 regions—Donetsk support public financial management and other reform and Luhansk, in the south and east of the country—the efforts in Ukraine. We have led the call for the urgent situation has deteriorated markedly over the past two imposition of EU sanctions targeting individuals suspected weeks. A constant barrage of propaganda by the Russian of misappropriating funds from the Ukrainian state, media, and a steadily mounting death toll, are contributing and we hosted the Ukraine Asset Recovery Forum two to an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and division. weeks ago in London, with the United States and So-called pro-Russian separatists, led by people who by Ukraine, in order to co-ordinate this work. their training, equipment and behaviour give every appearance of sometimes being Russian special forces, As I have always stressed, the doors of diplomacy have continued to seize and occupy Government buildings remain open. We continue to discuss the situation with in the south and east of Ukraine, using many of the Russia, and the Prime Minister had a long conversation same tactics that were deployed in Crimea. We have with President Putin on 1 May. We strongly supported seen intimidation of journalists, abductions and murders. the Geneva agreement of 17 April and deplore the Missiles have been used to destroy at least four Ukrainian failure of Russia to join in implementing it. It is right to military helicopters, giving the lie to Russia’s claim that try now to revive the diplomatic process, and I support these are the actions of spontaneously organised local and welcome the efforts being made by OSCE Chair-in- protestors, rather than well-trained, well-equipped Office and President of Switzerland, Didier Burkhalter. professionals. Last week I met him in Vienna, and I held further On 2 May more than 40 people died in Odessa, discussions with him over the weekend and yesterday in including many pro-Russian protesters trapped in a Brussels. Last Wednesday, he met President Putin and building that was set on fire—an act we condemn put forward a four-point plan, including the immediate unreservedly. This weekend, separatist groups staged launch of a national dialogue by the Ukrainian authorities sham “referendums” on self-rule in parts of Donetsk with OSCE support. We have encouraged Ukraine to and Luhansk. Those polls were marked by blatant respond positively to this, and it is doing so. The fraud, including multiple voting, no proper voting lists, Government have announced they will hold the first and threats and intimidation against Ukrainians standing meeting tomorrow, and agreed that there will be both up for the unity of their country. The referendums met Ukrainian and international mediation in this process. no basic standards of objectivity, transparency and I strongly believe it is in the interests of all concerned fairness, and they have no credibility whatsoever. We to seize these opportunities to reduce tensions. It is will not recognise those or any other attempts to undermine manifestly in the interests of the people of Ukraine, the territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Russia’s including in Donetsk and Luhansk, where there is a illegal annexation of Crimea. danger of the violence growing even worse and many The Government believe that our national interest more lives being lost. It is in the interests of Russia, lies in a democratic Ukraine able to determine its own because some events have already moved beyond its future, and in protecting a rules-based international control, and because the long-term economic and political system. Therefore, our objectives remain to avoid any costs to Russia of an escalating crisis will be very further escalation of the crisis, to support the independence serious. It is also urgent, because the situation is and sovereignty of Ukraine, and to uphold international deteriorating, and the elections are only 12 days away. law. We look to Russia to exercise its influence and to take I visited Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia last week, to every opportunity to restrain those responsible for violence show our support at a time when all three countries are and disorder, consistent with President Putin’s remarks feeling acute pressure. We look forward to the signing last week that the elections are a step forward. 577 Ukraine13 MAY 2014 Ukraine 578

Yesterday I attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council, of hatreds, the wilful sowing of violent disorder, and the at which we made it clear that attitudes and behaviour insertion of provocateurs and separatists from over towards the holding of the elections will have particular their borders. importance in deciding whether or not wider economic There is now a fresh opening for Russia, and anyone and trade sanctions will be applied. Preparations for else fostering violence and tension, to turn back from these sanctions are at an advanced stage. the brink. The coming days will demonstrate whether There is no doubt that the Ukrainian authorities are they are going to take it. The UK will do everything it making thorough preparations for the elections to be can to encourage that and to support the holding of held, and therefore Russia’s willingness to exercise its open and fair democratic elections. The international influence over illegal armed groups in parts of eastern community must continue to be prepared to act with Ukraine will be the decisive factor in whether everyone resolve and determination, to persuade the Russian in the eastern provinces will be able to exercise their Government to change their approach, to defend a rules- right to vote. Since Russia has taken no practical steps based international system, and to prevent a deterioration to de-escalate the crisis so far, we agreed yesterday to of the situation in the wider region. add a new group of 13 individuals and two companies to the list of persons sanctioned by the EU. This is the first time that entities—companies—have been sanctioned 12.45 pm by the EU in relation to the crisis. Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): Mr Speaker, you We agreed to expand the criteria for sanctions. These and the Foreign Secretary will, I hope, be aware of the will now cover not just individuals directly responsible reasons why the shadow Foreign Secretary is regrettably for undermining the security, territorial integrity, sovereignty not able to be here to respond to the statement. I thank and independence of Ukraine, but also a broader range the Foreign Secretary for it, and for advance sight of it. of individuals and entities linked to separatist and Before turning to the Foreign Secretary’s remarks on illegal activities. For the first time, the sanctions will Ukraine, may I first briefly address the recent horrific also be applicable to entities in Crimea or Sevastopol events in Nigeria? We welcome yesterday’s written statement whose ownership has been transferred contrary to and the steps taken by this Government, alongside Ukrainian law, and to those who obstruct the work of allies, in support of the Nigerian-led efforts to rescue international organisations in Ukraine. the captured girls. We note that the EU Foreign Affairs At the Foreign Affairs Council, we also called on Council’s conclusions make reference to the situation in Russia to take effective steps to fulfil its Geneva Nigeria. The Foreign Secretary will be aware that in commitments: to refrain from provocative acts and recent days, Members on both sides of the House have intimidation, to use its influence with separatist groups been urging that the opportunity be given to debate the to compel them to disarm and to vacate illegally occupied matter in Parliament. I expect that those requests have buildings, and to cease its destabilising campaign. We been noted and that the Government will respond demanded that Russia move its troops away from the accordingly. Ukrainian border. President Putin said last week that Turning to Ukraine, as the Foreign Secretary stressed, troops were returning to their regular training grounds. the situation in eastern Ukraine is deeply troubling. The However we have seen no evidence that Russia has violence continues, the death toll is rising and the situation reduced the huge number of its troops stationed just is increasingly volatile. He is right to condemn unreservedly miles from Ukraine, and in fact Moscow continues to the offence on 2 May in Odessa, where more than encourage the actions of separatists, including through 40 people died. He is also right to condemn the referendums the state-controlled media. in Donetsk and Luhansk on Sunday, which were both In addition to these steps, we agreed as Foreign illegal and illegitimate. The priority must now be for Ministers that the EU will prepare a possible civilian calm to be restored and further violence to be prevented. mission in Ukraine, to support capacity building in the The events over the weekend have created a key fields of rule of law, and judicial and police reform. We moment when the real resolve and intentions of Russia maintained our firm commitment to sign the remaining must now be tested. In recent days, President Putin has provisions of the association agreement with Ukraine, publicly issued words that some have seen as a sign of including the deep and comprehensive free trade area, possible progress. The international community, however, as soon as possible after the presidential elections. must judge President Putin not by his words alone but It is clear that if it Russia does not take the path of by his actions. He said that the referendum should be de-escalation, the long-term cost to it will grow, in an postponed. Now, he must condemn the fact that it has economy already shrinking and suffering massive capital taken place. He said that presidential elections might be flight. G7 Energy Ministers met in Rome last week and a step forward. Now, he must help to create the conditions committed themselves to reduce market power and for them to take place peacefully. He said that he has political influence through energy supply. EU leaders withdrawn troops from the border. He must allow NATO will discuss further detailed measures when they meet in to verify that. He has signed up to the Geneva accord of June. 17 April. Now, he must help to implement it. If President The people of Ukraine deserve the right to choose Putin fails to take the minimum steps required to their own Government in a free and fair election, just as demonstrate that he is willing to change course, the west we do. They also deserve to be free from external must be prepared to increase pressure in the days and interference and duress and to have the chance to chart weeks ahead. an independent future without the debilitating corruption We welcome the steps agreed at yesterday’s EU Foreign and mismanagement of recent years. They should have Affairs Council to extend existing targeted measures, every opportunity to be a bridge between east and west, including against two Ukrainian companies. On the and not to have their country pulled apart by the fanning measures agreed, will the Foreign Secretary confirm 579 Ukraine13 MAY 2014 Ukraine 580 whether he expects the expanded criteria to result in the many more individuals and entities can now be added if addition of further Russian entities to the list of companies the circumstances warrant it. There is a real readiness targeted by such actions? Will he confirm whether we across the whole European Union to do so. are taking steps to secure a further meeting between the I said in my statement that the wider sanctions—wider signatories as a way of trying to make further progress economic, trade and financial measures—which we have on implementation? We note the Council’s conclusions not yet imposed, are at an advanced stage. I am not able in support of a further meeting, but in the light of to announce any details, because they would of course Russian statements that no such meeting is planned, have to be agreed in detail at the time. The detailed could he set out the likelihood of it taking place? work has been done by the European Commission in I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s remarks on the consultation with EU members. It would be desirable to EU’s preparatory work on possible wider trade and have a further meeting of the parties that took part in economic sanctions against Russia. Can he provide any the Geneva talks of 17 April. However, it is possible to further detail on the measures under consideration? make progress even without such a meeting, as the work Will he confirm that any steps taken by Russia to seek over the last week by the chair of the Organisation for to prevent the peaceful process of presidential elections Security and Co-operation in Europe, President Burkhalter this month would be deemed a serious escalation, and of Switzerland, has demonstrated. We are in close touch further evidence of their wilful intention to destabilise with him, and he is working closely with the Ukrainian the situation in Ukraine further? We welcome the Foreign authorities and is, of course, in regular touch with Secretary’s confirmation that an association agreement Moscow to try to make his four-point plan work. I very is due to be signed with Georgia and Moldova next much welcome his dedication to that task, and I will month, alongside a free trade area. remain in close touch with him. The Foreign Secretary will be aware that many countries On the question of whether the further steps to in the region, especially those from the former Warsaw destabilise the elections represent a serious escalation, pact and former Soviet Union, but also including our yes, that is absolutely right, as was made clear at the Nordic allies, have a deeper concern that Russia’s actions Foreign Affairs Council yesterday and by Chancellor in Ukraine are not an isolated incident but part of a Merkel and President Hollande in their press conference developing and worrying trend—particularly in the light on Saturday. The right hon. Gentleman is quite right to of claims by the Russian Government about their need refer to the concerns created, particularly in countries to protect Russian speakers or ethnic Russians, irrespective with Russian-speaking minorities, about how Russia of their nationality or the credibility of any real threat has defined its interests and its right, as it sees it, to against them. It is little wonder that this has caused intervene in other nations in defiance of the UN charter apprehension and even alarm. Will the Foreign Secretary and international law. That is why NATO has made confirm what discussions he has had with our EU and decisions to give greater assurance to our colleagues, NATO allies on our response to these developments? particularly in the Baltic states. As he knows, we have reinforced the air policing of the Baltic, including by sending Royal Air Force Typhoon jets, and we will take Mr Hague: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. other steps as necessary. Given that he asked about Nigeria, it may be in order to say one sentence about Nigeria. I issued a written One of the results of what Russia has done is that at statement yesterday, the matter was discussed at the the NATO summit, which we are proud to host in Wales Foreign Affairs Council yesterday and I briefed the in September, NATO’s responsibilities to ensure the Cabinet on the situation this morning. Our team was collective and guaranteed defence of its European members, deployed to Nigeria last Friday and has had meetings and our readiness to revitalise that and ensure that it over the last few days with the Nigerian security authorities, remains there in the coming years, will be a topic of with the President and with representatives of the families great discussion—greater than it would have been without of the girls who have been abducted. They are working this crisis. closely with the US team and we are in close touch with the Nigerians about what more we can provide as Dr Liam Fox (North Somerset) (Con): The implications additional assistance. That was a long sentence! I hope for this crisis go well beyond Ukraine. Putin has effectively it briefly keeps the House up to date on how we are said that the protection of ethnic Russians in another responding to this appalling crime. country is not a matter for the laws of that country or The right hon. Gentleman expressed through his the constitution or the Government, but for an external statement and questions the bipartisan approach we power—namely Russia. This is a fundamental challenge have to the crisis in Ukraine. He was quite right to say to international law. Does my right hon. Friend agree that President Putin and Russia should be judged on that it is not enough just to de-escalate on Ukraine; we their actions, not just on words at press conferences, need assurances from the Kremlin that Russia will not and that we should be prepared to increase the pressure. interfere in any other sovereign state simply on the basis The decisions we took yesterday in Brussels are clear that ethnic Russians live there? Otherwise, sanctions evidence of our willingness to increase the pressure. must continue on that very basis. Not everybody expected us to agree further sanctions yesterday, but we felt that in the absence of concrete Mr Hague: My right hon. Friend is quite right that steps from Russia to de-escalate, it was right to add to huge principles are at stake here. That is why the reaction the sanctions. To answer the right hon. Gentleman’s in the United Nations has been so clear and overwhelming: question about whether there could be further extensions in the votes held in New York, Russia was entirely on its to the list of individuals and entities subject to asset own in the Security Council, with China abstaining. freezes and travel bans, yes, absolutely there could be. Russia was outvoted in the General Assembly by 100 Because we have substantially widened the criteria, votes to 11 precisely because the issues at stake are 581 Ukraine13 MAY 2014 Ukraine 582 exactly as great as my right hon. Friend describes them. rather than the old one. The Russian position has very That is why I underline the long-term cost to Russia—in much created this crisis, but it is not an immutable the reduction of energy market power, the reduction of position. influence in eastern Europe because of populations turning against it and NATO reinforcing its responsibilities Mr Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East) (Lab): The for the defence of its eastern members. All of that flows apparent contrast between what President Putin has from what Russia has done in recent weeks. been saying and what Sergei Lavrov appears to be saying—that the referendums must be accepted as an Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): May I first welcome expression of opinion and taken seriously—is leading the Foreign Secretary’s statement and commend the many people to believe that this is just a cynical tactic approach he has adopted? May I ask him about the on the part of the Russian Administration. Does the position of the German business lobby, part of which Foreign Secretary share their fear, and, if so, does he has been arguing, with the assistance of the former believe that their analysis is recognised by our European German Chancellor, against any kind of wider economic partners? sanctions? The position of Chancellor Merkel and Foreign Minister Steinmeier has been commendable, but what assessment does the right hon. Gentleman make of Mr Hague: Yes, I think so. Again, the test is what Germany’s understanding that it is in its interest to actually happens. There is a strong school of thought ensure that if necessary, sanctions, including business which holds that Russia’s call for the sham referendums sanctions, are strengthened if there is no other way of not to go ahead, although they went ahead, was intended securing some observation by Russia? more to disclaim responsibility for them than actually to discourage them. The Russians have reacted by saying that they respect what they see as the will of the people, Mr Hague: I think that is understood in Germany— which was expressed in such a massively anti-democratic certainly by their ministerial and political leaders. I had fashion as the referendums, but they have not reacted a long discussion with Mr Steinmeier before yesterday’s in the same way as they did after the sham referendum Foreign Affairs Council, and he fully joined in bringing in Crimea, by annexing the territory concerned. They about the decisions we made at that Council, while clearly see Donetsk and Lugansk in a different light Chancellor Merkel expressed Germany’s strong view at from Crimea, and what they want to do is different. It is her press conference on Saturday.Of course it is understood terrible, but it is different, and we will continue to judge across Europe that wider sanctions against Russia will them by the differences in their actions. have some damaging consequences in Europe. I have said before that if we come to that point, those sanctions will be designed to have the maximum effect on Russia Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife) (LD): My and the minimum effect on European economies—but right hon. Friend paints an understandably grim picture. they would have an effect on Britain, France and Germany. At the risk of over-dramatisation, I would say that this The plans developed for such sanctions include measures has all the characteristics of a powder keg. President to be taken by Germany, and the triggers for them are Putin will not adopt diplomacy until he is satisfied by the ones that I described earlier. We regard Germany as what he has achieved or is forced to come to the table, working closely with us on this issue. which renders the point made by the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) all the more significant. Is my Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): Is it not clear right hon. Friend entirely confident that the countries that, far from being deterred by the range of sanctions of the European Union will be unanimous in any measures taken by the west, the Russians continue to further extension, and, in particular, that the United escalate the crisis with impunity—not least by the States will form part of any such extension, given that deployment to Crimea of some of the most sophisticated this is a matter for the Atlantic alliance as a whole? weaponry, including, I understand, the latest K-300P Bastion-P mobile anti-ship missile systems? In those Mr Hague: So far, the co-ordination between the circumstances, how on earth can we expect Russia to United States and the EU and between EU nations has honour and respect the outcome of the forthcoming been very strong, and we in the UK play an important presidential elections in Ukraine? role in ensuring that there is that co-ordination. Any discussion behind closed doors often features a variety Mr Hague: Russia certainly has the involvement I of views—as one would expect, when 28 EU nations are pointed out in my statement, but I also argued that, involved—but so far we have had no difficulty in reaching given the longer-term consequences for Russia, the unanimous agreement on the sanctions that I have escalating sanctions, and some of the tragedies that described, and that includes the decisions we made have happened, such as in Odessa, it is in Russia’s yesterday. Russia should not underestimate the willingness interests to co-operate with the initiative that the OSCE of the European Union to add further measures, including chair has launched, which we support. more far-reaching measures if necessary, and to engage Russia is capable of adjusting its approach. As others in close co-ordination with the United States of America have said, President Putin’s actions will be much more in that regard. important than his words, but his words last week, when he described the elections as a step forward in Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): Ukraine, represent a substantive change in the Russians’ The first broadcast in Ukrainian by the BBC World position. Their previous position was that Yanukovych Service was in June 1992, and the last was in April 2011. was still the legitimate President of Ukraine. Clearly, if Given that the Foreign Secretary himself has referred to the elections are a step forward, the Russians have the constant propaganda from Russia, will he discuss changed their position in accepting a new president with the BBC whether it is time to reinstate that service? 583 Ukraine13 MAY 2014 Ukraine 584

Mr Hague: I think that point is worth considering. As Mr Hague: “Unimpressed” is a good bit of British I discovered in Ukraine last week, there is a constant understatement from the Chair of the Foreign Affairs demand for other media and for impartial media, given Committee. My right hon. Friend is right: it is important the behaviour of Russian-controlled or Russian-sponsored to keep channels of communication open. That is what media, and we are considering ways in which that can I do with Foreign Minister Lavrov, and that is why the be encouraged without controlling it ourselves. Of course, Prime Minister has spoken to President Putin several there is now a greater proliferation of television channels times during this crisis. Even as we speak, our representatives and forms of communication of every kind, so the are sitting with Russia in the E3 plus 3 negotiations with answer is not necessarily to replicate exactly what we Iran, and working constructively together on one of the had before, but in many parts of eastern Europe there is world’s other great issues. We will make every effort to a need for impartial information and news, and that is continue to do that, because it is in the global interest something that we must not neglect. and in our national interest.

Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op): Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that if the situation Will the Foreign Secretary make it clear that we do not in Ukraine deteriorates or another emergency occurs simply suspect that Russia is behind much of the armed elsewhere which requires the House to sit during insurrection in the east of Ukraine, but hold the country prorogation, the issue of a royal warrant will be required? squarely responsible? If such tactics were attempted in a Will he explain how that procedure would work in NATO member country, they would trigger a full article 5 practice? response.

Mr Hague: It is no simple matter for the House to sit Mr Hague: There is no doubt about that. I hope that during prorogation, which is one of the reasons for I made it clear in my statement, but I am happy to making my statement today. Indeed, it would be restate our certainty about Russian involvement in the unprecedented. Nevertheless, the Civil Contingencies violence and disorder that have taken place in eastern Act 2004 provides a means for the House to sit in Ukraine. What has happened does not have the extreme circumstances, if there is a threat to the United characteristics of spontaneous protest. The level of Kingdom. The Leader of the House will be much more equipment, training and co-ordination involved familiar with the details than I am, but I think that my demonstrates that there is outside intervention. Ukraine hon. Friend should bear in mind that the threshold for is not, of course, a member of NATO, but I am sure the assembly of Parliament during prorogation is very, that were such things to happen in a NATO member very high. country, it would be able to invoke article 5 of the NATO treaty.

Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): While Russia Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): Following on undoubtedly has responsibility for the crisis that has from the question of the hon. Member for Barrow and occurred, is it not a fact that many people feel an Furness (John Woodcock), in affirming our support for attachment to Russia, particularly in eastern Ukraine? NATO and article 5, what other countries apart from Whoever wins the presidential elections on the 25th of ourselves and the United States have sent troops or this month, will there not be a responsibility—a very planes to exercise in the Baltic states and Russia? important responsibility—to reach out to the large number of people who, rightly or wrongly, feel a greater attachment Mr Hague: The United States did the last rotation of to Russia than to Ukraine? Baltic air policing and we are contributing to it now, as my hon. Friend knows. The French have deployed four Mr Hague: According to reputable surveys, even in Rafale aircraft which are based in Poland. Denmark the eastern parts of Ukraine there is little evidence that has deployed four F-16 aircraft to Estonia and there is people want to be part of Russia, although of course work on further maritime deployments as well. So a there is much evidence of disaffection in regard to variety of countries are involved in these exercises and politics, their own former leaders in Kiev, and so on. policing. However, the hon. Gentleman is right to say that reaching out and inclusivity within the whole of Ukraine are Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): I welcome vital, and that will be a very important task for whoever the deployment of UK forces to front-line NATO states, wins the presidential election. I have now met five of the and I also welcome the Foreign Secretary’s visits to presidential candidates—including all the leading ones Georgia and Moldova as well as Ukraine, but what in Ukraine—and have given them that advice, as well as assistance and help can we give, particularly to Moldova, the advice that they must secure an end to the whole because what might happen in Transnistria at some culture of corruption and cronyism that has prevailed point could be a repetition of what has happened in Ukraine in the past. already in Crimea?

Sir Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): Whatever Mr Hague: This is a very important point and it is we may think about Russia—and I for one am distinctly one of the things I went to Moldova to discuss with its unimpressed—the Russians are people with whom we Government. Of course the opening up of a closer must do business. I have in mind the negotiations over economic relationship with EU countries is a major Iran. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need to opportunity for them. Already, when Russia stopped avoid institutional hostility and keep the lines of buying Moldovan wine, which is one of its principal communication open, although the Russians do not exports, the EU opened up to Moldovan wine. We may make it easy for us? have to be ready to do that in other areas of the 585 Ukraine13 MAY 2014 Ukraine 586 economy as well. The Moldovan Government made a which the NATO summit turns its attention. That is not number of requests to me on my visit, and I am thinking just up to us; it is up to all our colleagues in NATO, but positively about all of them and discussing them with I think that, in that sense, my hon. Friend makes a very my EU colleagues. good point.

Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): While in no Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): I support the UK way condoning Mr Putin’s actions, I just wonder if the deployments to the Baltic states and those of other EU has played into his hands. Should not peace and NATO countries. Without wanting to provoke Russia, reconciliation be our objective now? Should we not in do the Foreign Secretary and the North Atlantic Council this context reassure Russia that we have no intention of accept that it may well be necessary, in order to give real dragging Ukraine into our orbit by Ukraine joining substance to the article 5 guarantee, to have longer-term NATO, that any free trade associations with the EU will deployments of NATO troops in some of those post-Berlin be balanced with free trade associations with Russia, as wall accession countries? Mr Putin proposed, and that there should be full devolution Mr Hague: Yes, absolutely it could be, and over the for east and west Ukraine? next six weeks there will be further meetings of NATO Defence Ministers and of NATO Foreign Ministers, Mr Hague: We have always made it clear—and I which I will attend in the run-up to the summit we will make it clear again now, as I did in my statement—that host in Wales. We have not felt it necessary to take we have always seen Ukraine as having strong relations decisions yet about such longer-term deployments; that with east and west and that it has never been our will depend on how this crisis develops, but we absolutely objective to pull Ukraine in a direction that means it do not exclude the possibility of doing exactly as the loses its important economic and political relations hon. Gentleman mentions. with Russia. I think that that message is very clear and we are clearly supporting, in the work of the OSCE, Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): What decentralisation in Ukraine in a way that is acceptable assessment has been made of the impact of Russia’s to the whole of its population, including its regions. I actions on its own economy, and how much more therefore think the problem has lain in the perception of damaging would the proposed further trade sanctions Russia—an inaccurate perception—rather than in the be over and above these self-inflicted wounds, which actions of western countries. presumably Russia thinks are a price worth paying?

Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): Will the Mr Hague: Russia’s actions have contributed to its Foreign Secretary say something about NATO’s longer mounting economic problems. One of the main term intentions? Since 1990 we have had constant expansion international forecasts for Russia’s economic growth of NATO and that in turn has encouraged an equal and has been downgraded for the coming year from 2.3% to opposite reaction within Russia. Does he not think it is 0.2%. Russia’s Finance Ministry has announced that its time to stop the expansion of NATO and try to bring economy shrank in the first quarter of this year. The about a peaceful central European region? flight of capital from Russia so far this year is now thought to be of the order of $80 billion. Russia’s bonds Mr Hague: NATO is not an alliance designed for have been downgraded one level so they are now only offensive purposes. NATO is designed for the defence of one level above junk status. These things have all happened the countries concerned and there are free sovereign in the last couple of months, and are therefore partly nations who aspire to join NATO. What is more, their linked to this crisis. This is why I emphasise some of the aspiration to join NATO is one of the positive influences long-term costs to Russia and repeat that it is in Russia’s on them to adopt strong democratic systems and free interests now to find, with the OSCE and the rest of us, and open societies. So the expansion of NATO has been a path of de-escalation. a very healthy development for many countries in the Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): I world. I think it would be wrong to bring down the welcome the statement, and particularly the increase in shutters and say, “This is not available to any more the sanctions against Russia. The Foreign Secretary will countries at any stage.” Becoming a member of NATO know better than most Members the personality and is a demanding process, but I think it would be wrong to character of President Putin. Is it not important to confine NATO to those countries that are already a make it absolutely clear—he has partially done this—that member of it. sanctions will increase in severity week after week, month after month? If we look at the experience of Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): The NATO summit Iran, we see that it is when we get into banking and is four months away. Various NATO members have financial services sanctions that things really start to reaffirmed article 5 already. Would it not make sense for hurt. all NATO members to reaffirm article 5—that an attack on one nation is an attack on all—at this time, as the Mr Hague: I agree. We have taken this graduated NATO summit is four months away? approach but we have never hesitated to add further at each stage, and we demonstrated that again yesterday. I Mr Hague: I can assure my hon. Friend that there is say again that Russia not should underestimate our no doubt about that: the commitment of all the 28 members determination to go further if necessary. The hon. of NATO to article 5 is absolute. This is a treaty Gentleman is right about the importance of financial obligation, and this is something they all take very measures. Some of the measures taken by the United seriously, but to show, through our exercises, our States have already had some financial effect, but it deployments and our planning for the future, just how would be possible to go much further than that, including seriously we take it could very much be something to through what the United Kingdom could do. 587 Ukraine13 MAY 2014 Ukraine 588

Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset) (Con): The Kremlin, job of the special monitoring mission. We are supplying the leading members of the Duma and the Russian further monitors from the UK, with the capability to media have consistently sought to undermine both the build up to having 500 monitors in total. Their objective authority and the credibility of the interim President of reporting will be very important in the coming weeks to Ukraine and the Government in Kiev. Given that Russia international understanding of the situation. is a member of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Council of Europe, Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): Both the current both of which will be observing the elections next week, Government in Kiev and the Foreign Secretary in his what assurances has the Foreign Secretary been given statement have pointed out that the referendum in by his Russian counterpart that the Russians will recognise Donetsk region was vitiated on the grounds that no those elections, endorse the result and recognise the valid register of electors is available. That being the authority of the elected President to speak for all the case, how do they propose to hold valid presidential people of Ukraine? elections in the region on 25 May? Mr Hague: As I am sure my hon. Friend anticipates in his question, we do not have any such assurance from Mr Hague: Of course the register is available to those Russia, but of course we do have the one change in authorities holding the legal presidential elections in the Russian policy and attitude to the legitimacy of the vast majority of the country. elections, which was President Putin’s statement last week that the presidential elections are a step forward in Barry Gardiner indicated dissent. terms of national unity in Ukraine. This demonstrates the importance of the election observation missions, Mr Hague: Of course it is true. The election observation of the elections being demonstrably free and fair, and of mission, which I visited last week, is satisfied with the the maximum number of people in Ukraine being able arrangements so far in 23 of the 25 regions of Ukraine. to participate in them, because all those things will In Donetsk and Luhansk the picture is mixed—I think contribute to the legitimacy of the outcome. I suspect this is what the hon. Gentleman is driving at—and in that Russia will be faced with a very legitimate electoral some parts of those two regions the legitimate civil process in Ukraine and will then have to decide its authorities have not been able to make preparations for attitude to it. the elections. That remains the case with 12 days to go, so Ukraine is faced with having a presidential election Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): Does the Foreign Secretary in which the vast majority of people in the country will believe that Russia did not expect sanctions to be put in be able to take part—but not all of them, thanks to place? What is our bottom line for coming to an agreement Russian intervention. with Russia? Is it the return of Crimea to how it was? Does he believe that is going to happen? Dr Phillip Lee (Bracknell) (Con): The newly appointed chief executive of Ofgem confirmed to me this morning Mr Hague: We have not recognised, and will not that in his opinion gas prices in the UK would go up if recognise, the annexation of Crimea. What we are seeking there was an interruption to the supply of gas coming through OSCE diplomacy now is de-escalation rather through Ukraine to western Europe. In the light of that, than an already prescribed end state. National dialogue will the Foreign Secretary confirm that extensive work in Ukraine in return for Russia acquiescing in elections is taking place within Government to model worst-case in Ukraine is really what the OSCE is pursuing. If the scenarios, so that we can build resilience in this nation hon. Gentleman is asking whether our bottom line is against the unlikely event of that scenario occurring? everything going back to normal in the future while Crimea remains annexed by Russia, my answer would be no. There will be permanent consequences from Mr Hague: Yes, the Department of Energy and Climate what has happened in Crimea and ever more serious Change is very conscious of this issue, and my right wider consequences—the sorts of consequences I have hon. Friend the Energy and Climate Change Secretary talked about—if Russia continues on this overall path. attended the G7 Energy Ministers meeting last week. I would add only that threats to interrupt the supply, with Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): I consequences not only for Ukraine but for countries visited Odessa recently and came across an EU office beyond Ukraine, would be a further incentive for countries which was rightly focusing on reporting on the situation across Europe to reduce their dependence on Russian in Moldova, but was not reporting on local developments. supplies in the medium to long term. Russia needs to Given the disjoint between actual events and how they bear that in mind as well. are sensationally reported in the press, should there not be better independent assessments, possibly used by Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ offices such as those of the EU, to counter the pro-Russian Co-op): One of the many alarming features of the propaganda about which the Secretary of State has situation in Ukraine is the likelihood that large amounts spoken? of arms and weaponry have fallen into the hands of not only separatists but criminals, gangsters and who knows Mr Hague: That is a very important point, and it who else. Is it not in Russia’s interests to ensure that it relates to part of the importance of further expanding does not have on its borders a state where there is the OSCE special monitoring mission. We might also insecurity and armed gangs under nobody’s control? deploy—and we are in favour of deploying—a civilian What steps can we take at the European level to try at EU mission to advise on judicial and police reform, but least to monitor the entry of weapons from that part of what my hon. Friend is talking about is very much the the world into the rest of Europe? 589 Ukraine13 MAY 2014 Ukraine 590

Mr Hague: That is a very important issue. Part of the loss of life, can he give us any idea of just how imminently plan being put forward by the OSCE involves a national those sanctions might be ready to be implemented? plan for the disarmament of illegally armed groups within Ukraine. The Ukrainian authorities have also Mr Hague: Sanctions can be added to at any time and been playing their proper part in implementing the on any day when it is necessary. Yesterday, following agreement at Geneva by collecting thousands of illegally the developments of the past few days, we added to the held weapons—when I last looked the figure was more sanctions at quite short notice, and we widened the than 6,000. There is therefore a national programme criteria for the future so that the European Council can and an internationally supported programme for collecting decide at any time to impose the wider trade and those weapons, but of course the people fomenting economic measures if that becomes necessary. disorder in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk are in no mood at the moment to give in their weapons. It will be Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): What discussions has in the interests of all concerned, including Russia, that my right hon. Friend recently had with the US Secretary they ultimately do so. of State with regard to American support for free and legal presidential elections in Ukraine on 25 May? Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): My right Mr Hague: As my hon. Friend can imagine, I am in hon. Friend has always sensibly said that in this day and constant touch with the US Secretary of State, John age a British Foreign Secretary has to deal with the Kerry. Our approaches are very closely aligned, as they world as it is, not as he would like it to be. Given the are among western nations in general. I will be seeing evidently huge support, rightly or wrongly, in Crimea him on Thursday to discuss our approach, particularly for being part of Russia, is it the policy of Her Majesty’s how we support the legitimate authorities in Ukraine Government that the annexation has to be undone or after the presidential elections, so my hon. Friend can that the annexation is somehow regularised, ultimately be assured that we are working very closely with the to Ukraine’s satisfaction? United States.

Mr Hague: It is an annexation that we cannot recognise. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I commend the It is not an issue we can resolve today, but we cannot Foreign Secretary for his strong stance on Ukraine. Just recognise this and we will bring further penalties into last week, I visited the Ukrainian protest and rallying force, through the European Union, on companies trading point opposite No. 10 Downing street. The frustration from Crimea and on travel from Crimea. That is a of those present was palpable, and they referred to the further package yet to be agreed, but we will agree it in annexation by Germany of the surrounding countries the European Union. The annexation has long-term before the second world war. Will the Foreign Secretary consequences. Of course we have to face the possibility reassure the rank and file Ukranians, both inside and that this could become a long-term frozen conflict, outside Ukraine, that the west is doing all it can to turn whereby a place treated by Russia as a part of Russia is Russia from its ambition and aspiration? not recognised by us as part of Russia. This does not Mr Hague: Yes, I can. I think that the hon. Gentleman prevent us from working on the wider efforts to de-escalate will gather from my statement that we are taking a wide tensions in the rest of Ukraine, and it is important for range of measures, and we are stepping up those measures us not to be prevented from doing that by the Crimean while all the time leaving open the door of diplomacy. issue. That is, as I pointed out, in the interests of all the people of Ukraine, as well as those of Russia. In the Jenny Chapman (Darlington) (Lab): The Foreign absence of concrete steps to de-escalate by Russia, we Secretary has made it as clear as he can that wider EU will continue to increase the sanctions and the pressure trade and financial sanctions are likely, but given the on Russia, with all the consequences that I talked about speed with which the situation is deteriorating and the earlier. 591 13 MAY 2014 Points of Order 592

Points of Order Mr Speaker: It is not the same problem at all. It is a different issue, and different principles apply. I was hopeful that the right hon. Gentleman might have a 1.31 pm valid point to raise, but it was a question of a triumph Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): On a point of optimism over reality. of order, Mr Speaker. Sadly, you do not control when we have debates, but there is a regrettable tendency by Government now to have more and more statements on Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): On a point of order, big Foreign Office issues, such as Ukraine, and fewer Mr Speaker. I would be grateful for your guidance on and fewer debates. Ukraine is a massive issue of war the following matter. and peace, yet we have had just one three-hour debate On 4 April, Monitor, the sector regulator for health on the subject. Members had only five minutes in which services in England, issued new guidance for the to speak. As the Father of the House told me, he barely commissioning of radiosurgery services. That new guidance draws breath in five minutes. We cannot deal with the clearly updates and modifies the guidance issued in complexities of the issue in that time. I regret to say that 2013. statements allow the Government to dominate the The new guidance means that NHS England’s ban on proceedings completely. Can you use your influence, NHS patients being treated by the gamma knife machine Mr Speaker, so that we can have a proper, full day’s at University College hospital, London is not sustainable. debate on this major international issue? In the past couple of weeks, I have asked three questions of the Secretary of State, and I made it clear that they Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for related to the new guidelines that were issued on 4 April. his point of order, and I understand where he is coming I stated: from on the matter. It is not entirely fortuitous that he “To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to section 3 should raise this in the presence both of the Foreign of the guidance issued by Monitor on the commissioning of Secretary and the Leader of the House. I say just two radiosurgery services on 4 April 2014”.—[Official Report,7May things in response. First, I am sure that he would be the 2014; Vol. 580, c. 245W.] first to acknowledge that the Foreign Secretary is absolutely I then led into my questions. The Under-Secretary of fastidious about coming to the House when it is appropriate State for Health, the hon. Member for Battersea (Jane to do so, and he has always volunteered statements Ellison), answered all three questions in the context of without any pressure being required to be applied to the outdated Monitor guidelines. I understand that that secure that outcome. Secondly, I rather agree that it might be an error on her part, but it means that my would be good if we could have a more substantial legitimate questions remain unanswered, and I do not debate on these matters. As he rightly says, with sadness—a know how else to get an accurate response to oral and sadness that I share—it is not in my hands; it is in the written questions. I seek your guidance, Mr Speaker, on Government’s hands and I hope that it will happen how to redress that. sooner rather than later so that these matters can be explored in the detail and at the necessary length that are required. Mr Speaker: I am deeply grateful to the hon. Lady for her courtesy in giving me advance notice of this point of order. Moreover, I understand why she is frustrated Mr Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con): Further to that or aggrieved that what she thinks is a clear and specific point of order, Mr Speaker. question is not being answered. That said, I am sorry to inform her that there is nothing in what she has said Mr Speaker: I am not sure that there is one, but, as I that engages the responsibilities of the Chair. I must always operate according to my standards rather than therefore advise her to undertake the short journey those of the right hon. Gentleman, I will be generous to from here to the Table Office where I have every confidence him. Let us hear from him and see whether he has that she will get good advice on the best means by which anything worthwhile to raise. to chase down this matter. If that proves to be unavailing, she might consider having a friendly and genial chat Mr Burns: To paraphrase, I am most grateful, with the Leader of the House, who I am sure will wish Mr Speaker. Will you confirm that the same problem to assist. If that gets her nowhere, I have the feeling that arises with urgent questions, but the Government have she will probably come back to me. Perhaps we can no control over the choosing of them? leave it there for today. 593 13 MAY 2014 Prohibition of Unpaid Internships 594

Prohibition of Unpaid Internships doing manual work in engineering factories and, later, as a kitchen and bathroom fitter, which gave me something Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order that an unpaid internship simply does not provide—a No. 23) self-sufficient existence brought about by merit and hard work. 1.36 pm At my local comprehensive school, my sister and I Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): I beg were taught that hard work and determination would to move, help us make something of ourselves in the world of That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prohibit unpaid work. Our supportive parents made us work part-time internships; and for connected purposes. jobs around our education—something that taught us The principle of this Bill is to encourage responsible the real value of money, that we had to do to run our practice which does not inhibit social mobility and limit first cars and that taught us how to budget, a valuable experience of competitive working environments to the lesson for later life. I left home for university with a few who can afford to work without pay. It cannot be sense of aspiration to achieve my dreams, knowing that disputed that unpaid internships are an impediment to it would be my own hard work and determination that social mobility when, according to a YouGov poll, 43% delivered those dreams. of 18 to 24-year-olds believe unpaid internships act, or Unpaid work was simply not an option for me or my have acted, as a major barrier to getting a job. It is sister, and it should no longer be a barrier to ordinary kids, alarming that they have been allowed to continue for so as we were, to get into the workplace. In the 21st century, long, especially as Governments of all colours spend it is time to ban the practice of unpaid labour. Of huge amounts of time and money to ensure that the course, that is no small task, as the Institute for Public school and university system gives a fair opportunity to Policy Research estimates that there are more than all. By turning a blind eye to this unfair internship 100,000 unpaid internships. It is exactly the scale of the practice, many school leavers and graduates never get problem that makes it time to act. There is a need to act the chance to use their education to its full potential. to protect young people as they get into work, as well as Indeed, in Alan Milburn’s report into social mobility to support the businesses that are doing the right thing. in 2012, he found that more than 30% of newly hired A step change can be achieved through better graduates had previously interned for their employer, enforcement of the national minimum wage, as has rising to 50% in some sectors, underlining the fact that been introduced by the Government, alongside constructive interning is becoming a pre-requisite for graduates looking dialogue with employers. Those who defend unpaid to access professions. That leaves thousands of young internships as a way of helping squeezed businesses are people in a Catch-22 situation, unable to get a job guilty of taking a short-sighted and ill-informed approach, because they do not have the experience, and unable to as fair internship schemes are better for employers, get experience because they cannot afford to work for because they allow them to access a wider and more free. diverse pool of talent. Furthermore, not only are jobseekers’ There needs to be continuity through the entire journey opportunities being limited by unpaid internships, but of education, college or university and into the world of businesses offering free positions are undercutting their work. I am sure that many Members from all parts of rivals who abide by the moral and legal code and pay the House would baulk at the idea of children getting the minimum wage. access to a decent education only if they have a wealthy The Low Pay Commission, for its report in 2013, background, but that is the situation we are allowing to “received a substantial volume of evidence suggesting a growth in continue in the early employment market today. Indeed, the terms ‘internship’, ‘work experience’ or ‘volunteer’ to denote many Members across this House are complicit in unpaid activities that look like work and to which the NMW encouraging it, but they are not the only ones. Despite should apply”. the coalition agreement to tackle internships, and the The minimum wage has got to be the way forward to strong guidance from the Department for Business make unpaid internships a thing of the past and to Innovation and Skills, many employers still routinely create fair intern positions, in which interns are treated advertise for unlawful internships on a widespread scale— in a manner that fits the role that they are carrying out. from fashion to journalism. Just last year, the National After all, most interns have set hours and responsibilities, Council for the Training of Journalists found in its 2013 and they are therefore workers, who should be entitled report that 82% of new entrants to journalism had done to the national minimum wage. an internship, of which 92% were unpaid. To those who say that extra legislation is not needed, It is not just those who do not have the money who because of the existing legal framework of the minimum are being deprived of life skills. Internships are also not wage, I point out that there has not been a single beneficial for those who are lucky enough to have other prosecution for non-payment of the national minimum means of support, who cruise into positions where wage in the past two years. There have been only eight there is no competition owing to the costs involved. prosecutions since the law was passed in 1998. We need By widening the opportunity for all, the job market to ensure that the law protects social mobility, while becomes genuine and everyone is forced to up their acting as a credible deterrent to businesses that would game to secure the best internship or, failing that, to not want to be caught jeopardising someone’s future for settle for a position most suited to their skill level in a bit of cheap labour. preparation for a step up. In other words, it makes Since the first report by Alan Milburn in 2009, much everyone experience the real world, where people are of the debate surrounding the issue has recognised the appointed to jobs on merit, rather on the basis of the link between unpaid internships and declining social circumstances into which they were born. I draw a huge mobility. The report described that internship model as amount of experience from my own early employment “a back-door for better-off, better-connected youngsters”. 595 Prohibition of Unpaid Internships13 MAY 2014 Prohibition of Unpaid Internships 596

[Alec Shelbrooke] mobility, but I am also in favour of young people getting the experience that they need to enter the workplace. It is therefore heartening that a naming-and-shaming We need a balance. approach towards the back door is now being heeded I chair the schools to work commission and listened and implemented by a range of employers, such as with great interest to Jim Hillage from the Institute of Ernst & Young and KPMG, and employer bodies, Employment Studies, who pointed out that, according including the Public Relations Consultants Association, to the latest high-flyers research programme, a survey of the Arts Council and the Royal Institute of British 18,000 students found that students—any student—who Architects, which actually expels members that use unpaid had any work experience at all were three times more interns. likely to get a job. Not only were they more likely to get When international organisations, including the a job, but they were more likely to stay in a job. They European Commission, OECD and the UN are all got confidence and a feeling of comfort from joining concerned about the effects of unpaid internships on the work force. social mobility, it shows that we have already been too Many of us have offered short-term work experience slow, as a global leader, in responding to the practice. in our offices to young people whom we want to encourage Let us move forward with common sense and tackle the to get to know the world of work and to understand weak spot in employment law whereby workers are not how Parliament works. The emphasis on only having a clearly defined, allowing employers to exploit the loophole. paid intern in this place, however, has put MPs off At no point in national minimum wage legislation is a taking on more people in their office. Last year, I paid a “worker” defined sufficiently. It has also been noted full London living wage to an intern, and that was that advisers at Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs good. I wanted to do that and I want to do it more are not consistent in their advice about when the national often, but it squeezed out a lot of young people to minimum wage is warranted, and when it is not. whom I used to offer short-term work experience while A common-sense approach would be to ensure that paying their expenses and even the expenses of staying no work experience is to last longer than four weeks in London. without being paid; at that point, an individual should There are some problems in going down this route, become an intern and be paid the national minimum because in some ways it sends the wrong message to wage as a minimum. The change would safeguard many enlightened employers who go out of their way opportunity and only requires using powers under section and know that a young person needs a start—a start 41 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. With the that often involves a couple of weeks in a business help of Intern Aware, a leading charity that supports environment. I do not want a heavy-handed approach the ending of unpaid positions, it has been identified that says we should have nothing but paid interns that the Government could give clarity to interns, those because of where that will put those great employers in on short-term work experience and employers. The the public and private sectors, including those in small change would require secondary legislation and therefore and medium-sized companies. Most people in this country not interfere with existing national minimum wage rules, will end up working not at the large companies, the big but it has the potential to designate all individuals who accountancy firms or the big engineering and chemical have undertaken a period of work experience for more companies but for small and medium-sized enterprises. than four weeks to be a “worker” under the National I want us to have a more positive approach through a Minimum Wage Act, thereby ensuring that they are charter on the fair treatment of young people doing properly treated and recompensed. work experience that everyone understands and that I urge the Government to act at the earliest opportunity. they sign up to. I ask for support from both sides of the House. Until I am positively against people who cynically exploit amended to make the rules suitable for the modern-day young people and take them on unpaid for long periods working environment, we are compromising all the of time. We all know, and I agree with the hon. Member progress made by this Government to enable a fair for Elmet and Rothwell on this point, that that is the education system for all, regardless of background. It is downside. Where we disagree is on whether we should time that we not only practised, but legislated, what we ban any internship that is not paid. I must say, Madam preach. In a nation such as ours, no one should be Deputy Speaker, that I welcome Mr Speaker’s initiative expected to work for free. Work should be rewarded. in this House but that very good initiative of taking on Those who oppose the Bill need to be able to explain to young interns, rewarding them and so on is for only young people why only their wealthy peers should have 10 people. Is it not about time that even in this House of access to sought-after careers. The Bill moves us into Commons we said that we should open up such the 21st century, leaving the remnant of the “who you opportunities to lots of young people who otherwise know, not what you know” culture firmly in the history would not have the opportunity? Let us have a proper books. scheme. Let us talk to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and say that we all need the money 1.45 pm to take on three young people every year in our offices Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): I and to have a fair way of choosing them. oppose the Bill and I want to give my reasons briefly. I could take on a local doctor or accountant’s son or Most people who know me might think that I would daughter every week. We all know how the system support the Bill, but the unintended consequence would works and, I think, most of us are against it, so I go out be to damage some important opportunities for young of my way to find young people with no other chance at people in our country. I absolutely agree with the overall all of pitching up from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire purpose of the Bill, but it will not hit the target. I am to work in this environment. I work very hard to go out against exploitation and I am for fairness and social and find them, recruit them, bring them in and give 597 Prohibition of Unpaid Internships13 MAY 2014 Prohibition of Unpaid Internships 598 them that chance. Obviously, I can often only offer a Havard, Mr Dai Phillips, Stephen week or two, but I do not want us to do anything Healey, rh John Powell, Lucy heavy-handed today that suggests to us or anybody else Hillier, Meg Qureshi, Yasmin that the easy approach is to ban all unpaid experience. I Hilling, Julie Raynsford, rh Mr Nick know that part of the hon. Gentleman’s Bill addresses Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Reed, Mr Jamie that point, but not enough of it does. I do not want such Hopkins, Kelvin Reed, Mr Steve Howarth, rh Mr George Reid, Mr Alan a message to go out to the outside world. Huppert, Dr Julian Reynolds, Jonathan We should be very careful. I have noticed that in Irranca-Davies, Huw Robertson, John some areas the campaign for a ban on unpaid internships Jackson, Glenda Robinson, Mr Geoffrey is shrinking the number of employers who are willing to James, Mrs Siân C. Roy, Lindsay give a child their very first chance. I hope that colleagues Jamieson, Cathy Ruane, Chris will not support this approach, which is too heavy-handed, Jarvis, Dan Ruddock, rh Dame and will join me in saying that we should take positive Johnson, rh Alan Joan action that encourages more people to offer work experience Johnson, Diana Russell, Sir Bob and that is designed so that it does not simply bring Jones, Susan Elan Sanders, Mr Adrian Kane, Mike Sarwar, Anas someone in and make them do a bit of computer work, Kaufman, rh Sir Sawford, Andy shredding or filing. Internships, if they are good, should Gerald Seabeck, Alison be well organised, well scheduled and a positive and Keeley, Barbara Shannon, Jim life-enhancing experience. If young people get that Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Shelbrooke, Alec experience, they get the opportunity to start their career Lazarowicz, Mark Shepherd, Sir Richard in a positive way. I oppose the Bill. Leigh, Sir Edward Shuker, Gavin Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Skinner, Mr Dennis Question put (Standing Order No. 23). Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Slaughter, Mr Andy Lucas, Ian Smith, rh Mr Andrew The House divided: Ayes 181, Noes 19. Mactaggart, Fiona Smith, Henry Mahmood, Shabana Smith, Nick Division No. 274] [1.52 pm Mann, John Smith, Owen McCabe, Steve Spellar, rh Mr John AYES McCann, Mr Michael Stringer, Graham McCarthy, Kerry Swales, Ian Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Cruddas, Jon McCartney, Jason Tami, Mark Aldous, Peter Cryer, John McDonald, Andy Thomas, Mr Gareth Alexander, Heidi Cunningham, Alex McDonnell, John Thurso, John Ali, Rushanara Cunningham, Mr Jim McGovern, Alison Turner, Karl Allen, Mr Graham Cunningham, Sir Tony McIntosh, Miss Anne Twigg, Derek Bailey, Mr Adrian Curran, Margaret McKechin, Ann Vickers, Martin Bain, Mr William Danczuk, Simon McKenzie, Mr Iain Walley, Joan Banks, Gordon Davidson, Mr Ian McKinnell, Catherine Watts, Mr Dave Bayley, Hugh Davies, Geraint Mearns, Ian Beckett, rh Margaret Davies, Glyn Whitehead, Dr Alan Moon, Mrs Madeleine Benn, rh Hilary Denham, rh Mr John Williams, Mr Mark Morden, Jessica Benton, Mr Joe Docherty, Thomas Williamson, Chris Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Berger, Luciana Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Wilson, Phil Morris, Grahame M. Betts, Mr Clive Dorries, Nadine Winnick, Mr David (Easington) Blackman-Woods, Roberta Doughty, Stephen Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Nandy, Lisa Blears, rh Hazel Doyle, Gemma Woodcock, John O’Donnell, Fiona Blenkinsop, Tom Dromey, Jack Wright, David Offord, Dr Matthew Blomfield, Paul Dugher, Michael Wright, Mr Iain Onwurah, Chi Bottomley, Sir Peter Eagle, Maria Osborne, Sandra Brennan, Kevin Edwards, Jonathan Tellers for the Ayes: Owen, Albert Mr Robert Buckland and Brooke, Annette Efford, Clive Percy, Andrew John Stevenson Brown, Lyn Elliott, Julie Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Engel, Natascha Brown, Mr Russell Esterson, Bill NOES Buck, Ms Karen Evans, Chris Bingham, Andrew Nuttall, Mr David Burns, rh Mr Simon Flello, Robert Bridgen, Andrew Redwood, rh Mr John Byrne, rh Mr Liam Flint, rh Caroline Dorries, Nadine Rees-Mogg, Jacob Campbell, rh Mr Alan Fovargue, Yvonne Duddridge, James Syms, Mr Robert Campbell, Mr Ronnie Francis, Dr Hywel Fitzpatrick, Jim Caton, Martin Gapes, Mike Fox,rhDrLiam Tomlinson, Justin Champion, Sarah Gilbert, Stephen Garnier, Sir Edward Walker, Mr Charles Chapman, Jenny Glass, Pat Hollobone, Mr Philip Wiggin, Bill Clark, Katy Glindon, Mrs Mary Holloway, Mr Adam Clarke, rh Mr Tom Greatrex, Tom Knight, rh Sir Greg Tellers for the Noes: Coaker, Vernon Green, Kate Lilley, rh Mr Peter Mr Barry Sheerman and Connarty, Michael Greenwood, Lilian Mosley, Stephen Philip Davies Cooper, Rosie Griffith, Nia Corbyn, Jeremy Halfon, Robert Crausby, Mr David Hamilton, Mr David Question accordingly agreed to. Creasy, Stella Hamilton, Fabian Ordered, Crockart, Mike Hanson, rh Mr David 599 Prohibition of Unpaid Internships 13 MAY 2014 600

[Mr Barry Sheerman] Consumer Rights Bill

That Alec Shelbrooke, John Stevenson, Mr Robert ST [1 ALLOCATED DAY] Buckland, Dr Matthew Offord, Mike Crockart and Dr Julian Huppert present the Bill. Consideration of Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee Alec Shelbrooke accordingly presented the Bill. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Thursday 15 May and to be printed (Bill 209). New Clause 1

INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY: REPORT CONSUMER RIGHTS BILL (PROGRAMME) ‘(1) Within three months of Royal Assent of this Act the (NO.2) Secretary of State must publish a report detailing how— Ordered, (a) better outcomes for consumers of public services; and That the Order of 28 January 2014 (Consumer Rights Bill (b) more efficient decision-making processes, (Programme)) be varied as follows: will be ensured. (1) Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Order shall be omitted. (2) A report under subsection (1) will consider— (2) Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading shall be (a) how each public service provider will ensure a taken in two days in accordance with the following provisions of formalised approach to ensuring independent this Order. advocacy is available for consumers at an early stage (3) Proceedings on Consideration shall be taken on the days in the decision-making process for the provision of shown in the first column of the following Table and in the order public services; so shown. (b) the nature of an independent advocate to participate in (4) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously this process, and the definition of independence, concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the times specified in the including how this could be supported by the second column of the Table. conduct of any service provider; Table (c) the effect of a breach in a consumer’s statutory rights as set out by this Act when a direct commissioning Time for conclusion of contract is in place; Proceedings proceedings (d) what formal status any independent advice provided First day will have in relation to decision-making, in particular, New Clauses and new Schedules Two hours after the in instances where a public service continues to act relating to public services, commencement of proceedings contrary to such information and formal legal redress guidance or access to data on Consideration on the first is sought; day (e) the role of the public sector ombudsman services in New Clauses and new Schedules The moment of interruption on overseeing any such approach under paragraph (a); relating to consumer credit or the first day (f) how a public service provider will report on their debt management; new Clauses formalised approach under paragraph (a); and and new Schedules relating to (g) how the approach under paragraph (a) would ensure Part 1; amendments to Part 1 all consumers of services covered by this Act have Second day access to a licensed alternative redress mechanism. New Clauses and new Schedules Two hours after the (3) For the purposes of this section a public service is any relating to Parts 2 or 3; commencement of proceedings provided to the consumer directly by— amendments to Parts 2 or 3; on Consideration on the second remaining new Clauses and new day (a) a Government department; Schedules; remaining (b) a local or public authority; or proceedings on Consideration (c) a trader acting on behalf of these organisations. (4) For the purposes of this section a person shall be a (5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously consumer of public services under a “direct commissioning concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after the contract” when they enter any— commencement of proceedings on Consideration on the second day.—(Jenny Willott.) (a) agreement; (b) contract; (c) consumer notice; or (d) proposed contract, for receiving a service which the person has a direct role in commissioning.’.—(Stella Creasy.) Brought up, and read the First time.

2.5 pm Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op): I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 2—Guidance for statutory regulators ‘(1) Within three months of Royal Assent of this Act, the Secretary of State shall publish guidance based on the work of the Implementation Group. 601 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 602

(2) Guidance published under section (1) shall— Supply of customer data (a) detail how consumers should be informed of their 2 A report under paragraph 1 shall include details of how the rights and at what point this should happen; Government intends to— (b) ensure that traders have the information they need (a) make regulations to require all regulated persons to regarding their responsibilities under this Act and provide customer data relating to transactions other consumer rights legislation; between the regulated person and the customer, as set (c) define what may be a “reasonable time” for consumers out in section 89 (Supply of customer data) of the to secure refunds, repairs or replacement, or repeat Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013; performance; and (b) enable third parties to make requests for customer data (d) specify the sanctions available to enforcement agencies under section 89(1)(b) of that Act; and in cases where the guidance has not been followed. (c) ensure customer data is provided in a form which (3) Within six months of the publication of guidance under enables the customer or third party to assess whether subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall issue a code of the price they are paying for a service is reasonable, practice in relation to the exercise of any and all the functions set which should have regard to section 89(7) of the out in the guidance, subject to the provisions of subsections (5) Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. to (7). Designation of regulated persons and regulatory bodies (4) Any person exercising such a function must have regard to 3 A report under paragraph 1 shall— the code in determining any general policy or principles by (a) review which traders, including the activities of any reference to which the person exercises the function. government, or local or public authority, as defined (5) Where the Secretary of State proposes to issue a code of by section 2 of this Act, shall be considered a practice under subsection (3), he shall prepare a draft of the regulated person under section 89(2) of the code, and shall lay the draft before Parliament. Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013; and (6) Where the draft laid before Parliament under (b) identify a relevant regulatory body to undertake the subsection (5) is approved by resolution of each House of duties set out in paragraph 4 of this Schedule. Parliament, the Secretary of State shall issue the code. Guidance for regulated persons (7) A code issued under subsection (6) shall come into force on 4 A report under paragraph 1 shall include details of how the such date as the Secretary of State may by order made by Government intends to require regulators of services which are statutory instrument appoint.’. provided by regulated persons, as defined in section 89(2) of the New clause 3—Access to data Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, to produce guidance on the implementation of section 89 of that Act. ‘Schedule [Access to data] has effect.’. 5 Guidance produced for regulated persons under paragraph 4 New clause 4—Guidance based on the work of the shall include— implementation group (a) how regulated persons should provide customer data; ‘(1) Within three months of Royal Assent of this Act, the (b) details on the ownership of customer data which shall Secretary of State shall publish guidance based on the work of include, but is not limited to— the Implementation Group. (i) that customer data generated directly, at any point (2) Guidance published under subsection (1) shall— in the course of a contract, is owned by the (a) advise on the period that a trader may retain sums paid customer; by the consumer for services not yet supplied by the (ii) that prior to any decision requiring the trader, where it is the consumer who dissolves the transmission of data in a format where the contract; customer can be identified to a third party, direct (b) further to paragraph (a), advise on the terms under consent of the customer as owner of the data which traders should manage the interest on such must be secured; and sums and make provision for the return of this (iii) how regulated persons should recognise and interest to the consumer; and publicise that such data is owned by the customer; (c) advise on whether it should be permissible to charge (c) how customers may consent to their data being shared for a guarantee where that guarantee does not offer with third parties under section 89(1)(b) of the any undertaking to the consumer additional to their Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013; rights as set out in this Act.’. (d) specify sanctions for traders who are not able to New clause 5—Independent consumer advice confirm the consent of the customer to sharing their ‘Within three months of this Act receiving Royal Assent, the data; Secretary of State shall produce guidance setting out (e) measures to limit the amount that may be charged for requirements for all statutory regulators to report annually on any such single request for data on behalf of multiple the provision of independent advice which is free at the point of customers; delivery, and to make recommendations on ensuring consumers’ (f) how regulated persons, who hold data on customers on rights are protected.’. behalf of any government, local or public authority, New clause 10—Powers of the Information Commissioner: can use this information to secure social and nuisance calls consumer benefits; and ‘(1) The Data Protection Act 1998 is amended as follows. (g) how regulated persons, who hold data on customers on behalf of any government, local or public authority, (2) In section 40 (Enforcement Notices), leave out can contribute to a report under paragraph 7. subsection (2). Access to information: public services (3) In section 55A (Power of Commissioner to impose monetary penalty), leave out subsection (1)(b).’. 6 (1) The Secretary of State shall report to Parliament within six months of Royal Assent of this Act on how the Government New schedule 1—‘Accessto data intends to ensure that all consumers of public services, who have Information for consumers a direct role in commissioning them, are able to access 1 The Secretary of State shall report to Parliament within six information regarding any consumer contract or consumer months of Royal Assent of this Act setting out how consumers notices which may reasonably be understood to apply to them. will have access to the information they require in order to make (2) A report under sub-paragraph (1) shall have particular informed assessments of prices, charges and fees. regard to— 603 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 604

[Madam Deputy Speaker] project, telling us that taking action now would prejudice the results of a review of the project that she has (a) the access to information that consumers of public commissioned, and she did not think that that would be services require; and beneficial to the programme or, ultimately, to consumers. (b) how access to information can ensure greater We have tabled the new clause and schedule because we transparency on the work of traders. fundamentally disagree. We want to go much further. (3) For the purposes of this paragraph, “public services” Currently the midata project covers four areas of means the work of any government, local or public authority or consumer data, but we think that the power in the new traders offering services on their behalf. schedule offers the potential for a framework for improving Access to information: annual report consumer and citizen access to data in a way that can 7 (1) The Secretary of State shall produce and submit to transform outcomes and improve our consumer markets; Parliament an annual report setting out an analysis of the that would be good for business and good for Britain. cumulative costs and benefits of Government decisions relating to the rights of consumers and protection of their interests. We do not understand why the Government gave themselves the power, under the Enterprise and Regulatory (2) A report under sub-paragraph (1) shall in particular address the effect on— Reform Act 2013, to enact the midata project and yet have not done so. The first thing that new schedule 1 (a) household consumption; does, therefore, is put that power into effect to ensure (b) vulnerable households; and that consumers get the information they need, in a (c) any other subjects as the Secretary of State decides.’. portable and accessible format, about a key utility bill. Stella Creasy: We come to the Report stage of the Every time we click, we create wealth—whether we Consumer Rights Bill. I am minded of the words of the are giving our contact details or browsing online, companies great English churchman Thomas Fuller, who said that are harvesting information that drives their marketing our lot was to be born crying, live complaining and die and product development. Datasets such as store loyalty disappointed. Of course, as true Brits, we know that cards, medical records or tax affairs are an important that approach can be best encompassed in a “tut”, but and revealing resource for both the public and the we see the Bill as offering much more than a “tut” for private sector. Facebook is making more money than people who have been ripped off. We see the potential of any of us can dream about from the content that we are the Bill to free us of that particular malaise, and with creating. That stream of data should not be one-way. that in mind we have tabled a number of amendments Citizens and consumers should have access to those that we hope will receive the support of the House. data in a meaningful way, which allows them to start calling for the kind of products and services that they We believe that the Bill should be subject to the want. tests—that they should be performed with reasonable care and skill—that it sets for goods and services. At the Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): moment, it is found wanting, and that is why today we My hon. Friend is making a number of key and critical are looking for a repeat performance and hope of points about the potential power of data in both the speedy redress. The new clauses speak to that and in consumer and the public sector. Has she been able to particular to the Opposition’s approach to consumer detect a strategic or coherent approach to data access rights, which should not be only about dealing with from the Government in respect of the Bill? problems when something has gone wrong, but, when done well, could avert problems. For that to happen, Stella Creasy: I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the consumers need three things—more information, strong work that she is doing in the digital review that she is advocacy and speedy forms of redress. conducting for Labour, which reflects precisely what In introducing the Bill, the Minister has opened a she is talking about—a strategic approach. That stands veritable Pandora’s box, given how some of its clauses in stark contrast to the shambles that we have seen in will be perceived on the consumer landscape in the UK. relation to the care.data project, the tax return data We are mindful that hope lies at the bottom of Pandora’s project and some of the amendments that have been box, and we hope with the new clauses to bring hope for tabled to the Deregulation Bill. how consumer rights legislation could work. Let me This Government talk about data being like oil—a explain what I mean. I want to turn first to new clause 3 resource that can be exploited to make new industries and new schedule 1, which new clause 3 brings into and potentially huge profit margins. If we are creating effect. The schedule refers to the first principle to which it, however, we should also benefit from it. That is why I referred—information. How do consumers get the in the new schedule we have set out a framework to information that they need to make the right choices for enable that. We want to make sure that the British themselves the first time? We know that having access to public are firmly in charge of their own data, so that more information is vital to empowering consumers. they benefit from those data and how they can be used. The Government’s research, “Better Choices, Better This should happen not just in the private sector, Deals”, argues that if consumers were able to use price through the midata project, but in the public sector. It is comparison sites more effectively, they could gain important that we flag that up, not least because when £150 million to £240 million a year. That is why the the Bill was originally proposed, and in Committee, the Opposition welcomed many of the ideas and intentions Minister tried to tell us that it had no relevance to the behind the midata project to give consumers more public sector. She told the Committee: access to their information in a portable and accessible “The purpose of the Bill is to look at the rights that consumers format. In Committee we expressed concern that, despite have in their relationships with business; it is not to look at any the project, four years on, it is not really working. There rights that consumers have when it comes to public services.”––[Official is a lack of information coming forward to consumers. Report, Consumer Rights Public Bill Committee, 11 February The Minister defended the slow progress of the midata 2014; c. 66.] 605 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 606

Only when we questioned her in the Committee did she and 5 both introduce a clear commitment to advocacy admit that the provisions of the Bill affect the public in the public and the private sectors to help improve the sector. That gives us the opportunity to ask how we can relationship betweens service providers and service users. ensure that consumers and citizens have access to data In the public sector, advocacy can not only improve to make good choices in both the public and the private outcomes but cut costs. A study in Nottingham showed sector. that 60% of cases that a local advice provider was So far the Government have admitted that the provisions working with involved public sector decisions made cover valuable benefits such as personal health budgets, badly the first time. Involving advocates reduced the university tuition fees and child care vouchers. Given number of complaints by 30%, reducing the burden on the framework that the Government have set out, we the public sector and improving outcomes for the users think that the licence fee, perhaps controlled parking of services. It is a win-win scenario. The more challenge zones, bus fares and possibly even water and sanitation there is in the public sector, the more information and services—directly provided services that consumers pay the more advocacy in the private sector, the more we for and for which they therefore have a contract with can make our markets work better and our services the provider—should also be covered. serve our people. There are concerns about access to services in the However, it is clear from the work that we have done public sector, which the amendments would address. since the initial conversations in Committee that that One in five of us has experienced a problem with public approach, ethos and understanding of what the Bill services in the past year, but a third of us who have could do for the public sector, how information could experienced a problem with the public sector do not make a difference, and how advocacy could be beneficial, complain. We are what the Public Administration has not been progressed in Government discussions. It Committee has called a nation of “silent sufferers”. is worrying to us on the Opposition Benches to discover “More complaints please!” is the title of its report. That that having admitted that the Bill will cover sections of is not what is coming forward from the public. the public sector, the Minister has not had talks with As we all know, good complaints help to generate the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about feedback. They therefore help to make services in the what that might mean for the licence fee. public and the private sector more responsive. I estimate Many of us might have watched the Eurovision song that two thirds of our casework as MPs is about public contest on Saturday night. Many of us might have had service decisions gone wrong. Much of that is to do comments about the coverage—some supportive, some with what we would recognise in the private sector as negative. Under the Bill, it could be argued that we have information asymmetries—people not knowing what a right to a service performed with reasonable care and services they are entitled to and therefore getting a raw skill, so if we did not think that Graham Norton was deal. the most erudite host, we could make a complaint. In New schedule 1, which is inserted by new clause 3, is theory, under the Bill, we would have a right to a repeat about the lessons that we can apply from the midata performance, a price reduction or a refund. That has project to information across our lives in both the huge ramifications for the BBC and for the licence fee, public and the private sector. We know that sharing yet no conversations have yet taken place between DCMS data directly with citizens can help reform public services and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and improve outcomes, but we also recognise that the on the matter. We are also told that the Minister has not relationship that people have with the public sector is spoken to Ministers in the Department for Education different from their relationship with the private sector, about how the Bill covers child care tax vouchers, yet so regulators should look at how to make it work in she admits that it does. Clearly, the Bill opens up the both fields. We recognise that we are both providers of possibility that some parents will be able to use such public services, as taxpayers, and also users and consumers rights to challenge the provision of nursery services in of public services in our daily lives. their areas, whereas others who do not know their The benefits that come from releasing data in the entitlement will not. public and the private sector are manifest. We need a We know that the Minister has at least spoken to the clear framework to make sure that it is not only those Department of Health about how the provisions will with the loudest voices or the largest wallets who are affect personal care budgets. She has, apparently, had able to access the benefits, whether it is giving patients regular informal contact. Given that many of us know the information they need on their health care to manage that the silent sufferers are often incredibly vulnerable conditions for themselves, improving parent and pupil people, frightened of complaining about a carer because involvement in schools, or communities designing their they are frightened of what will happen next, regular own cities. The benefits from this process could be informal contact, I would wager, does not cut it when legendary, but the Bill does little to move that debate the Bill could transform what happens. forward. Our concern is that as currently drafted the The Minister has, however, spoken to some people in Bill could create further inequalities, as those who her own Department about tuition fees. Unfortunately, understand their rights in the public sector are able to the Minister with responsibility for higher education use them but those who do not cannot. tells us that no meeting has taken place with external Let me explain how we think the issue could be stakeholders about how the Bill will affect tuition fees. addressed. New schedule 1 is about access to information, That might be because in Committee the Minister was allowing people to make the right choice the first time. not entirely sure whether students were consumers—having New clause 1 acknowledges that choice is not enough to spoken to students about their consumption patterns, I guarantee a good outcome. People often need an advocate, think we can agree that they are when it comes to an expert or an adviser with whom to work through the paying tuition fees. That is why, when the Minister options and decide what works for them. New clauses 1 responsible for higher education tells us that there have 607 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 608

[Stella Creasy] that the Information Commissioner receives about 2,500 complaints a month about unsolicited text messages. been no meetings with student representatives, higher We want to close that loophole. The all-party group on education providers and universities on the implications nuisance calls also recommended tightening the rules of the Bill, we are rightly worried. The new clauses are on consent, and Ofcom has said that it agrees. Indeed, needed to put in place a framework to understand those the Government’s own report on the nuisance calls implications. action plan said that we should do more on consent. Many of us may remember some of our university Paragraph 5 of new schedule 1 would enable fines to lectures, some positively, some negatively. The fact that be imposed for those people who do not show that they we would have the right under the legislation to complain have the explicit consent of consumers to send them that they had not been prepared or delivered with that kind of marketing measure. We think that is entirely reasonable care and skill opens that Pandora’s box. proportionate and hope that Government Members, That is why the National Union of Students has said even if they are scrabbling to understand quite what the that it is concerned about how the Bill is drafted and the Bill would do in the public sector, will recognise the possibility that legal redress could be easier and more issue of nuisance calls and act accordingly to address it. effective for students with greater resources, whether in I would also encourage those among us who speak up terms of finance or access to legal services. for taxpayers—perhaps Gary Barlow should take note—to support new schedule 1. Chi Onwurah: My hon. Friend is making some powerful points about the rights of consumers and public service Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): Take that. users. Does she not find it strange that parties that are so keen to turn passengers and patients into consumers Stella Creasy: Indeed. “Take that” is the answer we now do not seem to understand the implications of would give on many of these things. giving potential public service users consumer rights? New schedule 1 looks at the cumulative impact of Stella Creasy: I absolutely agree. We all want to see Government policy on households. Currently, among an empowered citizenry. We believe that would be positive European nations only Estonia has a worse proportion for our public services by encouraging feedback on how of people struggling to pay their energy bills than the services work for the public. But the risk with the Bill as UK. Yet one of the issues that have been debated across it stands is that those with sharp elbows will do well and the House is the impact of some of the long-term those without will simply be left behind. I think that is planning on the infrastructure building projects for our why both Citizens Advice and Unison, which after all energy system in this country and the consequences for has considerable expertise in some of these relationships, energy bills. Indeed, in November last year the National support the amendments and say that they want to see Audit Office published a damning report stating: further debate and scrutiny on how we ensure that we “Government and regulators do not know by how much do not have a two-tier system, with only those services overall expected new investment by the private sector in infrastructure that have a direct relationship getting better service will increase household utility bills and whether bills will be responsiveness because of such legal rights, and only affordable.” those people who can access services and complain We know that the concept of affordability is contested getting those rights. by some, and we know from the evidence the Department Trading standards has told us how it often refers for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs gave the people to what it calls the “sausage machine” of local Public Accounts Committee that it does not even have a council complaint services. Under this new legislation, target for affordability in relation to water bills. Yet it is not clear whether trading standards would then be many of us will have seen at first hand in our constituencies able to pick up issues. That could lead to real inequalities how people are struggling with those basic costs of in both the public and private sectors without advocacy living. We think that the Government should be able to and clearer information rights, which is why we have publish an analysis of the impact of their own policies tabled the amendments. on the cost of living. Paragraph 7 of new schedule 1 I also want to draw colleagues’ attention to paragraph 5 asks for such a report to be provided by the Treasury. I of new schedule 1, which we also believe will tackle am sure that Government Members who support nuisance calls. We recognise that the misuse of data is as transparency will want to support it. important as the analysis of data and that there is a I will say a little about new clause 2, which concerns need to put in place a proper framework on that. Many implementation. After all, we think that with this framework of us will have had constituents complain about nuisance we are offering the Government a way forward on calls and texts. Indeed, only this afternoon, while waiting information and advocacy, but we also recognise that it for this debate, I received a text telling me that I could is no good having rights written on paper if they are not get compensation for an accident that I have not had— a reality in practice. One of the concerns that came up perhaps it came from the Government Whips. repeatedly in Committee—many of the Opposition However, we know that there is a gap at the moment amendments that the Government opposed related to where it is hard for the Information Commissioner to this—is how consumers will actually access rights in prove that there has been a lack of consent, where practice. When will they know that they have a right to companies themselves will not be clear about whether a repeat performance? At what point will the BBC tell they have the consent of the person they have bombarded us that we have a right to a price reduction because we with text messages and phone calls. In one six-month did not like its commentary? period alone, 71% of landline customers said that they Those are all questions that the Minister said would have received a live marketing call and 63% said that be dealt with by the implementation group. It became a they had received a marketing message. We also know mythical beast in our minds, because it will cover so 609 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 610 many issues, from point-of-sale information, information offering high-cost credit, such as payday loans or fee- on remedies open to consumers, how businesses should charging debt management services, can lead to the be informed of these rights, the length of time before temptation to take out products or services that, if people can get a refund, the time limits people would mis-sold—they often are—could substantially worsen get on a repair, replacement or repeat performance, or their situation. even testing consumers’ understanding of their rights. StepChange has done some research that shows that Time and again the Minister said that we should 1.2 million British adults have been tempted to take out leave it to a body of experts, which we believe—we are high-interest credit as a result of an unsolicited marketing not entirely sure—includes organisations such as Citizens call or text. There is legislation to protect consumers Advice, Which?, the Trading Standards Institute, the against these practices. Unsolicited promotional electronic British Retail Consortium and even the Financial Conduct messages are banned, but the ban is widely flouted and Authority. They are worthy bodies indeed to look at inadequately enforced. My new clause would lower the these issues, but we had some concerns in Committee, threshold for firms breaching the Act. At the moment, having seen some of the minutes of their meetings, the Information Commissioner’s Office can issue which are not very frequent. Despite their good works, enforcement notices against these companies only if any the recommendations they make would not be “damage or distress” can be demonstrated. It can also statutory guidance. Therefore, new clause 2 simply states issue monetary penalties to firms misusing consumer that the recommendations they make about the rules on data or breaking the laws on electronic communication how the Bill should be implemented should have meaning, under section 551 of the Data Protection Act, but only if that they should have real teeth, that it is no good “substantial damage or substantial distress” saying that it would be good for consumers to be to the consumer can be demonstrated. informed of their rights if that does not actually happen at the coal face or at the shopping till. I believe that those thresholds are far too high. They should be lowered so that firms can be issued with In proposing this first group of new clauses, we are enforcement notices or fined for breaching the Act trying to make this Bill what it could be. We are trying without the Information Commissioner having to to find the hope at the bottom of Pandora’s box. We are demonstrate “damage or distress” or trying to ensure that consumers have access to the “substantial damage or substantial distress”. information and advice they need to make good choices the first time around. The old model of politics, in The current thresholds have resulted in a situation which progress depends on centralising these abilities, where it is next to impossible for the Information will no longer work with our communities. The task at Commissioner to enforce penalties against these firms. hand, we believe, is to give the public more control and A recent tribunal decision went against the Information more power over their lives to enable them to make the Commissioner when a £300,000 fine was overturned choices that they want to make first time. As it stands, despite the defendant sending hundreds of thousands the Bill will leave citizens to navigate services alone, of illegal text messages. without the resources, either money or skill, to struggle to make them work. 2.30 pm We want to do something different. We want to This situation cannot continue. We have to demonstrate reform the public sector by devolving power to people, that we are serious about stemming the flood of unwanted investing in the prevention and co-operation they need text messages and nuisance calls. Lowering the thresholds to make services work for them, to stand shoulder to would send that message and allow the Information shoulder with every consumer and every citizen, not Commissioner to do his job—the job that consumers blunting the efforts of those who already fight for expect him to do. We need to take away the thresholds services, but enabling more people to give the feedback about distress to the consumer and simply tell companies, about the kinds of services we want in the public and “It’s illegal to do this—let’s stop it now.” private sectors. We believe that new clauses 1, 2, 3 and 5 and new schedule 1 will enable that framework to be put Mr Steve Reed (Croydon North) (Lab): I want to in place, and we hope that the Government will respond speak in favour of new clause 1 and new schedule 1, positively to the points that we have made as a result. which call for independent advocacy and citizen involvement in decision making in public services. I commend my Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab): I rise to speak hon. Friends the Members for Walthamstow (Stella to new clause 10, which stands in my name. Although I Creasy) and for Cardiff South and Penarth (Stephen support paragraph 5 of new schedule 1, it is not just the Doughty) for proposing them. lack of consent that I think is the problem with nuisance I wholly welcome the extension of these rights into calls. My new clause has been promoted by the huge the public sector. It is only right that people should be growth in nuisance calls and messages. In fact, on each able to seek redress when things go wrong or to expect occasion when I have been out on the streets recently, at their complaints about service failure to be treated least three people have come up to me to talk about the seriously. It is certainly right that people should have explosion in unsolicited contacts and said, “Can’t something more power to influence decisions made about them by be done?” There is a weak data protection regime and other people. I worry that, as my hon. Friend the consumers feel that they have lost control of their Member for Walthamstow said, the Bill in its current personal information. form will not allow that to happen as readily as it I am convinced that if I was on a desert island the should. first call I would receive would be someone offering me A number of Labour councils are part of the a loan to get off the island. For people in financial Co-operative Council Innovation Network, of which I difficulties, in particular, nuisance calls and text messages am very proud to be the patron. The councils involved 611 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 612

[Mr Steve Reed] led, I introduced a very simple open data charter which stated that the authority would publish everything that are working together to find new ways to hand power to it was not legally prevented from publishing. Once we service users so that they have more control over the did that, the public started asking for data in different services they use and the people and organisations who formats so that they could use them to scrutinise services provide them. That approach is already demonstrating more thoroughly and propose better ways to run services, that it can improve outcomes for citizens. One of the and alternative providers to run better services. That lessons those councils have learned is that handing approach helped to create community-run parks, a people more power, on its own, is not enough. Many community-run youth services trust, more tenant-led people who rely heavily on public services do so because housing estates, and even a new council website designed they are extremely vulnerable or socially excluded. They by the residents who were using it. lack the capacity or experience to exercise the power However, citizens need support to take advantage of made available without additional support to allow these opportunities, or the potential for change that them to do so. they offer will never be realised. We need the new clause Let me offer an example. Personalised budgets are a and the new schedule if we want these powers really to fantastic opportunity to give more control to people work for everyone and not just for a privileged few. who rely heavily on care services such as home helps, day care, or assistance in managing chronic health Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): I should conditions at home. Yet many of the people offered like to speak in favour of new clause 2, which seeks to personalised budgets feel poorly equipped and supported clarify how the Bill will be implemented and how consumers properly to manage them. Research shows that this is will be informed of their rights. one of the reasons why there has not been a higher take-up of personalised budgets, and that is a missed In particular, I want to ask some questions of the opportunity. The answer is to put in place the support Minister about the implications for rail services. It was that people need to exercise control. For someone not welcome news in Committee when, in responding to a used to handling relatively large budgets, it can be a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff frightening experience to be asked to do so, particularly South and Penarth (Stephen Doughty), the Minister at a time when their health may be failing. Bringing confirmed that the National Rail conditions of carriage budget-holders together with experienced advocates— will be refreshed to provide stronger provision for consumers people who are on their side and can help them to in order to make them consistent with the rights set out understand and articulate their real needs—can transform in this Bill. The operators’ trade body, the Rail Delivery the situation. We need to build people’s capacity to Group, has said: participate in order to make this power meaningful. “The Conditions of Carriage are under review. They will be published by the end of the year and will be fully compliant with Another example is children’s services. Many service the Consumer Rights Bill.” users are children who have experienced severe trauma or disruption in their lives. They do not, of course, have It also said: any professional experience themselves of running things— “They’ll be more consumer-friendly in terms of the language they are, after all, children—but that does not mean used”. they cannot take more control, as long as appropriate That will be a huge improvement from the passenger’s support is on offer. When I was elected leader of Lambeth point of view. council in 2006, the authority’s children’s services were I have a number of questions about how this rated by Ofsted as among the worst 3% in the country. implementation will be carried out. Do the Government By 2012, Ofsted rated exactly the same services as the intend to conduct a wider review of the passenger best in the country by a considerable margin. One of protections in the National Rail conditions of carriage? the key reasons for that transformation was the active They could use the Bill as an opportunity to strengthen involvement of children in shaping their own services—but passenger rights where, for example, the train operator providing those children with support was fundamental fails to provide passenger assistance, which is so important in making that process work. That is why the new clause for disabled passengers; where someone finds that the is so important in improving the Bill. seat reservations on their train are not being honoured; We also need much greater openness and transparency where there are planned engineering works that the of information and data in public services. People cannot operator could have known about in advance but has participate in decision making if they do not have full not informed people about; or where someone finds on access to information. I was bitterly disappointed to see arriving at the station that part of the journey they Croydon council, which covers the constituency I am expected to be by train will be on a replacement bus proud to represent, failing to understand this. It took a service. decision to sell off the borough’s public libraries to a If the intention is to carry out this wider review of the private developer in secret, behind closed doors. Doing National Rail conditions of carriage, why has Passenger it in that way fuelled public concern that the deal was Focus so far been excluded? Can the Minister guarantee not in the best interests of residents. That feeling appeared that there will be no watering down of passenger protections to be justified when the buyers, Laing, quickly sold the in the National Rail conditions of carriage that may be libraries on to another developer, Carillion—at a additional to the protections provided in the Bill? All considerable profit, one would assume, but unfortunately the consumer protections in the Bill are subject to we are not allowed to know. parliamentary scrutiny, and the public have had an These are public resources and public services, and opportunity to influence them and have a view on them. decisions about them should be transparent and open; Changes to the National Rail conditions of carriage are the public should be able to participate. At the council I not usually subject to such public consultation, but this 613 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 614 is an unusual circumstance. Will the Minister clarify certainly not without cost. There are two opposing whether the proposed revisions to the National Rail forces: consumers’ ability to compare prices and services conditions of carriage to make them consistent with the side by side tends to bring prices down, but the nature Bill should be subject to public consultation? of the marketing—the branding land grab, the cost of I have a few more questions about implementation advertising and particularly the pay-per-click auction and the consequent need for further guidance, as set out model on the internet—tends to drive costs and therefore in the new clause. The National Rail conditions of prices up. It is certainly true, however, that price comparison carriage do not apply to light rail systems such as the has great potential to make markets work better. I am Docklands light railway or the London underground, very proud of everything the Government are doing where separate conditions of carriage are set out by with midata to help make that a reality. Transport for London. Have the Government made an One market that does not work at all is one of the assessment of the various light rail conditions of carriage? three mentioned in the 2013 Act: retail banking current Do Ministers plan to exclude them from the rights in accounts. The actual cost to consumers of having a the Bill, as with the National Rail conditions of carriage, current account is, on average, £152 a year, but nobody or, indeed, to do something different about them? we talk to, including informed consumers and even There are also a number of issues concerning equivalent Members of this House, knows that. Whenever we talk protections and how they will be met. At present, under about “free” banking, we should use inverted commas, the national rail conditions of carriage, a passenger is because, of course, there is no such thing as free banking. entitled to a full refund only if they decide not to travel If consumers could see how much they are actually after the service is cancelled or delayed or when a paying, both explicitly in behavioural charges and implicitly reservation is not honoured and the ticket is unused. through forgone interest, the retail banking market Passengers are entitled to partial refunds if they decide would work better because there would be more diversity not to travel for other reasons, but they are subject to a and competition. £10 administration charge. Passengers who start their Critically and perhaps even more importantly—this journey are entitled to compensation of only 20% of touches on some of the new clauses and amendments the price paid, and only if their service is more than an we will debate later—the fact that people do not know hour late. Although some rail operators offer a more how much their banking is costing them inhibits the generous delay/repay compensation scheme, that is not development of new retail banking products. Such products set out in the national rail conditions of carriage. include budgeting bank accounts—so-called jam jar accounts—for which people have to pay a fee, but If passengers are entitled to a repeat performance, as through which they are much less likely to tip into debt, set out in clause 54, on the grounds that the journey was because they make it easier to budget money and also not in accordance with the information given about the that tiny bit easier to save a small amount. service, as outlined in clause 50, will they now be entitled to a full refund? Could that therefore be the New clause 3 is not necessary because progress is stronger provision relating to compensation for consumers already being made. The powers already exist. that the Minister mentioned when she responded in Committee in March? Stella Creasy indicated dissent. I also want clarification on another issue. When passengers are affected by planned possession works by Damian Hinds: The hon. Lady shakes her head, but Network Rail, rather than the train operator, they will the powers already exist under the 2013 Act. The clearly be receiving a substandard service, but will they Government are looking for voluntary progress, which I be entitled to compensation? I do not think they have think is the right way to proceed on reforming markets. such an entitlement at present. A review of progress is due about now, and I hope the Government will continue to do what they are doing. Obviously, I am speaking in my capacity as a Back They have the reserve right to push for more and have Bencher rather than from my position on the Front said explicitly that if not enough is being done, they will Bench. Many of our constituents are frustrated by their consult on the wording of regulations in order to make experiences on the railways, and they want to know that those markets work better compulsorily. That is the the rights set out in the Bill in relation to rail fares and right approach, as opposed to jumping the gun. services are being addressed by the Minister and that there is an opportunity to strengthen consumer protections in such an important area of policy. 2.45 pm Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con): I want to Co-op): I rise to speak in support of new clause 4, talk briefly about new clause 3 and new schedule 1, which is in my name. Unlike other Members present, I particularly because they relate to the private sector and was not familiar with this Bill until recently. I did not one of the three sectors named under the Enterprise serve on the Bill Committee. The Minister may recall and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. that I asked her an oral question two or three months As the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) ago about issues relating to warranties and additional has said, this country, like the rest of the world, is warranties sold by retailers. My question arose not only undergoing a revolution in data in terms of their volume, from a specific constituency case, but from the related richness and accessibility, and, in some ways, their concerns of a number of constituents who have contacted associated risks. There is also a rapidly changing market me over the past three or four years. in price comparison, and the hon. Lady has referred to In her response, the Minister drew my attention to some of the benefits that can accrue from that. The this Bill, which was in Committee at the time, and development of that market is not entirely benign and is suggested that I should look to it for comfort, so I did. 615 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 616

[Tom Greatrex] Fundamentally, I believe that retailers have a duty to consumers not to sell them products that they know to I also read the Committee’s debates on warranties. My be worthless, which appears to be the case if a warranty hon. Friend the Member for East Lothian (Fiona simply duplicates existing rights. Warranties very often O’Donnell) is in her place and I recall from my reading apply to electronic goods that are significantly expensive, of the proceedings that she raised some issues relating so we can see how a consumer could easily be persuaded to electronic goods. She mentioned her experience in to pay for an expensive warranty scheme that delivers the past and I think she said that the situation may have no extra benefit, as the retailer is often probably very improved since then. However, I tabled new clause 4 well aware. That is an area on which the implementation because of an experience that demonstrates that that is group should certainly undertake some work. Some certainly not true in all cases. provisions in the Bill—for example, clause 30—relate to My hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Stella warranties, but they do not seem to cover that point. Creasy) has already referred to the implementation In that case, I took up the issue with both the company group, which seems to be the catch-all for everything and my local trading standards office. The trading that is going to happen at some unspecified point in the standards office was very sympathetic, but the long and future. I understand that the intention behind the group short of it is that such practices are entirely legal, and is that it will ensure that legislated rights are translated there is nothing it can do other than to advise people to into something meaningful for consumers. It is entirely be more aware next time. That will not be much comfort right and appropriate for the new clause to seek to for someone who has spent a significant amount of ensure that the implementation group should provide, money on something that does not meet their expectations at a specific point after the Bill receives Royal Assent, or provide the protection to which they think they are guidance on some specific issues. entitled. I of course understand that this problem is not Constituents tell me that what they are actually sold new—it was raised several times in Committee as well often turns out to be very different from what they were as previously in the House—but the implementation told they were being sold, particularly on additional or group should be charged with ensuring that it is dealt supplementary guarantees and warranties. A retailer with, and the new clause presents an opportunity for will often tell them that what they are being sold will that to happen. enhance their consumer protection and enjoyment of the product and provide them with a safeguard. It then My new clause also addresses the management of turns out, however, that there is nothing more in the deposits. I tabled it after a local small business approached warranty than that to which they are already legally me about an account held with a telecommunications entitled or what is included in the manufacturer’s own firm— TalkTalk. As many hon. Members will be aware warranty. from their constituents, telecommunications contracts for small businesses often require quite sizeable deposits. My constituent was asked to provide a bond of some Yvonne Fovargue: Does my hon. Friend agree that it £900. is not just that the warranties are sometimes mis-sold, but that companies such as BrightHouse in the rent-to-own The size of such deposits has been a subject of market make it compulsory for new customers to take interest for the regulator. I draw the House’s attention out a warranty when they may already have their own to the outcome of a dispute between Apple Telecom household insurance on those goods? Europe Ltd and BT on the level of security deposit required for services, in which Ofcom stated that it was unwilling to determine what an appropriate deposit Tom Greatrex: My hon. Friend makes a very important might be. In the light of that, it is clear that the point about that specific market. I am also aware, as a regulator is not currently prepared to step into that result of talking to my constituents, that there is almost space, but the size of some deposits places a clear an expectation on people working for other retailers responsibility on policy makers to ensure that the rights to sell these warranties, even if it is not obligatory for of the consumer or service user are protected. consumers to have them. In some cases, they even receive a commission for doing so. After terminating the contract, two issues arose for That leads me to my concern about a specific case, in my local business: first, TalkTalk was in no hurry to which what was written in the signed document was return the deposit; and, secondly, when it did return the clear, but the way in which the warranty was described deposit, it did so without any interest. On the first and explained to the consumer certainly was not clear point, TalkTalk made it clear that it would hold on to and was very different. In that case, a constituent of the bond beyond the end of the agreed three-year mine bought a television set from a high street electrical contract. Effectively, it intended to hold on to the bond store. He was told that the additional warranty he took or deposit until my constituent ceased to be a customer, out—on top of the manufacturer’s one—would entitle at which point the onus was on my constituent to write him to a new set if anything went wrong within the to TalkTalk to request the return of the money. My five-year period. His television set broke down during sense is that the responsibility in that scenario is the that period, but he found in the small print that he was wrong way round. It places all the obligation on the only entitled to a repair or a replacement, which was consumer, and all the potential benefit of not meeting exactly the same as the manufacturer’s guarantee. That the obligation on the retailer. Because the retailer was meant that, on the basis of what he was told in the store, not required to return a bond in a timely fashion, it is he had paid what for him was a significant amount of clear that my constituent missed out on substantial money every month for something that was effectively interest payments on the £900. Given that such contracts worthless. may well be for significant lengths of time and may then 617 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 618 be renewed, the money amounts to a significant figure drives innovation, boosts competition and creates growth. over time, particularly for small businesses; it is far The entire suite of consumer law reforms are estimated from trivial. to be worth more than £4 billion to the UK economy My new clause addresses both concerns by requiring over 10 years. Including the impact on consumers, the implementation group to report on the length of business and the public sector, the Bill will generate time for which a retailer may retain a bond after the £1.5 billion and the associated secondary legislation termination of a contract and on the payment of interest will generate more than £2.7 billion of benefit. on the money. It would not be unduly burdensome for Some public services will attract rights and remedies the company to be required to place bonds in a separate under the Bill, as we discussed at length in Committee. account, the interest on which could be returned to the That will be the case if there is a contract between the consumer at the end of the contracted term. I am sure consumer and a public body for the provision of products that the Minister is aware of the significant precedents that are within its scope, because the definition of a for interest to be paid on money that is held. For trader is wide enough to capture the activities of any example, solicitors are required to place moneys they Department and local or public authority. Consumers hold on trust for a client in separate interest-bearing of public services provided under a contract will therefore accounts, as is made clear in the professional code of benefit from clearer rights, clearer remedies and, ultimately, ethics given in the Solicitors Regulation Authority better outcomes. I think that we would probably all handbook. Equivalent provisions cover other professions agree that that is a good thing. in which businesses hold money on trust—for example, What we are not doing—in a moment, I will explain an accountant who holds funds for a client to settle a why it is right and proper not to do it—is to change forthcoming tax bill. Beyond such examples, it is clear which public services are covered by consumer law. that there is a substantial licence for abuse. There have Public services that are currently subject to the Supply recently been concerns in the energy market about of Goods and Services Act 1982 and the Sale of Goods moneys retained from excessive direct debit payments. Act 1979 will be covered by the Bill. I will now turn to One of the Minister’s colleagues in another Department public services that are not covered by its provisions described it as unacceptable, and said that something because such services are not provided under contract needed to be done about it, and the same case can be to a consumer. They include most NHS care, state-funded made in relation to my concerns. education and law enforcement services. I am conscious that the guidance and regulation Let me be very clear: those consumers are nevertheless arising from the work of the implementation group will protected, and in a way that will often provide more not apply retrospectively, and so will not be of direct tailored, specific and appropriate safeguards, designed benefit to those involved in the two cases that I have to fit the particular service. Many of the tailored regimes outlined. However, their experience carries important already incorporate just the sort of protections that lessons for all of us to bear in mind, and their cases Opposition Members are pressing for—independent might and probably will be repeated along the same advocacy, regular reporting and established ombudsman lines. For that reason, I implore the Minister to look schemes. In some cases, the protections already in place sympathetically at new clause 4. I hope that she will see are similar to those provided by the Bill. For example, that it is about enhancing the rights of consumers who, the rights that are consolidated in the NHS constitution in many regards, have been and are being given poor are very similar to those in general consumer law, but advice and are not getting the service that I am sure she are tailored for the provision of health care. and all other hon. Members would expect. The work of the implementation group will obviously 3pm be significant, given the number of times that the Minister Where the protections are not similar, consumers has referred to it in Committee, and I am sure that she benefit from even greater protection. Several sectors will mention it again this afternoon. It is important that have well-established alternative dispute resolution services. the implementation group gets on and delivers something, For example, the Parliamentary and Health Service as the many people who have been following the progress Ombudsman, the local government ombudsman and of the Bill will expect. The new clause represents just the housing ombudsman play an important role as key, one way in which there is a very clear path for the respected arbiters for complaints about care, treatment implementation group to follow in taking some action or choice in public services. to benefit consumers and small businesses across the whole of the UK. The Government share the desire of the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) to improve consumer The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, input into the delivery of public services. We are committed Innovation and Skills (Jenny Willott): We have had quite to further improving how the public sector uses complaints a wide-ranging debate, which has been the case during and feedback to improve service provision. In October many of the discussions on the Bill, because it covers so last year, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Government many issues. It is telling that the Opposition have tabled Policy announced two further pieces of work to do just very few amendments; today, we are mainly discussing that. The first follows his recognition that UK Governments new clauses that attempt to add provisions to the Bill. have not made nearly enough use of complaints as a I want first to pause for a moment to reflect on the tool for identifying systemic problems. He has set up a Bill, which has generally been accepted across the House review of how Government Departments, agencies and as a good piece of legislation. It will benefit consumers—all public services can use patterns of complaints to improve consumers—and by setting out key consumer rights in the services that they offer. one place, it will empower consumers. As we discussed The recent Public Administration Committee report several times in Committee, well-informed and confident on citizens and public services raises some very interesting consumers can experiment and shop around, which issues, as well as revisiting some that have been looked 619 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 620 at before, about how complaints could be used as tools feedback and consumer choice work to push up standards. to drive change for the good. We will consider carefully However, we do not need to bring them all within the whether the approach that the Committee recommends ambit of the Bill to achieve that. is right for consumers and the public, and will focus on The transparency of data in the public sector, which what might be the practical and delivery considerations has been raised by hon. Members, is a priority for the of its ideas. Government. In many areas, transparency is much more Secondly, my right hon. Friend the Minister for advanced in the public sector than in the private sector. Government Policy will take a wider look at the role Consumers of public services have access to a wealth of and powers of the public sector ombudsmen, and consider data, such as crime statistics and educational standards. the case for a single public sector ombudsman. The Those all work to empower consumers, promote choice Government are grateful to the Public Administration and accountability, and, ultimately, raise standards. Committee for its inquiry on that issue. That report, Let me make it clear that the Government support alongside the Committee’s recent report on complaints, the principle that the public should have access to the will be a valuable contribution to the Government’s data that are held on them. That is in line with our open ongoing consideration of the ombudsman landscape data policies and activities, and with the approach that and complaint handling. On both those matters, my we are taking to the negotiations on the European data right hon. Friend will report to the Prime Minister in protection regulations. We embrace the principle that the summer. The Government will respond to the where social benefits can be obtained from anonymised Committee’s reports in due course. data sets—so-called “big data”—that should be supported. We prioritise making sure that consumers know their That is why, alongside the midata programme, which is rights. That means all consumers, whether of public or concerned with commercially held data, we are exploring private services and whether public services are provided how the data that are held on individuals by Departments under contract or under a tailored regime. Consumers might be made available to those individuals in a useful of public services have access to advice, information way. That work is in its early stages, but it is designed to and advocacy from Government-funded channels such address just the sort of issues that we have been discussing as Citizens Advice and gov.uk. There are other bodies, today. such as Age UK, that act as consumer advocates, especially As the hon. Member for Walthamstow said, we have for more vulnerable consumers. been reviewing the progress with the voluntary approach The Citizens Advice remit covers benefits, that has been taken to the midata programme so far. I housing, employment, debt and money, consumer, tax, plan to announce the results of the review shortly, but discrimination, health care and wider individual legal in the meantime I can report that there was an encouraging problems, as well as other issues. It has a very broad development in March. In the personal current accounts remit. It is right that consumers have a central source of sector, which was raised by the hon. Member for East advice and, if necessary, can be signposted to other Hampshire (Damian Hinds), we have secured a help, where it is needed. commitment from the big banks to provide customers’ transaction records—their midata—as downloadable files with a consistent format. That has been called for Mr Steve Reed: Does the Minister believe that public by Which? and the comparison sites. It is encouraging library users in Croydon should have a right to know that by the end of the year the vast majority of current why the council chose to sell the libraries off to one account holders in the UK will have access to their bidder rather than another, and that it should have midata files. I hope that that reassures the hon. Gentleman taken that decision publicly, rather than in private? on the points that he has raised. We are working with all the parties involved to ensure Jenny Willott: Obviously, I cannot comment on the that tools are available to use those files. We are confident situation in Croydon because I do not know the details. that this approach will help consumers to compare However, the Government are committed to freedom of more easily what is on offer in terms of price and information and, in a moment, I will talk about the service. As was highlighted by the hon. Member for access to data and information that we are supporting East Hampshire, there is clearly a lot more to be done to in the private and public sectors. encourage consumers to switch. We hope that by providing We fully recognise that sometimes more intensive the information and working with comparison sites, we support is needed, above and beyond the advice that is can ensure that that happens more often. given by Citizens Advice. That is why the patient advice Our central objective is that the Bill should deliver and liaison service offers confidential advice, support rights that are much easier for consumers to understand and information on health-related matters. There are and use. It is a vast improvement in terms of the already independent third-party adjudicators in the public simplicity of the language and the consistency of approach. sector, for example at HMRC. Those systems exist to However, we recognise that traders need to know their support consumers, often the most vulnerable, in making forthcoming responsibilities in good time before the Bill a complaint and having their voice heard. comes into force, and consumers need practical guidance There is a serious danger that mandating others to with real-life examples of how the legislation works. provide a service that overlaps what is in place will Achieving that quality of communication is a significant confuse, rather than strengthen, the landscape. We need challenge and requires planning, which we have been to continue to make public services more responsive to doing. end users, not dilute the central role of Citizens Advice As hon. Members have highlighted and as we discussed and hinder its ability to act as a key advice agency by many times in Committee, we have been working with creating bureaucracy. We all share the vision of public an implementation group to develop appropriate guidance services provided to a high standard, where consumer and effective channels of communication. The group is 621 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 622 making progress and we will publish a timetable later will ensure that her questions are passed to Ministers so this year setting out when the parts of the work will be that she receives a more detailed answer. We will ensure done. We intend to have guidance for businesses available that the Bill is not confused with the rail conditions of soon after Royal Assent, and it will be available for carriage, and that they take primacy. consumers when the legislation comes into force to The hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West ensure that people are able to access and understand (Tom Greatrex) raised an important constituency case, their rights. and I understand why he wished to do that. It concerned a business that had to pay a deposit for a telecoms Tom Greatrex: Will the Minister confirm whether the contract, but the Bill does not affect business-to-business implementation group is looking at the specific issues rights; it is about consumer rights and affects consumer- that I raised: the retention of bonds and interest payments to-business rather than business-to-business contracts. I for small businesses, and additional warranties that are cannot comment specifically on the case, but it would sold by retailers that do not provide any additional probably not be covered by the Bill since it is a business benefit to the consumer? case. Generally, however, we are doing more to protect deposits that are paid under contract. Jenny Willott: If the hon. Gentleman will bear with me, I will come to those matters later in my speech and Under the Bill, if a consumer enters into a contract address the points that he raised. for services and pays a deposit but then cancels, the trader does not have a free hand to retain that deposit. Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): With an increasing Any term in a contract that allows a trader to retain a number of consumers shopping online, will online traders deposit must be transparent and prominent to avoid have any duties under the Bill to provide information challenge in the courts on grounds of fairness. Where about consumers’ rights? such terms do not also provide equivalent compensation for the consumer when the trader dissolves the contract, Jenny Willott: I am sorry; could the hon. Lady repeat they are liable to be challenged as unfair, even if they the question? are transparent and prominent. Our reforms also include clearer cancellation rights Fiona O’Donnell: I am happy to repeat the question—it in consumer contracts regulations for consumers who might even be better this time. Will the Minister say buy at a distance or at home. Consumers must be whether, with an increasing number of people shopping informed that they have 14 days to change their mind online, there will be a duty on online traders to provide and cancel such contracts, and a trader must reimburse consumer rights information to their consumers? them within 14 days of being informed by the consumer about a cancellation of the services. Those regulations Jenny Willott: I apologise to the hon. Lady. That was will come into force in June, which will give consumers a very sensible question. That is being looked at. As she additional protection. says, more and more people are buying online, so this is an important outlook for retailers. We need to ensure Fiona O’Donnell: The Minister is generous in giving that consumers are aware of their rights, whether they way again. Is she not missing the point that my hon. are buying things on the high street or online. As we Friend the Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West discussed in Committee, some requirements are being (Tom Greatrex) made, which was that the Government introduced in June that will provide more information missed an opportunity to protect small businesses in the and safeguards for consumers who purchase items online. Bill, to treat them as consumers and give them those The implementation group is looking at all the ways in rights? That £900 can be the difference between a business which consumers buy goods and services to ensure that sinking or swimming. they are protected and know what their rights are. The hon. Member for Nottingham South (Lilian Greenwood) asked a number of questions about rail Jenny Willott: As the hon. Lady will remember, conditions of carriage, but such questions would be we discussed this issue at length in Committee. The much more properly put to the Department for Transport. Government consulted on whether small businesses If I may, I will direct her points to Ministers in that should be covered by consumer legislation in 2008 and Department and ask them to write to her with details of 2012, and on both occasions the result of that consultation how the conditions of carriage are being reviewed. That was that they should not be. Recent work by the Federation is not a matter for the Bill but it is being considered by of Small Businesses considered whether micro-businesses the Department for Transport, and I will ensure that should be covered by consumer law, and it too came to her points are raised. the conclusion that they should not be. There is work to be done on the protection of micro-businesses, and Lilian Greenwood: In Committee the Minister said some regulators are considering treating them in a that although rail services are excluded from the Bill, it similar way. However, the Government consultation on was intended that any rights introduced by the Bill be consumer law resolved that it was far more complicated incorporated in the rail conditions of carriage to ensure to include micro-businesses as consumers, and that was that consumers were no worse off as a result of that not the response to the consultation. exclusion. How will she ensure that that is implemented? The hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West raised the issue of guarantees being sold with products. Jenny Willott: I understand that rail conditions of Consumer protection regulations already prohibit traders carriage are more detailed and already go further than from presenting statutory rights as a distinctive feature the fundamental backstop rights in the Bill. However, of their offer, so a guarantee that offered no more than the Department for Transport is reviewing them, and I a consumer’s statutory rights would already be prohibited. 623 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 624

[Jenny Willott] The other issue raised today is nuisance calls, which is a priority for the Government. I am sure that all hon. We have now made it easier for consumers to get their Members have had constituency casework on that, but money back when they have been mis-sold something there is no silver bullet to eradicate the problem. That is to which they already have a legal right. why in our action plan of 30 March we set out a range of measures to address the issue. They included work 3.15 pm that is already under way to improve call tracing, making Extended warrantees can offer consumers valuable it easier to disclose information between Ofcom and the additional benefits if done properly, such as accidental Information Commissioner’s Office, and setting up a damage cover, regular servicing and so on. Before consumers taskforce led by Which? to review consumer consent buy extended warrantees in the shop at the same time as issues. We will also consult on making it easier for the buying electrical goods, they must be informed of their Information Commissioner’s Office to tackle nuisance statutory rights and their right to cancel the extended calls as part of amending the Privacy and Electronic warrantee. In 2012 the Office of Fair Trading found Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. recent significant improvements in the market, and Although I understand the intention behind the new although we recognise that there have been issues in the clause, the Government are taking a lot of action in this past, more and more consumers are now shopping area. Changes will be introduced in the next months, around when looking at warranties. That is driving and we are consulting on more actions. I hope that I competition between warrantee providers, which seems have covered the issues raised by hon. Members, and to be increasing quality and lowering price. I therefore ask the hon. Member for Walthamstow to withdraw her new clause. Yvonne Fovargue: Will the Minister elaborate on how that would affect customers of organisations such as Stella Creasy: The Minister expressed surprise that BrightHouse and PerfectHome, where the cost of an some of these issues should have been the subject of extended warrantee is included in the price of the goods new clauses. I am sad about that. In her responses, she is and is compulsory? What rights do those customers missing some of the debates that we had in Committee have to cancel and get some money back, apart from on just these issues—not just on implementation but on giving back the goods? the impact of the Bill on the public sector. I am saddened that she has not answered what I call the Graham Jenny Willott: The issue is whether extended warrantees Norton question about the licence fee. We will take that provide anything over and above the statutory rights as a yes, meaning that licence fee payers will be entitled provided under the law. If companies charge more just to these rights. to provide statutory protection, that would be prohibited The Minister said that a review of complaints is under consumer protection regulations. A purchase that ongoing and talked about the role of the public sector somebody would make, such as a hire purchase or ombudsman. This is what is causing so much concern whatever, would depend on the terms of their contract. and has prompted the new clauses. That is happening at If the contract contains terms that are unfair, they the same time as this legislation is making progress, so a may well be on the grey list—we will come to that in whole series of new legal methods of redress will be future discussions on the Bill—and such terms may be open to licence fee payers, personal care budget holders challengeable in the courts on grounds of fairness. If and students paying tuition fees. At the same time, a the hon. Lady is concerned about specific terms in the secondary process is being undertaken in government. Bill, she might raise them at that specific point in our The situation is confusing. debate to see whether they would be covered. I am pleased that the Minister’s understanding of Tom Greatrex: I am grateful to the Minister for giving consumer rights in the public sector—and what they way again but I raised another point, to which she did can offer—is evolving. In that sense, I am happy to give not respond. It concerns what happens if a consumer her the benefit of the doubt in what she says about new buys a product with a manufacturer’s warranty and is clause 2 and the implementation group. I am sure that then sold a supplementary warranty by a retailer, which the Lords will want to hear about its further progress. I does nothing more than the manufacturer’s warranty. Is am also happy to give her the benefit of the doubt that an issue on which the implementation group will be about advocacy. Her conversion to the importance of able to provide information for consumers? advocacy is welcome: it was not clear in Committee, but it is wonderful to hear her talking about it now. She has Jenny Willott: That is the point I just made. If a been dragged kicking and screaming to the debate, and warranty provides no more than the statutory rights I refer to the comments made by my hon. Friends the and there is a charge associated with it, whoever is Members for Croydon North (Mr Reed), for Makerfield selling the warrantee may well be in breach of consumer (Yvonne Fovargue) and for Rutherglen and Hamilton protection regulations. When shops sell goods and the West (Tom Greatrex), and even the hon. Member for warranty is purchased at the same time, the full cost East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) about the importance must be disclosed and consumers must be informed of of advocacy and what more should be done in the Bill. their statutory rights. Consumers also have the right to On that basis, I am happy not to press new clause 5 to cancel the extended warranty within a set period, and a vote, but I will press new clause 3 and new schedule 1, those rights must be made known to the consumers given what the Minister said about information. I have when they purchase the warranty. That is covered under to point out to the hon. Member for East Hampshire consumer protection regulations, and there are also that the Government have admitted that the midata rights in this Bill. The circumstances that the hon. project has stalled. The look on his face spoke volumes Gentleman highlights would be covered. about the problems of getting access to those data. 625 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 626

The Minister said that the Government thought that Evans, Chris McDonald, Andy people should have access to the data they create within Field, rh Mr Frank McDonnell, John the public sector: the Opposition think that people Fitzpatrick, Jim McGovern, Alison should own their own data. It is a clear dividing line. Flello, Robert McGovern, Jim Flint, rh Caroline McGuire, rh Mrs Anne New clause 3 and new schedule 1 set out some clear Flynn, Paul McKechin, Ann rights for people. On nuisance calls, the Minister said Fovargue, Yvonne McKenzie, Mr Iain the Government are already doing something. Why Francis, Dr Hywel McKinnell, Catherine does she oppose paragraph 5 of new schedule 1, which Gapes, Mike Mearns, Ian would place sanctions on those people who do not have Gardiner, Barry Miller, Andrew consent, to send a clear message to the companies that Glass, Pat Mitchell, Austin are abusing the information that they have? It is beyond Glindon, Mrs Mary Moon, Mrs Madeleine me. The issue of ownership of data is key, so we will Godsiff, Mr Roger Morden, Jessica press new clause 3, which would bring in new schedule 1, Greatrex, Tom Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) to a vote. The British public should not just have access Green, Kate Morris, Grahame M. to their data; they should own it. It is a clear division Greenwood, Lilian (Easington) between the two parties on consumer and citizen rights, Griffith, Nia Munn, Meg Hain, rh Mr Peter Murphy, rh Paul and an increasingly important debate for this country. I Hamilton, Mr David Murray, Ian beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion. Hamilton, Fabian Nandy, Lisa Clause, by leave, withdrawn. Hanson, rh Mr David Nash, Pamela Harris, Mr Tom O’Donnell, Fiona Havard, Mr Dai Onwurah, Chi New Clause 3 Healey, rh John Owen, Albert Hendrick, Mark Perkins, Toby Hepburn, Mr Stephen Pound, Stephen ACCESS TO DATA Hermon, Lady Powell, Lucy ‘Schedule [Access to data] has effect.’.—(Stella Creasy.) Heyes, David Qureshi, Yasmin Brought up, and read the First time. Hillier, Meg Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Question put, That the clause be read a Second time. Hilling, Julie Reed, Mr Steve Hodge, rh Margaret Reynolds, Emma The House divided: Ayes 218, Noes 287. Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Reynolds, Jonathan Hoey, Kate Robertson, Angus Division No. 275] [3.22 pm Hood, Mr Jim Robertson, John Hopkins, Kelvin Robinson, Mr Geoffrey AYES Howarth, rh Mr George Roy, Lindsay Abbott, Ms Diane Coaker, Vernon Hunt, Tristram Ruane, Chris Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Coffey, Ann Irranca-Davies, Huw Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Alexander, Heidi Connarty, Michael Jackson, Glenda Sarwar, Anas Ali, Rushanara Cooper, Rosie James, Mrs Siân C. Sawford, Andy Allen, Mr Graham Corbyn, Jeremy Jamieson, Cathy Seabeck, Alison Ashworth, Jonathan Crausby, Mr David Johnson, rh Alan Shannon, Jim Austin, Ian Creagh, Mary Johnson, Diana Sharma, Mr Virendra Bailey, Mr Adrian Creasy, Stella Jones, Graham Shuker, Gavin Bain, Mr William Cruddas, Jon Jones, Helen Simpson, David Banks, Gordon Cryer, John Jones, Mr Kevan Skinner, Mr Dennis Barron, rh Kevin Cunningham, Alex Jones, Susan Elan Slaughter, Mr Andy Bayley, Hugh Cunningham, Mr Jim Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Smith, rh Mr Andrew Beckett, rh Margaret Cunningham, Sir Tony Kane, Mike Smith, Nick Benn, rh Hilary Curran, Margaret Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Smith, Owen Benton, Mr Joe Danczuk, Simon Keeley, Barbara Spellar, rh Mr John Berger, Luciana Davidson, Mr Ian Kendall, Liz Straw, rh Mr Jack Betts, Mr Clive Davies, Geraint Khan, rh Sadiq Stringer, Graham Blackman-Woods, Roberta Denham, rh Mr John Lammy, rh Mr David Stuart, Ms Gisela Blears, rh Hazel Dobson, rh Frank Lazarowicz, Mark Tami, Mark Blenkinsop, Tom Docherty, Thomas Leslie, Chris Thomas, Mr Gareth Blomfield, Paul Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Turner, Karl Brennan, Kevin Doran, Mr Frank Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Twigg, Derek Brown, Lyn Doughty, Stephen Long, Naomi Twigg, Stephen Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Dowd, Jim Lucas, Caroline Vaz, rh Keith Brown, Mr Russell Doyle, Gemma Lucas, Ian Walley, Joan Buck, Ms Karen Dromey, Jack MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Watson, Mr Tom Burden, Richard Dugher, Michael Mactaggart, Fiona Watts, Mr Dave Byrne, rh Mr Liam Durkan, Mark Mahmood, Shabana Weir, Mr Mike Campbell, rh Mr Alan Eagle, Ms Angela Malhotra, Seema Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Campbell, Mr Ronnie Eagle, Maria Mann, John Whitehead, Dr Alan Caton, Martin Edwards, Jonathan Marsden, Mr Gordon Williams, Hywel Champion, Sarah Efford, Clive McCabe, Steve Williamson, Chris Chapman, Jenny Elliott, Julie McCann, Mr Michael Winnick, Mr David Clark, Katy Ellman, Mrs Louise McCarthy, Kerry Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Clarke, rh Mr Tom Engel, Natascha McClymont, Gregg Wishart, Pete Clwyd, rh Ann Esterson, Bill McDonagh, Siobhain Wood, Mike 627 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 628

Woodcock, John Tellers for the Ayes: Jones, Andrew Phillips, Stephen Wright, David Bridget Phillipson and Jones, rh Mr David Pincher, Christopher Wright, Mr Iain Phil Wilson Jones, Mr Marcus Poulter, Dr Daniel Kawczynski, Daniel Prisk, Mr Mark Kelly, Chris Pugh, John NOES Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Raab, Mr Dominic Adams, Nigel Ellison, Jane Kirby, Simon Randall, rh Sir John Afriyie, Adam Ellwood, Mr Tobias Knight, rh Sir Greg Reckless, Mark Aldous, Peter Elphicke, Charlie Kwarteng, Kwasi Redwood, rh Mr John Andrew, Stuart Eustice, George Lamb, Norman Rees-Mogg, Jacob Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Evans, Graham Lancaster, Mark Reevell, Simon Bacon, Mr Richard Evans, Mr Nigel Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Reid, Mr Alan Baker, Norman Evennett, Mr David Latham, Pauline Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Baker, Steve Fabricant, Michael Laws, rh Mr David Robertson, rh Hugh Baldry, rh Sir Tony Featherstone, Lynne Leadsom, Andrea Robertson, Mr Laurence Barclay, Stephen Field, Mark Lee, Jessica Rosindell, Andrew Barwell, Gavin Foster, rh Mr Don Lee, Dr Phillip Rudd, Amber Bebb, Guto Fox,rhDrLiam Leech, Mr John Russell, Sir Bob Beith, rh Sir Alan Freeman, George Lefroy, Jeremy Rutley, David Beresford, Sir Paul Freer, Mike Leigh, Sir Edward Sanders, Mr Adrian Berry, Jake Fullbrook, Lorraine Leslie, Charlotte Sandys, Laura Bingham, Andrew Fuller, Richard Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Scott, Mr Lee Binley, Mr Brian Garnier, Sir Edward Lewis, Brandon Selous, Andrew Blunt, Crispin Gauke, Mr David Lewis, Dr Julian Shapps, rh Grant Boles, Nick George, Andrew Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Sharma, Alok Bone, Mr Peter Gibb, Mr Nick Lilley, rh Mr Peter Shelbrooke, Alec Bottomley, Sir Peter Gilbert, Stephen Lloyd, Stephen Shepherd, Sir Richard Brady, Mr Graham Glen, John Lopresti, Jack Simpson, Mr Keith Brake, rh Tom Goldsmith, Zac Luff, Sir Peter Skidmore, Chris Bray, Angie Goodwill, Mr Robert Lumley, Karen Smith, Chloe Brazier, Mr Julian Gray, Mr James Macleod, Mary Smith, Henry Bridgen, Andrew Green, rh Damian Main, Mrs Anne Smith, Julian Brine, Steve Greening, rh Justine Maynard, Paul Smith, Sir Robert Brokenshire, James Grieve, rh Mr Dominic McCartney, Jason Soames, rh Nicholas Brooke, Annette Griffiths, Andrew McCartney, Karl Soubry, Anna Browne, Mr Jeremy Gummer, Ben McIntosh, Miss Anne Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Bruce, Fiona Hague, rh Mr William McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Stanley, rh Sir John Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Halfon, Robert McPartland, Stephen Stephenson, Andrew Buckland, Mr Robert Hames, Duncan McVey, rh Esther Stevenson, John Burns, rh Mr Simon Hammond, rh Mr Philip Menzies, Mark Stewart, Bob Burrowes, Mr David Hancock, Matthew Metcalfe, Stephen Stewart, Iain Burt, Lorely Hands, rh Greg Miller, rh Maria Stewart, Rory Cable, rh Vince Harper, Mr Mark Milton, Anne Streeter, Mr Gary Cairns, Alun Harrington, Richard Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stride, Mel Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Harris, Rebecca Moore, rh Michael Stuart, Mr Graham Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Hart, Simon Mordaunt, Penny Sturdy, Julian Carswell, Mr Douglas Harvey, Sir Nick Morgan, Nicky Swales, Ian Cash, Mr William Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Morris, Anne Marie Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Chishti, Rehman Hayes, rh Mr John Morris, David Swire, rh Mr Hugo Clappison, Mr James Heald, Oliver Morris, James Syms, Mr Robert Clark, rh Greg Heath, Mr David Mosley, Stephen Teather, Sarah Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Heaton-Harris, Chris Mowat, David Thurso, John Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hemming, John Mulholland, Greg Tomlinson, Justin Coffey, Dr Thérèse Henderson, Gordon Mundell, rh David Tredinnick, David Collins, Damian Hendry, Charles Munt, Tessa Truss, Elizabeth Colvile, Oliver Herbert, rh Nick Neill, Robert Turner, Mr Andrew Crabb, Stephen Hinds, Damian Newton, Sarah Uppal, Paul Crockart, Mike Hoban, Mr Mark Nokes, Caroline Vaizey, Mr Edward Davies, David T. C. Hollobone, Mr Philip Nuttall, Mr David Vara, Mr Shailesh (Monmouth) Holloway, Mr Adam O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Vickers, Martin Davies, Glyn Hopkins, Kris Offord, Dr Matthew Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Davies, Philip Howarth, Sir Gerald Ollerenshaw, Eric Walker, Mr Charles de Bois, Nick Howell, John Opperman, Guy Walker, Mr Robin Dinenage, Caroline Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Ottaway, rh Sir Richard Wallace, Mr Ben Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Hunter, Mark Paice, rh Sir James Walter, Mr Robert Dorries, Nadine Huppert, Dr Julian Parish, Neil Weatherley, Mike Doyle-Price, Jackie Hurd, Mr Nick Patel, Priti Webb, Steve Drax, Richard Jackson, Mr Stewart Pawsey, Mark Wharton, James Duddridge, James James, Margot Penning, rh Mike Wheeler, Heather Duncan, rh Mr Alan Javid, rh Sajid Penrose, John White, Chris Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Johnson, Gareth Percy, Andrew Whittaker, Craig Ellis, Michael Johnson, Joseph Perry, Claire Wiggin, Bill 629 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 630

Willetts, rh Mr David Wright, Simon (2) A creditor is not entitled to enforce a bill of sale made in Williams, Mr Mark Yeo, Mr Tim connection with a regulated agreement by recovering possession Williams, Roger Young, rh Sir George of the goods except through an order of the court. Williamson, Gavin Zahawi, Nadhim (3) If goods are recovered by the creditor in contravention to Willott, Jenny subsection (2)— Wilson, Mr Rob Tellers for the Noes: Wollaston, Dr Sarah Harriett Baldwin and (a) the bill of sale will be treated as invalidly made; and Wright, Jeremy Mr Sam Gyimah (b) the debtor shall be released from any outstanding liability under the regulated agreement. Question accordingly negatived. (4) If the creditor has disposed of goods taken in contravention of subsection (2) the debtor shall be compensated to the value of those goods.’. New Clause 6

PAYDAY LENDERS LEVY Stella Creasy: The new clauses lie at the heart of consumer issues: if consumers have no money in their ‘The Secretary of State shall produce an annual report on the level at which a levy on lenders in the high cost consumer credit pockets, they will not do very much consuming. A market should be set and bring forward measures to ensure— personal debt crisis is brewing because millions of people (a) provision of free debt advice for vulnerable consumers; are trying to make ends meet and pay for the debt they and took on to try to make ends meet previously. Household (b) provision of affordable alternative credit through debt is at its highest since 2009, with people owing £1.6 credit unions.’.—(Stella Creasy.) trillion in personal debt. Some 43% of us say that we Brought up, and read the First time. often or sometimes struggle to make it to payday—little wonder, given the way in which the cost of living has Stella Creasy: I beg to move, That the clause be read escalated. The new clauses come into play because debt a Second time. repayment is increasingly the reason that people struggle to make it to payday. They reflect an attempt not to Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): With this it continue the good work that has been done in this will be convenient to discuss the following: House to address the consumer credit market, but to New clause 7—Debt management plan regulation— recognise that the Government’s belated conversion to the Opposition’s approach on payday lending needs ‘The Financial Conduct Authority shall bring forward to be just the start of the conversation on how we recommendations within a year of the commencement of this Act regarding the practice of directly charging consumers fees or ensure that people have the pounds in the pocket they charges for the provision of debt management plans, including need. This is intrinsic to our economic future, given that recommendations on the phasing out of such practices.’. consumer spending has accounted for so much of the New clause 9—Credit broker fees— growth we are now seeing. That, in itself, is perhaps one of the problems we face. ‘(1) The Consumer Credit Act 1974 is amended as follows. (2) In section 160A (Credit intermediaries) after subsection (4) Let me explain the new clauses I wish to speak insert— to today, because I know that other Members want to “(4A) Persons engaged in credit intermediary activity under speak to the new clauses they propose. New clause 6 this section or credit broking activity under section 145 shall not concerns what Members might call my bête noir—payday charge or take any fee from a debtor in respect of these activities lenders. There are now 8 million loans annually, which until such time as an introduction results in the debtor entering are worth £2.2 billion. Those loans come with a cost. into a relevant agreement.”.’. The National Audit Office estimates that they cost New clause 11—Practices of rent to own companies— consumers £450 million a year of direct consumer harm, ‘(1) This section applies to credit agreements and consumer because of the failure to regulate the payday lending hire agreements taken out in respect of household goods industry. For several years we proposed regulation of specified in rules by the Financial Conduct Authority. the industry, but it will come in only next year. (2) The rules under subsection (1) shall— One in 10 British adults are likely to take out a (a) include a requirement on lenders to include in payday loan in the next six months. That figure is going pre-contractual information adequate explanations up, not down. It is little wonder that companies such as and information allowing prospective customers to Wonga are making £1 million a week from our compare both the cash price of goods and the total constituents—a 36% increase on the previous year—even cost of the credit agreement to a representative retail price for those goods; though it is writing off huge swathes of its loan book. Some 40% of those who took out a payday loan said (b) prohibit lenders from requiring customers to take out insurance sold or brokered by the lender as a that it made their financial position worse, but many condition of obtaining credit; feel that they have little alternative. Credit unions are (c) set out specific steps lenders must take before taking desperately trying to fill the gap, but it is an impossible action to enforce the agreement or recover possession gap to fill with the current level of need. It is time for of goods; and payday lenders to pay their way. New clause 6 would (d) set out the steps lenders should take to check that the enable an additional levy to be made on high cost credit agreement is affordable and suitable for prospective companies to ensure that they provide funding for the consumers.’. debt advice and extension of credit unions that this New clause 23—Consumer credit: bill of sale— situation requires. In fact, we believe the pressure on ‘(1) Where a person is a purchaser of goods subject to a bill of debt advice agencies and, indeed, credit unions is likely sale, made in connection with a regulated agreement under the to increase, not subside, in the years ahead. We therefore Consumer Credit Act 1974, in good faith and without notice of think it time for the payday lenders to pay for the the bill of sale, title to those goods shall pass to that person. damage they have done. 631 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 632

[Stella Creasy] for being in debt when they come forward for help, and we want to see the phasing out of fees for debt management New clause 7 also speaks to the growing personal altogether. debt bubble in our society, and to the conduct of the Let me provide an example of why that would make a cowboy debt management agencies. We have already difference. StepChange, which provides this service for talked about legal loan sharks, and now it is time to free, found that a client with a typical debt of £30,000 look at the cowboys, but these are not just the stuff of would have to pay for a commercial product almost an nightmare. These companies are profiting from the extra £6,000 in fees—£6,000 over and above the loan misery of our constituents, exploiting the way in which repayments. That extended the plan by approximately debt management is done in this country. 18 months in comparison with one that StepChange The Government themselves admit that in excess of had put together. 1 million consumers each year are seeking advice on Taken in concert with new clause 6, which would how best to deal with their financial difficulties. Many provide the funding to increase debt advice, we believe of us will know from our constituency surgeries the that we can phase out fees for debt management, and people who come to us in desperate need, often because we believe that that is the right thing to do—not to they are about to be evicted for falling behind with their charge people for getting into debt, but to help them get rent. We also encounter people who are struggling out of debt. As millions of Britons are already in this financially and who need help forming a debt management cycle and millions more are likely to get into it as plan to deal with their creditors. That is the gap that interest rates rise and they have increasing problems these companies have filled. with their credit card and personal debt repayments About 7% of British adults report struggling to payday coming home to roost, the case for reforming our debt due to debt management payment plans, and 6% blame management cowboy firms grows all the stronger. their payday loan problems on debt repayments. Bank Finally, new clause 23 speaks to another legal loan loan repayments are the cause of 13% of those who sharking practice in this country, which we believe is struggle to payday. People are struggling because they long overdue for overhauling. Citizens Advice chief are trying to pay back the debts they have accrued, executive Gillian Guy has said: especially over the last couple of years. It equates to “The logbook industry is still in the dark ages and has been about 2.5 million people that we know of who are getting away with lawless practices. It is absolutely absurd that a already in a debt management plan. firm should be able to take away someone’s possessions without any due legal process.” Some debt management plans are available free, and I Millions of people are affected, both those who take pay tribute to organisations such as Christians Against out logbook loans and those who buy a second-hand Poverty and StepChange for the work they are doing in car without knowing that there is a charge against it, providing people with free debt advice. After all, it is the only to find that the car is being repossessed and that most perverse of experiences for people struggling with they have no recourse to any legal practice. financial debt to be charged to get out of the hole they are in. That is the challenge we are facing. It was 3.45 pm estimated in 2010 that commercial debt management companies were making about £250 million a year from The Financial Conduct Authority itself found that over-indebted clients. As I say, that was back in 2010. some 40,000 consumers had taken out logbook loans in The Money Advice Service now tells us that there are 2013, typically borrowing about £1,000 a time—again, 9 million people in our country who are over-indebted, at astronomical interest rates—although lenders were so these are the people for whom these sorts of services offering loans of up to £50,000 a time on their cars. may well be apposite. The need to reform how they That was done by means of a bill of sale agreement, an work therefore becomes even stronger. agreement that harks back to the Victorian era and contains no modern consumer protection measures. It Ministers admitted in 2002 in response to questioning is estimated that one in four second-hand cars in this by the BIS Committee that there was evidence of some country is sold with an outstanding charge against it as abuse of upfront fees, so let us talk about what is meant a result of a bill of sale agreement. That means that the by that. We have an example from Clear View Finance company that provides the loan retains ownership of of a gentleman for whom 90% of the money he was the car, and can therefore repossess it. Even if the new paying to the company was being taken in a fee, so a owner is unaware of the loan, if it has not been paid off mere 10% of the money he was paying to clear his debts he will have to forfeit the car. was going to his creditors—little chance for him to get This is possible only because we allow bill of sale out of the cycle of debt he was in any time soon! Yet agreements to continue, which is why I am so disappointed when the Minister admitted that there was such abuse, that, in Committee, the Minister led her side to vote he said that these companies had a role to play, so there against our proposals to abolish the present arrangements. was not really any need for any further regulation of We believe that the whole House should look at the them. We disagree, and we were disappointed when the matter again. We believe that the case for removing the Government voted in Committee against our proposals ability of bill of sale agreements to be abused in this to deal with debt management companies. way is overwhelming. The Minister said that there might We recognise that the Financial Conduct Authority well be a case for updating the legislation, but that she has taken over the management of these companies, did not believe that that was a matter for the Bill. and it proudly trumpets that it is going to limit to 50% Earlier, she had said that she did not believe that the Bill the amount a company can take in fees rather than pay applied to the public sector. She has performed a welcome out to creditors. We believe that we should go much U-turn, so let us hope that she will also take account of further. We do not believe that people should be charged her own words, uttered in 2007. She said then that we 633 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 634 needed to crack down on the illegal and unethical monthly repayments seem relatively reasonable but once practices of some banks, credit card companies and we translate them over the entire period of the loan, we loan companies. If there was ever an example of an start to realise they can be a very expensive way to unethical practice, it is the way in which such companies purchase an item. The work I have done on the all-party use bill of sale agreements. Is it not time to finish the job group on financial education for young people was and end these agreements? New clause 23 would enable centred on empowering consumers to make informed us to do that. decisions, and that should also be a priority in respect I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for of consumer credit regulations. It is all about making Makerfield (Yvonne Fovargue) for all the amendments sure consumers can make an informed decision, and she has tabled, and for the work she is doing in the when the facts are displayed in cash terms even those industry. She has been trying to clean up the consumer with limited financial ability are able to make a relatively credit market and end the damage that it is doing to informed decision. many of our constituents. Government Members may The point about protecting consumers by making laugh at the idea that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting sure they can afford the products is also important. We people in our communities, but we see at first hand the are moving towards that in the high-cost lending market. way in which consumer credit companies are making a It is what we do with bank loans, for instance, and I do mockery of the idea that we have adequate consumer not think it is unreasonable to have it in this context, protection in our country. We believe that the new because this is in effect a loan, as until the person has clauses would go some way towards continuing the completed the purchase—until they have paid 100% of conversation. those monthly or weekly costs—the item is not theirs. If they fall over at the 99% stage, it is returned. It is Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): I intervene therefore in effect a loan that gives the person something on the hon. Lady because I want to put it on record that at the end, so there should be protection because all too no Government Members are laughing about anyone often consumers who have no chance of completing who happens to be in debt. Many of us, along with 100% of the payments are getting themselves into an Opposition Members, have worked very hard to deal expensive way of accessing items. There is merit in those with issues relating to personal debt, and we are not two particular areas and I hope the Government will laughing at all. give them serious consideration. Stella Creasy: I am delighted to hear that the hon. Gentleman takes the issue seriously. I assume that he Yvonne Fovargue: I am chair of the all-party group will support the new clauses, which constitute a recognition on debt and personal finance and we have done constructive of the need to act now. [Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman work on many of these issues. I support the new clauses talks of 13 years, but the growth of the payday lending and I am pleased that new clause 23 addresses the and logbook loan industries has exploded as people Victorian practice of bills of sale. They are used for a have found that there is too much month at the end of purpose for which they were never intended. That does their money. That has been a fact for the last couple of not just affect those who take out a loan by using them; years. The question for all of us now is this: do we sit it also affects people who do everything they can to the and argue about these issues, or do we take action? The check hire purchase information and the credit agreement Bill gives us an opportunity to take action with some on the car in question but who do not know their car very concrete proposals to end fees for debt management can still be taken at any time. companies, to make the payday lenders pay their way, I want to speak to my new clause 9, which deals with and to deal with the problem of logbook loans. the problem of credit broking firms. I believe they are Let me simply say this to Government Members. the new wild west in this area. They offer, for a fee, to They can either put their money where their mouths are find consumers a loan. In too many cases they take the and recognise that these problems need to be dealt with, fees from the consumer and do not give them a service or they can carp and make political points. It is their at all, or they find them an unsuitable loan that they do call, but I know what my constituents would rather see: not want. Under some circumstances consumers can support for the new clauses. get a partial refund, but they often struggle to get these firms to give the refund. Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con): I have a huge amount of admiration for the hon. Member for There was a super-complaint by Citizens Advice in Makerfield (Yvonne Fovargue), who tabled new clause 11, 2011 and the Office of Fair Trading concluded: and who brings plenty of front-line experience to the “At the first available opportunity, the Government should House. She has taken a cross-party, constructive and carry out an impact assessment to establish whether legislative positive approach on a number of issues, and has a change would effectively address the consumer detriment caused good, strong record of influencing the Government’s by upfront fees in the credit brokerage sector both in the immediate opinions. and longer term, including considering a ban on credit brokers charging upfront fees”. The new clause is, in effect, the BrightHouse clause, and I was moved to come and speak about it because I The Government declined to do this, saying that the had seen the company’s recent television advertisements new OFT guidance issued in response to the super- displaying the cost of renting washing machines, televisions complaint should be given time to work. It has had two and even the sofas on which people could sit while using years to work and I am still getting evidence of problems. the other articles they were renting. I would like to mention a recent constituency There are two parts to the proposals that I urge the case that caused me to look into the practice of one Government to seriously consider. The first concerns particular company, Myloan. The 18-year-old daughter displaying the total cost, because often the weekly or of a constituent tried to get a loan; unbeknown to her 635 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 636

[Yvonne Fovargue] Yvonne Fovargue: I totally agree with that. I do not believe many customers know how over the odds the mother and father, she was desperate. She went to costs are. They cannot use a comparison, because they Myloan in January. She completed the process and was do not have the £150 to go to John Lewis to pay the cost advised that it could not loan to her, but she had given it straight off. They think that they are paying a bit more, her bank account details because it said it would find but they are paying a fortune more—they are paying her a loan. It took the 16-digit number, the security nearly five times as much. My new clause would require number and an application fee of £68.99. It then processed stores to set out all the costs, and I make provision the application. It sent her details off to 13 other in respect of similar goods because BrightHouse has companies. No companies offered her a loan, yet every occasionally changed one figure or a letter at the end company took an application fee, and she ended up a and said, “There isn’t a comparable good.” There is a further £375 in debt. The majority of that money was comparable good, but BrightHouse has just changed an taken within nine days of the initial approach. She was XoraYattheendofthegoods. 18 and she did not know what would happen if she did this. It is clear that she was taken advantage of by this Customers may still choose to shop at BrightHouse company. —I would not stop them shopping there—but they I looked into this company and there were pages and need to have the full facts. Clearly, low weekly payments pages of complaints on the internet of it taking fees and are what make BrightHouse seem attractive to so people not getting loans. We need to act now to stop many, but that does not mean they are affordable. vulnerable consumers being cheated by these companies. BrightHouse encourages its customers to take on more and more loans; I have had reports of people being I now wish to deal with the BrightHouse clause, rung at home with tempting news of the latest in-store which was mentioned by the hon. Member for North arrivals, keeping the customers in a constant cycle of Swindon (Justin Tomlinson). It deals with companies debt. Small weekly payments quickly mount up and that offer household goods to customers on a rent-to-own become unaffordable. There is talk about people buying basis, whereby, again, they make weekly payments and the big TVs, but the other problem is that that is own the product only once the final payment is made. I the only option in BrightHouse. It does not have the am using BrightHouse as an example because it is the smaller goods; it has the big plasma TVs. BrightHouse largest rent-to-own company in the United Kingdom. It does not stock the range of goods that people can has more than 270 stores and plans to expand at a rate shop around for. of about one a fortnight. These stores have become a common feature on the high street and tend to be found in more deprived areas. Indeed, it has been remarked I have encountered a case of a customer making that having a BrightHouse store is now a signifier that weekly payments of £75 to BrightHouse, from a benefits the area could be deprived, not that BrightHouse’s payment of £100 a week—it is no wonder people cannot stores are downbeat or shabby—they look really good. survive in such circumstances. My new clause would ensure that BrightHouse has to carry out proper A TV researcher contacted me about BrightHouse affordability checks. We are asking payday lenders to do because she had gone into one of its stores to look for a that, so why should the rent-to-own companies not have bedside cabinet and was appalled by the amount to do it as well? Including the insurance does not BrightHouse was charging a week. People who are provide value for money, but people will not challenge it unable to pay outright for goods and may previously under the unfair contract terms because, in general, the have gone to get a social fund loan now cannot get one people who go to BrightHouse do not want to challenge and have to use these weekly repayments. They allow and go to court, as it is a frightening experience. So my customers to pay in small weekly chunks, repayable new clause will ensure that these companies cannot over several years. That can be convenient but there is a enforce taking out the cover. catch or two—if we include the insurance that is included, there is a catch or three. BrightHouse defends adding The last part of my new clause deals with repossession, everything together by saying, “Our target customers because a lot of evidence shows that a missed payment are mostly women and they like things simple.” Well or two leads to the loss of the goods concerned, often this is one woman who does not agree with BrightHouse without a court order, despite the fact that the customer on that one. Not only do its customers pay a higher has paid the true cost of the goods several times over. price—often higher than is paid in Harrods—but at a BrightHouse says that that is done only with the customer’s typical APR of 69.9% the loan is extortionate. For consent, but many people have been left in dire straits example, customers can buy an HP Envy 120 all-in-one when essential items such as their fridge or washing printer from BrightHouse for £322.23, which will end machine have been taken, often at short notice. The up costing £520 by the time they have paid £5 a week company has a perfect right to take the goods, but there over 104 weeks, whereas John Lewis has the same are ways of doing it fairly. My amendment ensures that product for £149.99. proper procedures are followed, and that customers are not pressurised into giving back goods for which they Justin Tomlinson: Obviously, I support the principles have paid a considerable amount. I am not against the being expressed here. The key thing is that the vast services that BrightHouse offers, but I am against a majority of consumers would not be able to calculate business model that is so stacked against the customer the total cost with an APR—even Treasury Ministers that it amounts to little less than exploitation. There is a would struggle to do that—which is why it is so incredibly huge irony when the poorest in society pay the highest important to have everything displayed in cash terms. prices. BrightHouse and others like it should give thought That is the simplest form for any consumer, allowing to their customers and their ability to pay. Hopefully, them to make an informed decision. this amendment will concentrate their thinking. 637 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 638

4pm apply just to rent-to-own companies. We could say that it applies to every pay-monthly mobile phone contract, Damian Hinds: It is always a pleasure and an honour through which we not only pay for our calls but finance to follow the hon. Member for Makerfield (Yvonne the phone, but it is never advertised how much is for the Fovargue) who talks not only with passion but with a phone and how much for the calls. We always see it as great deal of knowledge and expertise about these matters. one all-together monthly amount. I wish to speak briefly about new clauses 11 and 6. Before I do, may I say that it was a little unfortunate Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con): My hon. Friend is that the remarks of the hon. Member for Walthamstow making very measured comments. It is true that no one (Stella Creasy) took the turn that they did at the end? party has a handle on debt in this debate. Many of us What she said is simply not true, and everybody in this are concerned about the matter. Does he agree that House who takes an interest in these issues, which she companies such as Emmaus in my constituency have certainly does, knows that the sub-prime high-cost helped to ensure that people do not have to take on credit market has been around for donkey’s years. It ridiculous payback terms, by enabling them to access has not started—[Interruption.] No, it has not started, good refurbished second-hand goods free of charge if or even in its totality dramatically shifted, in the past their circumstances allow? I pay tribute to companies three years. such as Emmaus that have helped many people in The hon. Lady mentioned statistics for payday lending difficulty who need goods. and logbook lending, but, if she was being complete in her analysis, she might have talked about when the big Damian Hinds: I am not familiar with Emmaus, but growth spurt came in home credit. She might even have I am sure that it is an admirable organisation. I can talked about when the growth spurt came in rent to mention Furniture Helpline in my constituency, and own. Perhaps she would like to take the opportunity to there are many others throughout the country. talk briefly about those things now. I would happily take an intervention. Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): I am listening carefully to what the hon. Gentleman is saying. Affordability is at Stella Creasy: Will the hon. Gentleman clarify whether the root of this issue. It is not only companies such as he voted three times in the House over the past three BrightHouse that concern us—for years, when interest years against capping the cost of credit and therefore rates were rising, supposedly reputable companies simply tackling some of these problems? If he recognises that extended the time that people had to pay, so that the there are problems, is he saying that he will support the weekly payments stayed relatively low. That is the real new clauses today? issue at the heart of this.

Damian Hinds: Clearly, I was not saying that. I was Damian Hinds: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely asking the hon. Lady whether she wanted to comment right. [Interruption.] My hon. Friend the Member for on the growth of home credit and rent to own. We have St Albans (Mrs Main), who is sitting next to me, mentions had many opportunities in this House to discuss a cap catalogues: catalogue credit has worked on that basis on the cost of credit, and she and I—and she and many for a long time, stressing the weekly repayment amount. other Members—have had an opportunity to discuss There is also an ability to shift the amount that is some of the practical aspects. There will now be a cap apparently the cost of the product and how much is on the total cost of credit, but that is not to say that the paid for the financing—in the case of catalogues, that definition of that is without difficulties. It remains a is often zero, but the base price is inflated to allow tricky thing to do. All of us, including her, who take for that. a close interest in these issues know that there is no My worry about the approach in the new clause single silver bullet solution that solves any of these tabled by the hon. Member for Makerfield is that I do market problems. We need regulation, empowerment not know how we would make the price comparator for consumers, financial education and sensible alternatives. work. She made an important point about product This House is at its best when we are discussing what numbers. As electronic comparison capability increases, those practical approaches might be, and I welcome the it will be important to be able to make a direct like-for-like new clauses, which allow us to talk about those very comparison, and adding an extra letter to a product things. I have an awful lot of sympathy for the sentiment number to make such comparison impossible should behind new clause 11, which was put forward by the certainly be cracked down on. hon. Member for Makerfield, and for what is behind new clauses 7 and 9, but we must be wary about Mrs Main: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Many seemingly straightforward legislative solutions that may of the goods that are advertised are often own-label not deliver all they purport to. brands, and that makes it very hard for consumers to We always talk in the plural when we refer to rent-to-own make a direct like-for-like comparison with another companies, but in reality there is one really big company. branded good. There is a problem with the pricing and marketing of these companies. I have recently been added to the Damian Hinds: It is difficult, but if we are talking BrightHouse e-mail marketing list. I do not know what about a big plasma TV or a washing machine, equivalent I have done to deserve that honour—I am not sure products and other brands are also available. The basic whether I should take it as a compliment—but I am problem, however, is not that the information is not now bombarded with messages saying how easy it is to available, because the idea that people do not have the pay weekly, and it is those messages that go to the heart ability to make such comparisons becomes less and less of the problem. To be fair, the slightly misleading true every month, with smartphones and so on. The approach that we are talking about does not necessarily difficulty relates to money advice, and encouraging and 639 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 640

[Damian Hinds] However, the idea—this is the main point—that some huge one-off capitalisation of credit unions would help prompting people to make the comparison. We do not to facilitate their growth, is not right. Under the previous solve that problem by adding small-print text about the Government, we had the growth fund, and I am not total cost, the annual percentage rate, the total cost of here to diss that. It was a well-intentioned initiative credit, the reminder that “your house may be at risk”, and will have done a lot of good. Such things are also blah, blah, blah. All those things do not solve the eroded over time, however, and by definition if one has problem of how we encourage people to make that a big one-off capitalisation one ends up having to comparison and do the analysis to ensure that they are address a slightly more costly part of the market, which not worse off than they need to be. contributes to that erosion. What we need to do to help That leads me on to new clause 6 and the so-called support and facilitate the growth of credit unions is “annual report on the level at which a levy on lenders in the high what this Government are doing. We are trying to get cost consumer credit market should be set”. them on to a sustainable footing with modernised systems, working collaboratively together to get the marketing There is a levy that applies to lenders, so I assume that and branding right so that the sector does not need a the requirement for a report is a device to call for subsidy for ever but reaches a scale at which it can something that might be in place anyway. Debt advice is address more and more consumers, meaning that fewer also provided. We could argue that, at the high-cost end and fewer consumers need or want to access the types of of sub-prime, such lenders should make a greater lenders we have been discussing today. contribution, because of the detriment associated with them, but that does not require primary legislation. Fiona O’Donnell: Despite appearances, my hon. Friend The new clause would also have the Government the Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) and I are make provision for affordable credit to be available not taking part in a mother and daughter catalogue through credit unions. I would argue strongly that the photo shoot later. We should perhaps co-ordinate in Government have brought and are bringing forward future on what to wear when we are both taking part in measures to ensure that affordable credit is available to the same debate. vulnerable customers through credit unions. Through It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for East the credit union expansion project, tens of millions of Hampshire (Damian Hinds). He said that his Government pounds are being made available to modernise and are taking an interest in issues around payday lending. upgrade the sector. Through regulatory reform—the They are certainly taking something, although I am not passing, finally, of the legislative reform order—the sure whether it is just an interest. When he criticises increase in the monthly interest rate cap from 2% to 3% Labour, saying that for 13 years we did nothing, he fails makes competition with high-cost, short-term lenders a to recognise that there has been an incredible growth, little more possible. Also, as we were discussing, the cap certainly in my constituency, in the number of people on the interest charged in the commercial sector will at having to resort to payday lenders. They are having to least help to slow the apparently inexorable rise of that increase the amount they are borrowing from those sector. There are also things that the social lending lenders as well as their general debt levels. There is a sector must do. It has to step up to the plate on its cost of living crisis and poverty is the root cause, and marketing, branding and consistency of product offer. the Government should have acted more quickly. The There will have to be consolidation in the sector to hon. Gentleman is on the record as having said that provide the services that people want. self-regulation works, but even he has had to admit that I do not know whether the idea behind new clause 6 self-regulation of payday lending has not worked and in the mind of the hon. Member for Walthamstow came that it is time for action. from the recent IPPR report, on which she commented, Figures reported by StepChange last December showed which suggested that a one-off levy on high-cost lenders that among its clients, people seeking debt advice in would facilitate a great expansion in the social lending East Lothian, my constituency, are now saddled with sector. average payday loan debts of £1,864, £466 above the Scottish average. Mrs Main: Will my hon. Friend speak a little more slowly? The hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella Justin Tomlinson: I want to reassure the hon. Lady Creasy), on the Opposition Front Bench, is having that a number of us have worked on a cross-party basis trouble tweeting. She is trying to provide a running to push for the extra regulation the Government are commentary on his speech and perhaps if he went a introducing. At no point were we saying that self- little more slowly she would catch up. management would be fine. We were pushing for regulation and I am delighted that the Government are taking that Damian Hinds: I will always follow the hon. Member forward to protect vulnerable consumers. for Walthamstow, so I shall pay great attention to what Fiona O’Donnell: I wonder whether I can ask the hon. she has tweeted after the debate. Gentleman which door he pushed. Was it in the Aye I have a lot of sympathy with any measures proposed Lobby or the No Lobby when we voted on this issue? to help support the growth of the credit union sector. A Taking an interest is what we do in this House, but it is lot of things in the IPPR report are welcome and the action we take that matters. I am not aware of his positive, such as the idea of having credit unions in post having rebelled but perhaps I am misjudging him. I will offices, Church of England facilities and so on, but with gladly give way to him again on that point. respect to all concerned I would say that those are hardly first-time-out occurrences of the proposals. A Justin Tomlinson: I am afraid that the hon. Lady back-stop reclaim facility, through the benefit system, is confusing two issues. A huge amount of work has could also have some benefits. been done by the hon. Member for Makerfield (Yvonne 641 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 642

Fovargue), the hon. Member for Sheffield Central (Paul A cash injection to the credit union in my constituency Blomfield) and Members from all three parties. They to give it a high street presence would tackle the exploitation have come together to influence Government regulation that I see among the poorest and most vulnerable that has been introduced to protect vulnerable consumers. people. The hon. Lady is simply confusing two issues. I understand that Members have worked on a cross-party basis—I will now try to take back some of the earlier 4.15 pm sour remarks—but let us not be limited in our ambition Fiona O’Donnell: The two issues I am confusing are today. I hope that they will get behind the new clause what people say and what people do. and make a difference to the people who are suffering in our constituencies. I want to be helpful to the hon. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) on the e-mails that he is receiving from BrightHouse. I suggest that he follows Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): This is a up the matter with the Financial Conduct Authority. useful debate. The trouble with the new clause is that, The last time we debated high-cost loans, I spoke about unless we are careful, if we legislate in haste on complex my experience with Wonga. I had received an e-mail legal matters, we may be subject to the law of unintended offering me another loan when I was not aware that I consequences and make things worse. No one denies had ever had a loan. I was told that the e-mail had not that a lot of people are under tremendous financial come from Wonga, that it was some kind of fraud and stress, and we all want more transparency. I agree that not to worry about it. I have recently taken this up with on many occasions the law needs to be updated. the FCA, which now has some authority to deal with The hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) the issue. I think that the authority will be asking the talked about bills of sale and described them as a Government for more powers to get to grips with this. It Victorian product. In fact, bills of sale have been around suggested to me that a fraudulent application for a loan for centuries. The Bills of Sale Act dates from 1878, and had been made in my name; my contact details were was amended in 1882. That does not necessarily mean supplied, but Wonga failed to notify me of that and has that bills of sale are wrong in themselves. I looked up retained my data on its files, and that is why it has been the definition of “bill of sale”, which is marketing products to me. He may wish to take up his case with the FCA and perhaps check out his credit “a legal document made by the seller to a purchaser…that on a specific date at a specific locality and for a particular sum of rating—as I immediately did, to see whether the application money or other value received, the seller sold to the purchaser a had affected me. I admire his restraint in not rushing specific item of personal property, or parcel of real property, of from the Chamber at this very moment to do that. which he had lawful possession.” The exploitation that we have seen is plain and simple. It is a written instrument which evidences the transfer Payday loan companies are not called legal loan sharks of title to personal property from the vendor or seller to for no reason. They are predatory. They sniff out hunger, the vendee or sellee. For instance, a typical bill of sale home in on and exploit the difficult situations in which would be something very simple: “for the sum of X pounds so many of our constituents find themselves. The figures I hereby sell to Larry Smith full ownership of a green from one of my citizens advice bureaux in Haddington John Deere harvester.” showed that debt-related cases accounted for 51% of its total inquiries from April to June 2013, a rise in East A bill of sale is a simple, historic or traditional way of Lothian of more than 40% from the same quarter the ensuring the transfer of title. I agree with the hon. previous year. That is why Opposition Members have Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) that things been urging the Government to do something as quickly can become complicated, and that is evidenced in legal as possible. It is why we are saying that the cap needs to sources when a bill of sale is attached to a loan, as it can be introduced. It is welcome that the Government have be used as evidence of a loan and security for a loan; so changed their mind, but we would like to see that someone’s car, for instance, may be used as security for brought forward to 2014. People in my constituency a loan. and all our constituencies who are struggling with debt Just because some bills of sale are misused and some need help now. people suffer as a result of the process or are under legal While not everyone who borrows using a payday loan stress, that does not mean that we have to throw a gets into difficulties, enough do as a result of the terms century of careful legal practice and growth out of the of the loan that the industry is now making billions of window, as we might make things worse. If we over-regulate pounds. When one in three such loans are being used to legal loan providers, we may well force people into the pay off another payday loan, we need to call time on clutches of unregulated loan sharks. My suggestion to these lenders breaking their own codes of conduct and the Minister—and I agree that this is a serious problem—is step in to reform the industry. It is time to have a levy on that rather than attack bills of sale, which have been the industry so that companies have to give something around for a long time and have been used in an entirely back to the communities who are swelling their coffers reputable and correct way and entirely transparently to but suffering at the same time. The hon. Member for transfer ownership, or just throw them out of the window East Hampshire said that the money suddenly injected by accepting a new clause that has not been thought into credit unions would not have the impact that we through, the issue should go to the Law Commission, hoped. My constituency is served by a credit union, but which can study all the evidence and practice and it does not have a presence on the high street; it lacks ensure that we protect consumers, achieve full transparency, visibility. It works through employers such as East and modernise the law. We should not rush through Lothian council encouraging their employees to save Acts of Parliament that can make things worse for with them, but it does not reach the people who wander people under stress and force them into the hands of off the high street into The Cash Store or BrightHouse. loan sharks. 643 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 644

Jenny Willott: I welcome you, Mr Deputy Speaker, to to free debt advice at the point at which a loan is rolled our exciting debate this afternoon. The hon. Member over, and all payday lending adverts must include a risk for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) opened the debate by warning and information about where to get free debt saying that we had an opportunity to take action on advice. these issues. I completely agree, so I am sure she is absolutely delighted to see how much the Government Yvonne Fovargue: Will the Minister confirm that the have done to protect consumers and take action in amount raised by the levy will increase as the payday these areas. lenders are brought into it and that the amount paid We have debated a number of issues, and I shall run will remain the same and will not simply be spread more through them in turn. First, on the issue of high-cost or thinly among the lenders? payday lenders, hon. Members will know—certainly the hon. Lady knows this, as we have discussed it before—that Jenny Willott: To be totally honest, I do not know the the Government have taken robust action to curb the answer to that question, but I will write to the hon. harm these lenders can cause. On 1 April, responsibility Lady to clarify that point. for regulating payday lenders, along with all other consumer Similarly, the levy will duplicate the Government’s credit firms, transferred from the Office of Fair Trading existing support for credit unions. The Government are to the Financial Conduct Authority, as mentioned by a already investing £38 million to support the sustainable number of Members. The Government strongly welcome growth of credit unions to help them meet borrowers’ the FCA’s new, tough rules for regulating payday lending. needs, as highlighted by the hon. Member for East The FCA requires robust affordability checks, limits the Hampshire (Damian Hinds). Through that expansion, number of times that a payday loan can be rolled over credit unions could save people on low incomes up to to two, and places tough restrictions on lenders’ use of £1 billion in interest repayments, compared with going continuous payment authorities. As highlighted by a to a payday lender. number of Members, the Government have also legislated The Government therefore firmly believe that consumer to require the FCA to introduce a cap on the cost of choice and protection will be substantially strengthened payday loans to protect consumers from unfair costs. by the new FCA regime and the ongoing Government The FCA will consult on its proposals for the cap in the support for credit unions. For the first time, payday summer, and it will be in force no later than 2 January lenders and other consumer credit firms will start paying 2015. their fair share towards funding free debt advice through In addition, the FCA will thoroughly assess every the Money Advice Service, so the Government are payday lender’s fitness to trade as part of the authorisation already dealing with many of the issues that have been process. Given the risks to consumers, the FCA has said raised today. that those firms will be in the first phase of firms and Turning to debt management companies, the will be required to be fully authorised from October this Government share the concerns about the potential for year. The Government believe that the tough and decisive detriment to occur to consumers who take out debt action the FCA is taking, including the cap on the cost management plans. There has been increasing media of payday loans, will ensure that consumers are far attention and people are becoming increasingly aware better protected than they have been. of the problems affecting some consumers. I also recognise the importance of protecting that particularly vulnerable Justin Tomlinson: The welcome news is that the measures group of consumers. The Government’s focus is on are already making a difference, because a number of comprehensively reforming regulation in this sector. lenders have already withdrawn from the market, which Responsibility for regulating debt management firms, is a bonus for the vulnerable consumer. as with all other consumer credit firms, has been transferred from the OFT to the FCA. As with customers of payday Jenny Willott: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct. lenders, those participating in debt management plans We only have anecdotal evidence at the moment, but it will be far better protected under the new FCA is clear that a significant number of lenders have already regime. withdrawn from the market because they know they The FCA has stated publicly that debt management will not be able to comply with the rules, which are firms must start putting consumers first and that it is extremely tough. As he said, that is absolutely as it unacceptable that people who are struggling to make should be. People who cannot comply with the rules are ends meet are being talked into unsuitable plans. The withdrawing, and consumers are being protected as a Government have made sure that the FCA has robust result. powers to protect consumers who use debt management Free debt advice is currently funded by a levy on firms. The FCA is proactively monitoring the market lenders channelled via the Money Advice Service. As and has a broad range of enforcement tools that it can payday lenders are now regulated by the FCA, they too use to punish breaches of the rules. There is no limit on will contribute to the levy. The new clause tabled by the the fines it can levy. Crucially, it can force firms to pay hon. Member for Walthamstow would duplicate the redress to consumers. The FCA will thoroughly assess existing funding arrangements for debt advice. It is every debt management firm’s fitness to trade as part of important that we put on the record the fact that the authorisation process—the same process that applies payday lenders will be contributing to money advice to payday lenders. services via the levy. Given the risk to consumers, the FCA has said that It is also important to note that the FCA is taking debt management firms will be in the first phase of steps to ensure that vulnerable consumers are aware of credit firms that are required to be fully authorised. the free debt advice available to them. It requires all Its rules make it clear that the fees charged for debt high-cost, short-term lenders to signpost their customers management plans should not undermine the customer’s 645 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 646 ability to make significant repayments to their lenders that disclosure must also cover the consumer’s right to a throughout the duration of the debt management plan. refund if no credit agreement is entered into within six Concerns have been raised, including by the hon. Member months following an introduction. That relates to the for Walthamstow, about the huge proportion of somebody’s case raised by the hon. Member for Makerfield (Yvonne payment that, in some cases, goes to the debt management Fovargue). The FCA has made a range of other conduct firm rather than the creditors. That is a matter of rules that apply to credit brokers. Brokers are required significant concern. to comply with the high-level principle, which is general across the FCA credit services rules, of treating customers fairly. As I have said, it has a broad range of enforcement 4.30 pm tools it can use, including fines and forcing firms to As a result, the FCA set out in its guidance that debt pay redress. management firms should not allocate more than half On new clause 11, let me be clear that the Government the money received from customers in debt management completely share Members’ concern about the risk of plans to meeting the fees and charges from month 1 of consumer detriment in the consumer credit market. the plan, and that once the initial fee for the arrangement There is clear evidence that there may be problems. The of the plan has been paid, the proportion should reduce. rules that were put in place by the FCA from 1 April Because the practice of front-loading fees can make this year were made with the stated aims of ensuring debt problems worse before they get better, the FCA’s that firms lend only to borrowers who can afford it, and policy is designed to ensure that significant repayments increasing borrowers’ awareness of the costs and risks must always go towards outstanding debts with creditors of borrowing unaffordably and of ways to get help if right from the very start of the debt management plan, they have financial difficulties. so that progress is being made in paying off the debts. The FCA will be actively scrutinising the market, and it has flexible rule-making powers so that it can take Mrs Main: Does the Minister think there is any merit action if it finds that consumers are suffering due to in making people aware, potentially at school age, of poor services or products. Like payday lenders, debt exactly what they can afford and how they can manage management firms are required to signpost customers their personal finances? People often get themselves towards free, independent debt advice. The FCA has into a mess before they approach some of these loan put in place binding prudential rules for debt management sharks and high-interest places. It might be good if we firms that hold over £1 million of client money to help started this off at an earlier age. to protect customers if things go wrong. The Government believe that the new FCA regime will help to deliver a Jenny Willott: The hon. Lady makes an extremely diverse and reputable debt management market that is important point. There are some really good schemes in able to meet a range of consumers’ needs when they are schools across the country, but provision can be a bit struggling with debts. patchy. I have worked in schools in my constituency that are doing exactly that. Such matters can be extremely Although, as I have said, I am deeply concerned complex for people to understand, and learning about about some of the evidence we have seen of consumer them as part of the school curriculum before they get detriment caused by some of the fee-charging providers into debt can be extremely helpful. of debt management plans, I do not think we should unduly restrict consumers’ choice of debt management plan providers and products. As several hon. Members Justin Tomlinson: I reassure the Minister that, as of have said, there are some excellent providers of free September, that will be in the national curriculum, so all advice run by charities. I have some in my constituency, is under control. and I am sure that we find them across the whole country. Fee-charging debt management plan providers Jenny Willott: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman who are operating with consumers’ interests at heart for highlighting that. and in full compliance with the regulations can help to provide a wider range of solutions and products for Damian Hinds: To complete the set, may I use this consumers. Some consumers may prefer to use fee-charging opportunity to mention the important work done by providers in dealing with their debts. Removing such credit unions that operate junior savers clubs in schools providers from the market would reduce the options for in the constituencies of many hon. Members? It would and availability of debt management solutions for be great to have them in many more schools in many consumers who find themselves in financial difficulties, more places, so that young people get into a savings and that is not something the Government want to do. habit before they reach the first point at which they The issue of credit brokers has been raised. Brokers might take on consumer credit. who comply with the rules can play a role in a sustainable consumer credit market in helping consumers to access Jenny Willott: Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would credit by connecting them with lenders. To be fair, like to speak to the hon. Member for North Swindon brokers incur costs whether or not a consumer enters (Justin Tomlinson) about that. He raises a very important into a credit agreement with them. Prohibiting firms point: the more we can help young people to understand from charging fees could therefore push them towards a some of these complex financial systems and how to commission-driven business model, potentially creating manage money, hopefully, fewer people will end up in conflicts of interest and leading to a less transparent fee debt—particularly unaffordable debt—in the future. structure that would be worse for consumers. The FCA Returning to the FCA rules on hire-purchase rules require credit brokers to disclose their status and contracts for household goods and what has been called any fees that are payable before the consumer enters the “BrightHouse clause,” the FCA’s new rules will into the brokerage contract. The FCA has made it clear require firms to provide pre-contractual explanations 647 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 648

[Jenny Willott] the legislation underpinning logbook loans is old, lengthy and incredibly complex—and, as the hon. Member and information in line with European requirements. I for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) highlighted, the hope that answers the point made by a number of Government believe that the Law Commission is best Members on both sides of the House. The information placed to undertake a thorough assessment of how we will include the cash price of the goods being financed can bring the legislation up to date. It has responded and the total amount payable. The FCA rules will favourably to the Treasury request, and it will confirm require that information to be provided to consumers its upcoming work programme soon. before they sign up. I hope that will ensure greater transparency for customers. The hon. Member for Walthamstow raised concerns about people buying cars with outstanding loans against The rules also mean that firms have to adhere to them and about the impact on customers. She said that debt-collection rules—a point raised by the hon. Member a large proportion of second-hand cars are sold with for Makerfield—including treating customers who are pre-existing charges. The Bill, like the existing law, is in default or arrears with forbearance and due consideration. clear that there is a legal obligation on the seller to They also require firms to assess credit worthiness and notify the buyer of any outstanding charges. The Bill affordability, including the potential to impact adversely covers business-to-consumer sales, and sales between on the consumer’s financial situation and their ability to individual consumers have the same level of protection make repayments as they fall due. There are, therefore, under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, which provides that broad requirements on firms to try to tackle some of the seller must have the right to sell the goods. That the hon. Lady’s concerns about consumer detriment. applies to all contracts for the sale of goods, so it covers When firms sell associated insurance products, they private sales, in addition to purchases of goods from a must do so in line with the FCA’s requirements for shop or a business. Goods must be free from any assessing a consumer’s eligibility to claim on a product undisclosed charge or encumbrance, which applies to and the high-level principle of treating customers fairly. hire-purchase terms for goods sold on, as well as to Those are new requirements to ensure that we try to logbook loans. The private seller is in breach of contract tackle consumer detriment. The Government believe if they do have the right to sell, or if there are undisclosed that the tough and decisive action taken by the FCA charges on the goods, which means that the buyer can will ensure that customers are better protected as a get their money back from the private seller. result. The Government are concerned about the impact of Finally, we discussed the issue of logbook loans at unscrupulous traders in all these areas. That is why we some length in Committee and I completely understand have taken so much action and given such strong powers the concern about the potential for consumer detriment to the Financial Conduct Authority, and I do not as a result of these products. The Government believe believe that the Opposition’s new clauses are the right that people should be free to borrow and have the tools way forward. The Government’s approach is the right to make an informed decision about which credit product one for protecting consumers, particularly the most is right for them, but consumers should be confident vulnerable, and I hope the hon. Member for Walthamstow that they will be treated fairly and that the regulator will will withdraw new clause 6. step in when things go wrong. As the hon. Member for Walthamstow will be aware, logbook lenders now also fall under the responsibility Stella Creasy: We have had an interesting debate. I of the FCA. As I have said with regard to other credit acknowledge that there is interest in this issue, as well as firms, I believe that consumers will be far better protected experience and expertise, on both sides of the House, under the FCA regime than they have been in the past. which has been reflected in most of the speeches. I pay The FCA has been very clear that logbook lenders are particular tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for among the firms that it considers pose the greatest risk Makerfield (Yvonne Fovargue) who, for all of us, is a to consumers, and they will be in the first phase of firms touchstone on issues involving the consumer credit that have to be fully authorised from October. Logbook market. loans are defined by the FCA as higher risk activities and, as such, lenders face closer supervision and higher I put on the record my support for the work of the regulatory costs. hon. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) on the credit union movement. However, I must say that I Logbook loan providers are now also required to brook no argument from him when Government Members meet the standards the FCA expects of lenders in have had three chances—not one, not two, but three making thorough affordability checks and providing chances, or an almost biblical opportunity—to deal the adequate pre-contractual explanations to consumers. with payday lending and the cost of credit, but voted They are also subject to the high-level principle of against it. treating customers fairly. Indeed, the FCA considers this area to be a particular concern. It has said that it is In 140 characters, the hon. Member for St Albans “putting logbook lenders on notice”, (Mrs Main), like Shelley’s grandmother, shed much and that its new rules give it heat but not a lot of light on what Government Members will do about the issues that are to come. Our new “the power to tackle any firm found not putting customers’ clauses are about the new forms of legal loan sharking interests first.” and the new nightmares experienced by many of our It is therefore taking its new responsibilities very seriously. constituents. The hon. Lady is making a tapping noise. In addition to the FCA’s robust action, Treasury Is that her calculating the amount of money people Ministers have asked the Law Commission to look at have to pay out to the debt management and logbook how best to reform the Bills of Sale Act—as we know, loan companies? 649 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 650

Mrs Main: The hon. Lady is doing herself a disservice. New Clause 23 We are not point scoring. Many Government Members CONSUMER CREDIT: BILL OF SALE have concerns about debt. The tapping noise I was making refers to the fact that she seems unable to listen ‘(1) Where a person is a purchaser of goods subject to a bill of to comments from Government Members, and just sale, made in connection with a regulated agreement under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, in good faith and without notice of tweets her own self-promotion endlessly. the bill of sale, title to those goods shall pass to that person. (2) A creditor is not entitled to enforce a bill of sale made in Stella Creasy: The hon. Lady may be horrified about connection with a regulated agreement by recovering possession letting the public know what she and Government of the goods except through an order of the court. Members have been saying, but we are not. Government (3) If goods are recovered by the creditor in contravention to Members may be confident in their commitment to the subsection (2)— idea that they are somehow tackling the cost of living, (a) the bill of sale will be treated as invalidly made; and but when it comes to opportunities to make progress on (b) the debtor shall be released from any outstanding such things as logbook loans or debt management fees, liability under the regulated agreement. they have nothing to say and they should rightly be held (4) If the creditor has disposed of goods taken in to account not just in the House, but online. She would contravention of subsection (2) the debtor shall be compensated do well to reflect on such matters. to the value of those goods.’.—(Stella Creasy.) Brought up, and read the First time. I want to move on to what hon. Members have Question put, That the clause be read a Second time. mentioned in the debate, but may I tell my hon. Friend The House divided: Ayes 221, Noes 293. the Member for East Lothian (Fiona O’Donnell) that I Division No. 276] [4.46 pm consider us to be master and apprentice in our dress today? She pointed out that the Government seem to AYES have a problem with the doors when it comes to voting Abbott, Ms Diane Cunningham, Alex the right way on consumer credit matters. Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Cunningham, Mr Jim Alexander, Heidi Cunningham, Sir Tony Let me pay tribute to the Minister and the members Ali, Rushanara Curran, Margaret of the Sharkstoppers campaign. To hear a Minister in Allen, Mr Graham Danczuk, Simon this Government talking about the action that they will Ashworth, Jonathan Davidson, Mr Ian Austin, Ian Davies, Geraint take on payday lending is a tribute to the work of all Bailey, Mr Adrian De Piero, Gloria those campaigners across the country. I want to give her Bain, Mr William Denham, rh Mr John the benefit of the doubt when she says that this Government Balls, rh Ed Dobson, rh Frank want to make payday lenders pay their fair share. She Banks, Gordon Docherty, Thomas was extremely honest about the fact that she has no idea Barron, rh Kevin Donohoe, Mr Brian H. how much money payday lenders will contribute to the Bayley, Hugh Doran, Mr Frank cost of providing debt advice. We want to return to the Beckett, rh Margaret Doughty, Stephen issue in the Lords once we get that information, but we Benn, rh Hilary Dowd, Jim are happy to wait for the Minister to come back with Benton, Mr Joe Doyle, Gemma the sums, to show that payday lenders are paying their Berger, Luciana Dromey, Jack fair share. We are pleased that the Financial Conduct Betts, Mr Clive Dugher, Michael Authority is looking at the outrageous practice of charging Blackman-Woods, Roberta Durkan, Mark people in debt with debt management fees, and we will Blears, rh Hazel Eagle, Ms Angela Blomfield, Paul Eagle, Maria wait to see what the Government bring forward, and Blunkett, rh Mr David Edwards, Jonathan consider these issues again in the Lords in terms of Brennan, Kevin Efford, Clive whether fees should be abolished outright. Brown, Lyn Elliott, Julie Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Ellman, Mrs Louise Brown, Mr Russell Engel, Natascha 4.45 pm Buck, Ms Karen Esterson, Bill I say to the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Burden, Richard Evans, Chris Leigh) that there are many traditions worth defending: Byrne, rh Mr Liam Field, rh Mr Frank Campbell, rh Mr Alan Fitzpatrick, Jim free speech, the last night of the proms, complaining Campbell, Mr Ronnie Flello, Robert about the weather—all great British traditions. However, Caton, Martin Flint, rh Caroline being ripped off is not one of them, and it is time we Champion, Sarah Flynn, Paul called time on the rip-off that is a logbook loan and the Chapman, Jenny Fovargue, Yvonne way that bill of sale agreements are being used. Indeed, Clark, Katy Francis, Dr Hywel from what the Government say, they agree. Why leave Clarke, rh Mr Tom Gapes, Mike our constituents lingering any longer under these outrageous Clwyd, rh Ann Gardiner, Barry and outmoded forms of contract? We want to push new Coaker, Vernon Glass, Pat clause 23 to a vote and say goodbye to bill of sale Coffey, Ann Glindon, Mrs Mary agreements and the exploitation of our constituents. We Connarty, Michael Godsiff, Mr Roger hear fine words from Government Members about how Cooper, Rosie Greatrex, Tom they want action on consumer credit, so let us see some Corbyn, Jeremy Green, Kate action for a change—join us. Crausby, Mr David Greenwood, Lilian Creagh, Mary Griffith, Nia I beg to ask leave to withdraw new clause 6. Creasy, Stella Hain, rh Mr Peter Cruddas, Jon Hamilton, Mr David New clause 6, by leave, withdrawn. Cryer, John Hamilton, Fabian 651 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 652

Hanson, rh Mr David Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Baker, Steve Farron, Tim Harris, Mr Tom Morris, Grahame M. Baldry, rh Sir Tony Featherstone, Lynne Havard, Mr Dai (Easington) Barclay, Stephen Field, Mark Healey, rh John Munn, Meg Bebb, Guto Foster, rh Mr Don Hendrick, Mark Murphy, rh Paul Beith, rh Sir Alan Fox,rhDrLiam Hepburn, Mr Stephen Murray, Ian Bellingham, Mr Henry Francois, rh Mr Mark Hermon, Lady Nandy, Lisa Beresford, Sir Paul Freeman, George Heyes, David Nash, Pamela Berry, Jake Freer, Mike Hillier, Meg Onwurah, Chi Bingham, Andrew Fullbrook, Lorraine Hodge, rh Margaret Owen, Albert Binley, Mr Brian Fuller, Richard Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Perkins, Toby Blunt, Crispin Garnier, Sir Edward Hoey, Kate Phillipson, Bridget Boles, Nick Gauke, Mr David Hood, Mr Jim Pound, Stephen Bone, Mr Peter George, Andrew Hopkins, Kelvin Powell, Lucy Bottomley, Sir Peter Gibb, Mr Nick Howarth, rh Mr George Qureshi, Yasmin Brady, Mr Graham Gilbert, Stephen Hunt, Tristram Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Brake, rh Tom Glen, John Irranca-Davies, Huw Reed, Mr Jamie Bray, Angie Goldsmith, Zac Jackson, Glenda Reed, Mr Steve Brazier, Mr Julian Goodwill, Mr Robert James, Mrs Siân C. Reynolds, Emma Bridgen, Andrew Gove, rh Michael Jamieson, Cathy Reynolds, Jonathan Brine, Steve Gray, Mr James Jarvis, Dan Robertson, Angus Brokenshire, James Green, rh Damian Johnson, rh Alan Robertson, John Brooke, Annette Greening, rh Justine Johnson, Diana Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Browne, Mr Jeremy Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Jones, Graham Roy, Lindsay Bruce, Fiona Griffiths, Andrew Jones, Helen Ruane, Chris Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Gummer, Ben Jones, Mr Kevan Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Buckland, Mr Robert Gyimah, Mr Sam Jones, Susan Elan Sarwar, Anas Burley, Mr Aidan Halfon, Robert Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Sawford, Andy Burns, rh Mr Simon Hames, Duncan Kane, Mike Seabeck, Alison Burrowes, Mr David Hammond, rh Mr Philip Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Shannon, Jim Burstow, rh Paul Hancock, Matthew Keeley, Barbara Sharma, Mr Virendra Burt, Lorely Hands, rh Greg Kendall, Liz Shuker, Gavin Cable, rh Vince Harper, Mr Mark Khan, rh Sadiq Skinner, Mr Dennis Cairns, Alun Harrington, Richard Lammy, rh Mr David Slaughter, Mr Andy Cameron, rh Mr David Harris, Rebecca Lavery, Ian Smith, rh Mr Andrew Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Hart, Simon Lazarowicz, Mark Smith, Nick Carswell, Mr Douglas Harvey, Sir Nick Leslie, Chris Smith, Owen Cash, Mr William Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Spellar, rh Mr John Chishti, Rehman Hayes, rh Mr John Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Straw, rh Mr Jack Clappison, Mr James Heald, Oliver Long, Naomi Stringer, Graham Clark, rh Greg Heath, Mr David Lucas, Caroline Stuart, Ms Gisela Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Heaton-Harris, Chris Lucas, Ian Tami, Mark Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hemming, John MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Thomas, Mr Gareth Coffey, Dr Thérèse Henderson, Gordon Mactaggart, Fiona Turner, Karl Collins, Damian Hendry, Charles Mahmood, Shabana Twigg, Derek Colvile, Oliver Herbert, rh Nick Malhotra, Seema Twigg, Stephen Cox, Mr Geoffrey Hinds, Damian Mann, John Vaz, rh Keith Crockart, Mike Hoban, Mr Mark Marsden, Mr Gordon Walley, Joan Davies, David T. C. Hollobone, Mr Philip McCabe, Steve Watson, Mr Tom (Monmouth) Hopkins, Kris McCann, Mr Michael Watts, Mr Dave Davies, Glyn Howarth, Sir Gerald McCarthy, Kerry Weir, Mr Mike Davies, Philip Howell, John McClymont, Gregg Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Davis, rh Mr David Hughes, rh Simon McDonagh, Siobhain Whitehead, Dr Alan de Bois, Nick Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy McDonald, Andy Williams, Hywel Dinenage, Caroline Hunter, Mark McDonnell, John Williamson, Chris Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Huppert, Dr Julian McGovern, Alison Wilson, Phil Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Hurd, Mr Nick McGovern, Jim Winnick, Mr David Dorries, Nadine Jackson, Mr Stewart McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Doyle-Price, Jackie James, Margot McKenzie, Mr Iain Wood, Mike Drax, Richard Javid, rh Sajid Duddridge, James Jenkin, Mr Bernard McKinnell, Catherine Woodcock, John Meacher, rh Mr Michael Duncan, rh Mr Alan Johnson, Gareth Wright, David Mearns, Ian Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Johnson, Joseph Wright, Mr Iain Miller, Andrew Ellis, Michael Jones, Andrew Mitchell, Austin Tellers for the Ayes: Ellison, Jane Jones, rh Mr David Moon, Mrs Madeleine Tom Blenkinsop and Ellwood, Mr Tobias Jones, Mr Marcus Morden, Jessica Julie Hilling Elphicke, Charlie Kawczynski, Daniel Eustice, George Kelly, Chris NOES Evans, Graham Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Adams, Nigel Andrew, Stuart Evans, Mr Nigel Kirby, Simon Evennett, Mr David Knight, rh Sir Greg Afriyie, Adam Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Fabricant, Michael Kwarteng, Kwasi Aldous, Peter Bacon, Mr Richard Fallon, rh Michael Lamb, Norman 653 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 654

Lancaster, Mark Redwood, rh Mr John Wright, Simon Tellers for the Noes: Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Rees-Mogg, Jacob Yeo, Mr Tim Harriett Baldwin and Latham, Pauline Reevell, Simon Young, rh Sir George Gavin Barwell Laws, rh Mr David Reid, Mr Alan Zahawi, Nadhim Leadsom, Andrea Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Lee, Jessica Robertson, rh Hugh Question accordingly negatived. Lee, Dr Phillip Robertson, Mr Laurence Leech, Mr John Rosindell, Andrew Lefroy, Jeremy Rudd, Amber New Clause 8 Leigh, Sir Edward Russell, Sir Bob Leslie, Charlotte Rutley, David Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Sanders, Mr Adrian RIGHT TO SUPPLY TICKETS TO EVENTS OF NATIONAL Lewis, Brandon Sandys, Laura SIGNIFICANCE Lewis, Dr Julian Scott, Mr Lee ‘(1) The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Selous, Andrew instrument designate an event to be of national significance. Lilley, rh Mr Peter Shapps, rh Grant (2) Where an event has been so designated under subsection Lloyd, Stephen Sharma, Alok (1) the Secretary of State may grant permission for the Lopresti, Jack Shelbrooke, Alec organising body to impose additional terms and conditions on Luff, Sir Peter Shepherd, Sir Richard the sale of tickets for the event, including— Lumley, Karen Simpson, Mr Keith (a) the power to specify persons to act as official traders Macleod, Mary Skidmore, Chris authorised to sell tickets for the event; Main, Mrs Anne Smith, Chloe (b) the power to withdraw tickets advertised by a person Maynard, Paul Smith, Henry who is not authorised as an official trader; and McCartney, Jason Smith, Julian (c) the power to recall unsold tickets from official traders. McCartney, Karl Smith, Sir Robert (3) Where an event has been so designated under subsection McIntosh, Miss Anne Soames, rh Nicholas (1) it shall be an offence for any person other than an official McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Soubry, Anna trader to sell tickets for the event— McPartland, Stephen Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline (a) in a public place or in the course of a business; and Menzies, Mark Stephenson, Andrew Metcalfe, Stephen Stevenson, John (b) otherwise than in accordance with written authorisation from the organising body. Miller, rh Maria Stewart, Iain Milton, Anne Stewart, Rory (4) For the purposes of this section— Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Streeter, Mr Gary “ticket” means anything which is or purports to be a Moore, rh Michael Stride, Mel ticket for the designated event; Mordaunt, Penny Stuart, Mr Graham “selling” includes a reference to— Morgan, Nicky Sturdy, Julian (a) offering to sell a ticket; Morris, Anne Marie Swales, Ian (b) exposing a ticket for sale; Morris, David Swayne, rh Mr Desmond (c) advertising that a ticket is available for Morris, James Swire, rh Mr Hugo purchase; and Mosley, Stephen Syms, Mr Robert (d) giving, or offering to give, a ticket to a person Mowat, David Tapsell, rh Sir Peter who pays or agrees to pay for some other Mulholland, Greg Teather, Sarah goods or services. Mundell, rh David Thurso, John “organising body” means a person specified by the Munt, Tessa Tomlinson, Justin Secretary of State as responsible for organising of Neill, Robert Tredinnick, David the event. Newton, Sarah Truss, Elizabeth (5) A person shall (without prejudice to the generality of Nokes, Caroline Uppal, Paul subsection (3)(a)) be treated as acting in the course of a business Nuttall, Mr David Vaizey, Mr Edward if he does anything as a result of which he makes a profit or aims O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Vara, Mr Shailesh to make a profit. Offord, Dr Matthew Vickers, Martin (6) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (3) Ollerenshaw, Eric Walker, Mr Charles by advertising that a ticket is available for purchase if— Opperman, Guy Walker, Mr Robin (a) the sale of the ticket if purchased would be in the Ottaway, rh Sir Richard Wallace, Mr Ben course of a business only by reason of subsection (5); Paice, rh Sir James Walter, Mr Robert and Parish, Neil Weatherley, Mike (b) the person does not know, and could not reasonably be Paterson, rh Mr Owen Webb, Steve expected to discover, that subsection (5) would apply Pawsey, Mark Wharton, James to the sale. Penning, rh Mike Wheeler, Heather (7) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (3) Penrose, John White, Chris (whether actual or inchoate) only by virtue of making facilities Percy, Andrew Whittaker, Craig available in connection with electronic communication or the Perry, Claire Wiggin, Bill storage of electronic data. Phillips, Stephen Willetts, rh Mr David (8) Where a person who provides services for electronic Pickles, rh Mr Eric Williams, Mr Mark communication or for the storage of electronic data discovers Pincher, Christopher Williams, Roger that they are being used in connection with the commission of an Poulter, Dr Daniel Williams, Stephen offence under subsection (3), the defence in subsection (7) does Prisk, Mr Mark Williamson, Gavin not apply in respect of continued provision of the services after Pugh, John Willott, Jenny the shortest time reasonably required to withdraw them. Raab, Mr Dominic Wilson, Mr Rob (9) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) shall be Randall, rh Sir John Wollaston, Dr Sarah liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on Reckless, Mark Wright, Jeremy the standard scale. 655 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 656

(10) Section 32(2)(b) of the Police and Criminal Evidence (c) all costs associated with the recall action are borne by Act 1984 (c. 60) (power to search premises) shall, in its the responsible economic actor. application to the offence under subsection (3) above, permit the (4) The Secretary of State will periodically gather and make searching of a vehicle which a constable reasonably thinks was publicly available information relating to safety incidents caused used in connection with the offence. by recalled goods, and estimates of how many such goods still (11) Subsection (13) applies where a person in Scotland is remain unaccounted for. arrested in connection with the commission of an offence under (5) The effectiveness of recall actions, and the procedures in subsection (3). place to achieve successful recalls, will be the subject of periodic (12) For the purposes of recovering evidence relating to the review by the Secretary of State, with reference to public offence, a constable in Scotland may without warrant enter and information on recalls in subsection (4) and any other relevant search— data. (a) premises in which the person was when arrested or (6) The Secretary of State may create or designate a body to immediately before he was arrested; and act as a consumer product safety and recall authority. (b) a vehicle which the constable reasonably believes is (7) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for the being used or was used in connection with the authority to— offence. (a) act to protect the public from identifiable and (13) Subsection (12) is without prejudice to any power of entry unreasonable risks of injury, death or household risk or search which is otherwise exercisable by a constable in from consumer products; Scotland. (b) review products, test products, or receive or (14) A statutory instrument containing an order under commission reports from other competent persons; subsection (1) is not to be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each (c) direct corrective action to be taken by relevant House of Parliament.’.—(Stella Creasy.) economic actors, regulators or authorities; Brought up, and read the First time. (d) ensure and direct forms of consumer registration, from purchase of products, with databases which will be Stella Creasy: I beg to move, That the clause be read conducive to optimal fulfilment of (a) and (c) above; a Second time. (e) require notification by economic actors, including manufacturers, brand suppliers or traders, of Mr Deputy Speaker: With this it will be convenient to significant evidence of concern in respect of the discuss the following: consumer safety of relevant products; and (f) provide for accessible, intelligible information and New clause 12—Right to full refund: ticketed events— advice to be available to consumers and relevant ‘An event organiser must issue a full cash refund where their economic actors in respect of product safety, tickets are returned to them up to 24 hours before the start of the corrective actions and other guidances relevant to the event.’. authority’s work. New clause 13—Goods to be as described: meat (8) For the purposes of subsections (4), (5), (6) and (7), the products— Secretary of State must consult with— ‘(1) All products containing halal and kosher meat shall be (a) market regulators; labelled as such at the point of sale by retail and food outlets. (b) relevant authorities; and (2) A food outlet is anywhere where food is served to the (c) any other bodies he thinks appropriate. public.’. (9) For the purposes of this section “economic actor” means— New clause 14—Communications services: change of (a) a “trader” as defined in section 2(2); or service provider— (b) a manufacturer of “goods” as defined in section 2(8).’. ‘(1) Section 3 of the Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows. This new clause would enable new provision to be made regarding recall actions where a level of consumer safety risk has been (2) At the end of subsection (2)(b) insert “with a switching identified. It would allow the Secretary of State to review and add process that is led by the receiving communications service to arrangements for corrective action for the protection of provider”.’. consumer safety. New clause 15—Right to corrective action— New clause 16—Secondary ticketing platforms: product ‘(1) This section applies if either— and seller information— (a) the responsible economic actor has identified that ‘(1) The Secretary of State shall issue guidance to all traders goods supplied present a health and safety risk to the who operate as secondary ticketing platforms on the application consumer; or of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and (b) the appropriate authority has identified that goods Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. supplied present a risk to the public safety; and (2) Guidance issued under section (1) shall include how as a result, the product is subject to corrective action by either secondary ticketing platforms must inform consumers of— party (a “recall action”). (a) the chosen identity of the seller; (2) The consumer has the right to expect that the responsible economic actor for any goods supplied subject to a recall action (b) the country of residence of the seller; must take all reasonable steps to inform all persons affected, or (c) information provided by previous buyers on the likely to be affected by the safety risks from the goods, within the reliability of the seller and the tickets he has sold; shortest period of time practicable. (d) information on any complaints made against the seller (3) The consumer, if placed at risk by goods subject to a recall for failing to supply tickets; action, has the right to prompt and effective action by the (e) information on any complaints made against the seller economic actor of that product to ensure that— for supplying fraudulent or invalidated tickets; and (a) the defect posing a safety risk to any persons affected (f) information on all other accounts currently or or likely to be affected is eliminated; previously held with the secondary ticketing platform (b) the actions required to achieve (a) do not cause linked to the seller by virtue of personal, financial significant inconvenience to the consumer; and and contact information provided by them. 657 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 658

(3) Guidance issued under section (1) shall set out how (f) information on all other accounts currently or information required under Part 2 of the Consumer Contracts previously held with the secondary ticketing platform (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations linked to the seller by virtue of personal, financial 2013 shall be— and contact information provided by him; (a) accurate; and (g) information provided by previous buyers of the (b) prominently displayed before a buyer is able to reliability of the seller and the tickets he has sold; purchase. (h) information on any complaints made against the seller for failing to supply tickets, and the resolution of (4) Guidance issued under section (1) shall set out how those complaints; secondary ticketing platforms must disclose clearly if the seller of the ticket is— (i) the VAT registration number of the seller, if applicable; and (a) the secondary ticketing platform themselves; (j) information on any complaints made against the seller (b) individuals employed by the secondary ticketing for supplying fraudulent or invalidated tickets, and platform; the resolution of those complaints. (c) other companies linked to employees, directors or (3) Information provided under subsection (1) must be— shareholders of the secondary ticketing platform; (a) accurate; and (d) the event organiser or an agent acting on their behalf; or (b) prominently displayed before a buyer is able to complete their purchase. (e) any other party connected to the event organiser of the event. (4) Secondary ticketing platforms must disclose clearly and prominently where the seller of the ticket is— (5) Guidance issued under section (1) shall set out the status of tickets as unique goods with distinct characteristics which would (a) the secondary ticketing platform themselves; affect— (b) individuals employed by the secondary ticketing (a) the enjoyment of the good by the consumer; platform; (b) the use of the good by the consumer; or (c) other companies linked to employees, directors or shareholders of the secondary ticketing platform; (c) the inherent value of the good in questions. (d) the event organiser or an agent acting on their behalf; (6) Where a ticket is sold through a secondary ticketing or platform, guidance issued under section (1) shall set out how the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional (e) any other party connected to the organisation of the Charges) Regulations 2013 apply to tickets as unique goods, event. including— (5) Where a seller offers for sale more than 20 tickets to the (a) how sellers must provide all relevant information about same event, the secondary ticketing platform must take the ticket including but not limited to the face value reasonable steps to verify the validity of the tickets.’. of the ticket and a designated seat or ticket number; New clause 19—Secondary ticketing platforms: ticket (b) how secondary ticketing platforms will publish all the information— information about a ticket provided by the seller in a ‘(1) Where a ticket is sold through a secondary ticketing prominent and clear way; and platform— (c) what sanctions will apply for failing to provide this (a) the seller must provide all relevant information about information under the regulations.’. the ticket; and New clause 17—Secondary ticketing platforms: fraudulent (b) the secondary ticketing platform must publish all the tickets— information about a ticket provided by the seller in a ‘(1) Where a secondary ticketing platform becomes aware that prominent and clear way. sellers using their service have acquired tickets through illegal (2) Information to be requested by the secondary ticketing methods, or are selling fraudulent tickets, they have a duty to platform and provided by the seller for the purposes of report this to the relevant law enforcement agency immediately. subsection (1) should include, but is not limited to— (2) A secondary ticketing platform must meet any lawful (a) the face value of the ticket; requests for information on sellers made by law enforcement (b) any age or other restrictions on the user of the ticket; agencies or courts. and (3) Where a law enforcement agency has notified a secondary (c) the designated block, row, seat or ticket number, where ticketing platform that a ticket advertised through their service is, applicable. or is suspected to be, fraudulent, the secondary ticketing (3) Where tickets are being resold in contravention of the platform must remove that ticket and suspend the seller’s terms and conditions agreed to by the original purchaser, this activities immediately.’. must be stated prominently by the secondary ticketing platform New clause 18—Secondary ticketing platforms: seller at every stage of the purchasing process. profiles— (4) Information provided by virtue of this section must be— ‘(1) Secondary ticketing platforms must provide a profile of (a) accurate; and information on sellers using their service. (b) prominently displayed before a buyer is able to (2) Profile information provided under subsection (1) must complete their purchase.’. include, but is not limited to— New clause 20—Secondary ticketing platforms: (a) the name of the seller; compensation— (b) the country of residence of the seller; ‘(1) Secondary ticketing platforms must reimburse reasonable (c) if the seller is a company or business, its registered costs to a buyer where a ticket sold through their service is number, if any; fraudulent or invalidated. (d) if the seller is a company or business, its registered (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), reasonable costs must office or address for service; include, but are not limited to— (e) a list of all current and past inventory sold or offered (a) the price paid for the ticket by the buyer, inclusive of for sale by the seller; all service and delivery charges; 659 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 660

(b) all travel expenses incurred by the buyer in travelling (b) not include credit checks of person seeking from their place of residence to the location of the accommodation. event for which they had purchased the ticket; and (5) Where a person unlawfully demands or accepts payment (c) any accommodation expenses incurred by the buyer for under this section in the course of his employment, the employer the sole purpose of attending the event for which or principal of that person shall also be guilty of an offence. they had purchased the ticket. (6) A person shall not be guilty of an offence under this (3) For the purposes of subsection (1), reasonable costs should section by reason of his demanding or accepting payment of rent be defined as a total amount not exceeding twice the total or a tenancy deposit within the meaning of section 212(8) of the purchase price of the ticket or tickets in question, including all Housing Act 2004. additional fees and taxes paid. (7) A person shall not be guilty of an offence under this (4) Claims made by a buyer against a secondary ticketing section by reason of his demanding or accepting a holding platform under this section must be proven by receipts or other deposit. documentary proof. (8) A “holding deposit” for the purposes of subsection (7) is— (5) The secondary ticketing platform must settle any claims (a) a sum of money demanded of or accepted from a under this section within 40 working days, other than where a person, in good faith for the purpose of giving suspected fraud or abuse related to the transaction in question is priority to that person in relation to the letting of a the subject of an ongoing investigation by the relevant statutory specific property, which is to be credited towards the authority. tenancy deposit or rent upon the grant of the tenancy of that property, and (6) Secondary ticketing platforms are permitted to take all necessary action to recover any monies paid out to consumers (b) not greater than two weeks rent for the under this section from the seller of the ticket.’. accommodation in question. New clause 21—Secondary ticketing platforms: (9) Costs incurred by persons seeking accommodation for the definitions— undertaking of credit checks shall be reimbursed upon the signing of a tenancy agreement. ‘(1) A “secondary ticketing platform” means a person or (10) In this section, any reference to the grant or renewal of a company operating an internet-based facility for the resale of tenancy shall include the grant or renewal or continuance of a tickets to events including in the United Kingdom, regardless of lease or licence of, or other right or permission to occupy, the country in which the owner of the service is registered. residential premises. (2) A “ticket” means anything which purports to be a ticket, (11) In this section “rent” shall include any occupation charge including any item, tangible or intangible, which grants the under a licence.’. holder entry to an event. Amendment 6, in clause 2, page 2, line 15, at end (3) An “event” means any sporting, music or cultural activity taking place at a specified time and place for which tickets are insert— issued and required for entry or attendance. ‘(3A) The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument provide that those who represent businesses with (4) An “event organiser” means the person or persons fewer than 10 employees and are purchasing goods or services for responsible for organising and holding an event and receiving the use within their commercial activities will be considered revenue from the event. consumers.’. (5) A “fraudulent ticket” means a forged or duplicated ticket. Government amendments 9 to 14 (6) An “invalidated ticket” means a ticket which has been Amendment 5, in clause 48, page 30, line 3, leave out cancelled by the event organiser, or an agent acting on their behalf, after being issued.’. from ‘(5)’ to ‘resolution’ and insert ‘may not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by’. New clause 22—Prohibition of fees in contracts for services: letting of residential accommodation— Government amendment 15 Amendment 20, in clause 84, page 43, line 14, at end ‘(1) The provisions in this section apply to a contract for a trader to supply a service in connection with the letting of a insert— residential premises. ‘(2A) Section [Prohibition of fees in contracts for services: letting of residential accommodation] extends only to England.’. (2) Subject to the provisions of this section, any person who demands or accepts payment of any sum of money from a person (“P”) for services in connection with a contract for the 5pm letting of residential premises shall be guilty of an offence. Stella Creasy: Like a pub quiz, we now come to the (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), P is any person— lucky dip round of the Bill, with a number of different (a) who seeks to enter a contract to let residential issues being taken together. I am conscious that many accommodation, or Members wish to speak, so I will keep my remarks brief. (b) who has a tenancy of, or other right or permission to [HON.MEMBERS: “Hear, hear.”] I am always eager to occupy, residential premises. please. (4) For the purposes of subsection (2)— Let me start with new clause 8. A number of provisions “letting” shall include any service provided in connection with have been proposed to deal with ticket touting—a subject the advertisement or marketing of residential accommodation or about which I know many Members feel strongly. I shall with the grant or renewal of a tenancy; also deal with new clause 22, which deals with fees. We “services shall — have already tried today to abolish fees for debt management, and we would now like to abolish fees for (a) include, and are not limited to— tenants, which is what consumers need. I shall also talk (i) the registration of persons seeking accommodation, about businesses and consumers, new clauses 13 to 15 (ii) the selection of prospective occupiers, and and the Government amendments. (iii) any work associated with the production or Ticket touting is an issue about which many of us are completion of written agreements or other relevant concerned. We see the damage it is doing to a range of documents. industries by distorting prices and access to entertainment 661 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 662 activities. Ticket bot machines—I am not sure whether hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive Efford) and all Members are aware of them—are pieces of software the tireless campaigning he has done on the forthcoming that impersonate individual visitors to ticket vendor rugby world cup. Millions of fans will not be able to websites and automatically make multiple ticket purchases. attend events because of the actions of these companies What does that mean in practice? It means that many of and the touts. us as fans of music, sport or light entertainment do not Thirdly, we want to strengthen co-operation between get a look in. It means that millions of fans have never the enforcement agencies and the secondary sites so been able to get a ticket for a range of different events that there is more protection for consumers and we can because all the tickets are sold out within minutes: they all be confident that when we buy a ticket for something, are sold to a machine, not to fellow fans. Those tickets it is what we think it is and we can get a ticket in the first are then resold at an exorbitant price. place. According to Ticketmaster USA, one group of scalpers were requesting 200,000 tickets a day in this way. We Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): Would my hon. certainly know that the secondary ticket market for the Friend’s suggested reforms be able to deal with the resale of tickets is worth up to £1 billion a year. Those appalling situation highlighted by my hon. Friend the MPs who are members of the Monty Python fan club—I Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith) whereby see it in many of their speeches as they are certainly tickets for next year’s rugby world cup in the Cardiff “the knights who say ‘Ni!’”—will be aware of the Millennium centre—good stadium that it is—are now outcry after all the tickets for the Monty Python show on sale for £1,560 for a £250 ticket? I would have disappeared in that way. Perhaps the Monty Python thought that £250 is enough for the average rugby foot will fall on me for making that joke—the hon. follower, but £1,560 is an absolute disgrace. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) seems to be making a face to suggest that it should. Those of us Stella Creasy: The new clauses and amendments who are fans of the Stone Roses were horrified to see would deal with that. I understand that the tickets for the band’s gigs automatically sell out in that way. Tickets the rugby world cup are not yet formally on sale. The for a Kate Bush gig were also taken out. They were fact that they are already being marketed on secondary originally sold for £49 but within minutes were on a sites at such prices demonstrates the scale of the problem resale site for £490. For the Stone Roses, tickets that that we need to tackle. should have been a mere £55 were being sold for £1,000 I pay tribute to the tremendous and tireless work that a time—well beyond the means of the average fan of has been done by my hon. Friend the Member for such phenomenal music. Washington and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson), who The Secretary of State has claimed that ticket resellers will speak about her new clauses later. I also pay tribute are classic entrepreneurs because they fill a gap that to what has been done by the hon. Member for Hove they have identified in the market. With the greatest (Mike Weatherley). I know that the hon. Member for respect, I fear that the new Secretary of State has Shipley (Philip Davies), who has also tabled a new misunderstood the market in ticket sales and quite what clause on this subject, shares the widespread concern these businesses are doing by distorting people’s access. that is felt. He presumes that consumers are able to compete fairly against these automatic machines, but that is simply not Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): Will the hon. Lady the case. give way? Let me be clear that our amendments are not designed to stop the resale of tickets. I told the Committee and I Stella Creasy: I will, but only briefly, because I am will tell the House that I was deeply disappointed to conscious of the time, and I know that the hon. Gentleman have to sit here late one evening and give up my tickets wants to talk about a number of new clauses and to see the great band, the Wonder Stuff. My hon. Friend amendments himself. the Member for Wolverhampton North East (Emma Reynolds) will know of the band’s work. I was looking Philip Davies: Given what the hon. Lady said about to resell my tickets and, as a genuine fan, I wanted it to not wanting to encourage the secondary ticket market, go to another fan so that they could hear the beauty may I take it as read that she will support my new and the wonder that is “Dizzy”. clause 12, which would guarantee people a refund from the organiser if they are not able to go to the event? If What we are talking about is finding a way to make they cannot go and they cannot get a refund, they will this work for the fans and the consumers, rather than not have much choice other than to sell the ticket on. the botnets. Our new clauses deal with the three clear issues. First, we want to apply to the secondary market Stella Creasy: I think that the hon. Gentleman’s new the guidance about what information should be provided clause responds to a slightly different challenge, and to a consumer when buying a product. There is clearly a presents a practical challenge in relation to how it could gap in which these companies are profiting. There is be applied, but let me make one thing very clear, in case confusion and a lack of information about what people he did not hear me say it the first time. We are not are being sold. Some of us have had constituents tell us suggesting that there should not be a market for the that they have been sold a ticket through a secondary selling on of tickets; we are saying that what the ticket reseller market only to find that it is a fake. touts are doing is distorting the market for consumers. Secondly, we want to give greater protection for That is separate from the issue of whether people can events of national significance. We know that there is obtain a refund within 24 hours. Let me caution the widespread concern across the sporting industry about hon. Gentleman that some aspects of his proposal may the real fans being locked out of games by these kinds not work in a practical sense, whereas we are presenting of practices. I want to pay tribute to the work of my practical proposals. 663 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 664

[Stella Creasy] Stella Creasy: The new clauses and amendments are designed to make progress on issues of precisely that New clause 8, in particular, has learnt the lessons of kind. One of the problems of ticket touting is trying to the Olympic and paralympic games. Tickets for those identify who is responsible for the crime that is taking games were given particular protection to enable people place. Making the seller of the ticket give the details to be confident that they could obtain them. The London of that ticket will enable us to identify its provenance Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 levied and who is selling it. We shall then be able to crack fines of up to £5,000 for the reselling of tickets at a down on the people involved, whether it involves the profit. The Home Secretary increased that to £20,000, rugby world cup or another event, so that organisations citing the threat from serious and organised criminal will not have their tickets sold on when they do not wish groups. We know that ticket touting is being used to that to happen. It will give that kind of flexibility, and it support a range of criminal activities. New clause 8 reflects the all-party group work done on some of these relates to events of national significance. Let us make issues. I hope there will be support from across the sure that rugby fans can go to the world cup: it surely House. cannot be all that difficult to legislate for that. New clause 16 seeks to get to the root of the problem, Mrs Main rose— which is that people do not necessarily know what they are being sold. A unique identifier is a simple way in Stella Creasy: If the hon. Lady wants to suggest some which to ensure that when someone buys a ticket, it is a tweets, I will happily take them, but I am sure everyone ticket for a particular gig, show or match. The venues will appreciate it if we can move on to the question of themselves will have already given out identifying letting fees. information, whether it is a seat number or a stall number. We are suggesting that they should be required Mrs Main: I am sorry that the hon. Lady is being so to provide that information at the point of sale, so that waspish; I am just seeking a bit of clarification. She people can be confident about what they are buying. mentioned the crime of ticket touting. Is she proposing That will enable the event organisers to identify those to make it a crime, or does she believe it is a crime? in, for instance, rugby clubs who are already selling on tickets that they have been given and are misusing their Stella Creasy: There are already criminal elements to relationship to give out the information. what we are talking about. What we are talking about in We think that that accords very well with what the this legislation is the information provided to a consumer— Minister said in Committee about the Consumer Contracts this is, after all, a consumer rights Bill—that could help (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) address the problems caused by ticket touting, and it Regulations 2013, which she believed would address the reflects the work being done by the all-party group. issues related to selling. She said that they [Interruption.] Well, this is a separate issue about what we can do for consumers, and with that in mind I want “set out…the information that a trader should provide to a to move on to new clause 22 because, as I have said, consumer for all distance sales—which would include tickets”. there is a lucky dip element to the amendments before In particular, she said that they gave details of us and it is about letting fees. “the main characteristics of the goods”.––[Official Report, Consumer I pay tribute to the work done in this area by my Rights Public Bill Committee, 25 February 2014; c. 183.] colleague my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton We believe that new clause 16 would simply put that North East. I see first hand in my constituency the into practice in the context of the secondary ticketing problems caused by increasingly difficult access to housing market, providing clarity for all who are concerned and affordable housing, particularly within the private about what they are buying. It accords with consumer rented sector. We know that 9 million people in England regulation, and we hope that the Government will support are living in rented homes and they are paying on it, even if they fear that some of the other new clauses average over £1,000 more a year in rent than they did in relating to ticket touting would be difficult to implement. 2010. That is why we have to reform the private rented We certainly hope that they will listen to the clarion call sector. The costs that people are facing are unsustainable. from new clause 8. Surely everyone, in the House and I have families in my constituency spending between outside, agrees that it cannot be right for us not to be 60% and 70% of their monthly income on rent alone. confident that it is the fans who are able to obtain They cannot make ends meet. tickets to attend events of sporting significance, whether There is a wider debate to be had about the length of they obtain them online or offline. tenancies and the levels of rent, but this amendment, like the previous amendments I was speaking to, relates I know that other Members want to talk about ticket to consumer legislation, and in particular the specific touting, and I shall therefore move on to the subject of issue of fees and whether they should be charged. letting agents’ fees. Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): The John Robertson (Glasgow North West) (Lab): The issue my hon. Friend is outlining, and that our colleague city of Glasgow is about to host the Commonwealth my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton North games, and a great deal of effort has been put into East (Emma Reynolds), the current shadow Housing safeguarding tickets. Some of us have been shouting for Minister, has raised, is very important. It is particularly a long time “Make ticket touting illegal!” Once it is an issue for us in Blackpool and many other seaside illegal, we can take care of the other little bits of pieces, towns, where, because of degrees of internal transience, but should we not make it illegal right now so that we some families have to move two or three times a year. can know exactly where we are? That exacerbates the whole issue of letting fees. 665 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 666

Stella Creasy: I entirely agree. We see it in London as Stella Creasy: It is not simply an assumption; it is well, where people are having to move: every single time based on the evidence we have seen from Scotland, they move a fee is applied, and those fees are extortionate which is that this money would be incorporated in the and are anti-consumer, as I shall explain. centre of the tenancy and so that the landlord would The average such fee is about £355, but there are great pay the fee. We would expect the tenant to pay one variations. In my constituency of Walthamstow, in the fee—the credit referencing fee—but once the tenancy work we have done on the “home sweet home” campaign, was secure and the landlord could therefore be confident we found some fees as high as £827. We found renters that the person was back in the place, we would expect being asked to pay fees for having pets, for having their it to be refunded. We are very clear that the practice of houses cleaned and for a whole range of other practices, charging fees to both parties at the same time is a and we can see the consequences. We also know that conflict of interest and therefore needs to be addressed, 94% of letting agencies impose a fee on top of rent in which is what our proposal would do. It would spread advance and a deposit. There is therefore a huge sum of the fee over the course of the tenancy. money for people to find. One constituent had to find £4,000 before he and his family could move into a Damian Hinds: Just to complete the point, is it also property. the hon. Lady’s assumption, and that of the Opposition, that were landlords to face greater fees, they would not One in seven of those who use an agency are charged seek to recoup that extra cost in some other way? over £500 in agency fees before finding the deposit or rent in advance. Mystery shopping by Shelter found that some renters are routinely being charged £700. Stella Creasy: One issue is what landlords are charging Over the past three years, one in four people who have for. I see landlords who are charging twice for credit dealt with a letting agency have said they have had to referencing, because they are charging the landlord and [Interruption.] borrow money to pay that fee, which is of relevance to the tenant that fee. The presumption the our previous debate. One in six is cutting down on food hon. Gentleman makes is that all the fees are for different or heating to meet the cost of that fee, and four in activities— 10 experience money worries as a direct result of that fee. If that fee is being applied every single year because Damian Hinds: I am asking what your presumption is. people are moving again and again, we can see how quickly these sums can cause huge problems for consumers. Stella Creasy: Our presumption is that the fees would then be taken on by the landlord and taken as part of Some, perhaps those on one side of the coalition, will the tenancy agreement. Our approach would resolve the say what we need to do is make sure there is transparency. problems we are seeing for tenants and the conflict of Certainly we explored whether people knowing the kind interest over whom the agent would act for. Our proposal of fees they were facing—if everyone was upfront about is about making sure we deal with that conflict, particularly the amount of money they were going to charge as a fee how for landlords and for tenants it creates a series of for introducing clients to a landlord, for example—could perverse incentives whereby both can be charged for the be one way of addressing this. That is a bit like somebody same service. being tied to the train tracks and being told the train timetable, however, because in the current market many John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con): The problem is that tenants have little option but to try to borrow to find if the letting agency loses an income it will seek to get it that fee and then deal with the financial consequences. from elsewhere, so it is likely to increase its charges to While I appreciate that one half of the coalition has the landlord. The landlord will then seek to recover that now understood that fees are a challenge, the argument money, and from whom will the landlord seek to recover that simply knowing how much those fees are is enough it? From the tenant. in itself to deal with these problems simply does not wash. And nor does capping fees, because it is anti- Stella Creasy: I simply do not accept the picture the consumer to have two different organisations paying for hon. Gentleman is painting. Scotland has banned fees the same service. That is what we are talking about here: on tenants, and the experience there has been an increase a form of double-charging. How can both the landlord in the number of letting agents and no effect on the and the tenant pay for the same service at the same time rents people are paying. The evidence shows that, as and the agent act in the interests of both? How can a with the payday lenders, when we give tenants the landlord be confident that they are getting the best muscle to remove this fee, the market shapes up. We tenants if the agent also has the tenant’s interests at have not seen an increase in the fees that tenants are heart? How can a tenant be confident that they are facing; nor have we seen an exit from the market. Some getting a decent landlord if the landlord is also being of the fears the hon. Gentleman might have, which I acted for by the agent? This is fundamentally an anti- understand, are not well founded, because a lot of the competitive practice and we think it is therefore time to fees tenants are being asked to pay are not indicative of act. Our new clause would do something very simple: it a service being provided; they are indicative of a profit- would clarify that renters could not be charged a fee. making machine. We are trying to deal with the detriment caused by the ability of agents to charge fees to two 5.15 pm parties at the same time. By making this a fee for the Damian Hinds: The hon. Lady rightly talks about the landlord, it is clear whose interest the agent is acting in. difficulties that many people face in trying to find the As I say, we have dealt with the particular issue here, money to pay these fees, but is it her assumption, and because we have listened to the landlords and letting that of the Opposition, that were letting fees to be agents who have expressed concerns about tenants who banned, that source of revenue would disappear for the may not be what they seem. In that instance, there agents but they would not seek to reclaim it elsewhere? would be a case for being able to charge a fee to the 667 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 668

[Stella Creasy] and different communities. We also recognise that a lot of work has already been done on this matter in the tenant which would be refunded, but the alternative of European Union, and it would be sensible to learn letting this practice continue and seeing the kind of fees some of the lessons on the wider issues such as how that we are seeing, and therefore the problems that are goods and foods are labelled. It will be interesting to being caused, is also unsustainable. I hope that Government hear the hon. Gentleman’s views on that—perhaps not Members, particularly those who have now recognised on Europe but on the research that is being done. there is a problem with the fees in themselves, will go I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not want to that stage further and recognise that there is a problem make a law that caused confusion in this area rather with this form of double-charging, support our proposals than clarity. He focuses on halal and kosher food, but and learn from the experience in Scotland on this issue. the Opposition believe that respect implies an active As I am conscious of the time, I shall move on; I attitude towards others rather than a passive attitude, appreciate that there are a number of Members who and certainly our position is to seek proper engagement wish to speak in this debate. I am sure that the hon. with all faith groups before we move forward on such a Member for East Hampshire, who has made many measure. useful contributions this afternoon, will get to speak in Let me turn now to new clause 15, which has been the following debate. tabled by the hon. Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan). I briefly want to speak to amendment 6. It may come We supported it in Committee and would support it as a surprise to some to see the Government resisting again. It is an incredibly important amendment and I the work of the Federation of Small Businesses, which urge Members to listen to what the hon. Gentleman has is trying to help small businesses that are struggling with to say. We do not believe it is acceptable to leave it to their consumer contracts. Members in this House may consumers to know whether they have a death trap in have first-hand experience of that, as we are, after all, their house. small businesses and will have dealt with business-to- Finally, I want to say a bit about Government business contracts, and many may not realise that they amendments 14 to 20 and the very welcome U-turn that have different levels of consumer protection as a result. seems to have been made. In Committee, we were concerned The FSB has recently published a report on small that consumers could be left waiting many months for a businesses which points out that it makes much more refund, but the Minister suggested that the Government sense to give micro-businesses the same consumer protection believed there were potential disadvantages of introducing as private individuals. After all, it is unreasonable to a time limit that outweighed the benefits that such a expect a micro-business to have the same level of legal change could bring. We suggested 30 days in which to qualification and expertise to deal with a contract as get a refund, so I am absolutely delighted that the that of a larger body, and that is what amendment 6 Government have gone one stage further and said that addresses. I note that the FSB has given its support to people should get their money back in 14 days. That this amendment. I was surprised when the Minister said gives me great hope that while the Minister may be earlier that the FSB did not support giving consumer saying “computer says no” at the moment to some of rights to businesses. That has not been the briefing that the things that we have been talking about today and in we have had from it; indeed, it supports this amendment. Committee, we will see further concessions in due course. Will the Minister set out when she expects to give small We shall welcome them accordingly. businesses the kind of consumer protection they need, because it will be one fewer worry for them? Philip Davies: It is a pleasure to follow the hon. I wish now to touch on some of the other new Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy). I was, clauses. New clause 14 deals with Ofcom and switching. surprisingly, rather encouraged by her response to my We certainly think this is a good idea, and we wish to amendments. It could be a red-letter day for me, getting see the Government following it through. I am sorry support across the House for some of my amendments. that the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) was I want to focus mainly on new clause 13, which is not here earlier when we were debating new clause 3 and about the labelling of halal and kosher meat at the point new schedule 1 and making it easier for consumers to be of sale. With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I able to switch. We recognise that there are problems. It will seek to press it to a vote, should the opportunity is unusual for the UK, by comparison with other nations, arise. It is an issue of great importance to the public, to have this issue, and it will be interesting to know and we have heard an awful lot of commentary on it in whether the Minister is considering it. the media and among many of our constituents in I look forward to the hon. Member for Shipley recent weeks. They would appreciate seeing where their making his case for new clause 13. I certainly agree that Member of Parliament stands on the issue. transparency is important. The laws governing animal welfare at slaughter, at both EU and UK level, require Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) (Lab): When the animals to be stunned before slaughter, but they make hon. Gentleman says that the issue is of great importance an exemption to that requirement for religious slaughter, to the country, he means the Daily Mail and The Sun. which is carried out by members of the Jewish and Muslim communities. Philip Davies: The hon. Lady needs to get out more, We are concerned about whether this amendment has to be perfectly honest. She would find that there is a significant effect on animal welfare and implications widespread concern about the issue. She can vote beyond that. In particular, we must ensure that our laws accordingly and should not have anything to fear from strike the right balance between concern for animal a debate or a vote. I do not see why she should seek to welfare, which many of us have, transparency for consumers object to either thing—that is what we are supposed to and respect for the traditions of different businesses be here in Parliament to do, after all. 669 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 670

As you know better than anyone, Mr Deputy Speaker, Event organisers do not lose out at all, because all the I enjoy the cut and thrust of debate in the Chamber, but tickets are sold at the price that they wanted to get for I am well aware of the time limitations and that other them—all the income that they wanted is delivered. The Members want to speak. I have given way once, but I idea that real fans will be deprived of going to an event will try to resist the temptation to give way many times is complete nonsense. If someone is prepared to pay because I want to hear what others have to say, too, and £1,500 for a ticket, you can bet your bottom dollar that there is a lot to get through. they are a real fan. Not many people are prepared to pay £1,500 for a ticket for something that they do not Sir Greg Knight (East Yorkshire) (Con): I am sorry to really care about going to. It actually guarantees that test my hon. Friend’s resolve so early in his speech, but real fans go. this is an important point. On reflection, does he not agree that his new clause on halal meat—[Interruption]— 5.30 pm and kosher could have been better drafted? If we are to Stella Creasy rose— have labelling, is it not important that the labelling specifies whether the meat was pre-stunned halal or Philip Davies: I am not going to give way for the non-pre-stunned? reasons I mentioned earlier. If I have a ticket to the Lords test match, for example, Philip Davies: I have resolve, but I can seldom resist or to the rugby world cup final, and I go into my local giving way to my right hon. Friend. Animal welfare is a pub and someone says to me, “It is my lifetime ambition big issue for lots of people, but it is not the only one. to go there, I would give £4,000 for a ticket,” what is Many other faith groups are concerned about the blessing wrong with my saying that I will give up my ticket and given to the meat before sale, and his proposal would they can go instead? Everybody is happy, nobody has not address their particular concerns. My new clause lost out, but Labour want to interfere with people’s has been drafted with all such people in mind, because aspirations. Why should that be banned? If someone the issue is bigger than one only of animal welfare. does not want to pay the higher price, they should not Animal welfare is an important element, but not the pay it. Nobody is forced to pay the inflated prices if only element. I will come on to that later. they do not want to. I want to start, however, with new clause 12, which If the secondary sale of tickets bothers event promoters relates to ticketing. The hon. Member for Walthamstow so much, why do they not do something practical to said that my new clause had nothing to do with her new stop it? Why sell all the tickets in one go, for example? clauses, but nothing could be further from the truth—it Why not hold them back? Why put them all on sale so very much has. We know what her long-term agenda is, that they are sold within 43 seconds, meaning that they because she let it slip in an intervention: ultimately, she can be resold at inflated prices? If promoters are so wants to see the end of ticket touting and the secondary bothered, why not sell tickets bit by bit, week by week, sale of tickets. I think that that would be a massive month by month so that there are still tickets available retrograde step. The Select Committee on Culture, Media the week before the event? That would remove the and Sport, on which I serve, looked into the matter in secondary ticketing market, but they choose not to do the previous Parliament and found that such activities it. That can only lead me to presume that the event were a legitimate area of business. The Office of Fair organisers are shedding crocodile tears, as they are Trading, as well as the Committee, found that it works happy to get all the money from the tickets being in the consumer’s best interest. snapped up. An ICM poll showed that 83% agreed with the premise: Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland “Once I’ve bought a ticket it is my property and I should be West) (Lab): Will the hon. Gentleman give way? able to sell it to just as I can any other private property.” Mr Marsden: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? Philip Davies: I will stick to my resolve. The hon. Lady and I have locked horns on the issue over years. If Philip Davies: I am not going to give way. anyone wants to look at our previous debates, they can This situation is very similar to the one I experienced go back to Hansard and see them all rehearsed there. I when I was at Asda and we broke the net book agreement. am sure that she will get the opportunity to have her say Publishers had the right to set the price of books and in a bit. nobody could undercut it, but Asda went to court and Fifty per cent. of tickets on viagogo are sold at a loss, broke that agreement so now books can be sold at any so the idea that all people touting tickets are selling price the retailer wants. It seems to me that Labour them at huge profits is simply not true; most are sold at wants to go back to a time when publishers of books a loss. The principle is this: if I buy a ticket, as far as I could set the price for books and ticket providers could am concerned it belongs to me. I should be able to do set the price for tickets and nobody could do anything with that ticket what I choose to do, including selling it about it. on to someone else, as I can with any other commodity. New clause 12, which guarantees that an event organiser Other products have limited editions, which are popular, must give somebody a refund up to 24 hours before an such as designer handbags or Buzz Lightyear toys from event, is essential if the Opposition want to get their years back, and people go in, buy the lot for a small way. If they want to ban somebody from selling on a amount and sell them on at an inflated price on eBay a ticket for the rugby world cup final, the only option for few hours later. If the Labour party wants to ban that somebody who has bought a ticket and cannot go happening with tickets, presumably it will say that that would be a refund. On too many occasions, event kind of behaviour should be banned as well. That is organisers will not allow refunds for events so what on complete nonsense. earth is the customer supposed to do in such circumstances? 671 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 672

[Philip Davies] people who specifically do not want to buy that meat should be free to make that choice. So this is not about The Opposition will not support insisting that they get picking on anyone. It is not about trying to ban anybody a refund and they want to ban them from selling the from doing anything. ticket on, so somebody will be left with a ticket that they I do not really see who loses out from the new clause. can do absolutely nothing with. How on earth can that It is to the advantage of those people who want to buy be in the best interest of the consumer? halal and kosher meat and to the advantage of those On the subject of the rugby world cup final, if people who specifically do not that meat is properly labelled. from New Zealand buy a lot of tickets for the final in So I do not see who the victim of my new clause is. the expectation that their team will get there only for it Everyone is a winner. It is to everybody’s advantage that to be knocked out in the semi-final, we need a mechanism meat is properly labelled and above board so that everyone by which those fans can sell on their tickets to the fans knows that what they are buying is what they want to of the team that will be in the final instead. It seems that buy. That is the only intention behind my new clause; the Opposition have not even thought about that prospect. there is no other objective. I am not seeking to ban The secondary market in tickets is an efficient way of anything or stop anybody from doing anything they getting tickets from one group of people to another so want to do. I merely seek to allow people to make an that the real fans can go. If Labour had its way, the real informed choice. My hon. Friend the Member for fans would not be able to go because they would be Huntingdon (Mr Djanogly) asks why. The simple reason blocked from using any mechanism to get there. is that there is a huge demand for labelling out in the I want to concentrate on new clause 13, which says: country—there certainly is in my constituency. That is “All products containing halal and kosher meat shall be labelled why I introduced a ten-minute rule Bill on this very as such at the point of sale by retail and food outlets.” issue two years ago. It was defeated by three votes, largely by the politically correct brigade on the Opposition For the purposes of the new clause, I have defined a Benches. It was a big issue in my constituency then. I food outlet as contend that it is an even bigger issue today. It has not “anywhere where food is served to the public.” mushroomed out of nowhere. There is widespread customer I have done that because I specifically wanted to include demand that proper information is given so that people places such as schools and hospitals, as I think many can make an informed choice. parents and patients are concerned about food that they do not know the provenance or background of, and Mike Weatherley (Hove) (Con): Will my hon. Friend that information is important to them. give way?

Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Lab): Philip Davies: I have said that I must make some If that is the hon. Gentleman’s intention, his clause is headway. far too simplistic. Does he not agree that in the interests British legislation requires the stunning of animals of fairness and consumer transparency consumers have before slaughter, with the religious exemptions that the the right to know about the origins of non-religiously hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Shabana slaughtered meat, whether that meat has been stunned Mahmood) made clear. Religious traditions sometimes or not, if it has been stunned what method was used require people to slaughter without stunning. The exemption and the method of non-religious slaughter? That is a lot dates back to the Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) of information, but observant Muslims or Jews would Act 1928 and the Slaughter of Animals Act 1933, which like that information as well as people who object. applies to England and Wales. The EU also granted derogations from stunning regulations for religious Philip Davies: I have a great deal of sympathy with communities. what the hon. Lady says. She seems to be making the point that we need more labelling, not less. If she is In recent years, animal groups, most notably the saying that my new clause is a step, but it does not go as Farm Animal Welfare Council, have advocated labelling far as she would like it to go, I am happy to take that of some meat to decrease the amount purchased, thereby criticism on the chin. reducing the amount of unstunned meat, as my right hon. Friend the Member for East Yorkshire (Sir Greg Knight) said. Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon) (Con): I support further labelling, but does my hon. Friend agree that it Neither the British Parliament nor the European is wrong to look at religious slaughter in isolation from Parliament has passed a law that requires labelling of other forms of slaughter, as the hon. Member for unstunned meat, but there has been much debate about Birmingham, Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood) said? it in the past. My new clause would make it compulsory Labelling could give information about how the animals for halal and kosher meat to be labelled because, as a lived—their housing, food and drug consumption. Why strong believer in freedom of choice, I think that one of is he picking on religious communities in his new clause? the fundamental rights of the consumer is to know what they are purchasing. Philip Davies: Let me make something clear. I am not I spent 12 years working for Asda before I entered the picking on anyone. I do not want to ban anything. House. Some of the supermarkets are reluctant to do People want to buy religiously slaughtered meat, although anything about this because it is inconvenient for them that may not be my choice. It is Labour Members who to go through the food chain to provide the labelling. want to ban everything that they do not happen to like. When I was at Asda, I was taught that we were in That is not my style. I happen to believe in freedom of business to do what was best for the customer—to do choice, and I want people who want to buy religiously what the customer wanted, not what was for our slaughtered meat to be free to make that choice. Equally, convenience. I am rather worried that that attitude is 673 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 674 slipping in some of our supermarket chains. It is not It is not just me who thinks that. The Sikh Council UK about what is most convenient for them; I do not care has put out a statement agreeing with that. It believes about that. They should be delivering what their customers that everyone has the right to purchase and consume want, and there is no doubt that this is what customers food in accordance with their religious beliefs. Hindus want to see. have said that they, too, agree with my new clause, and Consumers cannot satisfy their preferences at present believe the same thing. Many of these groups do not focus because not all meat products are labelled. Therefore, on animal welfare but specifically object to the religious legislation requiring labelling is essential for consumers blessing that goes with the practice. I will conclude with to exercise their right to make an informed decision. this particular point about halal and kosher meat. I do not know if hon. Members read the article by Taj Mike Weatherley: Will my hon. Friend give way? Hargey, the director of the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford and the imam of the Oxford Islamic Philip Davies: I am not going to give way. Congregation, who said that the practice is “covert religious extremism and creeping Islamic fundamentalism I would much prefer it if legislation was not required. making its way into Britain by the back door. It is completely I am not the type of person who wants to rush to wrong that the food sensitivities of Britain’s Muslims—who amount legislation, but in the two years since my ten-minute to just 4.8% of the population—should take precedence over the rule Bill was introduced absolutely nothing has happened. other 95%. Halal meat should never be forced on customers There have been plenty of opportunities for the retailers without their knowing, surreptitiously and using clandestine methods. to sort this out for themselves, and they have failed It’s unfair to everyone, non-Muslims and Muslims alike.” spectacularly to do anything about it. He also said that the idea that Muslims cannot eat This is important. According to the EU DIALREL non-halal meat is completely wrong, and project, the exemption from religious slaughter in “has no theological basis in the Koran, the supreme text of Islam.” schedule 12 to the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or He said: Killing) Regulations 1995 clearly states that the exemption “I’m a dedicated Muslim, a devout religionist, an imam and applies to people of that religion—not to everybody. intellectual scholar of Islam, but I eat whatever food is placed That implies that halal and kosher meat should be before me, with the obvious exception of pork. If you’re kind consumed by those of Muslim and Jewish faiths respectively, enough to invite me to your home, I would eat whatever meat you because that type of slaughter is specified for their chose to serve”. religious needs. That is clearly not the case, because He concluded: Muslims make up a small proportion of the UK population, “It is high time the white, liberal, Guardian-reading classes yet the Halal Food Authority estimated two years ago stopped behaving like apologists and woke up. There is a that halal meat makes up 25% of the meat market. I fundamentalist Trojan horse in our midst, and we must take suspect that the figure is even higher. Similarly, corrective action.” approximately 70% of kosher meat that is sold is not Many people in this country are demanding that this consumed by the Jewish community. House takes the action that they would like to see. We are going far beyond the exemption that was designed for those people with their particular religious 5.45 pm beliefs. There have been cases of schools, hospitals, Finally, and very briefly, new clause 14, which the pubs, sports arenas, cafés, markets and hotels serving hon. Member for Walthamstow said she supports, and halal meat to customers without their knowledge. I am which I hope the Minister will support, would introduce led to believe that it even happened in the House of a mobile phone switching process that is led by the Commons canteens in 2010. To my dismay as a former receiving communications service provider, rather than retailer, it has certainly happened in some of the larger the one losing the custom. Currently, if someone wants supermarket chains, and in some of the largest food to cancel their mobile phone contract, they must first outlets such as Pizza Hut, Domino’s and KFC. It has approach the company they are leaving. The problem is also happened in schools. In 2010, Harrow council that mobile phone operators have no incentive at all to faced a massive protest after announcing a plan to serve proactively ensure that their customers are getting the halal-only menus in the borough’s state primary schools, best deal. They can overcharge them again and again and parents complained that it was forced on them until they say, “Actually, I want to leave”, before trying against their will. to win them back with some offer. Some 98% of consumers in the 2004 Co-op survey of New clause 14 would keep mobile phone providers consumer attitudes to the ethics of the food industry on their toes, ensuring that their customers constantly stated that they supported the humane treatment of got the best real-time offer, because they would never animals. Considering that some halal and kosher meats get the chance to do that if the customer went to a are slaughtered without pre-stunning, many such consumers competitor. They would act in the best interests of the would not buy the meat if they were aware of what it consumer. That would be in line with what now happens was. Interestingly, Massood Khawaja, president of the in the banking and energy sectors. It is widely appreciated Halal Food Authority, stated in September 2010: that the best way to encourage switching for consumers “As Muslims have a choice of eating halal meat, non-Muslims is to enable them to go to the provider they want and for should also have the choice of not eating it. Customers should it to do all the hard work for them. It is an anomaly that know it is halal meat.” that does not apply to mobile phone switching. I think An amendment to induce the compulsory labelling of that it would make a great deal of sense for the Government unstunned halal and kosher meat and products would to accept the new clause. I am pleased that the Opposition give consumers more freedom of choice, increase market have agreed to support it and hope that the Government efficiency, as retailers are enabled to respond to customer will too. It is a common-sense measure that will ensure demand, and help to protect animal welfare rights. a much better deal for consumers. 675 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 676

I will bring my remarks to a close. I look forward to Mrs Hodgson: I agree with my hon. Friend. I thank hearing what other Members have to say. For your him for his work in the all-party group in producing the benefit, Mr Speaker—you were not here at the start—I report that has led and informed us in tabling the new repeat that if the chance arises I would very much like clauses. to press new clause 13, on labelling halal and kosher Our report recommended that the live event industry meat, to a vote, because I think that it is a matter of should do more to provide refunds. The new clause great importance to many people in the country. tabled by the hon. Member for Shipley could be ruinous for the live event industry while removing all the risk for Mrs Hodgson: I am delighted to be able to speak on the industrial touts of whom my hon. Friend the Member new clauses 18 to 21, which stand in my name and those for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith) spoke. Most touts will of the hon. Member for Hove (Mike Weatherley) and aim to sell their tickets on the internet about four days other hon. Friends. I add my support to new clauses 8, in advance, so under the hon. Gentleman’s plans, any 16 and 17, which were tabled by my hon. Friends on the they do not manage to sell for a profit they could simply Opposition Front Bench and ably argued for by my give back to the promoter for a full refund the day hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) before, by which time the promoter will be unlikely to this afternoon and in Committee. be able to sell them all on again. I fear that rather than helping ordinary consumers, as the hon. Gentleman has New clause 18 follows directly from the conclusions no doubt argued, that would mean more tickets being and recommendations of the recent excellent report by acquired by ticket touts who no longer face the uncertainty the all-party group on ticket abuse. I want to put on the of whether they will be able to shift them, thereby record my thanks to colleagues across the House and all manipulating the supply even more than they already the outside experts who contributed to that excellent do. A better balance would be to give refunds up to a report. We found that the existence of a secondary reasonable point before the event, with facilitated resale market for event tickets is justified by the need of after that if the event has sold out—as we set out in our genuine consumers to pass on tickets that they can no report, which I hope the industry will take on board. longer use. To some extent, that is because event holders are not very good at facilitating refunds or exchange While accepting that there is a role for a legitimate mechanisms, even though they sell tickets many months secondary ticket market, the all-party group found in advance of the event. considerable problems with how this market, which is estimated to be worth about £1 billion a year, works at On that point, I will speak briefly to new clause 12. It present. In particular, we found that it does not adhere is a shame that the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip to the same principles of transparency and consumer Davies)—he is not listening now—would not allow any protection that other markets are held to. To address interventions, because I wanted to correct for the record these shortcomings, we have put together some modest some of the errors in what he said. He is right that we proposals which, far from driving ticket resale underground, have regularly locked horns on the issue, but that does as some of those involved in it have claimed, would not mean I will sit back and not seek to correct him increase consumer confidence in the secondary market when I think he is wrong. First, the Opposition are and therefore be very good for business. seeking not to ban the resale of tickets, but to regulate and reform the market in the interests of consumers Our first two new clauses address the lack of through these very sensible cross-party proposals. My transparency. New clause 18 is about who is selling the hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow did not ticket. It would place a duty on secondary ticketing “allude”—I think that was the word he used—to trying platforms to provide basic identifying information about to ban the resale of tickets. the individual or business offering a particular ticket or set of tickets for sale. It would allow consumers to say Secondly, the hon. Member for Shipley was incorrect how prolific and reliable a particular seller is—in other to claim that no one gives refunds at the moment. The words, whether they are a tout or a fellow fan and, if Rugby Football Union guarantees full refunds for high- they are a tout, whether the tickets they have sold in the demand matches—I am sure that the World cup would past have been as advertised. That would make the qualify—up to an hour before kick-off. It also provides secondary ticketing platforms a lot more like the other legitimate resale platforms. This ensures that any investment internet marketplaces that many of use regularly and goes back into the sport of rugby. The England and with confidence, such as eBay, Amazon and Play.com. Wales Cricket Board has established ticket exchanges at each venue and centrally so that a supporter who can no Importantly, the new clause would also require secondary longer attend a match or has a spare can legitimately ticketing platforms to be transparent in cases where the re-sell their ticket. Those are just two examples among seller is also the event holder. The practice of event many more that are out there. organisers secretly allocating whole blocks of tickets directly to the secondary market has been on the rise, due to the failure of successive Governments to intervene Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): Does my hon. in the market on behalf of consumers or the creative Friend agree that new clauses 16 and 18 are particularly sector. It was exposed in the Channel 4 “Dispatches” powerful, because they would enable us to identify the programme, “The Great Ticket Scandal”, broadcast in power sellers—the people who buy tickets on an almost 2012. I cannot blame those who do this. They cannot industrial scale, and by doing so corner the market, rip stop the touts, who have not contributed in any way to off consumers and push up prices? Unless we do so, it is the event—unlike the artist, the venue, the agent, the more likely that £250 tickets for the rugby world cup promoter, and so on—from making huge profits off the can be sold for over £1,000, as is happening at the back of their hard work, so why not try to make some moment. That has to be a bad thing, and we must of that money for themselves, or, as I like to see it, have stop it. a piece of the poacher’s pie? That is their decision, but 677 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 678 they should have to be transparent about it. Hiding that such information appears to be hit and miss. On behind the secondary market and allowing fans to the whole, it tended to be single tickets, which were believe that the ticket they are buying has been sold at probably being sold by ordinary fans, that had full face value before and they are buying from a third party information, while listings of two, four, six or more is simply dishonest. tickets, which were probably being sold by a professional, There is also a dishonest practice whereby a secondary did not. ticketing platform or its employees or shareholders buy One of the other key pieces of information of which and sell tickets themselves, as the “Dispatches”programme a consumer should be aware is a ticket’s original face also exposed. Employees of the platforms featured were value, which in many cases is another indicator of the shown with catalogues of credit cards, trying to buy as quality of the product. In their evidence to the inquiry, many tickets as possible to gigs. A leaked operations representatives from the Rugby Football Union said manual sent to me shortly after “Dispatches” aired that the cheapest tickets at Twickenham—those they showed that that was also a key part of the viagogo keep cheap to try to get families to come along and to business model. The manual showed, among other things, encourage grass-roots participation—often end up being that a company called Andro Capital, which was linked resold at higher prices than some of their premium to viagogo’s then chief executive, Eric Baker, was also tickets, some of which may still be available. its most favoured power seller. Interestingly, a box at the Many consumers who are less conscious of how these start of the chapter explaining such dealing to employees secondary markets work think that because they are stressed: paying more for a ticket, they will get a premium service “Not only do we have private and power sellers, we also sell or seat. Many others do not even know that the website tickets on the website. PLEASE NOTE THAT NEITHER SELLERS they are using is a secondary market rather than the NOR BUYERS SHOULD KNOW THAT WE ARE THE SELLER primary or official source, given that such sites pay OF CERTAIN TICKETS. NOR SHOULD ANY OF THE significant sums to show up first in Google rankings. INFORMATION BELOW BE DIVULGED TO OUR POWER Making sure that consumers are made aware of the SELLERS!” original price of the ticket they are buying at the earliest Viagogo has since said that it has abandoned that opportunity, not just on the last screen—if at all—therefore practice, and Christoph Homann of GetMeIn! also gives them another piece of the information that they assured the all-party group in his evidence that it does need to make an informed choice about whether to not itself buy tickets, either. In that case, they will not be enter into such a purchase. affected by the new duty and have no reason to oppose it. Even if they or other secondary ticketing platforms still engage in such dealing, I can see no good reason 6pm why the law should permit them to keep that information I do not think that any genuine fans who needed to secret from their consumers when it may make a material sell on their tickets would have a problem with providing difference to a buying decision. I hope, therefore, that the basic information about the product they are selling, the Minister will consider adopting the measure. and I cannot see why any professional reseller would I have mentioned the Channel 4 “Dispatches” either. Even a street tout shows people a ticket—and investigation into the problems and I am also pleased to therefore the seat number and face value—before they inform the House that the BBC’s “Watchdog” is also buy it. The secondary ticketing platforms, which claim very keen on highlighting them. Indeed, they will feature to have higher standards, should therefore have no in its shows on 21 and 28 May, and I am sure that hon. problem adapting to the new provisions. Members on both sides of the House will be glued to Moving on from transparency, more of which should their TVs, watching them. “You and Yours”on Radio 4 reduce the chances of things going wrong in the secondary also runs regular features on the issue, as do numerous market in the first place, new clause 20 concerns the national newspapers, including The Mirror, the Daily recourse available to consumers when they do. There Mail and The Times, as well as trade magazines, such as have been numerous recent reports of thousands of the excellent Audience. event goers being turned away with counterfeit or invalid New clause 19 relates to the transparency of the product tickets that they had bought via the big four secondary itself—that is, the ticket. Knowing the characteristics of ticketing websites, all of which heavily promote their a ticket would in many cases make a material difference reliability, with prominent guarantees that tickets are to a buying decision, particularly in the case of seated genuine. The latest example to make the news involved events, in which a person’s position in the venue can the hundreds of Drake fans turned away from the O2 make a significant difference to their enjoyment of the arena in north Greenwich. performance or the experience. Providing that information It is welcome that all the big four companies say that —or, indeed, the ticket number when there is general they offer refunds, although over the years I have received admission to the event—would also give consumers the a handful of complaints about their being less than confidence that the individual or company selling the prompt in doing so. As Reg Walker from the Iridium ticket actually has tickets in hand and is not just speculating Consultancy pointed out during our second evidence that they will be able to provide them at a later date. session, people who turn up at venues with unusable When a consumer wants to buy a number of tickets, the tickets have all incurred at least some travel costs getting information will help them to ensure that they get seats there, and in some cases they have come from abroad together or at least close by. for the express purpose of using the ticket. That echoes The secondary platforms themselves were asked about the findings of the recent UK Music report on music that as part of the all-party group’s inquiry. StubHub tourism, including that ancillary spending just from said in its evidence that it requires seat information to music events is worth more than £2 billion a year to the be provided, but an investigation of its website shows country’s economy. 679 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 680

For such people, a full refund on the ticket, while through secondary ticketing or auction websites. However, welcome, will still leave them out of pocket. New clause 20 as the online marketplace has become quicker and easier would, therefore, allow those consumers to claim back to use, a large number of unsavoury and illegal practices the extra costs associated with attending an event up to have sprung up surrounding ticket reselling websites. a reasonable level, which we suggest should be 200% of That is why I, along with colleagues from both sides of the total purchase price paid to the platform. The new the House, founded the all-party group on ticket abuse. clause would place responsibility for that initial payback We conducted a review and the results were published on the secondary ticketing platforms, because they offer recently, as we have heard, with new clauses recommended guarantees that they say consumers pay for in their as a result. significant service charges. However, having paid out One key aspect of an honest and transparent ticket that money, the new clause makes it clear that the purchasing process is the intention of the buyer at the secondary ticketing platform may recover it from the point of purchase. No one would begrudge a Rolling seller of the ticket. The payback should be made promptly, Stones fan who has become ill the day before the show unless the police or other relevant authorities are the opportunity to sell their ticket to someone else. investigating the buyer or seller for committing or trying However, an increasing number of people are buying to commit fraud. The only individuals or businesses tickets with absolutely no intention of going to the that the new clause would hurt, therefore, are those who event. Instead, those career touts buy tickets solely with have sold dodgy tickets and consequently caused financial the intention of denying them to real fans, whom they loss to the consumer. can squeeze for profit by reselling their tickets to a “sold The new clause would have the positive benefit of giving out” event. consumers the confidence that they will not be left out That situation is not limited to fans who simply waited of pocket when they purchase tickets through the secondary too long to buy tickets. With internet ticket selling market if those tickets turn out to be counterfeit or invalid. becoming more streamlined, touts are able to use Again, far from driving the trade in tickets underground, sophisticated computer systems to buy large volumes of it would have the effect of driving consumers to use tickets automatically mere seconds or minutes after websites that offer such protections, instead of those they go online. That can often mean that it is practically that do not and, in particular, instead of blokes outside impossible for genuine fans to get access to the event, the venue on the night. forcing them to rely on an artificially created secondary Our last new clause, new clause 21, simply defines market, and depriving content creators of revenue for terms used in the previous three new clauses, so I will their event. That is unacceptable. not detain the House by explaining it. On this issue I fundamentally disagree with my hon. The proposals are not radical. If the Minister or hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies), who Members who have spoken against them asked their raised some points earlier, because we would all suffer, constituents whether they want to know what they are including the artists. Just because an artist has received buying and who they are buying it from when they the full value for a concert that is sold out does not spend what are often significant sums, they would find mean that they—or another artist—would not suffer that most of them said yes. The proposals would not elsewhere. For example, suppose someone has a budget abolish the secondary market or drive it underground; of £500 a year for going to venues. They might think, in fact, they would bring it out of the shadows into the “I’ll go to 10 concerts in that year and buy some mainstream. No longer would so many people still see it merchandising and other products while I am there”, as a murky market; it would be a legitimate secondary but if they then spend £200, £300 or even £500 on one market that works—as all markets should—in the interests concert, they will not go to the other nine. No wonder of consumers, with full transparency and adequate there is underselling in other concerts because people protection. The only people who have opposed the do not necessarily have the money, and we all lose out proposals are those making large amounts of money as a result. from the status quo. It is time that this House and this Government stopped standing up for the interests of Philip Davies indicated dissent. such people, and finally put fans first. Mike Weatherley: My hon. Friend is shaking his Mike Weatherley: I congratulate the hon. Member head, but he must understand that my point is right. I for Washington and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson) would, of course, prefer no legislation on the subject on a thorough interpretation of the new clauses. and to rely on industry-led solutions, as we heard Music, theatre, comedy and sport are a vital part of earlier. A potential solution to touting, which has been British society and the British economy, and our creative adopted by some venues already, is to use credit card industries are worth more than £36 billion a year. They verification. However, touts often generate such large generate £70,000 every minute for the UK economy, profits from many events that that method is ineffective. and employ 1.5 million people in the UK. That is why it There are also additional problems of crowd control is vital to have a healthy and transparent ticket market, and so on. If hon. Members who disagree with that yet with increasing frequency, secondary ticketing resellers point had bothered to come to the all-party group when are causing dramatically inflated prices for the fans, and we took evidence, they would have heard from promoters taking away revenue from performers. That has to stop. who have tried those other methods that such things do I have consistently been a champion of the free market not work, and they would not try them again for all and I do not have a problem with artists or sports teams sorts of reasons. charging whatever they wish for their services. That is The Metropolitan police published a comprehensive their prerogative, and they should be allowed to set the report on fraudulent ticketing and the dangers it posed prices of their tickets or, if they choose, to sell them to the Olympics; it specifically cites ticket fraud, touting 681 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 682 and ticket reselling websites as areas of concern. Among to 21 are a step in the right direction, and I trust that the several issues, the Met noted that websites with servers Minister will address at least some of the issues when based overseas were causing serious problems by advertising she responds later. fraudulent tickets, and making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track the offenders or shut Several hon. Members rose— down illegal sites. The report stressed—as do I—the need for an open and transparent system for ticket Mr Speaker: Order. By my reckoning, eight hon. reselling, with clear and appropriate regulations. Members are seeking to catch my eye. Colleagues will Transparency is key to protecting not just content be aware that the moment of interruption is 7 o’clock. creators but ticket buyers from dubious and misleading They will be able to do the arithmetic for themselves, transactions. Again, I will refer to my hon. Friend the but if everyone speaks for approximately five minutes Member for Shipley because I never thought there and no longer, it should be possible to accommodate would be a connection between halal meat and secondary everybody. ticketing. I was keen to intervene on him but he would not allow me to. All through his speech, however, he Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): It is a pleasure to made the point that clear labelling and the consumer follow the hon. Member for Hove (Mike Weatherley) being aware of what they were buying was fundamental. who spoke so well in support of the new clauses tabled He said—I wrote it down—that it is a fundamental by the hon. Member for Washington and Sunderland right that consumers know what they are buying. That West (Mrs Hodgson). I also wish to associate myself is exactly what the new clauses are saying, no more and with the clear arguments put forward by the hon. Member no less. For instance, it is common in the entertainment for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) in respect of other industries for all or part of the fee for professionals amendments in this group. involved in an event to be paid in tickets. The venue I wish to speak to new clause 15, in my name and that might be paid in tickets to a corporate box and a of the hon. Members for East Lothian (Fiona O’Donnell) promoter or manager may be given some as part of and for Batley and Spen (Mike Wood). I raised this issue their fee. That is done with the tacit understanding that in Committee, although new clause 15 is not simply a recipients of such tickets will subsequently be able to retread of the new clause I tabled there about product sell them for significantly more than their face value. It recalls, especially of electrical items, and safety. It is a is, of course, the prerogative of the content creators if new and improved new clause, with added provisions they wish to do this, but it should be done transparently. based on the very fine contribution by the hon. Member Some hon. Members, including my hon. Friend the for Batley and Spen in an Adjournment debate on Member for Shipley, have suggested that trying to regulate 24 March. ticket touting is an interference in the natural free When my original new clause was debated in Committee, market. However to say this is to misunderstand—and the hon. Member for East Lothian had to speak to it, as be wrong about—one of the key principles of the free I was in the United States as part of a delegation on the market, which is the ability for the market to respond to Colombian peace process. I pay tribute to the hon. demand by increasing supply. In the case of sports Lady for speaking so well on the new clause in Committee. matches or live music, there is no way to increase the The purpose of the new clause is to try to make good supply. There are only so many games in the season and the deficiencies in the product recall system. I am one of bands can only play so many dates. That is why it is so those people, probably like many other Members, who important for the content creators to be in control of laboured under the assumption that there are very clear how their tickets are sold. It does not in any way schemes, strict regimes and tightly managed fine systems infringe their right to charge however much they want for product recalls, particularly for products that can for the tickets, as long as it is part of a transparent and threaten the life and health of families and the fabric of well regulated system that works in the best interests of properties. We read about products catching fire and fans and performers. being recalled—washing machines, cookers and so on—but New clauses 18 to 21 are intended to assist that the Electrical Safety Council report “Safer Products, transparency. None of the clauses would restrict the Better Business” shows that most product recalls succeed secondary markets, but they would become more in recalling only 20% of products, with some recalling accountable. In particular, people who had been sold an only 10%. That means there are a lot of unsafe products invalid ticket would be compensated more than just the in people’s homes, threatening lives and property. ticket price to reflect the true cost of attending. New clause 20 would restrict the cost to twice the price paid 6.15 pm for the ticket, which might not be the full cost to those We are told that the Bill is all about giving consumers attending, but would at least give some incentive to rights; that it will give more power to consumers in those selling to get the ticket price right, without being relation to faults; that they will be more aware that an open cheque book. products are unsuitable and more able to return them We have come a long way since I first supported the and get redress. Surely we also need to make good the private Member’s Bill of the hon. Member for Washington serious gap between faults that manufacturers and suppliers and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson) a few years ago. know about, but consumers do not. New clause 15 Then, there was little support for measures to protect would improve recall standards and create direct powers consumers from the worst aspects of ticket touting. for the Secretary of State to take more responsibility in Now, I am pleased to say that, with increased knowledge that regard. and understanding, there is increased agreement on The additional points we have included in the new both sides of the House that something needs to be version of the new clause come from the hon. Member done. The small measures suggested in new clauses 18 for Batley and Spen, who highlighted existing US federal 683 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 684 legislation. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, Unfortunately, there was a real lack of data. According a federal body, operates mainly under the Consumer to the briefing, Product Safety Act 1972, which was enhanced by the “most of the countries do not have reliable figures available as no Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act 2008. It traceability exists to differentiate between animals” takes federal responsibility for recall measures and is when it comes to how they have been slaughtered. Of able to ensure that the considerable gaps in suppliers’ course, I am concerned about how they have lived as and manufacturers’ customer records are made good. It well. There is also a significant over-slaughtering of has become a federal responsibility to ensure that records animals for halal and kosher meat within the food chain are kept of who has bought products and where they to allow for the amount of demand that might arise in have gone. countries that import such meat, which means that The Government seem to be relying on the industry there is no way of showing what happens to animals for that. That is what I took from an answer the that have been killed in that way and where they end up Minister gave me in January. She said that there is no in the food chain. problem because the industry has not told her that there This is indeed a labelling issue, but I must say to my is one, but it currently relies on its records of ownership, hon. Friend the Member for Shipley that, according to and they depend on whether people return their warranty some of the information that has been gleaned through and registration cards when they buy products. A lot of the examination of people who do not wish animals to people do not because they think they will receive a be killed without being stunned, it is almost impossible great deal of marketing bumph and other material they to trace the meat involved, and that without Europe-wide do not want, but doing so is vital if a product recall is traceability, his proposal will be totally unenforceable. I required. What we are left with are general media appreciate that many consumers would like to know information recalls and signage, which people may not how the animals were treated, where and in what conditions see or take in, being put up in various stores. That is they were raised, the extent of the confinement in which why our recalls do not have a very high success rate, and they were placed, and how they were slaughtered. While that is leaving people at risk. I agree with my hon. Friend’s sentiments—I, too, believe that consumers should know exactly what they are Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman is addressing purchasing—I therefore cannot support his new clause. the House with inimitable eloquence as always, but I Let me now say something about the tenancy issues think I can confidently predict that he is reaching his that have been raised. I quote my hon. Friend the peroration. Member for Shipley a great deal, because he talks a lot of good sense, and his heart is often in the right place. Mark Durkan: The other point the Government make However, I believe that if we put all the onus on is that this will be the subject of a European directive in landlords when it comes to any fees associated with the a couple of years’ time. I would only make the point checking of tenants—they often have to be checked that we should not have to wait for a European directive, now because of the rules on residency, which govern and that it would be better if a meaningful European whether they have the right to rent in this country—those directive were transposed through existing legislation. fees will go into the chain, and other ways will be found New clause 15 would provide exactly those powers and to put up rents. I cannot believe that the Labour party that legislation. wants that to happen. A small letting agency in St Albans, which contacted Mrs Main: I would like to speak to new clauses 13 me about the Labour party’s proposal, is deeply unhappy and 22, and make a small reference to new clauses 18 about it. Given that the agency provides a service enabling to 21. people to go into its office, choose from the properties New clause 13 was explained so eloquently by my that are advertised, be shown round and so on, why hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) as should a fee not be incurred for the benefit that the being a matter of consumer choice. I have a huge degree potential tenant enjoys? The landlord may enjoy a of sympathy with that, but I will explain why I cannot different benefit in the form of the checking of the support him today. We should all know exactly what we tenants; the benefits are not always exactly the same. are eating. We should have a good deal of information I suggest that the Government should be extremely about how animals have lived and died. I have major cautious before accepting any blandishments from the concerns that Europe does not have the same high Labour party, which constantly tries to impose all the standards of animal welfare that we have in this country, cost on businesses. We, as consumers, also want a yet we import meat from those animals who have been degree of protection. raised with living standards we do not find acceptable and have outlawed, such as farrowing pens for pigs. Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab) Briefing from the Eurogroup for Animals, published rose— in 2011, gives some interesting information about European standards of animal husbandry and, indeed, animal Mrs Main: I am afraid that this is a very short debate. slaughter—much of the meat involved enters our own food chain—and makes it clear that many of us should Part of those fees go towards ensuring that there is a be very concerned about those issues. That organisation market for people who want a good choice of tenanted opposes the slaughter of all animals without their being properties that they can go and look at. stunned beforehand. The briefing states: Let me now add my few words to the extensive debate “In 2010, the European Commission requested from Member about tickets. The hon. Member for Washington and States official data regarding numbers of animals ritually slaughtered Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson) made a very good within their territory.” point about touts who would potentially sell tickets 685 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 686 back. That is a flaw, but I have a huge amount of Advertising Standards Authority has given a ruling sympathy with those who have bought a ticket that saying the fees that are compulsory should be shown cannot be used for some reason. I do not see how it can upfront as part of the price quoted. However, when we be wrong to sell that ticket on, as I might sell on go on websites like that of Foxtons, we see those fees are anything else that I might have purchased. My hon. in very small print, so, in practice, letting agents are Friend the Member for Shipley made the valid point going through the motions when it comes to the ASA that if a major company selling tickets en bloc wants to ruling, but they are not sticking to the spirit of it. try to stop the practice, it should be working with the We did not recommend a complete abolition of fees Government for that purpose. to tenants. What we said was that it has been done in I do not wish us to outlaw the selling on of tickets Scotland and that we should review the Scottish experience. that people may have purchased quite rightfully and of The Committee will come back in the autumn and look which they then wish to dispose. I feel that that would at the Scottish experience and consider whether banning creep into other areas and start applying to people who charges to tenants means higher rents. If so, there is a buy the latest thing from Kate Moss At Topshop, the question as to whether tenants favour paying a bit more latest pair of trainers or the latest toy, and then choose in rent rather than having a massive fee upfront. The to sell it on. I think that that is a slippery slope, and I do Committee will also look at the fact that the contract is not wish to go down it. with the landlord, not the tenant. We will take further evidence on those matters in the autumn. Several hon. Members rose— Stephen McPartland (Stevenage) (Con): I wish to Mr Speaker: Order. Of course I am in colleagues’ speak briefly to new clauses 18 to 21. I was a member of hands, but I simply point out that anyone who speaks the Public Bill Committee and we had a long debate for longer than three minutes will knowingly be stopping about ticket touts and the secondary ticketing market. I another colleague contributing. I just put that in my think there is cross-party support on this, and I pay usual gentle fashion. tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mike Weatherley) and the hon. Member for Washington and Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): I want to Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson) for the work they speak to new clause 22 about letting agents’ charges. have done as chairs of the all-party group on ticket When the Communities and Local Government Committee abuse of which I am proud to be a member. The report did a report on the private rented sector last year, we that has been produced is excellent and is close to my had more evidence and more complaints about letting heart as Knebworth, which is in my constituency, is the agents’ charges than almost anything else. That was largest outdoor music venue in the UK. I am therefore reflected by the OFT, which said that complaints to very keen to ensure that we eradicate ticket touting for Consumer Direct about letting agents were almost all all events. Having cross-party support to eradicate ticket about fees and charges. It is not just that there is one fee touting is very welcome, and we need to push that upfront for a tenancy agreement; there are also the forward. charges for inventories and for credit checks, and people In Committee I referred to an organisation called enter into a viewing not knowing what the ultimate Twickets. It takes a photograph of the ticket in question charge will be. It is a charge they have to find upfront as and places it on its Twitter feed and it can then sell that a prospective tenant, at the same time as they are trying ticket for the face value or less. That is the only way in to find the deposit, and often these are people on very which that ticket can be sold. That provides a good low incomes. opportunity for someone to sell a ticket at face value or The process gets repeated to a degree every time less to a third party who they do not know. people renew their tenancy after six months or 12 months, One thing that disturbed me in Committee, and one and that militates against having longer term contracts. of the reasons why I cannot add my name to new Agents see this as an incentive not to let longer term clauses 18 to 21, is that botnets are buying up huge contracts because short-term contracts mean renewals amounts of tickets from the online retailers, and 90% of and more fees for them. I have described letting agents tickets in the UK are currently sold online. So one huge as being a bit like football agents as they make their problem facing us is how to stop these botnets buying money out of transfers and renewals of contracts. We up the tickets. Consumer behaviour is in many ways ought to be extremely wary of that. driving the problem, because consumers are prepared Shelter said the average size of a fee to a tenant was to pay almost any price and so they accept the market; £355. The Foxtons website gives its fees as £420 to a they pay the price and that allows ticket touts to flourish. tenant to create a contract, £96 to renew it and £150 for We need to focus on how we can remove ticket touts an inventory check. Such charges are replicated by most from the UK and how we eradicate them as much as we letting agents. can. The Committee responded that there should be absolute transparency of fees upfront when a property is advertised 6.30 pm and it must be clear what the totality of charges to Many people feel that because they are buying a tenants will be and there should be no double charging. ticket online they are not engaging in behaviour that is If there is transparency, it will be harder for a letting associated with a criminal activity, but few of the people agent to charge a tenant and a landlord for the same who would buy a ticket online would speak to a ticket thing, which happens at present. tout in the street outside a venue and buy a ticket off We want these changes to be put in a mandatory code them. Therefore, part of this may be about educating of practice, but the Government have not agreed to do people so that they understand that when they are that. On transparency, all that has happened is the buying these tickets online, they are helping some people 687 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 688 who are often engaged in criminal activity and they are the hope it gets some traction. They do not think it also working with a group of organisations that are not through; there is nothing more to it than that. This time putting money back into the film and music industries. the issue is letting agent fees. It is my belief that they I am not able to support these new clauses. Although I have not spoken to the letting agents or to many of the agree with the spirit of them, I do not feel they would tenants who have to pay the fees—if they had, they do enough to eradicate the scourge of ticket touts. would not be proposing this measure in such a way. I want a sensible debate on this, but we do not get it. As I Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): I rise to support have said, what we have had is an orchestrated campaign new clause 22 which is an important first step in addressing in which Labour opponents, many of whom live in a private rented sector into which many hundreds of massive houses in particular constituencies, have been thousands of people who would previously perhaps told by the Labour party centrally here in London to have been allocated a social housing dwelling have been parrot a particular line. They do not care about it to the forced because council houses and housing association extent that they have ever stood up and talked about it properties are currently in short supply. Many of them before. My Labour opponent, who wrote to me about have to move over and over again: often these are this, certainly never had a word to say about it before people on very low incomes and they are hit with she was told to do so by Labour headquarters in London. punitive charges by profiteering rogue letting agents. I That is what is going on here. We are not having a say that this is an important first step because it is not sensible debate about this measure, which hits some of just about the charges associated with establishing a the big cities such as London, or about repeat fees. tenancy in the first instance. Labour has taken this scattergun approach in the hope A letting agency in Derby, Professional Properties, of trying to drum up support for the measure, but what hits people not only with the sorts of charges we are will happen is that rents will go up, because these debating, which would be covered by the new clause, charges will not disappear; the tenant will have to pay but with additional spurious charges when they end them in some way. their tenancy. I am dealing with one case in particular In many houses in my constituency, particularly in where a young woman who looked after the property in Goole which is relatively poor, the landlords do not which she had been living very well was hit with an charge bonds. They say is that if they cannot charge a enormous charge of more than £1,000 for spurious relatively small fee—the biggest company in my repairs. As a result of my intervention that charge was constituency, Goole Property Centre, does not charge dropped, but there has been a refusal to allow her to repeat fees or fees to people who do not then get a have her deposit back. Those are shameful tactics by property—they will charge bonds instead. The cost of letting agents who are exploiting a very vulnerable group getting into a property to begin with could double or in society, and it is incumbent on us in this place to quadruple in my constituency. stand up for people who are being exploited in this way. I can tell Members what some of the letting agencies It is important to acknowledge that the private rented use their fees for. A large number of those who are sector does have a role to play, but we want a responsible renting are foreign tenants, and the agencies try to private rented sector and a responsible letting agents provide somebody who speaks their language and who sector. Rents in the private sector have gone through the gives them additional support, often getting them signed roof, so there is ample money in this system without up to gas and electricity. They also help out with some these additional charges being heaped on people, who, of the simple things, which lead to a huge number of as I have said, are often on very low incomes. I strongly letters in my postbag. I am talking about things like bin support new clause 22 as a very important first step to collections—how to follow the rules—and community regularising the private rented sector in our country. cohesion problems, which occur when large numbers of foreign migrants live in homes in multiple occupation. Andrew Percy: I want to speak primarily to new Landlords use their letting fees to subsidise such activity, clause 22, but first let me briefly speak in support of and that is what will disappear. This is an ill-thought new clause 14. I thought I was the only person who had out policy from the Labour party. Let us have a sensible problems with switching, believing it to be another in debate about it. The hon. Member for Sheffield South the long list of failures in my life, but since I got elected East (Mr Betts) said that it was too early to make a I have realised that there is a massive issue to address so decision, because we need to see what happens with the I fully that provision. I have some sympathy with new trial in Scotland. Unfortunately, Labour has decided clause 13, as I would like to see better labelling, but I am not to wait, but wants to continue with a student union not sure I can support it as drafted. type approach to try to build something around the cost of living issue. It is a bit pathetic in my view, which is On new clause 22, I should declare that I do not have why I will not support this measure until we have a any buy-to-let properties—I struggled enough to qualify proper and sensible debate. for one mortgage, so the idea of qualifying for a further mortgage is probably a bit of a joke. Going through the Yasmin Qureshi: I am concerned about the way in list of other Members who have relevant interests, I which this debate on halal and kosher has been taking noted that an awful lot of them were on the Opposition place in the country and about some of the things that Benches. I assume that no Labour Members who rent have been said in the Chamber. At the heart of this out a property do so through a letting agent that debate is a suggestion that somehow the halal and charges fees, because to do so would be to fall foul of a kosher slaughtering processes are more painful for the word we are not allowed to say in here. animal than the stunning process. Some 90% of the With this new clause we have a campaign going on. meat in this country is stunned, so we are talking about We have student union politics at the moment whereby just 10% of meat. I am sure that Members can see the Opposition pick an issue and throw it out there in behind what the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) 689 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 690 is saying. He claims that the whole country is concerned Yasmin Qureshi: No; as I said, I am not going to give about the issue. As somebody who is virtually a vegetarian, way. but occasionally will eat meat, I am concerned not just I am very concerned about how animals are treated about the rights of animals but about the issue of and reared and concerned that they should not be experimentation on animals, which I speak up about treated cruelly when they are transported. We should and campaign against. The newspaper that is going on have a proper scientific debate about slaughtering, because about halal meat does not talk about experimentation the evidence is out there. Concern is perpetuated because on animals, which is real cruelty. We know that it just most people do not know how the halal or kosher wants to have a go at one particular group of people. I methods of slaughter take place. If they looked into the want to deal with one central question, which seems to studies that have been done in America—I do not have be the accepted wisdom of everyone here, and that is the time to go into all of them—they would find that whether the kosher and halal method of slaughtering is this is a proper system with the animal’s level of pain more painful. being monitored—[Interruption.] I know that Government A scientific study was carried out by Professor Schultz Members do not want to hear this, but I am sorry: they and his colleague at Hanover university in Germany. are going to have to listen to me. I have the Floor, and I They took one group of animals and followed the halal am not—[Interruption.] and kosher slaughtering process, and then took another group and followed the stunning process. They placed Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. electrodes on the animals concerned and monitored the The House must listen to the hon. Lady. level of pain experienced by the animals. If anyone is squeamish here, they can place their hands over their Yasmin Qureshi: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. ears. This is what they said about the halal method: I am probably saying something that a lot of people “The first three seconds from the time of Islamic slaughter as are finding a bit difficult to swallow, but it is about time recorded on the EEG did not show any change from the graph that the counter-argument and the full facts were presented before slaughter, thus indicating that the animal did not feel any to the country and to Parliament. For far too long, the pain during or immediately after the incision…For the following debate has been skewed, because certain sections of the 3 seconds, the EEG recorded a condition of deep sleep— media want to deal with just one aspect, but they are unconsciousness. This is due to the large quantity of blood misleading people. A myth is being perpetuated that gushing out from the body…After the above-mentioned 6 seconds, the EEG recorded zero level, showing no feeling of pain at somehow kosher and halal methods, carried out as they all…As the brain message…dropped to zero level, the heart was should be, are more painful and cause more suffering to still pounding and the body convulsing”— the animal, but that is incorrect. The stunning method is probably more painful, so banning things or labelling at this point, the Royal Society for the Prevention of based on “humaneness” or whether animals are being Cruelty to Animals and other organisations might say treated properly is wrong. I want to say more, but I will that the animal is suffering, because it is convulsing, but leave it at that, because others want to speak. the reason for that is not pain, but that the blood is leaving the body and the bones in the body structure are convulsing. That is not pain—[Interruption.] I wish Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): I will not detain hon. Members would listen. the House for long. I want to talk to new clause 13. I was hoping that my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley With the stunning method, although the animal appeared (Philip Davies) would not divide the House on it, but it to fall unconscious after the stunning, in fact the EEG has highlighted yet again the extremely important issue graph of food labelling and consumer choice, and the work “showed severe pain immediately after stunning”. that still has to be done. Let us be realistic about stunning. It is not a nice little I start with a simple principle and question. Should prick; it is done via an electric shock or sometimes, with consumers be allowed to know where their food has some animals, a pistol. We are not talking about a come from, how it has been prepared and how it has painless death. been slaughtered? For me, the answer to that simple question is yes so that consumers can make an informed choice. However, I accept that the issue is more complicated Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Will the hon. than that and more complex than this simple new Lady give way? clause. I am not being critical of my hon. Friend when I say that, and I completely understand why he has Yasmin Qureshi: No, I will not, because I only have a worded it as he has. However, although I have great few minutes. sympathy with new clause 13, I cannot support it as it stands. The third thing to notice is that the “hearts of animals stunned by C.B.P. stopped beating earlier as compared to those of the animals slaughtered according to the” 6.45 pm halal meat method. No one wants to talk about the In essence, the stunning of livestock has been mandatory science, because the accepted wisdom goes with the in the EU since 1979, although member states can grant prejudice that I am sorry to say certain newspapers in exemptions for religious slaughter. Some people in this this country show towards certain groups without looking Chamber might want to follow the lead of Denmark at the evidence. and ban non-stunned slaughter altogether on animal welfare grounds, but I for one would certainly not want to go down that road. As my hon. Friend has said, the Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con): Will the hon. proposal is not about banning anything, nor should it Lady give way? be. I strongly believe that consumers should have the 691 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 692 right to make an informed choice, and the new clause The hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) highlighted should serve as a warning shot across the bows of the importance of industry-led action, and we agree Government that the issue will not go away. with that. The hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella The Government are going to have to grasp the nettle Creasy) and a number of other Members mentioned at some point and for me that point needs to come the rugby world cup in 2015, and that is a great example sooner rather than later. I look forward to hearing what of industry-led action. The organisers’ 10-point plan the Minister has to say. lists many of the actions suggested by the hon. Member for Shipley, including the release of tickets in batches and the late issue of tickets. Jenny Willott: We have had a varied and wide-ranging debate this afternoon, so I shall do my best to cover as All that is being industry-led. I hope that what I have many of the issues that Members have raised as I can. said has reassured members of the all-party group that First, however, I want to explain the Government we share the concerns that they have highlighted and amendments, which are designed to protect consumers that we have looked carefully at the best way to take on from a delay in receiving a refund. We discussed the board the group’s recommendations to try to protect issue in Committee and although delay might arise only consumers. I hope that they are reassured by what I in a minority of cases, the Government are persuaded have explained about the information on the website that the potential detriment means that this is a sensible and in the guidance. On halal meat—a completely different change to make. We are ensuring that any refund must subject—we want people to have the information that be made without undue delay and always within 14 days they need to make informed choices about the food that of the trader agreeing that the consumer is entitled to a they buy. Many retailers or restaurants and fast food refund. Since we discussed that in Committee my outlets already voluntarily provide information on whether Department has been consulting business organisations meat is halal or kosher. As we have seen from the debate and consumer groups to identify the best way to make today, this is a complex and sensitive area. There is the change without disadvantaging either consumers or no single clear definition of halal meat. The majority of businesses. I am glad that the Opposition support the halal meat produced in this country comes from animals change. that are stunned before slaughter, whereas kosher meat all comes from unstunned animals. That is just part of The Government agree that consumers should be what consumers want to know, as we have heard in the protected from fraudulent, counterfeit and misleading debate today. We already have powers under the Food ticket sales. I think that everybody in the House would Safety Act 1990 to make domestic regulations to introduce agree with that. However, we also need to allow the a requirement to label with the method of slaughter. market to operate for the benefit of consumers who However, we do not consider at this stage that regulation would miss out on events without it. We have made new is the best approach. Primarily, food businesses should regulations that will come into force this year to empower provide consumers with the information that they want and inform consumers. From June, traders will have to and need. If there is to be compulsory labelling, we believe ensure that consumers have all the information they that this would best be done at a European level. That need before they buy. We published detailed guidance would be best for consumers and also ensure that we do when the regulations were made in December 2013, but not put our food industry at a competitive disadvantage. since then the Trading Standards Institute has been working on additional guidance. We have today updated Philip Davies: Will the Minister give way? our guidance on those regulations to make it clear what that means for ticket sales. That went live on our Jenny Willott: I will not give way, I am afraid. I have website this morning. It includes clarification that if the no time. ticket is for a specific seat that information must be My hon. Friend the Member for Shipley said that given, that the total cost, including delivery costs and there was widespread customer demand for labelling of other charges, must be given and that, depending on the the kind that has been suggested. An EU study is circumstances, the face value may also need to be given. currently being undertaken on precisely that question, In addition, from October of this year we are making so we are waiting with interest the publication of the it easier for consumers who have been misled by a study so that we have full information on what consumers trader to take their own action to get their money back want. We will review all our options at that point. and, if appropriate, to get damages as well. Armed with We had a good debate about product safety in Committee that information and access to redress, consumers will and we have discussed it recently in the Chamber. There be empowered to make use of the market for their is already legislation on product safety recalls, which benefit and hopefully not fall victim to fraudulent, places strict duties on producers and distributors to counterfeit or misleading ticket sales. There are also ensure the safety of products. These regulations also rules in place to protect consumers, and when a marketplace provide trading standards with comprehensive powers is aware of illegitimate activity on its site it might be in to enforce them. As the hon. Member for Foyle (Mark breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Durkan) said, we need to improve the effectiveness of Regulations 2008. product recalls. The traceability of products after sale is As for new clause 12, when there are concerns about a real challenge, as he said, but I do not believe that the secondary ticketing market the first port of call introducing new reporting requirements or a new should be for the industry to source a solution. Some of overarching agency is the right approach. The vast the larger event organisers, as has already been mentioned, majority of businesses take the safety of their customers already have refund procedures in place and we welcome very seriously and I believe that the best approach is that. However others, including smaller players, have therefore for us to continue to work with representatives chosen not to, for very good commercial reasons in from industry, consumer groups and enforcement agencies many cases. to ensure that the system is as effective as possible. 693 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 694

The issue of lettings has also excited people this Finally, on Government amendment 14 and Opposition afternoon. Most letting agents offer a good service. amendment 5, I am happy to change the process from a A blanket ban on fees, as new clause 22 proposes, requirement for the negative to the affirmative procedure, cannot therefore be the answer to tackle a minority of and have tabled a Government amendment to that effect. irresponsible agents. In addition, banning fees will not I therefore hope that the hon. Member for Walthamstow make it cheaper for tenants, because tenants will just will not press her amendment. end up paying through higher rents rather than upfront fees. The hon. Member for Walthamstow highlighted the example of Scotland. My understanding is that in Philip Davies: I did not hear the Minister make any the first quarter after the change was introduced rents remarks about new clause 14, which appeared to have rose significantly in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and in cross-party support. Will the Government support it the year to March rents rose by more in Scotland than too? in England and in Wales. In fact, the rate of increase in rents was double that in Wales. So it is not quite as Jenny Willott: Given the time restrictions, I shall say simple a picture as the hon. Lady highlighted. that we support the intention behind the new clause but We are already changing the law to require all letting not its wording, as there are a number of problems with and managing agents to belong to an approved redress it. I am happy to discuss with the hon. Gentleman after scheme, which will give tenants an effective way to make the debate the points that he has made to see if there is a complaints. Last month the Housing Minister approved way forward. With those remarks, I hope that hon. three redress schemes that all letting and property Members are happy that I have covered all the issues management agents will be required to join later this that were raised in the debate. year. This will ensure that tenants and leaseholders have a straightforward way of holding their agents to account. Stella Creasy: A number of issues have been raised. I The three compulsory schemes, which are the property am conscious of the time so I shall be brief and discuss ombudsman, ombudsman services: property and the the two new clauses that we want to push to a vote property redress scheme, will offer independent investigation because we are not satisfied with what the Government of complaints about hidden fees or poor service. Where have said. First, on new clause 22, which deals with a complaint is upheld, tenants and leaseholders could letting fees, the Government should realise that it is not get compensation. a small minority of letting agents charging fees. Indeed, We are going further. Today, in a move that ensures a good landlords do not want to lose tenants who cannot fair deal for landlords and tenants, I am pleased to afford those fees. announce that we will be amending the Bill to require The hon. Member for St Albans (Mrs Main) was letting agents to publish full details of the fees that they disrespectful about the idea that tweeting in the Chamber charge. Currently the Advertising Standards Authority was a good idea. Let me tell her that in the past hour we requires letting agents only to list charges to the tenant have had an example of a fee of £1,300 to change the up front in their advertisements. Those letting agents names of two tenants on a tenancy agreement. Those who are found to have imposed hidden charges face are the sorts of fees that we are talking about. Shelter little more than being named and shamed on the authority’s disputes the evidence that the Minister gave about there website. We want to go further to require all letting being no impact on rent inflation in Scotland since the agents to publish a full tariff of their fees both on their measure was introduced. Members have to make a website and prominently in their offices. Anyone who decision about whether they are on the side of the does not comply with those new rules will face a fine consumer or on the side of business. We are firmly of that is a much stricter penalty than currently exists. the view that we need to be on the side of the consumer While every business remains free to set its own fees it in this instance in changing the way in which the rental has to be transparent, so competition will ensure that market works. Rental fees are anti-competitive, and letting agents will have to justify those fees to tenants. there is a conflict between who acts for the landlord and Today’s plans add to the work that the Government who acts for the agent. We need to change that, so we have already done to offer stronger protections for want to push new clause 22 to a vote. landlords and tenants in the private rented sector while We also want to push new clause 16 to a vote, because avoiding excessive regulation, which would force up it is clear that Members across the House want to see rents and reduce choice. We intend to review the requirement action on ticket touting. New clause 16 puts into practice for greater transparency after 12 months of operation the amendments that the Government proposed on to confirm that it is delivering the expected benefits. If consumer information and consumer evidence. The Minister not, the Government will consider whether the proposals discussed the rugby world cup, but it is clear that tickets need to go further. are already being sold on secondary sites, so the measures We have discussed micro-businesses in an earlier debate, that she discussed have not had an impact. We need to so I will briefly state that we do not support extending make progress on that too. the consumer protections in the Bill to smaller businesses. The provisions in the Bill have been designed for consumers, We are happy to take advice on amendments on and we cannot and should not assume that they can be businesses, and we are happy to accept the Minister’s applied as successfully to small businesses as they can to assurances about refunds. We are seeking more Government consumers. As the Select Committee on Business, U-turns, but on letting agent fees and ticket touting it is Innovation and Skills acknowledged, all business groups time for action, and that is exactly what the Opposition that responded to the Government’s 2008 consultation seek in the amendments. I beg to ask leave to withdraw preferred to retain the clarity of the current distinction the motion. between business and consumer. Clause, by leave, withdrawn. 695 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 696

New Clause 13 Goodwill, Mr Robert Macleod, Mary Gove, rh Michael Maude, rh Mr Francis GOODS TO BE AS DESCRIBED: MEAT PRODUCTS Green, rh Damian May, rh Mrs Theresa Greening, rh Justine Maynard, Paul ‘(1) All products containing halal and kosher meat shall be Grieve, rh Mr Dominic McCartney, Jason labelled as such at the point of sale by retail and food outlets. Griffiths, Andrew McCartney, Karl (2) A food outlet is anywhere where food is served to the Gummer, Ben McIntosh, Miss Anne public.’.—(Philip Davies.) Gyimah, Mr Sam McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Brought up, and read the First time. Halfon, Robert McPartland, Stephen Question put, That the clause be read a Second time. Hames, Duncan McVey, rh Esther Hammond, rh Mr Philip Menzies, Mark The House divided: Ayes 17, Noes 281. Hancock, Matthew Metcalfe, Stephen Division No. 277] [6.59 pm Hands, rh Greg Miller, Andrew Harper, Mr Mark Milton, Anne Harrington, Richard Moore, rh Michael AYES Harris, Rebecca Mordaunt, Penny Bone, Mr Peter Paisley, Ian Hart, Simon Morgan, Nicky Bridgen, Andrew Percy, Andrew Harvey, Sir Nick Morris, Anne Marie Davies, Philip Reevell, Simon Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Morris, David Evans, Mr Nigel Shannon, Jim Hayes, rh Mr John Morris, James Fitzpatrick, Jim Smith, Henry Heald, Oliver Mosley, Stephen Gray, Mr James Turner, Mr Andrew Heath, Mr David Mowat, David Henderson, Gordon Walker, Mr Charles Heaton-Harris, Chris Mulholland, Greg Hermon, Lady Tellers for the Ayes: Hemming, John Mundell, rh David Hoey, Kate Mr David Nuttall and Henderson, Gordon Munt, Tessa McCartney, Jason Mr Philip Hollobone Hendry, Charles Neill, Robert Herbert, rh Nick Newton, Sarah Hinds, Damian Nokes, Caroline NOES Hoban, Mr Mark O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Adams, Nigel Clark, rh Greg Hopkins, Kris Offord, Dr Matthew Afriyie, Adam Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Howarth, Sir Gerald Ollerenshaw, Eric Aldous, Peter Coffey, Dr Thérèse Howell, John Opperman, Guy Andrew, Stuart Collins, Damian Hughes, rh Simon Ottaway, rh Sir Richard Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Colvile, Oliver Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Paice, rh Sir James Bacon, Mr Richard Cox, Mr Geoffrey Hunter, Mark Parish, Neil Baker, Steve Crabb, Stephen Huppert, Dr Julian Patel, Priti Baldry, rh Sir Tony Crockart, Mike Hurd, Mr Nick Paterson, rh Mr Owen Barclay, Stephen Davies, David T. C. Jackson, Mr Stewart Pawsey, Mark Bebb, Guto (Monmouth) James, Margot Penning, rh Mike Beith, rh Sir Alan Davies, Glyn Javid, rh Sajid Penrose, John Bellingham, Mr Henry de Bois, Nick Jenkin, Mr Bernard Percy, Andrew Beresford, Sir Paul Dinenage, Caroline Johnson, Gareth Perry, Claire Berry, Jake Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Johnson, Joseph Phillips, Stephen Bingham, Andrew Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Jones, Andrew Pickles, rh Mr Eric Binley, Mr Brian Dorries, Nadine Jones, rh Mr David Pincher, Christopher Blackman, Bob Doyle-Price, Jackie Jones, Mr Marcus Poulter, Dr Daniel Blunt, Crispin Drax, Richard Kawczynski, Daniel Prisk, Mr Mark Boles, Nick Duddridge, James Kelly, Chris Pugh, John Bottomley, Sir Peter Duncan, rh Mr Alan Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Raab, Mr Dominic Bradley, Karen Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Kirby, Simon Randall, rh Sir John Brake, rh Tom Ellis, Michael Knight, rh Sir Greg Reckless, Mark Brazier, Mr Julian Ellison, Jane Kwarteng, Kwasi Redwood, rh Mr John Brine, Steve Ellwood, Mr Tobias Lamb, Norman Rees-Mogg, Jacob Brokenshire, James Elphicke, Charlie Lancaster, Mark Reid, Mr Alan Brooke, Annette Eustice, George Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Browne, Mr Jeremy Evans, Graham Latham, Pauline Robertson, rh Hugh Bruce, Fiona Evennett, Mr David Laws, rh Mr David Robertson, Mr Laurence Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Fabricant, Michael Leadsom, Andrea Rosindell, Andrew Buckland, Mr Robert Fallon, rh Michael Lee, Jessica Rudd, Amber Burns, rh Mr Simon Featherstone, Lynne Lee, Dr Phillip Russell, Sir Bob Burrowes, Mr David Field, Mark Leech, Mr John Rutley, David Burstow, rh Paul Foster, rh Mr Don Lefroy, Jeremy Sanders, Mr Adrian Burt, Lorely Fox,rhDrLiam Leigh, Sir Edward Sandys, Laura Byles, Dan Francois, rh Mr Mark Leslie, Charlotte Scott, Mr Lee Cairns, Alun Freeman, George Lewis, Brandon Selous, Andrew Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Fullbrook, Lorraine Lewis, Dr Julian Shapps, rh Grant Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Fuller, Richard Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Sharma, Alok Carmichael, Neil Garnier, Sir Edward Lidington, rh Mr David Shelbrooke, Alec Carswell, Mr Douglas Gauke, Mr David Lloyd, Stephen Shepherd, Sir Richard Cash, Mr William Gibb, Mr Nick Lopresti, Jack Simpson, Mr Keith Chishti, Rehman Gilbert, Stephen Luff, Sir Peter Skidmore, Chris Clappison, Mr James Glen, John Lumley, Karen Smith, Chloe 697 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 698

Smith, Julian Vara, Mr Shailesh (b) individuals employed by the secondary ticketing Smith, Sir Robert Vickers, Martin platform; Soames, rh Nicholas Walker, Mr Robin (c) other companies linked to employees, directors or Soubry, Anna Wallace, Mr Ben shareholders of the secondary ticketing platform; Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Walter, Mr Robert (d) the event organiser or an agent acting on their behalf; Stanley, rh Sir John Weatherley, Mike or Stephenson, Andrew Webb, Steve (e) any other party connected to the event organiser of the Stevenson, John Wharton, James event. Stewart, Bob Wheeler, Heather (5) Guidance issued under section (1) shall set out the status of Stewart, Iain White, Chris tickets as unique goods with distinct characteristics which would Stewart, Rory Whittaker, Craig affect— Streeter, Mr Gary Wiggin, Bill Stride, Mel Williams, Mr Mark (a) the enjoyment of the good by the consumer; Stuart, Mr Graham Williams, Roger (b) the use of the good by the consumer; or Sturdy, Julian Williams, Stephen (c) the inherent value of the good in questions. Swales, Ian Williamson, Gavin (6) Where a ticket is sold through a secondary ticketing Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Willott, Jenny platform, guidance issued under section (1) shall set out how the Swire, rh Mr Hugo Wilson, Mr Rob Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Syms, Mr Robert Wollaston, Dr Sarah Charges) Regulations 2013 apply to tickets as unique goods, Tapsell, rh Sir Peter Wright, Jeremy including— Thornton, Mike Wright, Simon (a) how sellers must provide all relevant information about Thurso, John Yeo, Mr Tim the ticket including but not limited to the face value Tomlinson, Justin Young, rh Sir George of the ticket and a designated seat or ticket number; Tredinnick, David Zahawi, Nadhim (b) how secondary ticketing platforms will publish all the Truss, Elizabeth Tellers for the Noes: information about a ticket provided by the seller in a Uppal, Paul Harriett Baldwin and prominent and clear way; and Vaizey, Mr Edward Gavin Barwell (c) what sanctions will apply for failing to provide this information under the regulations.’.—(Stella Creasy.) Question accordingly negatived. Brought up, and read the First time. 7.13 pm Question put, That the clause be added to the Bill. Proceedings interrupted (Programme Order, this day). The House divided: Ayes 229, Noes 290. The Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Questions necessary Division No. 278] [7.13 pm for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that time (Standing Order No. 83E). AYES Abbott, Ms Diane Champion, Sarah New Clause 16 Abrahams, Debbie Chapman, Jenny Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Clark, Katy Alexander, Heidi Clarke, rh Mr Tom SECONDARY TICKETING PLATFORMS: PRODUCT AND Ali, Rushanara Clwyd, rh Ann SELLER INFORMATION Allen, Mr Graham Coaker, Vernon ‘(1) The Secretary of State shall issue guidance to all traders Ashworth, Jonathan Coffey, Ann who operate as secondary ticketing platforms on the application Austin, Ian Connarty, Michael of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Bailey, Mr Adrian Cooper, Rosie Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. Bain, Mr William Corbyn, Jeremy (2) Guidance issued under section (1) shall include how Balls, rh Ed Crausby, Mr David secondary ticketing platforms must inform consumers of— Banks, Gordon Creagh, Mary (a) the chosen identity of the seller; Barron, rh Kevin Creasy, Stella (b) the country of residence of the seller; Bayley, Hugh Cruddas, Jon (c) information provided by previous buyers on the Beckett, rh Margaret Cunningham, Alex reliability of the seller and the tickets he has sold; Begg, Dame Anne Cunningham, Mr Jim Benn, rh Hilary Cunningham, Sir Tony (d) information on any complaints made against the seller Benton, Mr Joe Curran, Margaret for failing to supply tickets; Berger, Luciana Dakin, Nic (e) information on any complaints made against the seller Betts, Mr Clive Danczuk, Simon for supplying fraudulent or invalidated tickets; and Blackman-Woods, Roberta Davidson, Mr Ian (f) information on all other accounts currently or Blears, rh Hazel Davies, Geraint previously held with the secondary ticketing platform Blomfield, Paul De Piero, Gloria linked to the seller by virtue of personal, financial Blunkett, rh Mr David Denham, rh Mr John and contact information provided by them. Brennan, Kevin Dobson, rh Frank (3) Guidance issued under section (1) shall set out how information Brown, Lyn Docherty, Thomas required under Part 2 of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 shall be— Brown, Mr Russell Doran, Mr Frank (a) accurate; and Buck, Ms Karen Doughty, Stephen (b) prominently displayed before a buyer is able to Burden, Richard Dowd, Jim purchase. Burnham, rh Andy Doyle, Gemma (4) Guidance issued under section (1) shall set out how Byrne, rh Mr Liam Dromey, Jack secondary ticketing platforms must disclose clearly if the seller of Campbell, rh Mr Alan Dugher, Michael the ticket is— Campbell, Mr Ronnie Durkan, Mark (a) the secondary ticketing platform themselves; Caton, Martin Eagle, Ms Angela 699 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 700

Eagle, Maria Mann, John Walley, Joan Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Edwards, Jonathan Marsden, Mr Gordon Watson, Mr Tom Wishart, Pete Efford, Clive McCabe, Steve Watts, Mr Dave Wood, Mike Elliott, Julie McCann, Mr Michael Weir, Mr Mike Woodcock, John Ellman, Mrs Louise McCarthy, Kerry Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Wright, David Engel, Natascha McClymont, Gregg Whitehead, Dr Alan Wright, Mr Iain Esterson, Bill McDonagh, Siobhain Williams, Hywel Evans, Chris McDonald, Andy Williamson, Chris Tellers for the Ayes: Field, rh Mr Frank McDonnell, John Wilson, Phil Julie Hilling and Fitzpatrick, Jim McGovern, Alison Winnick, Mr David Tom Blenkinsop Flello, Robert McGovern, Jim Flint, rh Caroline McGuire, rh Mrs Anne NOES Flynn, Paul McKechin, Ann Fovargue, Yvonne McKenzie, Mr Iain Adams, Nigel Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Francis, Dr Hywel McKinnell, Catherine Afriyie, Adam Dorries, Nadine Gapes, Mike Meacher, rh Mr Michael Aldous, Peter Doyle-Price, Jackie Gardiner, Barry Mearns, Ian Andrew, Stuart Drax, Richard Gilmore, Sheila Miliband, rh Edward Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Duddridge, James Glass, Pat Miller, Andrew Baker, Steve Duncan, rh Mr Alan Glindon, Mrs Mary Mitchell, Austin Baldry, rh Sir Tony Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Godsiff, Mr Roger Moon, Mrs Madeleine Barclay, Stephen Ellis, Michael Greatrex, Tom Morden, Jessica Bebb, Guto Ellison, Jane Green, Kate Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Beith, rh Sir Alan Ellwood, Mr Tobias Greenwood, Lilian Morris, Grahame M. Bellingham, Mr Henry Elphicke, Charlie Griffith, Nia (Easington) Beresford, Sir Paul Eustice, George Hain, rh Mr Peter Munn, Meg Berry, Jake Evans, Graham Hamilton, Mr David Murphy, rh Paul Bingham, Andrew Evans, Mr Nigel Hamilton, Fabian Murray, Ian Blackman, Bob Evennett, Mr David Hanson, rh Mr David Nandy, Lisa Blunt, Crispin Fabricant, Michael Harris, Mr Tom Nash, Pamela Boles, Nick Fallon, rh Michael Havard, Mr Dai O’Donnell, Fiona Bone, Mr Peter Featherstone, Lynne Healey, rh John Onwurah, Chi Bottomley, Sir Peter Field, Mark Hendrick, Mark Owen, Albert Bradley, Karen Foster, rh Mr Don Hepburn, Mr Stephen Perkins, Toby Brady, Mr Graham Fox,rhDrLiam Hermon, Lady Pound, Stephen Brake, rh Tom Francois, rh Mr Mark Heyes, David Powell, Lucy Brazier, Mr Julian Freeman, George Hillier, Meg Qureshi, Yasmin Bridgen, Andrew Freer, Mike Hodge, rh Margaret Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Brine, Steve Fullbrook, Lorraine Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Reed, Mr Jamie Brokenshire, James Fuller, Richard Hoey, Kate Reed, Mr Steve Brooke, Annette Garnier, Sir Edward Hood, Mr Jim Reynolds, Emma Browne, Mr Jeremy Gauke, Mr David Hopkins, Kelvin Reynolds, Jonathan Bruce, Fiona George, Andrew Howarth, rh Mr George Robertson, Angus Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Gibb, Mr Nick Hunt, Tristram Robertson, John Buckland, Mr Robert Gilbert, Stephen Irranca-Davies, Huw Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Burns, rh Mr Simon Glen, John Jackson, Glenda Roy, Lindsay Burrowes, Mr David Goodwill, Mr Robert James, Mrs Siân C. Ruane, Chris Burstow, rh Paul Gove, rh Michael Jamieson, Cathy Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Burt, Lorely Graham, Richard Jarvis, Dan Sarwar, Anas Byles, Dan Gray, Mr James Johnson, rh Alan Sawford, Andy Cairns, Alun Green, rh Damian Johnson, Diana Seabeck, Alison Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Greening, rh Justine Jones, Graham Shannon, Jim Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Jones, Helen Sharma, Mr Virendra Carmichael, Neil Griffiths, Andrew Jones, Mr Kevan Sheerman, Mr Barry Carswell, Mr Douglas Gummer, Ben Jones, Susan Elan Shuker, Gavin Cash, Mr William Gyimah, Mr Sam Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Skinner, Mr Dennis Chishti, Rehman Halfon, Robert Kane, Mike Slaughter, Mr Andy Clappison, Mr James Hames, Duncan Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Smith, rh Mr Andrew Clark, rh Greg Hammond, rh Mr Philip Keeley, Barbara Smith, Angela Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hancock, Matthew Kendall, Liz Smith, Nick Coffey, Dr Thérèse Hands, rh Greg Khan, rh Sadiq Smith, Owen Collins, Damian Harper, Mr Mark Lammy, rh Mr David Spellar, rh Mr John Colvile, Oliver Harrington, Richard Lavery, Ian Stringer, Graham Cox, Mr Geoffrey Harris, Rebecca Lazarowicz, Mark Stuart, Ms Gisela Crabb, Stephen Hart, Simon Leslie, Chris Tami, Mark Crockart, Mike Harvey, Sir Nick Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Thomas, Mr Gareth Davies, David T. C. Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Timms, rh Stephen (Monmouth) Hayes, rh Mr John Long, Naomi Turner, Karl Davies, Glyn Heald, Oliver Lucas, Caroline Twigg, Derek Davies, Philip Heath, Mr David Lucas, Ian Twigg, Stephen de Bois, Nick Heaton-Harris, Chris MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Vaz, rh Keith Dinenage, Caroline Hemming, John Mactaggart, Fiona Vaz, Valerie Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Henderson, Gordon 701 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 702

Hendry, Charles Newton, Sarah Truss, Elizabeth Wiggin, Bill Herbert, rh Nick Nokes, Caroline Turner, Mr Andrew Williams, Mr Mark Hinds, Damian Nuttall, Mr David Uppal, Paul Williams, Roger Hoban, Mr Mark O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Vaizey, Mr Edward Williams, Stephen Hollobone, Mr Philip Offord, Dr Matthew Vara, Mr Shailesh Williamson, Gavin Hopkins, Kris Ollerenshaw, Eric Vickers, Martin Willott, Jenny Howarth, Sir Gerald Opperman, Guy Walker, Mr Charles Wilson, Mr Rob Howell, John Ottaway, rh Sir Richard Walker, Mr Robin Wollaston, Dr Sarah Hughes, rh Simon Paice, rh Sir James Wallace, Mr Ben Wright, Jeremy Hunter, Mark Paisley, Ian Walter, Mr Robert Wright, Simon Huppert, Dr Julian Parish, Neil Weatherley, Mike Yeo, Mr Tim Jackson, Mr Stewart Patel, Priti Webb, Steve Young, rh Sir George Javid, rh Sajid Paterson, rh Mr Owen Wharton, James Zahawi, Nadhim Jenkin, Mr Bernard Pawsey, Mark Wheeler, Heather Tellers for the Noes: Johnson, Gareth Penning, rh Mike White, Chris Harriett Baldwin and Johnson, Joseph Percy, Andrew Whittaker, Craig Gavin Barwell Jones, Andrew Perry, Claire Jones, rh Mr David Phillips, Stephen Jones, Mr Marcus Pickles, rh Mr Eric Question accordingly negatived. Kawczynski, Daniel Pincher, Christopher Kelly, Chris Poulter, Dr Daniel Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Prisk, Mr Mark New Clause 22 Kirby, Simon Pugh, John Knight, rh Sir Greg Randall, rh Sir John PROHIBITION OF FEES IN CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES: Kwarteng, Kwasi Reckless, Mark LETTING OF RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION Lamb, Norman Redwood, rh Mr John Lancaster, Mark Rees-Mogg, Jacob ‘(1) The provisions in this section apply to a contract for a trader to supply a service in connection with the letting of a Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Reevell, Simon residential premises. Latham, Pauline Reid, Mr Alan Laws, rh Mr David Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm (2) Subject to the provisions of this section, any person who Leadsom, Andrea Robertson, rh Hugh demands or accepts payment of any sum of money from a Lee, Jessica Robertson, Mr Laurence person (“P”) for services in connection with a contract for the Lee, Dr Phillip Rosindell, Andrew letting of residential premises shall be guilty of an offence. Leech, Mr John Rudd, Amber (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), P is any person— Lefroy, Jeremy Russell, Sir Bob (a) who seeks to enter a contract to let residential Leigh, Sir Edward Rutley, David accommodation, or Leslie, Charlotte Sanders, Mr Adrian (b) who has a tenancy of, or other right or permission to Lewis, Brandon Sandys, Laura occupy, residential premises. Lewis, Dr Julian Scott, Mr Lee Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Selous, Andrew (4) For the purposes of subsection (2)— Lidington, rh Mr David Shapps, rh Grant “letting” shall include any service provided in connection with Lloyd, Stephen Sharma, Alok the advertisement or marketing of residential accommodation or Lopresti, Jack Shelbrooke, Alec with the grant or renewal of a tenancy; Luff, Sir Peter Shepherd, Sir Richard “services shall — Lumley, Karen Simpson, Mr Keith (a) include, and are not limited to— Macleod, Mary Skidmore, Chris Main, Mrs Anne Smith, Chloe (i) the registration of persons seeking accommodation, Maude, rh Mr Francis Smith, Henry (ii) the selection of prospective occupiers, and May, rh Mrs Theresa Smith, Julian (iii) any work associated with the production or Maynard, Paul Smith, Sir Robert completion of written agreements or other McCartney, Jason Soames, rh Nicholas relevant documents. McCartney, Karl Soubry, Anna (b) not include credit checks of person seeking McIntosh, Miss Anne Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline accommodation. McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Stanley, rh Sir John (5) Where a person unlawfully demands or accepts payment McPartland, Stephen Stephenson, Andrew under this section in the course of his employment, the employer McVey, rh Esther Stevenson, John or principal of that person shall also be guilty of an offence. Menzies, Mark Stewart, Bob Metcalfe, Stephen Stewart, Iain (6) A person shall not be guilty of an offence under this Miller, rh Maria Stewart, Rory section by reason of his demanding or accepting payment of rent Milton, Anne Streeter, Mr Gary or a tenancy deposit within the meaning of section 212(8) of the Moore, rh Michael Stride, Mel Housing Act 2004. Mordaunt, Penny Stuart, Mr Graham (7) A person shall not be guilty of an offence under this section Morgan, Nicky Sturdy, Julian by reason of his demanding or accepting a holding deposit. Morris, Anne Marie Swales, Ian (8) A “holding deposit” for the purposes of subsection (7) is— Morris, David Swayne, rh Mr Desmond (a) a sum of money demanded of or accepted from a Morris, James Swire, rh Mr Hugo person, in good faith for the purpose of giving priority Mosley, Stephen Syms, Mr Robert to that person in relation to the letting of a specific Mowat, David Tapsell, rh Sir Peter property, which is to be credited towards the tenancy Mulholland, Greg Thornton, Mike deposit or rent upon the grant of the tenancy of that Mundell, rh David Thurso, John property, and Munt, Tessa Tomlinson, Justin (b) not greater than two weeks rent for the Neill, Robert Tredinnick, David accommodation in question. 703 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 704

(9) Costs incurred by persons seeking accommodation for the Hillier, Meg Murray, Ian undertaking of credit checks shall be reimbursed upon the Hodge, rh Margaret Nandy, Lisa signing of a tenancy agreement. Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Nash, Pamela (10) In this section, any reference to the grant or renewal of a Hoey, Kate O’Donnell, Fiona tenancy shall include the grant or renewal or continuance of a Hollobone, Mr Philip Onwurah, Chi lease or licence of, or other right or permission to occupy, Hood, Mr Jim Owen, Albert residential premises. Hopkins, Kelvin Paisley, Ian (11) In this section “rent” shall include any occupation charge Howarth, rh Mr George Perkins, Toby under a licence.’.—(Stella Creasy.) Hunt, Tristram Pound, Stephen Huppert, Dr Julian Powell, Lucy Brought up. Irranca-Davies, Huw Qureshi, Yasmin Question put, That the clause be added to the Bill. Jackson, Glenda Raynsford, rh Mr Nick James, Mrs Siân C. Reed, Mr Jamie The House divided: Ayes 228, Noes 281. Jamieson, Cathy Reed, Mr Steve Jarvis, Dan Reynolds, Emma Division No. 279] [7.26 pm Johnson, rh Alan Reynolds, Jonathan Johnson, Diana Robertson, John AYES Jones, Graham Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Jones, Helen Roy, Lindsay Abbott, Ms Diane Dakin, Nic Jones, Mr Kevan Ruane, Chris Abrahams, Debbie Danczuk, Simon Jones, Susan Elan Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Davidson, Mr Ian Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Sarwar, Anas Alexander, Heidi Davies, Geraint Kane, Mike Sawford, Andy Ali, Rushanara De Piero, Gloria Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Seabeck, Alison Allen, Mr Graham Denham, rh Mr John Keeley, Barbara Shannon, Jim Ashworth, Jonathan Dobson, rh Frank Kendall, Liz Sharma, Mr Virendra Austin, Ian Docherty, Thomas Khan, rh Sadiq Sheerman, Mr Barry Bailey, Mr Adrian Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Lammy, rh Mr David Shuker, Gavin Bain, Mr William Doran, Mr Frank Lavery, Ian Skinner, Mr Dennis Balls, rh Ed Doughty, Stephen Lazarowicz, Mark Slaughter, Mr Andy Banks, Gordon Dowd, Jim Leslie, Chris Smith, rh Mr Andrew Barron, rh Kevin Doyle, Gemma Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Smith, Angela Bayley, Hugh Dromey, Jack Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Beckett, rh Margaret Dugher, Michael Smith, Nick Long, Naomi Begg, Dame Anne Durkan, Mark Smith, Owen Lucas, Caroline Benn, rh Hilary Eagle, Ms Angela Spellar, rh Mr John Lucas, Ian Benton, Mr Joe Eagle, Maria Stringer, Graham Mactaggart, Fiona Berger, Luciana Edwards, Jonathan Stuart, Ms Gisela Mann, John Betts, Mr Clive Efford, Clive Swales, Ian Marsden, Mr Gordon Blackman-Woods, Roberta Elliott, Julie Tami, Mark McCabe, Steve Blears, rh Hazel Ellman, Mrs Louise Thomas, Mr Gareth McCann, Mr Michael Blomfield, Paul Engel, Natascha Timms, rh Stephen McCarthy, Kerry Blunkett, rh Mr David Esterson, Bill McClymont, Gregg Turner, Karl Brennan, Kevin Evans, Chris McDonagh, Siobhain Twigg, Derek Brown, Lyn Field, rh Mr Frank McDonald, Andy Twigg, Stephen Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Fitzpatrick, Jim McDonnell, John Vaz, rh Keith Brown, Mr Russell Flello, Robert McGovern, Alison Vaz, Valerie Buck, Ms Karen Flint, rh Caroline McGovern, Jim Walley, Joan Burden, Richard Flynn, Paul McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Watson, Mr Tom Burnham, rh Andy Fovargue, Yvonne McKechin, Ann Watts, Mr Dave Byrne, rh Mr Liam Francis, Dr Hywel McKenzie, Mr Iain Whitehead, Dr Alan Campbell, rh Mr Alan Gapes, Mike McKinnell, Catherine Williams, Hywel Campbell, Mr Ronnie Gardiner, Barry Meacher, rh Mr Michael Williamson, Chris Caton, Martin Gilmore, Sheila Mearns, Ian Wilson, Phil Champion, Sarah Glass, Pat Miliband, rh Edward Winnick, Mr David Chapman, Jenny Glindon, Mrs Mary Miller, Andrew Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Clark, Katy Godsiff, Mr Roger Mitchell, Austin Wood, Mike Clarke, rh Mr Tom Greatrex, Tom Moon, Mrs Madeleine Woodcock, John Clwyd, rh Ann Green, Kate Morden, Jessica Wright, David Coaker, Vernon Greenwood, Lilian Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Wright, Mr Iain Coffey, Ann Griffith, Nia Morris, Grahame M. Connarty, Michael Hain, rh Mr Peter (Easington) Tellers for the Ayes: Cooper, Rosie Hamilton, Mr David Munn, Meg Tom Blenkinsop and Corbyn, Jeremy Hamilton, Fabian Murphy, rh Paul Julie Hilling Crausby, Mr David Hanson, rh Mr David Creagh, Mary Harris, Mr Tom NOES Creasy, Stella Havard, Mr Dai Adams, Nigel Bacon, Mr Richard Cruddas, Jon Healey, rh John Afriyie, Adam Baker, Steve Cunningham, Alex Hendrick, Mark Cunningham, Mr Jim Hepburn, Mr Stephen Aldous, Peter Baldry, rh Sir Tony Cunningham, Sir Tony Hermon, Lady Andrew, Stuart Barclay, Stephen Curran, Margaret Heyes, David Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Bebb, Guto 705 Consumer Rights Bill13 MAY 2014 Consumer Rights Bill 706

Beith, rh Sir Alan Fox,rhDrLiam Leigh, Sir Edward Rosindell, Andrew Bellingham, Mr Henry Francois, rh Mr Mark Leslie, Charlotte Rudd, Amber Beresford, Sir Paul Freeman, George Lewis, Brandon Russell, Sir Bob Berry, Jake Freer, Mike Lewis, Dr Julian Rutley, David Bingham, Andrew Fullbrook, Lorraine Liddell-Grainger, Mr Sandys, Laura Binley, Mr Brian Fuller, Richard Ian Scott, Mr Lee Blackman, Bob Garnier, Sir Edward Lidington, rh Mr David Selous, Andrew Blunt, Crispin Gauke, Mr David Lloyd, Stephen Shapps, rh Grant Boles, Nick George, Andrew Lopresti, Jack Sharma, Alok Bone, Mr Peter Gibb, Mr Nick Luff, Sir Peter Shelbrooke, Alec Bradley, Karen Gilbert, Stephen Lumley, Karen Shepherd, Sir Richard Brady, Mr Graham Glen, John Macleod, Mary Simpson, Mr Keith Brake, rh Tom Goodwill, Mr Robert Main, Mrs Anne Skidmore, Chris Brazier, Mr Julian Gove, rh Michael Maude, rh Mr Francis Smith, Chloe Bridgen, Andrew Graham, Richard May, rh Mrs Theresa Smith, Henry Brine, Steve Gray, Mr James Maynard, Paul Smith, Julian Brokenshire, James Green, rh Damian McCartney, Jason Smith, Sir Robert Brooke, Annette Greening, rh Justine McCartney, Karl Soames, rh Nicholas Browne, Mr Jeremy Grieve, rh Mr Dominic McIntosh, Miss Anne Soubry, Anna Bruce, Fiona Griffiths, Andrew McLoughlin, rh Mr Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Gummer, Ben Patrick Stanley, rh Sir John Buckland, Mr Robert Gyimah, Mr Sam McPartland, Stephen Stephenson, Andrew Burns, rh Mr Simon Halfon, Robert McVey, rh Esther Stevenson, John Burrowes, Mr David Hames, Duncan Menzies, Mark Stewart, Bob Burstow, rh Paul Hammond, rh Mr Metcalfe, Stephen Stewart, Iain Burt, Lorely Philip Miller, rh Maria Stewart, Rory Byles, Dan Hancock, Matthew Milton, Anne Streeter, Mr Gary Cairns, Alun Hands, rh Greg Moore, rh Michael Stride, Mel Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Harper, Mr Mark Mordaunt, Penny Stuart, Mr Graham Carmichael, rh Mr Harrington, Richard Morgan, Nicky Sturdy, Julian Alistair Harris, Rebecca Morris, Anne Marie Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Carmichael, Neil Hart, Simon Morris, David Swire, rh Mr Hugo Carswell, Mr Douglas Harvey, Sir Nick Morris, James Syms, Mr Robert Cash, Mr William Haselhurst, rh Sir Mosley, Stephen Thornton, Mike Chishti, Rehman Alan Mowat, David Thurso, John Clappison, Mr James Hayes, rh Mr John Mundell, rh David Tomlinson, Justin Clark, rh Greg Heald, Oliver Munt, Tessa Tredinnick, David Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Heath, Mr David Neill, Robert Truss, Elizabeth Coffey, Dr Thérèse Heaton-Harris, Chris Newton, Sarah Turner, Mr Andrew Collins, Damian Hemming, John Nokes, Caroline Uppal, Paul Colvile, Oliver Henderson, Gordon Nuttall, Mr David Vaizey, Mr Edward Cox, Mr Geoffrey Hendry, Charles O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Vara, Mr Shailesh Crabb, Stephen Herbert, rh Nick Offord, Dr Matthew Vickers, Martin Crockart, Mike Hinds, Damian Ollerenshaw, Eric Walker, Mr Charles Davies, David T. C. Hoban, Mr Mark Opperman, Guy Walker, Mr Robin (Monmouth) Hopkins, Kris Ottaway, rh Sir Richard Wallace, Mr Ben Davies, Glyn Howarth, Sir Gerald Paice, rh Sir James Walter, Mr Robert Davies, Philip Howell, John Parish, Neil de Bois, Nick Hughes, rh Simon Patel, Priti Weatherley, Mike Dinenage, Caroline Hunter, Mark Paterson, rh Mr Webb, Steve Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Jackson, Mr Stewart Owen Wharton, James Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Javid, rh Sajid Pawsey, Mark Wheeler, Heather Dorries, Nadine Jenkin, Mr Bernard Penning, rh Mike White, Chris Doyle-Price, Jackie Johnson, Gareth Percy, Andrew Whittaker, Craig Drax, Richard Johnson, Joseph Perry, Claire Wiggin, Bill Duddridge, James Jones, Andrew Phillips, Stephen Williams, Mr Mark Duncan, rh Mr Alan Jones, rh Mr David Pickles, rh Mr Eric Williams, Roger Duncan Smith, rh Mr Jones, Mr Marcus Pincher, Christopher Williams, Stephen Iain Kawczynski, Daniel Poulter, Dr Daniel Williamson, Gavin Ellis, Michael Kelly, Chris Prisk, Mr Mark Willott, Jenny Ellison, Jane Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Pugh, John Wilson, Mr Rob Ellwood, Mr Tobias Kirby, Simon Randall, rh Sir John Wollaston, Dr Sarah Elphicke, Charlie Knight, rh Sir Greg Reckless, Mark Wright, Jeremy Eustice, George Kwarteng, Kwasi Redwood, rh Mr John Wright, Simon Rees-Mogg, Jacob Evans, Graham Lancaster, Mark Yeo, Mr Tim Reevell, Simon Evans, Mr Nigel Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Young, rh Sir George Evennett, Mr David Latham, Pauline Reid, Mr Alan Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Fabricant, Michael Laws, rh Mr David Tellers for the Noes: Robertson, rh Hugh Harriett Baldwin and Fallon, rh Michael Lee, Jessica Robertson, Mr Laurence Gavin Barwell Featherstone, Lynne Lee, Dr Phillip Field, Mark Leech, Mr John Foster, rh Mr Don Lefroy, Jeremy Question accordingly negatived. 707 Consumer Rights Bill 13 MAY 2014 708

Clause 20 (4B) The trader must not impose any fee on the consumer in respect of the payment.’.—(Jenny Willott.) RIGHT TO REJECT This amendment requires that compensation for damage caused by digital content to other digital content or hardware must be provided Amendment made: 9, page 11, line 39, at end insert— by the trader to the consumer without undue delay and at the latest ‘(13A) A refund under this section must be given without within 14 days. It also provides that no fee can be charged for this undue delay, and in any event within 14 days beginning with the payment. day on which the trader agrees that the consumer is entitled to a refund. (13B) If the consumer paid money under the contract, the Clause 48 trader must give the refund using the same means of payment as the consumer used, unless the consumer expressly agrees CONTRACTS COVERED BY THIS CHAPTER otherwise. Amendment made: 14, page 30, line 3, leave out (13C) The trader must not impose any fee on the consumer in subsection (7) and insert— respect of the refund.’.—(Jenny Willott.) ‘(7) No order may be made under subsection (5) unless a draft This amendment and amendments 10, 11, 12 and 15 require a trader of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, to provide any refund due to the consumer without undue delay and and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.’.— at the latest within 14 days. They also provide that the refund must (Jenny Willott.) be in the same form as the original payment unless the consumer agrees otherwise and that no fee may be charged. Clause 48(5) gives the Secretary of State power to remove specified services from the application of Chapter 4 of Part 1 by Clause 24 order made by statutory instrument. This amendment changes the Parliamentary procedure for such statutory instruments from the RIGHT TO PRICE REDUCTION OR FINAL RIGHT TO REJECT negative resolution procedure to the affirmative resolution Amendment made: 10, page 14, line 42, leave out procedure. ‘(11)’ and insert ‘(13C)’.—(Jenny Willott.) The explanatory statement for amendment 9 also applies to this Clause 56 amendment. Clause 44 RIGHT TO PRICE REDUCTION Amendment made: 15, page 32, line 43, at end insert— RIGHT TO PRICE REDUCTION ‘(4) A refund under this section must be given without undue Amendment made: 11, page 27, line 45, at end insert— delay, and in any event within 14 days beginning with the day on ‘(4) A refund under this section must be given without undue which the trader agrees that the consumer is entitled to a refund. delay, and in any event within 14 days beginning with the day on (5) The trader must give the refund using the same means of which the trader agrees that the consumer is entitled to a refund. payment as the consumer used to pay for the service, unless the (5) The trader must give the refund using the same means of consumer expressly agrees otherwise. payment as the consumer used to pay for the digital content, (6) The trader must not impose any fee on the consumer in unless the consumer expressly agrees otherwise. respect of the refund.’.—(Jenny Willott.) (6) The trader must not impose any fee on the consumer in The explanatory statement for amendment 9 also applies to this respect of the refund.’.—(Jenny Willott.) amendment. The explanatory statement for amendment 9 also applies to this amendment. Ordered, That further consideration be now adjourned. (Claire Perry.) Clause 45 Bill to be further considered tomorrow.

RIGHT TO A REFUND Amendment made: 12, page 28, line 8, at end insert— Business without Debate ‘(3) A refund must be given without undue delay, and in any event within 14 days beginning with the day on which the trader BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE agrees that the consumer is entitled to a refund. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing (4) The trader must give the refund using the same means of Order No. 15), payment as the consumer used to pay for the digital content, unless the consumer expressly agrees otherwise. That, at this day’s sitting, proceedings on the Motion on All-Party Parliamentary Groups may continue, though opposed, (5) The trader must not impose any fee on the consumer in until any hour.—(Claire Perry.) respect of the refund.’.—(Jenny Willott.) The explanatory statement for amendment 9 also applies to this Question agreed to. amendment.

Clause 46 DEFERRED DIVISIONS Ordered, REMEDY FOR DAMAGE TO DEVICE OR TO OTHER DIGITAL That, at this day’s sitting, Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred CONTENT divisions) shall not apply to the Motion in the name of Kevin Amendment made: 13, page 28, line 31, at end insert— Barron relating to All-Party Parliamentary Groups.—(Claire Perry.) ‘(4A) A compensation payment under this section must be made without undue delay, and in any event within 14 days Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order— beginning with the day on which the trader agrees that the that means that every Member in the Chamber, whether consumer is entitled to the payment. in front of or behind the Chair, should be silent. 709 13 MAY 2014 All-party Parliamentary Groups 710

All-party Parliamentary Groups have opportunities to meet with UK ambassadors from many different countries, hear about the launch of the Green Investment Bank’s new scheme to help local 7.39 pm authorities install energy-efficient street lighting, look Kevin Barron (Rother Valley) (Lab): I beg to move, at the links between mental health and problem debt, or That– hear about immigration detention in the UK from (1) this House approves the Sixth Report of the Committee on Shami Chakrabarti or social work from Martin Narey— Standards, Session 2013-14, HC 357, on All-Party Parliamentary that is only some of the meetings that are taking place Groups, and the Rules for All-Party Parliamentary Groups contained today under the all-party group system. There is a great in Annex 1 of that Report. opportunity for Members of this House—for legislators—to (2) the Resolution of the House of 17 December 1985, as hear from experienced people on many issues. amended on 10 March 1989, 29 July 1998, 7 February 2011 and 12 March 2012, relating to the registration of interests be further Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): I draw amended with effect from the beginning of the next Parliament by: the House’s attention to the various APPGs with which I am closely involved, and other declarations of interest. (a) leaving out paragraphs 3 and 4; and One APPG today met a group that included over (b) inserting a new paragraph 3: 60 members of the freight industry. Members of the “Chairs of All-Party Parliamentary Groups shall be responsible House were able to hear from them, and were informed for registering the matters specified in the rules for such groups and for the group’s adherence to the Guide to the Rules for by a response from Baroness Kramer. That knowledge All-Party Parliamentary Groups”; and would not be able to be received in any other way. (3) the Committee on Standards shall have power to update the Guide to the Rules for All-Party Parliamentary Groups from time Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. to time and to make such minor changes to the Rules for All-Party Interventions must be brief. Parliamentary Groups as are necessary to ensure the effective operation of the Register of APPGs and the regulatory regime applying to such groups. Kevin Barron: My hon. Friend’s point is well put. I am no expert on freight but if I wanted to be and I was I am delighted that the House is able to debate the involved in making legislation in this House, that is the report, which sprang out of Mr Speaker’s recognition type of opportunity that is available to share experience that all-party group regulation needed to be reconsidered from outside. to ensure that it remained appropriate. As I recall, both you in a previous life, Mr Deputy Speaker, and I were APPGs come in all shapes and sizes, from a few people members of the working group that was set up. It was effectively acting as a friendship group for a particular chaired by my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn country to groups such as the parliamentary and scientific (Mr Straw), who unfortunately is unable to be with us committee, which provides a way for parliamentarians tonight, although he would have liked to have been and the science community to communicate with one here. The Select Committee on Standards built on the another, often through major events. APPGs provide a proposals of the Speaker’s working group but we also forum for parliamentarians to press for change. They conducted our own investigation. The lay members of also provide a forum in which outside organisations the Committee played a full part in this investigation working on the same topic can communicate with one and their presence meant that we had the power for the another. first time to see ourselves as others see us. I can assure It is true that APPGs provide a forum in which the House that lay members may be friends but in outsiders can promote policy to Members of Parliament. private they have no hesitation in being critical friends. I think it is reasonable for us to listen to those who want In my view, their ability to be critical friends is precisely to lobby us, whether they are charities, businesses or what makes them worth having on the Committee. I am knowledgeable individuals. Their ideas will only be sure that view is shared by all members of the Committee. taken up if we think they are good. This is a Parliament—a As a result of their involvement we know that the place where people talk. We talk to one another in Committee’s proposals command the support of people formal proceedings, but, even more, we talk to people who have taken the trouble to inform themselves about outside this place, both formally and informally. We the way this place works and the wider issues involved need to do that to do our job, so there should be as few in all-party group regulation. barriers as possible to people talking to MPs. Freedom As part of our work, the Committee joined with the of association is one of the rights protected by the Public Administration Committee to get some hard European convention on human rights. Nobody wants facts about the way in which all-party parliamentary to stop MPs talking to each other or to those outside groups operate. We surveyed all APPGs to find out the this place, but we could not stop, even if we were mad range of support they received and the frequency of enough to want to try. Any regulatory regime has to be their meetings, and besides that quantitative evidence proportionate, or all-party groups’ activities will simply we took qualitative evidence from colleagues from external be driven underground. organisations involved with APPGs, from those who It is fair to say that there is a suspicion about all-party reported on them and from critics as well. groups and at least a danger that they could be misused, I do not think we should be embarrassed about so we need a regime that reduces the chance of such APPGs. Indeed, I would be surprised if more than a misuse. Before I go into that, I just wish to say that I handful of us were not involved in APPG work. APPGs hope last week’s events in this place made it clear that enable groups of Members to inform themselves about existing rules already prohibit Members from using policy. They allow us to work across party lines and to all-party groups for personal gain and that the Committee work across both Houses. They allow us to educate on Standards will have no hesitation in condemning ourselves. Today’s all-party Whip shows that Members those who seek to misuse them. 711 All-party Parliamentary Groups13 MAY 2014 All-party Parliamentary Groups 712

[Kevin Barron] that is the case. Members trade names. They may say, “Well, you can put me down for that one, as long as you Our proposals in this report are based on five principles: don’t expect me to do any work in that area.” We feel ensuring parliamentary control of all-party groups; ensuring that that behaviour should now end, and there is detailed responsibility and accountability; financial transparency; recommendation about how to do that. improved understanding; and proportionality. On It was impossible to distinguish between groups that parliamentary control, it is already a requirement that attracted a great deal of parliamentary interest and groups should meet to elect officers at Westminster on a those that were, shall we say, more specialist, and we feel sitting day and that the meetings and annual general that there should be more transparency in that area. Let meetings should be advertised on the all-party notice. me end with a quote from our report. It says: We also propose an increase in the quorum; that only “No one wants a Parliament where Members have no interaction parliamentarians should have voting rights in all-party with wider society, take no steps to inform themselves about groups; and that all members—MPs and peers—should matters of public concern or are simply lobby fodder for whichever be entitled to vote in an all-party group. party they represent. APPGs perform a useful function in allowing Our proposals on responsibility and accountability Members to set the agenda and in allowing wider groups to put are designed to ensure that groups are regulated from their case to interested parliamentarians within a framework this House and it is clear who is responsible for compliance. which ensures transparency and control by Parliament.” Rather than having a contact officer, all-party groups I hope that the House will agree to our proposals, should have a chair from the Commons, who will which are intended to produce such a framework. have responsibility for ensuring that the group complies with the rules. All-party group notices should give a 7.51 pm parliamentary e-mail contact—we are working on that at the moment. We recognise that external support can The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (Tom be invaluable, but if these groups are really of interest to Brake): On behalf of the Government, I support the Members surely we should be willing to provide some motion before us in the name of the Chair of the resource to support them. Complaints about all-party Committee on Standards. The right hon. Member for groups could be and will be investigated by the Rother Valley (Kevin Barron) has set out very clearly Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. the conclusions of his Committee’s report and the effect Members are already responsible for registering benefits of the motion before the House. All-party parliamentary they each receive as a result of APPG membership, groups have a distinct and important role to play in the such as visits or hospitality, and that will remain. We also work of Parliament. They provide a recognised forum recommend that APPGs that receive £12,500 per year in which Members of both Houses can meet together will need to submit annual income and expenditure and with individuals from outside Parliament to share statements. Benefits in kind will need to be described information and exchange ideas on issues of mutual and have an approximate financial value ascribed to interest. This is a healthy process. Indeed, the free flow them. We believe that is a sensible thing to do, but that of ideas and information between the lawmakers and does not take individual members of all-party groups citizens is an essential part of any properly functioning away from their individual responsibilities to register democracy. such matters. There is a huge range of APPGs, the origins and On improving understanding, we want there to be purposes of which may range from a shared interest in a clear APPG branding, accompanied by clearer rules particular country or activity to a campaign for a good about the informal work Members undertake which is cause or policy objective. There is no problem with that. not linked to APPGs. The House has formal Committees What is important—I would say essential—is that in and, in APPGs, a mechanism for MPs and peers to respect of all such groups, there is transparency as to work together outside that formal framework. Members their purpose, membership and support, particularly are entirely free to work outside those frameworks, but any financial support, as well as accountability for their we should not be attaching the logo of Parliament to actions. That is what I hope will be achieved through groups that do not comply with the regulatory requirements. the changes we are approving today. Some offers were made during the debate and with the I fully support the intention of the new resolution to working group on getting harsher on this, but we genuinely make it clear that each chair of an APPG will be believe that such an approach would drive people away responsible and accountable for their group’s adherence from the formal all-party group structure into an ad to the rules governing all-party parliamentary groups. hoc system, which would have little, if any, influence. Those rules must be taken seriously and complied with We want to make sure that that is avoided. There also scrupulously. The fact that significant breaches will be needs to be far better information on APPGs on the subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner parliamentary website. I am pleased to say that the for Standards and subsequent consideration by the all-party Whip is now at least available on the intranet. Standards Committee should provide an effective deterrent. On proportionality, as well as making sure that the financial transparency regime is effective without being I am also happy to endorse the proposal to give the onerous, we propose to end the requirement for there to Committee on Standards the job of updating the guide be 20 qualifying members before a group can be set up. to the rules on APPGs and making minor changes to In practice, it has meant that colleagues have signed up the rules from time to time as the need arises without to groups on the principle that they might some day be having to bring such changes before the House for interested, or because if they wished to found a group approval. themselves their colleagues would be more likely to The House can have confidence in the Committee to support them. I have had an interest in several all-party entrust it with this function. Indeed such detailed changes groups for most of my time in this place, so I know that are much better done in Committee than on the Floor 713 All-party Parliamentary Groups13 MAY 2014 All-party Parliamentary Groups 714 of the House. The House should be grateful to the logic in recommending the same threshold as for party Standards Committee for its work on revising the rules donations seems to be an appropriate figure. We agree and the guide to the rules on APPGs. This will serve to with what my right hon. Friend the Member for Rother increase the confidence of the public in how Parliament Valley said, that requiring those groups that receive conducts itself and the confidence of Members that their more than £12,500 a year to publish income and expenditure engagement with APPGs is not only valuable in itself but statements will go some way towards improving public beyond reproach. I commend the motion to the House. confidence in APPGs. In short, where the Committee has recommended changes, Labour fully endorses the 7.53 pm recommendations and urges the House to support them. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): The Patrick Mercer case, however, has again highlighted The Opposition recognise the importance of this issue, the unease felt by many both inside and outside the and the debate is particularly timely given the recent House of Commons about the role that lobbyists and scandal involving Mr Patrick Mercer. third-party organisations may play in the running of APPGs. In the interest of transparency, it might be I want to begin by thanking the Standards Committee appropriate at this point to highlight the fact that the for conducting a thorough investigation into the running charity for which my wife works provides the secretariat of all-party parliamentary groups. In particular, I thank to a cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament. Cross- my right hon. Friend the Member for Rother Valley party groups are the equivalent of APPGs. Nevertheless, (Kevin Barron) for his continued chairmanship of the I recognise the role that lobbyists, charities and big Committee and the leadership that he has shown on the business may play in providing secretariat and administrative issue. I also thank all those Members who provided support, which, for some people, has been and is still a submissions, and those organisations and individuals contentious issue. who gave evidence to the Committee. The inquiry was, I think, an historic first in that I am not aware of a I note that the Standards Committee does not propose previous occasion on which a journalist—Mr Mark any alterations to the APPG rules on external support. D’Arcy of the BBC—was asked to give evidence as an As the Committee acknowledged, however, its report expert witness. was produced without reference to the Patrick Mercer case. That scandal makes uncomfortable reading for all It is worth noting the origins of the inquiry. As the of us who believe that Parliament should be striving to Committee report explains in its introduction, there has restore public confidence in political participation. The been disquiet about the increasing number of APPGs in Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards found that recent years and, in particular, questions about whether Mr Mercer sought to use an APPG as a vehicle for his they were susceptible to undue external influence. commercial interests and that the pseudo-foundation Mr Speaker’s working group on APPGs was established that he proposed as the secretariat would be the engine earlier in this Parliament to consider such issues. From of that vehicle. the group’s comprehensive study, it was right that the Campaigners for greater transparency have long decision was taken for the Standards and Privileges questioned why some organisations provide the secretariats Committee, as it was then constituted, to look at the to APPGs. As the Committee acknowledged: rules on registration. “It would be naive to think that all the organisations supporting In parallel, the Administration Committee, under the APPGs do so…for altruistic reasons”. chairmanship of the right hon. Member for Saffron Indeed, the Chair of the Select Committee on Political Walden (Sir Alan Haselhurst), has at the Commission’s and Constitutional Reform, my hon. Friend the Member request examined the impact of APPGs on the running for Nottingham North (Mr Allen), warned only last of Parliament. The Administration Committee’s key week in the Chamber that recommendations, such as the scrapping of the APPG “all-party groups…are the next big scandal waiting to happen”— passes, reform of the security and room-booking process [Official Report, 8 May 2014; Vol. 580, c. 305.] and the requirement to have a parliamentary contact It is therefore sensible that the question whether it is included in the all-party group Whip, have already been acceptable for the secretariat to be provided externally implemented. The House is grateful to Mr Speaker and be kept under review. Will the Leader of the House say, to the whole Commission for their leadership and the therefore, whether the Government share our view on decisive action taken, in particular in the light of the that issue? Will he say whether the Government believe events that transpired last summer. that a fresh, independent look at the issue should be Returning to the Standards Committee report before considered in the next Session? Will he clarify whether us, Labour concurs with all the proposed changes. The the Government are relaxed about the question of lobbyists recommendations to scrap associate groups and to end or big business playing a key role in the heart of the non-parliamentarians having a vote in the running of parliamentary system? parliamentary groups are correct. The raising of quorums In conclusion, we believe that the report has much for meetings and increasing the number of officers, to commend it. It makes a range of important while at the same time ending the requirement to have recommendations and also endorses the decisions of 20 signed-up parliamentarians, is sensible. As the Committee the Commission and the Administration Committee in explained, the 20-member rule has led to a number of a number of areas of the running of the House of cases in which MPs and peers who play no active role in Commons. We thank the Standards Committee for its an APPG are dragooned into helping out colleagues to work and endorse the motion. meet the targets, as well as obscuring those who are actually playing a key role in the running of an APPG. 8pm Transparency of activities is vital. To that end, we Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): I declare an also support the proposed threshold for donations or interest as the chairman of three APPGs—those on the gifts in kind of greater than £500. The Committee’s police, skin and, unsurprisingly, dentistry. I occasionally 715 All-party Parliamentary Groups13 MAY 2014 All-party Parliamentary Groups 716

[Sir Paul Beresford] undercover, which would be the result if APPGs were limited in number or were over-regulated. This is a attend others as well. Following the last attack, if you carefully considered report with relatively minimal changes like, subtle though it was, I must say that I am always that essentially extends transparency. amused by the mythology surrounding APPGs. According to the media, in particular, they have mystical power 8.4 pm over Ministers. Many, including those who should know better—I include some journalists—relate them to Select Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): I start by declaring Committees. Journalists, when media effect is needed, that for a good long time—a decade or so—I was chair always describe Select Committees as powerful and of the Africa all-party parliamentary group. Good and APPGs as influential. I am afraid that my response to effective all-party groups—they are a mixed bag; some that is “perhaps”. are extremely good and effective, others less so—can The fear propounded by some in the media is that have a real influence on public policy. For instance, lobbyists will manipulate APPGs. In fact, one of the since the last election, when the Government introduced national papers floated that in an article today. The their defence and security review, the Africa all-party hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas group put in a report that urged the Ministry of Defence Docherty) mentioned Mark D’Arcy, a parliamentary to consider the possible security risks emanating from BBC journalist who knows, because he cruises the halls Africa. This was some time before the Libya campaign, of the House of Commons and, I think, of the House but it led to the establishment within the MOD of a unit of Lords, exactly how the systems work. The Standards to look at the African dimension of security. Committee asked him various questions—his answers To give just one other example, under the previous are in the report—and he said: Government, the group produced a report about British “Someone said to me during recent events that if someone was involvement in corruption in Africa. It led to the going around touting the idea that All-Party Groups have genuine appointment by the Government of an anti-corruption influence on Government policy, they should be done for fraud”. tsar. My right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn He then said that he agreed, but up to a point. (Mr Straw) held that job for a time, as did the right hon. As a former Minister, I was always made very aware and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke) after of the background of anyone I was officially meeting, the general election. It also led the Government, after a whether they were a lobbyist, from an all-party group, couple of false starts, to introduce a Bribery Bill, which or an individual who wished to influence policy. Every went through with all-party support in the wash-up just Minister will be well briefed on anyone trying to pursue before the last general election. a position or point—whether they are an individual, or So all-party groups can have a purpose, but they are a from a group, a firm or an APPG. Their points might or mixed bag. Some are truly independent and use that might not be accepted by the policy makers, but it is independent voice to great effect. Others are less than right that APPGs can be one source of information. In entirely independent; they are a front for particular fact, the skin APPG recently published a report for the interests or lobbies, sometimes a pretty transparent accepted benefit of Department of Health Ministers front—which is a better option—and sometimes a not following a gathering together of interested people, particularly transparent front. I agree with the Chair of groups, trade representatives and so on, as clearly set the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee out in the report. The APPG assembled the evidence in that there is a scandal to come about the way in which its report, which is absolutely transparent about its outside interests lobby in the House of Commons. I do sources. Health Ministers will make of that what they not believe that the Lobbying Bill has addressed the will, but whatever they do it is a useful assembly of a problem properly, and I believe that the rotten tail of particular subject of interest to that Department. the all-party group spectrum provides inappropriate It is transparency that counts, and that the APPGs opportunities for outside interests to lobby in this place. are driven and controlled by MPs or peers as appropriate. So I welcome the recommendations in the report. The Standards Committee was clear on the usefulness They move in the right direction, but to my mind they of most APPGs as a means of discussion and even the do not yet move far enough. For example, it suggests enlightenment of MPs and peers, but I might also say that each group should maintain a list of those Members that sometimes the enlightenment comes from MPs and of the two Houses who are active in their affairs, and Lords to those attending. As many in the House will be that it should be available either because it is published aware, the outside perception of House procedures and or on request. It would be better if such lists were timetables is often very wrong. Those who attend sittings published, presumably on the all-party group’s website from outside this place often find them very educational. or the website of the Parliamentary Commissioner for I remember the chairman of an important chamber of Standards. It helps transparency if the public understand commerce, whom I will not name, asking for some legal which Members have a particular interest in an all-party change involving primary legislation, and his absolute group. failure to understand that even if I, as a Minister, I want to raise just one matter that could be advanced agreed, which I did not, it could not be enacted after under the recommendations in the report. They would having made progress through both Houses in the next permit the Commissioner for Standards to issue guidance week. or codes of practice. Guidance and stricter regulation is In essence, the changes desired in the report are fairly required in relation to the election of officers of all-party minor and reflect the Committee’s desire not to over- groups. Most all-party groups meet as a small band, regulate. The sceptical media and others need to realise and elections take place very well in an informal way, that APPGs with transparency and light regulation are with no statutory returning officer or heavy procedures. preferable to ad hoc groups operating without transparency, I would not want to over-regulate the affairs of a 717 All-party Parliamentary Groups13 MAY 2014 All-party Parliamentary Groups 718 majority of all-party groups, which work, because they impression that the candidate from my party should be have limited resources, in a fairly informal way. However, supported—a lot of messages went out trying to encourage we have had some recent examples of highly contested people to turn up at that meeting and, equally, messages elections. I see my hon. Friend the Member for Slough were sent out to members of another party to support (Fiona Mactaggart) in her place. When there are highly an alternative candidate, who won the contest. One partisan and contested elections for officerships of APPGs, might just say that that is what happens in politics, but the cross-party consensus that exists in most of these the conduct of that election would not pass muster if it groups is undermined. Such a consensus enables groups was a public election. It would not be deemed remotely to have the leverage and purchase on policy that they do. acceptable if it was a trade union ballot for industrial action. I turned up at the appropriate time in Committee I deeply regret the fact that there was a party political Room 5, which seats 20 or 30 people at a pinch. There campaign to take over the chairmanship of the all-party were 80 or 100 people in that room, packed shoulder to group on human trafficking, which led to two ballots, shoulder, and as many people outside in the corridor. the first of which resulted in a tie. Messages were sent The group’s officers, one from each party, had pre-printed through party channels—not through the Whips Office, ballot papers with the names of two candidates, although I think—through an informal system of whipping on nominations were not sought until the meeting. As luck both sides of the House. Occasionally, there are political would have it, only two candidates were nominated, so differences in all-party groups, which fail if they fracture the ballot papers were in order. along political lines. If a self-denying ordinance among Members does not prevent those groups from becoming, The two all-party group officers then started distributing in a small number of cases, highly politicised, some the ballot papers to a sea of hands, pushing and shoving. form of regulation is necessary. There were no checks whatsoever on who took the papers—whether they were Members of either House I spoke to the hon. Member for Wellingborough or whether they took more than one paper. Indeed, I (Mr Bone), who campaigned to take over the all-party heard someone joking that they would have to go round group on human trafficking, earlier today to warn him with ballot papers again, although I saw no evidence of that I would mention his name in this debate. He told that. I heard people out in the corridors shouting, me that his campaign was entirely party political, which “Come here. It’s Room 5. Get in there!”, and asking I find disturbing. It has happened on two or three other Members to support their candidate. occasions. The chair of the all-party China group was ousted, I believe, as the result of a political campaign. I think that is a move in the wrong direction. I wrote to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to say that I felt it would be possible to introduce some Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): My hon. Friend form of procedure in such cases to improve the transparency referred to the all-party group on human trafficking and democracy of the elections—I copied the letter to and modern slavery and the election, with a record the Chair of the Standards Committee. There is a rule turnout, which I won and which—he is right—was that permits any Member of either House to join any fought on party grounds. I want to reassure the House all-party group, and that is extremely important, because that since then, the group has been able to involve we do not want all-party groups to be closed shops for Members from all parties working equally enthusiastically particular groups of people. on an absolutely broad basis. His comments should not lead anyone to think that that all-party group operates in any way in a sectarian manner, because it does not. Thomas Docherty: I know that my hon. Friend is moving rapidly to a conclusion and will not want to spend more time on this issue than he has to, but is he Hugh Bayley: I am glad that my hon. Friend has had aware that, as the Standards Committee states in its the opportunity to put that on the record. It is something report, the rule on 20 members is not about who is or is that I observe from the work the group does. not a member of an APPG? Every Member of the two Houses is a member of an APPG and has equal voting I should declare a personal interest: I lost the chair of rights. the Africa all-party group because a band of people not from my political party, by a more considerable margin than is normal for our meetings, were organised—perhaps Hugh Bayley: I have a couple more things to say, but I that is the way to put it—to turn up and vote for will say them quickly. someone else who, in fact, leads the group extremely I believe that we need a system that enables elections well. None of that caucus, which was organised on to take place from those who have played an active role party grounds to come in and depose someone and elect in a group. That is why publishing a list of members of someone else, had ever been to a meeting of the Africa a group would be a good thing. It should be perfectly in all-party group, nor has any of them been to a meeting order for someone to put their name on the list up to, since. I would make the same statement in relation to say, 24 hours before the election takes place. But the the Africa group as my hon. Friend the Member for idea that people can turn up to a meeting by the dozen, Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) made in relation to the take ballot papers that are not numbered and not have all-party group on human trafficking. It runs extremely their names recorded when voting allows a misuse of well under new leadership and I am content with it. procedure that should not be permitted. I believe, however, that the problem of highly contested I would warmly welcome the Parliamentary elections reached a pinnacle of bad form in the recent Commissioner for Standards looking at this issue and, election in March of this year for the all-party group on while ensuring that all-party groups remain open to all Russia. I was aware for several days beforehand that Members, allowing a better means of regulating such there was going to be an election. I was under the clear elections where there is a great deal of interest in them. 719 All-party Parliamentary Groups 13 MAY 2014 720

8.18 pm Intelligence and Security Committee Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): I obviously lead a Motion made, and Question proposed, sheltered life, because in my 17 years in this place I have That Fiona Mactaggart be appointed to the Intelligence and never witnessed, or been involved in, shenanigans of the Security Committee of Parliament under Section 1 of the Justice sort that have just been described, which underline the and Security Act 2013.—(Tom Brake.) importance of and need for the motion before us this evening. All-party groups, if used in the right way and 8.22 pm in the right spirit, are an asset to this House, and indeed Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): Let me to the other place. make it clear that I have no objections to my hon. My experience of membership of all-party groups Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) over the years has been one of colleagues with a shared joining the Intelligence and Security Committee. I think interest coming together to promote something that is we would all agree that she is a person with quite an not normally done within the parliamentary channels. independent mind, and certainly a strong personality, Last week I was elected chair of the all-party group for and no doubt she will make a useful contribution to the the island of St Helena. In the past the group has done Committee. This is nothing personal, and I am sure she a lot of good work in promoting the island’s interests. did not expect there to be any criticism along those lines. For example, the airport that we all campaigned for is However, I am far from satisfied that the method of currently under construction. I am also chair of the being nominated in the name of the Prime Minister is all-party first aid group, which brings together Members the best way for a Member to join the ISC. It is going from both sides of both Houses. Its sole interest is back to former times. The Leader of the House looks promoting first aid. For 15 years I was secretary of the rather puzzled, but he knows full well that a system all-party scout group. Those all-party groups exist only existed in the previous Parliament whereby names appeared to promote organisations in this place and benefit them on the Order Paper and we would agree to them or because they have a wider interest in society. otherwise, as the case may be. I take the view that the In view of what the hon. Member for York Central ISC should be subject to elections. Fortunately, that is (Hugh Bayley) said, let us go with this motion, because not only my view. In paragraph 158 on page 62 of the we do not want the sort of behaviour he described. Home Affairs Committee report on counter-terrorism, which was published last week, it says: 8.19 pm “we recommend that the Commons membership of the Intelligence Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): As a and Security Committee should be elected like other select committees member of the Committee, I commend the report to the and that the Chair, who should always be a member of the House. I declare my chairmanship of the autism all-party Commons, ought to be subject to election of the whole House, as group and co-chairmanship of the European Union is the case for Select Committees.” all-party group. It is interesting to note that there has been a great deal of competition as to who should be the Conservative The report is an important step forward in several Chair of the Defence Committee. We receive a good deal respects, but most notably in how we seek properly to of correspondence on that subject. While that post is differentiate the labelling and logos used on reports by subject to a great deal of competition, and we will decide registered all-party groups—that is, the crowned portcullis on it accordingly in the democratic way on Wednesday, with the appropriate title of the group—and the appearance for membership of the ISC there is no election whatsoever. of documents such as the Select Committee report that A name is put before us and we either accept or reject it. I have in my hand. It is vital that all-party groups do not seek to publish documents that look like, or could be I simply want to say that whenever an opportunity mistaken for, reports by Committees of this House. We such as this arises, I will make my views known. This is have to do everything we can to make sure that the not an acceptable way to proceed—the Home Affairs media do not continue to fall into the trap of making no Committee agrees—and membership of the ISC should distinction between the reports of all-party groups and be subject to election. I would hope that at least the those of Select Committees. That recommendation by Deputy Leader of the House—a Liberal Democrat—would our Committee is particularly important. also take that view. Having made my position clear, I do not oppose the motion, but I will use every future 8.20 pm opportunity to make my views known. Kevin Barron: I am very pleased that the report has 8.25 pm the support of the House. I have heard the wider debate on the issues. Paragraph (3) of the motion gives the Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): I have the Committee licence to make minor changes without greatest respect for the hon. Member for Walsall North necessarily coming back to the Floor of the House, but (Mr Winnick). He is a man of great seniority in this we will use that in a sensible and proper manner, if at House and we always, rightly, listen very carefully to all. what he has to say. There is one—and only one—reason Question put and agreed to. why his proposal runs into difficulties. The simple point is that this particular Committee, unlike any other, has access to highly classified information up to the range of top secret, strap-2 level and occasionally higher. Some people believe that this country should have no secrets at all and that if we had no secrets, there would be no classified information and no case for treating the membership of the Intelligence and Security Committee differently from that of the Defence Committee. 721 Intelligence and Security Committee13 MAY 2014 Intelligence and Security Committee 722

Mr Winnick: I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s Dr Lewis: Indeed, Madam Deputy Speaker. If I may, kind remarks, but does he accept that, in the 1980s, I will just conclude that sentence by saying that I came before the ISC was formed—I was on the Standing to the conclusion that it was regarded as a suitable Committee that led to its formation—it was very difficult Committee on which to put a troublemaker who could to get the matter raised at all when I tried to initiate not talk about what the Committee was discussing. debates on the Security Service? I am in favour of such In conclusion, most people think that where highly a Committee and I am certainly in favour of the security classified material is concerned—material covered by services—even more so in the face of acute terrorism—but the Official Secrets Act—some people are better suited I want accountability, and I think that is the main than others to be allowed to see it. It is not acceptable or difference between the hon. Gentleman and me. compatible with that for the whole House simply to Dr Lewis: I hope to show that the difference between vote for any Member to be a member of the Committee, us is as small as possible. I was certainly not suggesting because the Committee would not be allowed to continue that the hon. Gentleman was not in favour of this to receive such material. However, I hold out a smidgeon country having security and intelligence services or, of hope for the hon. Member for Walsall North in that indeed, highly classified secrets. It was as a result of the a case could be made on the basis of the argument that work that he and his colleagues did back then that it once all the members have been appointed, the objection became possible to open up the intelligence and security would fall in relation to the Chairman. Once all the agencies to much greater scrutiny. Their activities can people who are regarded as appropriate to see highly now be examined and debated considerably. To a large classified information are known, I cannot see why the extent, that happens in the open—in the public arena of whole House could not then decide which of those Parliament—but when it cannot be done in the open, it cleared Members should be the Chairman, but perhaps can now, thank goodness, be done in the closed and that is for another occasion. secure environment of the Intelligence and Security Committee. I will move on quickly, because I do not wish to 8.31 pm detain the House for longer than is necessary. Some Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab): It is a pleasure people think that we should have some secrets but that to follow the hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr Lewis). there is not a single hon. Member of this House who Indeed, I agree with everything he said, in so far as it could not be trusted to know them. If that is one’s view, related to the motion. there would not be any argument against the membership of the ISC being elected just like the membership of any To be perfectly honest, I am slightly confused about other Committee. However, the membership of this why my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall North House reflects society in all its varied shades, phases, (Mr Winnick) chose to speak in this debate, although I types and categories. The fact is that I do not think do not doubt his right to do so. There can be only two there are many people who would say that, out of reasons for someone to object to the motion: either they 650 Members, there are not at least some who are not object to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona quite, shall we say, discreet or tight-lipped enough to Mactaggart)—but he said that he does not object to share in the most sensitive secrets of the security and her—or, alternatively, they object to the motion itself intelligence agencies. If one makes that concession, one and the procedure on which it is based. As the House has to admit that this Committee, if it is going to see will know, the motion relates to section 1 of the Justice such material, has to have some sort of screening process and Security Act 2013. I suspect that he spoke against and cannot simply be subject to the ordinary process of that provision when the Bill went through the House election, unless we are content that any single elected and was defeated. If he objects to the provision, I find it Member of this House can, by definition, be trusted not confusing that he said he would not object in any to do something foolish if given access to highly sensitive meaningful way. I am not quite sure what the point of information. his speech was. Ultimately, he will not object to her being put on the Committee, but at the same time he Mr Winnick: We all know, of course, of the hon. will not object to the procedure, so I am at a bit of a loss Gentleman’s own history of pretending to be someone to explain why he chose to detain the House tonight, else—namely a Labour supporter—in order to infiltrate but perhaps he can explain. the Labour party. I would not suggest that, because of his action then, he should be debarred from membership of the ISC. Mr Winnick: I am puzzled that my right hon. Friend is puzzled. No, I have no personal or political objections Dr Lewis: I am delighted to know that. I have to to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona admit to the hon. Gentleman that one of the reasons I Mactaggart)—why should I?—but as I thought I had put myself forward for a place on the Committee was to made perfectly clear, I am opposed to a system in test the water and see if any of my past nefarious which, in the name of the Prime Minister, a Member’s activities, as he would regard them, would result in my name is simply put before us and we say yea or nay. Let being black-balled. I came to the conclusion that I was me make it quite clear to my right hon. Friend that I am appointed for one of two reasons: either it was thought in favour of democracy and of people going on Committees that I was so discreet— subject to election, and that includes the ISC. Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. I fully appreciate the points that the hon. Gentleman is Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. making, but however exceedingly interesting they may The hon. Gentleman has already made his point—in be, they do not entirely relate to the very narrow motion my judgment, he has made it clearly—and he does not before us. have to repeat it. 723 13 MAY 2014 Business without Debate 724

Mr Howarth: I think that I am grateful to my hon. LICENCES AND LICENSING Friend for his intervention, but it did not take us any That the draft Licensing Act 2003 (FIFA World Cup Licensing further. I do not intend to address it any more, because Hours) Order 2014, which was laid before this House on 1 April, it did not take his argument any further. Having said be approved. that, I conclude by congratulating him on the one overriding quality that I have observed him to possess over the years: he is consistent; it is just that he is ENERGY consistently wrong. That the draft Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2014, which were laid before this House on 9 April, Mr Winnick: That is a disgraceful remark, George, be approved.—(Claire Perry.) and you know it. Question agreed to. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. No remarks have Order No. 118(6)), been made. Question put and agreed to. CHURCH OF ENGLAND (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) Business without Debate MEASURE That the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure (HC 1273), passed by the General Synod of the Church of DELEGATED LEGISLATION England, be presented to Her Majesty for Her Royal Assent in the form in which it was laid before Parliament.—(Sir Tony Baldry.) Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): With the leave of the House, we shall take motions 6 to The Treasurer of Her Majesty’s Household (Greg 11 together. Hands): I have it in command from Her Majesty the Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to Order No. 118(6)), acquaint the House that they, having been informed of the purport of the Church of England (Miscellaneous provisions) Measure, have consented to place their COPYRIGHT prerogative and interest, so far as they are affected by That the draft Copyright and Rights in Performances (Disability) the measure, at the disposal of Parliament for the Regulations 2014, which were laid before this House on 27 March, be approved. purposes of the measure. That the draft Copyright (Public Administration) Regulations Question agreed to. 2014, which were laid before this House on 27 March, be approved. That the draft Copyright and Rights in Performances (Research, Education, Libraries and Archives) Regulations 2014, which were laid before this House on 27 March, be approved. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE Ordered, AGGREGATES LEVY That at the sitting on Wednesday 14 May the Speaker shall not That the draft Revenue and Customs (Amendment of Appeal adjourn the House, if a Message from the Lords Commissioners Provisions for Out of Time Reviews) Order 2014, which was laid is expected, until that Message has been received.—(Mr Andrew before this House on 31 March, be approved. Lansley.) 725 13 MAY 2014 Hull Official Receiver’s Office 726

Hull Official Receiver’s Office It seems to me that we have a Government who are certainly not looking at spreading Government jobs Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House fairly across the regions and are in fact now taking them do now adjourn.—(Claire Perry.) away from East Yorkshire. 8.37 pm It appears that civil servants based in London have decided that it is a good idea to close offices in Hull. I Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): I imagine them in their offices in Whitehall with a map of am pleased to speak about the proposed closure of the the UK, and, almost as happened in the second world official receiver’s office in Hull, and I thank the Minister war, moving around people they think can be distributed for meeting me and other Hull MPs to discuss this issue around the country, with no thought for the effect on on 6 May—I note that she has had busy day in the communities. Chamber today. The proposal is to close the Hull office and relocate more than 40 staff to Leeds. The claim is The business case says that this closure programme is that that will produce a saving of about £289,000 over being driven by the Cabinet Office’s Government property five years, which rather pales by comparison with the unit, which aims to reduce the number of properties in bill of £353,000 for tea and biscuits in the Minister’s the central civil estate. It seems that there is a desire to Department in 2012. centralise jobs in a few places, with little consideration I accept that nationally the work of the Insolvency given to the wider economic consequences or even to Service has declined considerably across the country the fact that in some cities rents will be much higher over the last few years, and we are seeing fewer cases than in other parts of the country. What similar cost coming forward overall. However, the argument is not savings have been made by the Minister’s Department about reducing the number of staff employed in the in London? The plans being put forward for Hull are service, but about concentrating work in certain locations, about saving £289,000 over five years, which is a drop in and that is where I want to focus my contribution this the ocean compared with the cost of renting or occupying evening. office space in central London. How many posts have been moved out of London since 2010, and at what The decision to close the office in Hull undermines saving to the taxpayer? How much office space has been the efforts of all those who are working to create a more freed up at the Department for Business, Innovation prosperous city. Hull needs an additional 7,000 jobs to and Skills in London and, in particular, in the head get to the national level of employment, and while we office on Victoria street? have had welcome news about Siemens coming to the city—something won by local effort—we have been hit Another of my concerns is about the consequences hard by the recession and three years of flatlining. for the economy of the closure of the Insolvency Service We know that the closure will take around £1 million for the Humber region. Through the establishment of out of the local economy, at a time when Hull has the local enterprise partnership, the Humber is seeking hardly any Government jobs. The Department for Business, to forge a path as a separate economic region with a Innovation and Skills is supposed to be committed to distinct identity. The Insolvency Service has developed economic regeneration of the regions, but how does this specialist knowledge of the region which, if these plans policy help with that aim? The Government are also go ahead, will be subsumed by the wider Yorkshire supposed to have a policy of distributing Government region based in Leeds. Hull staff have more than 600 years and civil service jobs around the country. What of collective insolvency experience. Last year, that saved consideration was given to the relative number of civil the economy more than £2.5 million, as they disqualified service jobs in Hull and Leeds when making this decision? 20 directors. There is a particular value to having local knowledge about what is going on in an area. As we Hull has exceptionally few Government jobs: know, unfortunately many people the Insolvency Service 10 Departments, including the Minister’s own Department deals with are repeat offenders. Of 17 local official for Business, Innovation and Skills, have no staff in receiver offices, Hull is joint fifth in terms of the number Hull. Departments that do have staff in Hull, like the of disqualification reports—that is quite high. Ministry of Justice, tend to be front-line delivery staff. As I said, the plan is to move the Insolvency Service An example of the good work that has been done is jobs to Leeds, where there are already more than 9,000 the fact that local knowledge in the Hull office stopped civil service jobs and where office rents are far more German bankruptcy tourism in the Hull county court. expensive. I have observed a similar pattern repeated The limited liability partnership provided false addresses across the country: the insolvency office in Stoke, where to German residents but that has been wound up thanks rents are very cheap, is being closed and moved to to the local knowledge and work of the Hull office. Manchester where rents are higher. Previous Governments Without local knowledge of the places referred to, it is have had a clear policy of distributing Government jobs unlikely that that fraud would have been stopped, so around the country—do this Government still have that will the Minister give me her view of the assessment policy? undertaken by the Insolvency Service of moving direct I heard the Deputy Prime Minister this morning regional centres to larger autonomous units in terms of waxing lyrical on the Floor of the House saying: the detection of fraud? “I am always open, as are the Government, to proposals on Following our meeting on 6 May, the Minister promised moving further parts of the public sector from Whitehall and that she would provide the business case to me and to London to other parts of the country. Sheffield”— other Hull MPs. However, the information contained in where his constituency is— the business case that I have been given is limited solely “has benefited enormously from that, with the Department for to the Hull, Leeds and Sheffield offices. It does not give Work and Pensions and the business bank being established a comparison between Hull and other offices of a there.” similar size that have not been closed. 727 Hull Official Receiver’s Office13 MAY 2014 Hull Official Receiver’s Office 728

[Diana Johnson] inform the closure plans? The Hull office was told on the 25 February that the future of the office was under The savings identified are mainly saved office costs review and that the review would take six months. In the offset by £125,000 in train fares for three years for staff meantime, it looked at ways of reducing its costs, including who relocate to Leeds. That is good news for First preliminary discussions on new premises that would TransPennine Express, the local train operator, and it reduce the rent by approximately £90,000 per annum. may be that it can use that money to provide some much Obviously, office rent is one of the key issues in this needed investment on the Hull-Leeds line instead of whole business. Two weeks later, however, the service sending trains south. There is, however, much that is informed the Hull office that it would be closed, and missing from the costing in the limited business plan. showed no willingness to work with the office in seeking The first thing is redundancy costs. alternatives to closure. It is clear from the business case The staff in the Hull office are exceptionally experienced: that no consideration was given to cost reductions collectively, they have more than 600 years of experience. within the current structures, as identified by the team Having spent their lives working in Hull, however, many working in Hull. do not want to travel to Leeds and all have been offered The savings from the closure of the Hull office appear redundancy payments. From union sources, I understand to me to be uncertain, but the £1 million cost per year to that redundancy costs could be as high as £1 million. Hull’s local economy would be all too certain. We know Where is that allocated in the business plan? The saving that, owing to decisions made in Whitehall by the of £289,000 over five years is relatively small, yet coalition Government, Hull city council suffered one of redundancies could cost £1 million. I appreciate that the heaviest funding cuts in the United Kingdom—despite that is provided for by a different budget directly funded being the UK’s 10th most deprived area—and there are by the Treasury, but it all boils down to taxpayers’ worries about not just Hull’s insolvency office but its money, and the Government should be acting in a more land registry office, whose future is currently under joined-up way when looking at the closure costs of this review. office. The coalition frequently claims to support the idea of On training new staff, it is accepted by the Insolvency “rebalancing the economy”, north and south. As I said Service that the staff in the Hull office are required to earlier, one way of doing that would be moving Government meet the necessary case load not just of work from Hull Departments and agency civil servants’ jobs to places but other areas of the country. The business case blithely such as Hull rather than taking them away. This debate presumes that all Hull staff will move to Leeds. As I may be about saving only 40-odd jobs in Hull, but every said, I think there are questions about the numbers of job matters in a town where so many people chase each staff who will choose to take redundancy. It takes three job vacancy and so many jobs are low paid and low years to train a level 3 examiner before qualifying, but skilled. the costs of recruiting and training staff do not seem to I think that, provided that the service is needed and be included in the business plan. can be run efficiently, we should fight to save every job Bizarrely, in the very brief consideration given in the in Hull that is under threat, and I think that there is a business case for moving the Leeds office, which as I strong case for keeping the official receiver’s office said has 9,000 civil servants, to Hull, which has very few open. That would be consistent with what the Government civil servants based in the city, the presumption that say their policy is—but too often what they say and 30 staff would not move across is included, along with what they do are different things, especially when it associated costs of recruiting, training and the short-term comes to the treatment of northern cities such as Hull. loss of capacity. Will the Minister explain why she has It seems to me that devolved jobs are going the same presumed that Leeds staff will not move to Hull, but all way as Lord Heseltine’s devolved funding, and that, yet Hull staff will move to Leeds? again, Hull is not getting a fair deal from this Government. A further concern is about the way the consultation with the trade unions has been conducted. The Minister 8.52 pm has consistently maintained that the Insolvency Service has been attempting to work with the Hull office to find The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, a way of keeping the office open. In answer to a recent Innovation and Skills (Jenny Willott): I trust that we will parliamentary question, the Minister wrote: not detain you for too much longer, Madam Deputy Speaker. “The trade unions were made aware on 25 February 2014 that the future of the Hull office was being considered, and were I thank the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull invited to provide any views they wished.”—[Official Report,6 North (Diana Johnson) for securing the debate. I recognise May 2014; Vol. 580, c. 93W.] the interest that she has shown in the relocation of the This was not, however, the impression given to the trade Insolvency Service’s office in Hull. As she said, we met union, Prospect. Prospect told me last week to discuss the issue, along with other Hull Members, and I entirely understand why she is concerned “that the Service would be running exit schemes and then closing offices. There was never discussion on whether an office closure about the potential impact on her constituents and is was justifiable as we had not been provided with the financial representing their views this evening. justification and despite requests by the Trade Unions, the Service Let me put the position in context. The Insolvency would not release the business cases for the closures.” Service is an executive agency of the Department Consultation with the trade unions only commenced for Business, Innovation and Skills. It has about when the decision to close the Hull office was made on 1,800 employees, who operate from locations throughout the basis of a statutory 90-day consultation. Will the the country. They deal with a wide range of insolvency Minister outline exactly when the trade unions were matters, such as administering bankruptcies and liquidations involved, and what opportunities they were given to —which includes realising assets and distributing them 729 Hull Official Receiver’s Office13 MAY 2014 Hull Official Receiver’s Office 730 to creditors—dealing with corporate malpractice and number in the context of the total number of bankruptcy misconduct by investigating companies and individuals interviews across the country, but in order to maintain abusing the system, and managing payments to employees high levels of customer service, interview facilities will who are made redundant. The administering of insolvencies be set up in other Government buildings in Hull, at is funded by fees charged against the assets of insolvents. minimal cost and with flexible arrangements, to be It is obviously very important to the creditors involved available for meetings. Replacing an office with an for the costs to be kept as low as possible, while still interview facility makes no difference from the point of providing for an effective and fair service. view of customer experience. As the hon. Lady acknowledged, the past five years Turning to the specific concerns with respect to the have seen a sharp drop in the number of insolvencies Insolvency Service in Hull, there are 43 permanent handled by official receivers’ offices, from about 80,000 employees in the Hull office and the prime purpose of cases in 2009 to nearer 25,000 today. That is largely the office is to carry out the duties of the official because of a sharp fall in the number of debtor petition receiver. Case numbers in the area served by the Hull bankruptcy cases following the winding back of high office have seen an even greater decline than the fall in levels of lending. To date, it has led to a reduction of caseload nationally, with a drop in workload of 79% about a third in the staff of the Insolvency Service, since 2009, which is a huge drop. Staffing levels in Hull, which has been achieved through a programme of voluntary however, have only fallen by 43%, so there is a mismatch exits. there. As for the question of where offices need to be, for The office was kept busy over the last two years by the purposes of official receiver work in particular, the taking cases in from other offices. The Insolvency Service Insolvency Service needs to be able to interview insolvents prefers for each official receiver’s office to deal with the within a reasonable distance of their homes. We would cases that arise within its area. As the hon. Lady said, therefore usually choose city or town centre locations that local knowledge is important. Also, with the general close to transport hubs. The Insolvency Service reviewed declining workload there is less surplus work to be its network of local offices in the context of customer transferred between offices. As a result, the Hull office demand and the reduced number of employees, and is increasingly difficult to sustain from an operational estimated that the estate was about a third too large. It perspective. therefore embarked on a programme of estate The hon. Lady mentioned the number of company rationalisation, which also accords with the Government’s director disqualifications achieved in Hull. The total wider agenda of minimising the costs of their own number of disqualifications in 2013-14 was 27, and that estate. was a great result by the staff in Hull and reflects very The hon. Lady asked about the estate in London and well upon their commitment and expertise. To put the the south-east. In the past two years the Insolvency figure in context, there were 1,273 company director Service has been looking at its estate across the country, disqualifications in 2013-14. There is significant value and in London it has relocated to cheaper buildings in in disqualifications, but the disqualification work carried surplus Government estate in both London and Croydon. out by Hull will not be lost, but will be transferred to It decided to close its Watford and St Albans offices as other locations, including Leeds, so disqualifications well. It has therefore made such decisions across the will continue. UK, including in London and the south-east; it has not On 27 March the Insolvency Service announced that targeted other areas. its office in Hull would close, with its work and employees Individual offices need to be of sufficient size to be being relocated to Leeds in November 2014. This decision sustainable both as a management unit and to provide will both help the service reduce the number of offices development opportunities for staff, as well as to be and also improve long-term resilience in the face of able to offer the necessary flexibility as workloads change. reduced case numbers. Consolidating in Leeds allows The skills needed for the different areas of work in the the Insolvency Service to use its work force more flexibly, Insolvency Service are often similar, so in the last few and in the longer term to offer a wider range of career years several hundred staff transferred from working opportunities to staff. on bankruptcies to investigation work as the number of cases dropped. This type of work is especially located in Diana Johnson: I am listening carefully to the Minister’s the larger metropolitan areas. remarks, but the coalition Government said that they As a result of the review, five relocations and five wanted to rebalance the economy and ensure that all closures took place in 2013-14 and a further 10 closures the regions benefited. Taking away the limited number will take place over the coming financial year. The of Government jobs in Hull, an area that is blighted by Insolvency Service has worked closely with the trade terrible unemployment, flies in the face of what the unions throughout this process. All employees in the Deputy Prime Minister said just this morning in the affected offices have been offered the opportunity to House. relocate to another office or take voluntary exit terms. The Insolvency Service offers excess fares to staff for a Jenny Willott: We recognise that rebalancing the economy three-year period after a move. It also discusses flexible geographically is important, and I will come on to some working arrangements to try and find ways to make a of the work that the Government are doing in that area. move possible for employees. We are not talking here about taking work out of the The Insolvency Service is proud of its customer service, north of England and centralising it in London: we are recently coming second out of 53 Government Departments talking about ensuring that the estate of the Insolvency and agencies, with customer satisfaction levels of 96%, Service is sensibly spread across the country and that which is extremely high. Around 250 face-to-face interviews the offices are where the work is. That is an important arise from cases in the Hull office. That is not a large part of having an effective and efficient operation. 731 Hull Official Receiver’s Office13 MAY 2014 Hull Official Receiver’s Office 732

[Jenny Willott] years. The Insolvency Service has been having one-to-one meetings with its employees as well as keeping closely in I appreciate that the decision to close the office is not touch with their representatives about the implications what Hull employees want and I know that the Insolvency of the relocation and the impact on individuals. For Service board did not take the decision lightly. I am those who do not want to move office, the option of aware that the board fully considered the option of voluntary redundancy is available, but that is clearly the moving to cheaper Government property in Hull, as last resort for most people. well as closing its Leeds office and moving those operations The hon. Lady also raised concerns about employment to Hull. The business case put forward did not just in the Hull area. I reiterate the Government’s commitment include accommodation costs: it also looked at other to supporting the Hull area. This issue was raised in benefits, such as efficiency savings stemming from Deputy Prime Minister’s questions earlier, and it is a combining teams, the ability to be flexible in how the real commitment on the part of the Government. The Insolvency Service deploys its employees and the greater Humber local enterprise partnership predicts that the potential for personal development provided by moving city deal for Hull and Humber will deliver more than between different roles in a larger office. 4,000 jobs in offshore wind-related industries; at least The business case calculated that a move from Leeds 1,100 unemployed young people supported into work; to Hull would have a net present cost of £535,000 over 3,400 construction jobs; an expected £460 million of five years, against a net present value saving of £289,000 private sector development on the Humber; engagement for a move from Hull to Leeds. Costs would have been with more than 3,000 businesses; and the provision of higher for a move from Leeds to Hull because the lease extensive support to 500 businesses, creating approximately on the Leeds building runs until 2018, whereas the Hull 400 jobs. Significant effort and work are therefore going lease only runs until 2016. That is a significant difference. into the area, and the Government are committed to ensuring that we invest in other regions of the UK, and Diana Johnson: I am interested to hear about the that we are not focused centrally on London and the leases, and we discussed that issue when we met last south-east. week. Have there been any discussions or consideration—it In conclusion, I appreciate that this is a very difficult was not in the business plan that I saw—of whether the time for the Insolvency Service and its employees. I hope office space in Leeds could be sub-let? Rent is much that the hon. Lady is reassured that the Insolvency more expensive in Leeds than it is in Hull. Service is aware of the issues that she has raised, that her questions have been considered and that the service Jenny Willott: At the meeting last week we also is supporting affected employees during the transition pointed out that it is not physically possible to fit all the period. employees from the Leeds office into the Hull office, so The Insolvency Service wants to maintain and improve we would need to find a new office in Hull and bear all its already high levels of service delivery. It is making its the costs of refurbishing that. That option was looked services more efficient to improve returns to creditors. at in detail, but it simply was not a financially viable I appreciate that this is a challenging time for staff, but I alternative. congratulate them on maintaining high levels of The business case took into account that not all the performance throughout a very difficult programme of staff would wish to move from Hull to Leeds, although change. I hope that I have reassured the hon. Lady that the hon. Lady said that it did not. The estimate was that the proposal has been well thought through, that the about half would move and half would take voluntary alternatives have been considered, and that staff and redundancy. The costs associated with that were built trade unions have been involved and consulted throughout. into the business case for both scenarios. The Insolvency Question put and agreed to. Service board considered that the business case for moving from Hull to Leeds was persuasive. Those employees who wish to relocate will have a job in the Leeds office, 9.5 pm and the Insolvency Service will pay excess fares for three House adjourned. 181WH 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 182WH Great Lakes) book that explains exactly the brutality associated with Westminster Hall that time. Some heroic people stood up against it. One was E.D. Morel, a shipping clerk in Liverpool, who Tuesday 13 May 2014 worked with others who were opposed to what was going on in the Congo and helped to expose it. Later, he became a Member of this House and I think he was the [MR GEORGE HOWARTH in the Chair] first Labour Foreign Minister, in the 1920s. After the first world war, which we are commemorating BACKBENCH BUSINESS this year, the victorious powers at Versailles changed a few names as German colonies became French or Belgian Political and Human Rights (African ones; nevertheless colonies they still were, and they were still administered. The independence movement in Africa Great Lakes) took off in 1945 with the Pan African Congress held in Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting Manchester. Independence was achieved first in Ghana be now adjourned.—(Mark Lancaster.) and then in many other countries. In the case of the Congo, independence came rapidly 9.30 am in 1960-61, when the Belgians basically threw in the Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): I am pleased towel, gave up and left very quickly. Patrice Lumumba that we are having this debate on the political and became its first Prime Minister. He lasted only a very human rights situation in the African great lakes region. short time but is still a legendary figure, as he attempted First, I want to say a big thank you to the all-party to unite the country and make the change from colonial group on the African great lakes region, not just for its rule. The battle for control of the rest of the Congo preparatory work for today’s debate, but for its work after his death killed many people and resulted once over a lot of years to draw attention to the situation again in a scramble for mineral wealth and the abuse of facing people throughout the African great lakes. At power and of human rights there. Tragically, that has one point it was the largest all-party group in the gone on ever since, with extraordinary levels of human House. I do not know whether it still is, but it has rights abuses and of death. I will come back to that in a always had a substantial membership. moment. My constituency includes a considerable diaspora As for neighbouring countries, Rwanda, as we debated community, mainly from the Democratic Republic of last week in the House, went through the horrors of the Congo, but there are also people who have sought genocide as the Tutsi and Hutu groups set about each asylum here from Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. I other. Anyone who has visited the memorials in Kigali hear harrowing stories from them of the life they have will realise the sheer scale and horror of that genocide. I left behind. Obviously I welcome them into my community, have been to Rwanda a number of times, and have as well as the contribution they make to our society and visited all the other countries in the region. Talking to the work they do in this country. The numbers of schoolchildren in Rwanda about what they have been people seeking asylum is an issue and is testament to through, one realises that horror, and wonders what the problems that they are trying to escape from back at more could have been done to prevent it and can still be home. done to defend and protect human rights and democracy, I will discuss the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are the best defence against the excesses of those Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda; there is also obviously a who seek to abuse human rights. relationship with the neighbouring countries of Kenya, It is not just an issue for the DRC and Rwanda. In Angola and Tanzania. We have to set this debate in its Uganda there has been horrific abuse of human rights historical context, and to do that we have to think for a on many occasions, particularly during Idi Amin’s reign. moment of the tragic history of the whole region, from That abuse unfortunately still continues there, particularly the arrival of the first Europeans to the tragedy of the in respect of gay people—I will come back that matter slave trade and all that went with that, and then the colonial in a moment. In Burundi, there is a similar story of the occupation of the region, particularly by the Congo tragic loss of so much life. Free State in the case of the DRC, but also by Belgium, I will speak on the DRC first, then move on to the Britain and France. We must also consider the incredible other countries quickly to give colleagues time to speak. wealth in minerals, rubber, timber and other natural In the DRC the situation is really quite appalling. The resources that has been dragged out of the region and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs made an awful lot of people and an awful lot of companies confirms that all over the world very rich indeed. “conflict in the DRC has resulted in a total of 2.9 million Levels of brutality in the colonial world are almost internally displaced people currently living in camps or with host unsurpassed by what happened in what is now the families in the DRC, as well as extensive suffering through human DRC. We should recall that the European powers sat rights abuses committed by armed groups, the DRC armed around a table in Berlin in 1884 and calmly carved up forces…and police. Over 60% of the total figure came from just the whole region with straight lines on the map to two regions of eastern DRC: North and South Kivu. The persistence of a complex mosaic of violent conflicts has caused widespread represent areas of European influence and control. death and displacement”. King Leopold was given Congo personally. It was not even given to the Belgian state—that did not happen It goes on to describe the numbers of refugees and the until some time later, in 1908. The huge personal wealth problems that they face. he gained and his obsession with dragging it out of that I have visited refugee camps in Goma, and it is a place is the stuff of legend. I urge everyone to read frightening and depressing experience. On one occasion, Adam Hochschild’s “King Leopold’s Ghost”, a salutary along with the hon. Member for Falkirk (Eric Joyce), I 183WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 184WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) [Jeremy Corbyn] term, to look for peace in the region with greater involvement of the international community in the UN met a group of hundreds of women, all of whom had in both respecting international accords and conventions suffered rape and violence, and were all victims of that and working to create a climate of confidence and war. Nevertheless, they were trying to build on the co-operation at all levels in the Administration. They strength of women together to oppose the use of rape are on a visit to this country and will address a meeting as a weapon of war. I visited camps where mainly upstairs in the House later today. They are very welcome, women and children were living, often in quite limited as are their efforts, and I thank my hon. Friend for his conditions. Now, I do not blame the UN, which was intervention doing its best to provide food and shelter. Nevertheless, I want to draw attention to two other issues in respect the situation was odd. This was a skilled group of of the Congo. The first is the need to understand the people, all of whom were quite capable of growing relationship with Rwanda, which is a relatively powerful enough food to feed themselves and their families in and efficient country compared with the lack of governance what is the most fertile place in the world, but who were in much of the DRC. Yet there is clear evidence of vast being fed on rice and maize imported from the USA resources flowing into the conflict in the eastern DRC and were not allowed to grow any food in the camp and an imbalance between the relative power and structure because the UN did not want them to take up permanent of the Congolese army compared with those of the residence there. That is one of many issues we have to rebels and the high level of suspicion of Rwandan face. involvement, which is hotly denied by the Rwandan Behind that issue, of course, is the one with which I Government but is an issue that we must address in started—the mineral wealth that has come out of the relation to Rwanda because that conflict has cost the Congo. There is clear evidence that mineral companies lives of hundreds of thousands of people through the make a great deal of money out of the DRC’s minerals. consequences of that war. Some of those, such as coltan and diamonds, find their There is also a renewed threat from and thirst for way through Rwanda, and make a lot of people very minerals in the region. The World Wide Fund for rich. There is no wealth among the poorest people Nature sent an interesting briefing to us describing the living on top of the world’s greatest mineral resources in problems facing the Virunga national park, which was one of the world’s most prolific forests. There is something the first national park to be established in Africa in1925. deeply tragic and appalling about such poverty alongside It has extraordinary landscapes, high levels of biodiversity such potential wealth. It is as though the tragedy of the and is a world heritage site. It is also home to the 19th century has gone on for ever more. internationally important Ramsar wetlands and to the only two populations in the world of critically endangered Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ mountain gorillas as well as many other animals. All Co-op): My hon. Friend may be coming to this point, that is under threat as people eye up the possibility of but does what he said about the mining industry not exploiting oil and other resources in that national park. illustrate the absolute importance of transparency in The chimera of short-term wealth from mineral and oil the extractive industries, something that needs direct is attractive, but the reality is that sustainability of the action by western Governments, including our own? forest and the planet depends not on destroying national parks, but protecting them. In the long run, there will be Jeremy Corbyn: My hon. Friend makes a good point, more wealth and better resources for people living in and I absolutely agree. The DRC has signed up to the national parks of world importance than if they are extractive industries agreement, but it is clear to me that allowed to be destroyed quickly for short-term mineral the effectiveness of that agreement is strictly limited wealth. I hope the Minister will indicate Government and we need something much tougher. Indeed, we must support for that. ask questions of those mineral companies based in this country and Switzerland who import a lot of this stuff A question for the Home Office—the Minister is and are clearly making a lot of money out of that from the Foreign Office, but he may be able to help with poverty. this—is that I am deeply concerned about the safety of anyone who is returned to the DRC as an unsuccessful Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): Does my hon. Friend asylum applicant in this country. There is chaos at the note that the Catholic episcopal conference in Congo airport in Kinshasa and elsewhere, and a considerable said that one of the best things that the international threat to the families of those who have sought asylum community could do is host a proper international or returned having failed to gain it. There is a serious conference on the extractive industries, asserting land lack of co-ordinated governance and transparent democracy and labour rights and addressing the false pretensions in the Congo. I have been there as an election observer, of those paramilitary groups who present themselves as and the election I observed with my hon. Friend the somehow protecting those rights? Member for York Central (Hugh Bayley) and others was relatively well run compared with later elections in Jeremy Corbyn: I am pleased that my hon. Friend the DRC. There are big issues about democracy, human raised that because I had an interesting meeting last rights and minerals in the DRC. night with a group of representatives, including Bishop I spoke about the legacy of genocide in Rwanda and Ambongo, Bishop Murekezi, Bishop Kambanda, Denise the horrors that go with that. One can fully appreciate Malueki, Father Santedi and Consolate Baranyizigiye people’s anger and the need for every young person in from Burundi. They represent the Church in the region Rwanda to understand what happens when a society and made a number of good demands, or hoped-for completely breaks down and hundreds of thousands of results, one of which is to bring together the Churches people are killed with the most appalling brutality, and throughout the region. The second was, in the long the feeling of immediacy. However, it is right to draw 185WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 186WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) attention to the excesses of the Rwandan Government 9.50 am and their treatment of political dissent, the number of opponents of the President who have disappeared and Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East the number of journalists who have been arrested or Cleveland) (Lab): I congratulate my hon. Friend the prevented from reporting what is going on in that Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) on securing country. There can be no justification for the abuse of what is a very important debate, given the events that human rights because of the horrors of Rwandan history. are likely to happen in terms of democratic processes in Surely the lessons of history are that the best protection the area of Africa that we are discussing. I am not well against evil and excess such as happened in Nazi Germany known for my interest in such issues or for speaking out or towards mainly the Tutsi people in Rwanda is a about them in debates, but having often met members strong democratic society where there is freedom of of the Congolese community in the Tees Valley, I felt expression and rights of representation. that it was my duty to make some of the points that they have made to me and to talk about related issues Likewise, across the border in Burundi, there are that I have been investigating for some time in a personal serious problems with the new law on journalists and capacity. the way in which they are allowed to report and express what is going on. We must again raise those matters. I I want to talk about three things to do with the was part of an Inter-Parliamentary Union delegation to Democratic Republic of Congo: first, the forthcoming Burundi some years ago when a number of the issues elections in 2016; secondly, UK, EU and US investment were discussed and raised. in the DRC, in terms of conditionality; and thirdly, DRC returnees from the UK. The world is well aware of the laws that have been perpetrated in Uganda to make homosexuality a crime There have already been attempts, as there were in and the threat to those who have been caught allegedly 2011, to revise article 220 of the constitution, which committing acts of criminal activity—homosexual limits President Joseph Kabila’s mandate to no more relations—who may face the death penalty as a result. than two terms of office. He has been in power since Should we really have normal relations with the Ugandan 2001, following the death of his predecessor, President Government while that is going on? Should we not be Laurent Kabila. Joseph Kabila, however, was not elected making much stronger representations and looking at to office until 2006 and he retained power in very the levels of human rights abuse that continue to take dubious circumstances in 2011. Some—indeed, most— place in Uganda? The whole history of Uganda from would argue that a tenure that has lasted since 2001 has Idi Amin onwards is one of terrible tragedy, with not already exhausted a two-term period of power. Be that just the anti-gay law but the behaviour of the Lord’s as it may, article 220 of the DRC constitution restricts Resistance Army and excesses by the armed forces in any incumbent to a maximum two terms. However, it is trying to deal with that. Having met former child soldiers Kabila’s intention to overcome that obstacle in order to who were recruited into various militia forces in Uganda present his candidature again in the forthcoming election. and other countries in the region, one must have some Kabila also plans to initiate another change by proposing humanity and understanding. a government of coalition, indicating his desire to remain in place for the foreseeable future until there is the My final point is that we are elected Members of establishment of a democratically elected President. Parliament and proud of that. Many concerns have been expressed by the IPU’s human rights committee Post the 2011 elections, there are obvious questions about the treatment of Members of Parliament and to ask—for example, about the house arrest, since 2011, other elected members who have become—how shall I of the opposing presidential candidate, Mr Tshisekedi. put it?—unpopular with their Governments. The matter That situation needs to be taken far more seriously and of Leonard Hitimana from Rwanda was brought to the questioned far more profoundly in the run-up to the IPU’s human rights committee. He disappeared in 2003 2016 elections, in terms of candidates’freedom to campaign. and it is believed that he was abducted by state forces. It is well documented in the EU report and by others There are a number of other cases, such as that of that Joseph Kabila named his supporters to the Supreme Hussein Radjabu in Burundi, who, likewise, apparently Court before the 2006 election and again before the remains in jail as an elected parliamentarian. I do not 2011 election. The Supreme Court, or rather, the judiciary, believe that parliamentarians should be above the law does not work independently of the Executive—namely, or allowed to act with impunity, but it is important to Joseph Kabila. recognise that one should not be arrested or imprisoned It is also clear from the EU final report and the because of one’s political views—only for any criminal report by the UN human rights department, Kinshasa, acts that may have taken place. that the police stand accused of human rights violations As we search for long-term peace in the region, we when violently repressing attempts by the civilian population have to take up the issues of human rights and of to greet Etienne Tshisekedi on 26 November and before, conflict minerals and the profits that have been made during and after the elections. The final report by the from them. We should also become a force that tries to EU mission in 2006 recommended measures that should protect the environment, human rights and the populations have been put in place before the 2011 election. of the area, rather than allowing the mineral companies Electoral fraud began long before observers arrived of the world to do what the colonialists did in the 19th in the DRC. For there to be “huge irregularities”, the century, which was to destroy the pristine and beautiful grounds to allow irregularities had to be in place during environment for the short-term wealth that minerals the registration process and during the naming of members can bring. We should look for something more sustainable of the Supreme Court, entailing a changing of the in the future. I am delighted that we have the opportunity constitution six months prior to the election to allow to debate the matter today and I look forward to the one round of voting. It is clear from the EU final report Minister’s response to my remarks. that observers were not allowed to observe properly. 187WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 188WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) [Tom Blenkinsop] The $30 million pledge would more than double the $12 million in assistance given to the Congo last year Recently, and more worryingly, an Office of the UN linked to elections and stability assistance. Some of the High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesperson money could go to non-governmental organisations. said in Geneva on 6 May this year, about the judgment Last year, the total US aid to the Congo was about that 14 officers of the FARDC, the armed forces of the $210 million. Democratic Republic of Congo, were acquitted of charges UK support to the DRC is increasing to the tune of of mass rape and murder in 2012, that £250 million a year, which vastly outstrips the European “the judiciary has not met the expectations of the numerous development fund framework, which I think is just over victims of rape who had fully participated in the trial…The ¤700 million over a six-year period. In short, the UK’s outcome of the trial confirms shortcomings in the administration support to the DRC is rising massively in comparison of justice in the DRC.” with the EU’s and the USA’s, and with hardly any of the He also said: concerns uttered by the US State Department. The lack “The crimes perpetrated in Minova …were extremely serious and of conditionality in the aid programme to the DRC has widespread”, been pointed out by a European Court of Auditors and that they were report released in October last year on efficiency of EU aid to the DRC. “perpetrated in a systematic manner and with extreme violence”. The watchdog noted that Yet on 22 March 2013 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office stated and promised: “the effectiveness of EU assistance for governance in the DRC is limited”, “We are also working with DRC government to help consolidate peace in country through the Security sector accountability and and that police programme (SSAPR) managed by DFID…The UK will “Risks have not been adequately addressed, programme objectives also use its G8 Presidency in 2013 to seek to address impunity for tend to be overly ambitious…and policy dialogue has not been sexual violence in conflict and improve the response to these exploited to its full potential and adequately coordinated with crimes”. EU Member States” It continued: in all areas. “This includes support to security sector reform, demobilisation The report stated that the EU needs to be of armed groups and a more effective military justice sector.” “more demanding of the Congolese authorities when monitoring It is clear that the judiciary under Kabila is hardly compliance with the conditions agreed and the commitments reformed in any way, shape or form, and the omens made”, appear very poor regarding any form of democratic and that the Commission should progression. “(a) strengthen its use of conditionality and policy dialogue. Secondly, on UK, EU and US investment in the This will involve (i) setting clear, relevant, realistic and time-bound DRC, the Department for International Development conditions, (ii) periodically assessing compliance with the agreed funded the electoral registration in the DRC prior to conditions, and (iii) responding firmly, proportionately and in a the 2011 election, to the tune of £40 million. However, timely manner if the DRC government shows insufficient commitment to compliance, where appropriate by suspending or terminating as the Secretary of State for International Development the programme; said on 5 February: (b) urge the DRC government to adopt the necessary measures “There was mismanagement and poor planning of voting for improving the functioning of the thematic working groups, operations, which strongly affected the credibility of the national and monitor the implementation of those measures; electoral commission and the results of the 2011 elections.”—[Official Report, European Committee B, 5 February 2014; c. 7-8.] (c) take a more active leadership role towards EU Member States to encourage coordinated policy dialogue and increase EU That widely held and critical assessment needs thorough leverage over the DRC government.” examination for 2016. Those conclusions not only should be heeded by the The United States is prepared to give the Democratic UK Government, but must be implemented in conjunction Republic of Congo $30 million in aid for stability and with other EU member states and the USA. democracy building, but only if President Joseph Kabila Thirdly and finally, I want to deal with the monitoring agrees to step down at the end of his current term of of Congolese asylum seekers returned to the DRC and office in 2016. Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry, contradictions in the “Country Policy Bulletin”. The on touring Africa, said that the DRC Government also report, entitled “Unsafe Return”, documents the post-return need to schedule elections soon. The vote is tentatively experience of 17 Congolese men and women who were set for 2016, although a firm date has still not been set. forcibly removed to the DRC from the UK between In a private meeting, Senator Kerry said that he 2006 and 2011. Eleven of those were clients of Justice urged Kabila to follow Congo’s constitution in the First, a charity that operates in the Tees Valley. The upcoming elections, which would prohibit him from report was written to provide evidence to the Government running for a third consecutive term as President. It is that the DRC is not a safe country to which to return not clear whether Kabila agreed to that. asylum seekers and to request the Government to review As Senator Kerry stated: their decision, in the “Country of Origin Information Report” for the DRC of 2009, that it was safe for them “It is important to the people to be able to know what the to return. No monitoring mechanism is in place to test process is, to have confidence in that process…The sooner the process is announced, the sooner that the date is set, the sooner the UK Border Agency hypothesis that it is safe for people have an ability to be able to participate. And we believe it rejected asylum seekers to be returned to the DRC. ought to be done in keeping with the constitutional process of the Every effort has been made, as is documented in the country.” report, to show that all the evidence is credible. 189WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 190WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) The report’s author visited the DRC in 2011 to verify trying to visualise what that means that it is the whole the situation of the returnees still living there. At least of the population of Northern Ireland doubled. That six returnees had fled the country, and others were gives some perspective. It gives an idea of the numbers found to be still living in hiding, fearful of re-arrest and who were murdered. unable to live with their families because of threats. The hon. Member for Middlesbrough South and Those returned consistently reported being punished in East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop) referred to some of the DRC, as they had spoken out in this country about the issues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. having been ill treated and the lack of human rights in Cases of police brutality against migrants have been the DRC, thereby betraying their country and the President. catalogued. There have been cases involving Congolese A Congolese immigration official was interviewed in soldiers. Some were charged with rape. Unfortunately, 2011. He explained that when UK immigration passed in that region, rape seems to be used as a weapon on the names of those to be removed, the files in the against women. The hon. Member for Islington North possession of the immigration authorities were studied. referred to that practice, and each and every one of If the asylum seeker was deemed to be a problem to the us inside and outside this Chamber is deeply disturbed state, the secret services would be alerted and the asylum by it. seeker imprisoned or worse. According to Mr Rupert Colville, 14 officers were Of the number who were traced, 15 were arrested at acquitted. He added that the UN human rights workers the airport, two were arrested after leaving the airport on the ground were still carefully analysing the judgment, building and transferred to Kin Mazière prison, one but said that in the light of what is known so far, was arrested after leaving the British embassy in Kinshasa, three were arrested at home, one was threatened with “the judiciary has not met the expectations of the numerous victims of rape who had fully participated in the trial.” death in Tolérance Zéro by officers and four were threatened at the airport. Congolese human rights activists In the trial, women were asked for their statements and and a lawyer confirmed that detainees were not given they made them. The trial that went ahead was for a access to lawyers during their imprisonment. Returnees mass rape that took place in 2012, but again no one has reported the following ill treatment in prison. One was been made accountable for that. It seems that they have handcuffed, blindfolded and severely beaten. Six were all been able to get away with it—or most of them have. severely beaten. Two were given electric shock treatment. Perhaps in his response the Minister can say whether Two of the men were sexually abused. Two of the there have been any discussions with the Democratic women were raped. Two of the women received slaps Republic of the Congo about the atrocities. and blows with hands and fists. Elsewhere in the region, a decades-long conflict in There is much more information in the report, which northern Uganda has abated in intensity, but the rebel I am sure the Minister is aware of; I am happy to give Lord’s Resistance Army has increased its activities in him a copy if he requests one. It makes me very, very the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the angry that people who sought asylum in our country Central African Republic. from that regime were returned. I hope that the Minister There is great concern—it is certainly a concern of takes on board the points that I have made and that he mine and I believe that others are concerned as well—in will get back to me as soon as possible with any response. relation to business. From the background notes that we have been given and from our own previous knowledge 10.2 am and discussions, we are aware that some western companies are very keen to push into the DRC and start drilling. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I congratulate the We must be ever mindful of the human rights of the hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) on local people, their land ownership and their lives. bringing this matter to Westminster Hall for consideration and on giving us all an opportunity to participate in the Let me quote from the notes. A recent report by Kofi debate and to underline further some of the things that Annan’s Africa Progress Panel claimed that five mining he spoke about very clearly in his presentation. It is deals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone always good for us in the House to be aware of things were sold to western firms for $1.36 billion less than that are happening elsewhere in the world and to reflect they were worth, short-changing the people of the that in Westminster Hall debates, but some of the Congo. I am not against big business—far from it—but information that we have as elected representatives comes I like to see fairness and transparency and what is right, through our own constituencies. That is one reason why and I am afraid that in this instance those are all sadly I want to make a contribution to the debate today. missing. It seems that some people and some companies— not all—wish to go ahead and override the opinions of The great lakes region has been the site of more than local people. a decade of unrest. The outflow of more than 2 million Rwandans in the wake of the 1994 genocide was It is important that we also put this point on the an exodus of unprecedented size and swiftness. There record. There is some indication that the world-renowned was a debate in Parliament last week on that issue. It Virunga national park, home to the rare mountain was raw for the Members, because some had had the gorillas, is involved. That is something that we are opportunity to go to Rwanda and see how that country probably aware of from our own interests outside the had suffered. The failure of the international community Chamber. Again, some companies have said that they to respond effectively set in motion further cycles of will not explore for oil, but one company, SOCO, has conflict in the region, including the devastating war in declared that it is quite happy to pursue any of the the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has involved rights for oil in those hills. Other companies—Total, the many other countries in Africa and has claimed the French oil giant, and Britain’s Dominion Petroleum—have lives of more than 3 million people. I can tell people said that they will certainly not do that. 191WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 192WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) [Jim Shannon] That report describes attacks specifically on a religious minority group, namely Christians in Kenya. I will It is important, when we realise that things have been mention a couple of other countries as well, to highlight undervalued and the Congolese people let down, to the problems that we face. remember the following. Some 7 million children in the In Zanzibar, Tanzania, there was serious violence DRC lack access to education. Some 2.4 million children driven by—excuse my Northern Ireland accent—“Vugu are acutely malnourished. Malaria, cholera and measles vugu la uamsho”, the Revival Movement for the are a major threat due to inadequate health care, water Preservation of Islam, which claimed to be wiping out supplies and sanitation. Roads are a mess, and electricity all Christians from the Zanzibar archipelago, mainly is scarce and expensive. Some 6.3 million people require Zanzibar Island. Churches were burnt, church property food support. That is what is happening in the Congo. was looted and Christians, especially Church leaders, Then we see some big businesses relentlessly pursuing were threatened with death. The Zanzibar archipelago dividends for their people. is the scene of serious hostilities against Christians, not only on the islands but on mainland Tanzania. Many of Eric Joyce (Falkirk) (Ind): The hon. Gentleman is us would not imagine that there would be any problems making a first-class speech, if I may say so. What he in Tanzania, but there certainly are. We must highlight says about the requirement for transparency is absolutely the problems during this debate, and I hope that the true, and the UK is currently signing up to the extractive Minister will give us some idea of what our Government industries transparency initiative. It is fair to say that can do about them. many of these deals in the past have involved middlemen In Tanzania, there are strong Islamic militant groups who take off huge amounts of money and subsequently that often persecute Christians heavily. On mainland sell on to extractive industry companies. Perhaps the Tanzania, the push for the further spread of Islam is key thing for us is to ensure that the companies based in less violent but equally persistent. Part of that push is the UK adhere to the standards that we would expect happening through the constitutional review process them to. and the strategic infiltration of main sectors of society. Such groups are putting people in society so that they Jim Shannon: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that can directly influence what happens and impact on intervention. I say to the Minister that there is an those of a Christian faith. If the push for secession indication that some British companies are being morally succeeds, the presence of the Church on Zanzibar and and financially correct, but other companies are not, Pemba Island is likely to be reduced to nearly zero. That and those companies need to be made accountable. I cannot be allowed to happen, and I hope that the think that that is the point that the hon. Gentleman was Minister can give us some answers. making, and I fully endorse it. The frantic moves of Islamists in mainland Tanzania As a whole, the region continues to host more than will continue. For the Church, that means that difficult 1 million refugees and 10 million internally displaced times are likely to be ahead. Kenya and Tanzania are persons. That is a vast number—10 million internally just two of the nations in the region in which Christians displaced persons. One major source of those conflicts are experiencing increasing persecution. I recently spoke has been disputes over group and national membership. to a constituent who is a member of a local Church of Ethnic, racial, and religious populations have been identified Ireland congregation in Newtownards, one of the main as illegitimate members of local communities and nations, towns in my constituency, who told me how the lives of and their exclusion has been used to legitimise individual two of their missionaries in Tanzania were being made persecution, ethnic violence, civil war and genocide. more difficult every day. That is a contribution from Targeted populations have been forcibly displaced from some of those I represent, who are telling me what is their homes, social networks and governmental protection, happening on the ground. and they have been forced to seek refuge within their own countries and across borders. The fact is that although many of the nations we are If we look at specific countries in the region, it is discussing are Christian on paper, the Government are clear that there is persecution against Christians. Mombasa not supporting those ideals or dealing with the persecution in Kenya has been perceived as a place where there is against Christians. There seems to be a somewhat freedom to preach and share Christianity, but some in lackadaisical attitude to the incidents that have occurred, that community have different intentions. Worthy News and it is time that our Government asked the Governments reported: in those countries to stand up against such actions. That is where we, in this Chamber, must come in. We “Three people were injured after a mob of about 10 assailants must speak up for those in the region who are being attacked worshipers at a church in Bamburi, Mombasa last week, according to All Africa Global Media. The gang gained entry persecuted, we must stand up for the two missionaries I into the Bride of the Lamb International Ministries compound have mentioned who are linked to that church in my after they cut through an iron fence; after the assault, they fled to constituency, and we must apply pressure to the the adjacent Tower of Faith Church where they injured four Government to do what is right. That can be done in others. numerous ways, such as through embassies, through the Bride of the Lamb International Ministries Chairman Michael fair distribution of international aid—I am aware of Peter said that the attacks were intended to target the clergy. examples of international aid being directed away from ‘This is not the first time our ministry has been attacked,’ said Christian religious groups because of their beliefs—and Peter. ‘Over the past few weeks we have had attacks on our by applying pressure at all levels to ensure that Governments churches across the country including our residence here.’ realise that, although we seek to help them and their Peter said the ministry had reported the attacks numerous populations, we cannot and will not do so while closing times to the Bamburi police station, but to date no action has our eyes to the plight of people whose only crime is to been taken.” follow Jesus. 193WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 194WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) I support the hon. Member for Islington North in It is not for me to come up with or even to suggest this debate, and I ask the Minister again what is being solutions, other than to say that without question, done to combat the problems and what the Government DFID ought to give proper priority to projects working will pledge to do from this day forward. My constituents with the Twa, not least those that develop youth leadership are deeply interested in the matter, and I know that I am and potential community leadership. There is some not the only MP who has an interest in it. Let us use any exciting church-led work in that area, which is creating influence that we wield for the good of the people in the new leaders for the future. That is vital if the Twa are to great lakes region—and, indeed, throughout the world. continue to exist and not disappear in what I would describe, I think accurately, as an assisted genocide—a genocide assisted by the inaction of everyone, both 10.15 am inside and outside the country.We share some responsibility John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): I thank the Backbench for that. With our proud history of international Business Committee for allocating time for the debate. I development, such projects ought to be the kind of want to make four points. First, briefly, the Prime thing we are good at. It is rather shameful that over the Minister in government has been keen to emphasise the past decade we have done nothing about the Twa in Christian nature of the country and the Government. I those countries. had the opportunity, with the Bishop of Durham, other Thirdly, other Members have already raised the attempts Church leaders and some parliamentarians, with the by SOCO, a UK-based oil exploration company, to assistance of the Commonwealth Parliamentary plunder the reserves in the Virunga national park. I Association, to visit the great lakes last summer. We would make two points. I do not wish to be trite, but it were hosted by local Church leaders in Uganda, Rwanda is a fact that there are more parliamentarians in Britain and Burundi. than mountain gorillas in the wild. If we balloted our The role of the Church, post-conflict—and, more constituents on which they would like to preserve for critically, post-border—in reconstruction is one that the the future, I suspect that parliamentarians would lose Government, in their international development and out, and lose out heavily. We have a responsibility to foreign affairs work, must build on. I will come on to future generations. It must be cost-effective to preserve Burundi in my fourth point, but there and in Rwanda wildlife. There may well be roles for the Twa to play in we see Church leaders, from different ethnic minorities that, for their economic livelihoods. After all, they are in each country, working alongside communities that removed from the forest to allow tourists to visit the have been in conflict in different and tragic ways more mountain gorillas and bring in hard currency. or less ever since independence. Whether we wish it or The point is more fundamental than that for human not, a critical element of our role is to assist in bringing beings. The national parks in the great lakes region are together the Churches to work on the problems in the the natural borders and boundaries that, more than region. There are a variety of Churches; the Catholic anything else, will preserve nation states and restrict Church is hosting a meeting today, and the Church of cross-border conflicts. The Akagera national park between England has got a particular role in relation to the Rwanda and Tanzania is being rebuilt. It has an horrendous problems we are discussing, which I hope that the history from the genocide, but, as well as having income- Government will capitalise on. The Church of England— generating potential for the country, it serves as a not least in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire—has natural brake on cross-border issues. The Volcans national done an immense amount of work over many years to park in the north-west corner of Rwanda, the Virunga build links across the great lakes, not least in Burundi. and others serve a similar purpose. The preservation of such natural borders and the wildlife they contain is Secondly, I want to talk about the group that nobody therefore ethically right and economically sensible for seems to be dealing with, namely the Twa community. the long term—for tourism and livelihoods in 50, 100 or The Department for International Development, wrongly, 150 years, not just the profits for SOCO or whatever does nothing about them; it has done nothing about in the next 10 or 20 years. Such preservation is critical them for many years, so that is a criticism not merely of to these countries’ competitive advantage, but also to any changes made by this Government, but of the minimising conflict now and in future. That should be continuing lack of priority given to the group. That seen as part of our foreign policy and international community of former forest dwellers across the great development work, and be given much higher strategic lakes is small in number now. It was once great in priority. number, but its members were murdered in greater numbers than anyone else under Belgian colonial rule; Fourthly and finally, I want to make a slightly longer vast numbers of the Twa were murdered over the past point about Burundi, which is 178th out of the 187 countries century. Those who remain in Uganda, the Democratic assessed by the UN for poverty; it is not the poorest, but Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi are the it is virtually the poorest country in the world. The UN most impoverished of the poor. They are the most says that Burundi is likely to achieve one out of the 18 disfranchised and the least represented. Having been millennium development goals. That is beyond the scale removed from the forest for the benefits of nature of most countries. For a post-conflict country with such conservation and western tourists— a level of poverty to go without support from this country—here I will criticise this Government—is, whatever the reason, a mistake that must be reversed by whoever Jim Shannon: And business. is in power after 2015. We must stop our lack of engagement with Burundi on international development. John Mann: —and business, they have incredible I know that the Minister is a good man and a good levels of inter-communal violence, particularly sexual Minister, in my experience. I do not normally give even violence and rape, and they are struggling to cope with the most modest praise to Tories, but he is a good man life outside the forest. and has been, in my view, a good Minister. As he has 195WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 196WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) [John Mann] It is good that we have had a debate focusing on human rights across the great lakes region as a whole been to Burundi, I would like to hear about his experience; rather than looking only at specific countries. When we perhaps he might like to give us his recommendations look at the great lakes region, and hear from many of about how the Government should relate to that country, the people trying to grapple with the human rights because it is applying for Commonwealth status. I hope issues and to build towards peace and reconciliation in that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will a sustainable way right across the region, we have to be engage with Burundi on not just a parliamentary but an conscious of what John Hume—who is from my part of official level, and on a more intense basis. We should be the world—used to talk about, which is the framework in there, assisting a country that is increasingly looking of the problem being the framework of the solution, to the English language, to the Commonwealth—not and to emphasise that if we are to solve conflicts we least because of the trade links with east Africa—and to need to look at the totality of relationships and affirm us. There is a lot that we can offer. the primacy of rights. Whether we look at the great Many criticisms can rightly be levelled at Burundi. It lakes region on a country-specific basis or at how the is not exactly a pluralistic democracy of the highest conflicts there enmesh and affect each other, we see the calibre. Currently, there is not the freedom of media importance of those aspects. It is important that the and on-governmental organisations that we would want hon. Member for Islington North has focused so heavily and expect. However, Burundi has had the most successful on the human rights dimension in the region. repatriation of displaced people in recorded history. More than 1 million refugees have returned, without There have been other debates on countries in this civil war breaking out, and reintegrated into one of the region, including the debate in the Chamber last week world’s poorest economies. Although there have been, on Rwanda, which the hon. Member for Strangford and remain, issues of land disputes and so on, on (Jim Shannon) referred to. Sometimes there is an balance the process has been incredibly successful compared understandable inclination for people here to look at with any other such mass movement of people back what is happening in particular countries, at what particular into a country after they had been driven out by civil regimes have done and at the progress that has been war. Many second-generation Burundians were born in made in various transitions, and basically ask, “Do Tanzania but have returned to their historic roots, sometimes people pass the good egg test?” If they do, it is felt that with elderly family, sometimes without. That has been we should not raise too many of the other concerns that handled extraordinarily well. We should praise them for exist. We hear that sometimes in relation to Rwanda that, but we should also be in there with them. and some of the other countries in the region, where people are trying to encourage progress and to recognise, The people of Burundi have recovered from what was support and uphold some of the positive developments an almost hidden war, certainly in terms in the western that have taken place. However, at times people seem media, in which as many people were killed as in more relaxed or even complacent about the serious Rwanda, over a longer period and with some of the human rights issues that exist in a number of different same ethnic conflict bases. If any of that had ever been regimes. reported by the western media, people in this country would have been jumping up and down. But it was a It is also important to reflect, as we have done so secret civil war in a country that no one had ever heard already in this debate, that we must listen not only to of and that very few people across the world and in the political voices from these countries but to the Britain have heard of. Yet Burundi has come out of that voices of human rights activists, of disparate civil society conflict, so we should be there using our great expertise and indeed of pastoral leadership, right across the in pluralist democracy and in building up civil society churches in these different countries. Those pastoral and its institutions. We have expertise in how the Churches leaders are basically saying that there are standards and can contribute to that process, because they—not least networks that could be asserted and built up, and they the Church of England—already play a significant part are asking the international community and the diplomatic in what is happening in Burundi, and I would say a community to reinforce their efforts. They also try to positive one. give the international community and the diplomatic There are many reasons why modest investment by community a context. Earlier, I referred to the request DFID and better engagement—including by the Foreign that has come from the episcopal conference in the and Commonwealth Office—would pay great dividends Congo for an international conference on the extractive for us, for Burundi and for the great lakes region. I hope industries, which could create a context for dealing with that the Minister will give some encouraging signs that quite a number of the issues we have discussed, including this country will re-engage. If this Government do not, on a cross-border basis, and doing so to a full regional I want to put on the record for whoever is in power after standard that deals with land rights, labour rights and 2015 the fact that this demand will not go away. We all the issues of governance, while also promoting a should re-engage, DFID should re-engage, and our strong anti-corruption agenda. diplomatic staff should be in Burundi, representing us and assisting the country. The hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) asked some questions about Burundi, and he talked about the 10.29 am progress that has taken place there. Of course, in Burundi Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): I am delighted to there is a real danger of regression, which is why I agree contribute to this debate, which was introduced by the with the hon. Gentleman that it is regrettable that the hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn). I Department for International Development took the do not want to cover the same points that other Members decision about Burundi that it did some time ago, have articulated so well, but I would like to make a few because it basically sent the signal that Burundi was in observations. the “done” box and that everything there is okay, when 197WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 198WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) it is quite clear that things in Burundi are teetering in a “coordinate policy, impose conditions on aid, and hold the Congolese dangerous way.After her recent visit to Burundi, Samantha government accountable.” Power said: That is an authoritative observation and I hope that the “If you take a political crisis on the one hand and combine it Minister will assure us, when he responds to the debate, with armaments on the other, those are precisely the ingredients that there are some more positive aspects and that some for the kind of violence Burundi has managed to avoid now for a more active good is being done by the international good few years”. community, particularly by the UK Government. As the hon. Gentleman has said, the Minister who is here in Westminster Hall today was also in Burundi 10.38 am recently, and it would be interesting to hear him address that particular situation in the country. Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Thank you, Mr Howarth, for calling me to speak. It is a pleasure to speak in a Regarding Rwanda, the US State Department has at debate chaired by you. least moved now to being quite clear about its concern I thank all Members who have participated in what regarding the number of murders that have taken place has been—almost by definition—a wide-ranging debate of prominent Rwandan exiles, which appear to have concerning a hugely important but under-addressed been politically motivated. The US has also focused on issue. It is under-addressed not only in the House of human rights problems in the country, including the Commons but in the UK as a whole. targeting of political opponents and human rights activists. There are questions to be asked about the rule of law, First, I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Islington the security forces, the judiciary and the restrictions on North (Jeremy Corbyn) for his wide-ranging introduction civil liberties. At least it appears that some clarity is to the historic context of this region, which is so important. starting to emerge within the US Government in relation We need to be involved with and to participate in the to some of these concerns. However, it is not clear that process of trying to achieve progress in the region, not the same clarity is emerging within the UK Government. only because we are of humankind but because we have a historic responsibility in the region, and we need to In relation to Congo, I can understand that as we see address the deficiencies of the past in order to make the situation there changing, with the M23 receding, progress in the future. people now think that there is a more benign situation there. In the absence of the M23, however, what we are The issues that have been raised during this debate seeing in parts of eastern Congo is, of course, all sorts include the importance of considering the fact that this of disparate paramilitary elements breaking out there. region is one of the richest areas on the planet in terms At one level, those elements are too small to be of any of the extractive industries but the people who live in real threat to the Kinshasa Government, but at another the region do not see the benefit of those industries. It is level they are visiting absolute havoc on the people in vital to put right at the top of the priority list the those areas. In terms of human rights concerns, those importance of good governance, because good governance groups should be as big a concern to us as if we were is a precondition of being able to make progress in the talking about one single coherent paramilitary entity. region. In certain areas of the region, such as Rwanda, we It is also important to recognise that at times there have seen progress on material wealth. Anyone here appears to be impotence and indifference in relation to who has visited Rwanda will have seen the progress on the Congolese Government as far as diplomatic interests infrastructure and the Government’s capacity to deliver are concerned. For example, going back to some of the to the people of Rwanda in practical terms. issues that were raised earlier about Congo and the issue of conditionality of aid—the recent EU report We have also heard concerns today, including from was cited—a question arises: is there really any my hon. Friend, that the Rwandan Government are not conditionality attached to aid in the Congo whatsoever? allowing the development of an effective Opposition When he replies to the debate, can the Minister tell us within a pluralistic democracy in the way that we would whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or DFID like. That is a common concern. Last week I participated have any set of requirements regarding any change that in a debate commemorating the genocide in Rwanda, they want to see the Democratic Republic of Congo’s and the progress that has been made in Rwanda is Government implement. We hear the language about extraordinary, but one sometimes wishes that some of efforts “on increased donor co-ordination”, but what the language used by Rwandan politicians and those does that mean? What are the standards that apply, and who speak for Rwanda was more measured when we what is the purpose of and what are the targets for those hear of deaths occurring in other parts of the world. so-called efforts, and where are they getting to? Is a Now that Rwanda is in the Commonwealth, it has clear message being given to the Government of the accepted the importance of a pluralistic democracy, DRC and, if so, is that message being taken? which Members here would like to see. We would like the Rwandan Government to take that on board In a recent article in Foreign Affairs magazine, Jason much more. Stearns summed up what we know is the difficulty and My hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough the dilemma for the international community as it tries South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop) spoke to have a positive influence in a situation such as that in with great authority on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He talked about the difficulty of Congo, and he obviously did a great deal of work to “the dueling imperatives of maintaining good relations with the prepare for this debate. Shortly after I took on the government in Kinshasa and pushing back on issues of governance Africa brief, I visited the Democratic Republic of the and human rights.” Congo in November 2011 when the last elections occurred. He added that in those circumstances it was difficult to I was struck by the people’s massive enthusiasm to vote see the “political clout” being mustered that would in those elections. I was in Kinshasa, and the election I 199WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 200WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) [Ian Lucas] John Mann: It would please me even more to hear that the Labour Front-Bench spokesman will commit saw was in some difficulty because of the electorate’s to the UK re-engaging the Department for International intense passion to vote. We might be encouraging some Development in Burundi when we are in power. of our electorate to take steps towards a polling station over the next few days, but in the Democratic Republic Ian Lucas: My hon. Friend set out Burundi’s position of the Congo no such exhortation was needed. The on the index, which concerns me deeply. There is a real difficulty within the Democratic Republic of the Congo issue with the UK’s engagement and development of is that the elections delivered in 2011 are not widely relationships with smaller countries in Africa. Some of accepted as credible, which has been a block to progress. the decisions that we made before 2010 relating to As we progress towards 2016, what steps are being withdrawal from smaller countries should be revisited. I taken to ensure that belief in the system, which was not have taken on board what he says. I have a particular there in 2011, can be secured by 2016? In 2011 the interest in smaller countries in Africa that leads me in electoral authority, CENI, was widely discredited, and the same direction. it is important that the Democratic Republic of the My hon. Friend the Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan) Congo has a Government in which it can believe by has again brought his substantial experience of African 2016. issues to bear. He stressed that the primacy of rights is important and is linked to the essential question of We then heard about the conditionality of aid, which governance. It is about the capacity of countries in the is another issue that kept cropping up. Good governance region to deliver rights for their citizens and good in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is important governance that improves lives. As we speak, there is a because this has been a difficult period. I was in the great deal of intense work in the region. I mentioned country about a year ago when there were intense earlier the progress that has been made in eastern problems relating to eastern Congo and the activities of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda through the M23. Some progress has been made since then, and the peace, security and co-operation framework, which I commend not only the UK Government but the led to intense international activity. I commend Mary Minister personally for his hard work. What is his Robinson’s work in the region. I would like to hear current assessment of the progress of the development about the UK Government’s position on what is happening of governance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo? there at present. What more needs to be done? What are Now that there is less pressure and immediate violence the UK Government’s priorities? in eastern Congo, what is the current position? The extractive industries are important, and we had I am also interested in what my hon. Friend the an excellent suggestion for holding a conference to try Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland to impose a structure to deliver better governance and had to say about returning asylum seekers and his to emphasise the obligations of international companies worrying accounts of the way they have been treated. I to work with Governments in the region to ensure that support what he said about investigating those cases the people of the countries concerned benefit. and seeing what is actually being done to address the The Government have done excellent work on sexual appalling conduct of the security forces, as it seems, in violence, but worrying concerns have been raised about the Democratic Republic of the Congo. the acquittals of officers in the Democratic Republic of My hon. Friend the Member for Strangford (Jim the Congo. What is the Government’s assessment of the Shannon)—if I may call him my hon. Friend—spoke effectiveness of the procedures that are in place to eloquently about the importance of human rights in the address sexual violence in the region? What steps are Democratic Republic of the Congo. He also referred to the Government taking in response to those concerns? the extractive industries and the importance of the Will the Minister also update us on efforts to integrate churches in the region. On my first visit to the Democratic the preventing sexual violence in conflict imitative in Republic of the Congo in 2011 I was privileged to leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout Kinshasa, which in my experience is not the most the great lakes region? attractive city on the planet, to go south to Bas-Congo This has been a wide-ranging debate on a massive to visit the region’s idyllic Salvation Army church. topic for a massive region with huge problems. I thank Every day, churches are carrying out intensive work on all of the participants, and I look forward to the Minister’s behalf of the region’s people. The churches have a response to the points raised by me and my colleagues. positive role, which the UK Government recognise, but they need to recognise that role more often because 10.49 am people work extremely hard to carry matters forward. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign My hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (John and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds): It is a Mann) spoke eloquently about Burundi, for which I am pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this morning, glad. I think the Minister went there recently. Mr Howarth. I particularly congratulate the hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) on securing this important debate and on the knowledgeable and detailed The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign way in which he set out many of the challenges across and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds) indicated the great lakes region. I know that he has a particular assent. passion and interest in the important area of human rights, and that came over strongly in his contribution. Ian Lucas: I am sure that will please my hon. Friend The hon. Gentleman neatly set out the challenges of the Member for Bassetlaw, and I hope we can hear the region. He highlighted the extensive suffering, both about it from the Minister. historic and, sadly, more recent, in the DRC and elsewhere 201WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 Political and Human Rights (African 202WH Great Lakes) Great Lakes) in the region; the appalling atrocities, particularly those I reassure the hon. Gentlemen that I have lobbied in that relate to rape being used as a weapon of conflict; the DRC, making clear the UK Government’s position the significant challenges around the illicit use of extractives; verbally and in writing. the important issue of Virunga national park; and the The hon. Members for Islington North and for challenge of the failed asylum seekers. He also mentioned Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Tom Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. He packed a tremendous Blenkinsop) rightly mentioned the issue of failed asylum amount into his contribution. seekers returning to the DRC. We need to acknowledge If I may, I will try to respond specifically to the points that the UK has a proud history of helping those who that all Members made. It has been an excellent debate need to escape persecution to access the UK. Each and all the contributions have been significant, powerful application, however, is judged on its individual merits, and articulate. That demonstrates the great knowledge and any decision to refuse asylum is made on the basis that exists across the House in these important areas that it is safe for someone to return to their country of and our ongoing interest, as parliamentarians in the origin. All Members will be aware that the courts have UK, in doing everything we can to improve the lives of ruled that failed asylum seekers who are returned to the those who live in the great lakes region. DRC are not at risk of treatment contrary to article 3 of the European convention on human rights. I would be It might be an obvious point to make, but we are grateful if the hon. Member for Middlesbrough South talking about vast geographical areas, which create part and East Cleveland sent me the report to which he of the challenge. The DRC alone is approximately the referred. size of western Europe. That is why it is important that we continue with our development assistance to help lift The hon. Gentleman also mentioned the importance people in the great lakes region out of poverty and that of elections in the DRC. When I met President Kabila we support the work of improving political and human in February, I encouraged him to draw up a clear rights situations on the ground. electoral timetable to cover the period from now until 2016. We continue to work closely with the DRC The hon. Member for Islington North rightly raised Government, the UN and international partners as the issue of conflict minerals. The OECD’s “Due Diligence those plans develop. Progress needs to be made on the Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals outstanding recommendations of the EU election from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas” includes observation report to which the hon. Gentleman referred. specific guidance on gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum, We encourage the Congolese Government to implement all of which are used in consumer electronics. We encourage those recommendations. To respond to the shadow and expect UK businesses to respect all laws and the Minister’s point, I should say that in November last voluntary principles. The United Kingdom is chair of year I met with the head of the Congolese electoral the voluntary principles on security and human rights, commission and encouraged the full implementation of which are designed to guide companies in maintaining the reforms. We offered our support on that. the safety and security of their operations in a framework that encourages respect for human rights. I am the Jeremy Corbyn: Will the Minister be talking to the Minister responsible and I am encouraging our team, as UN and MONUSCO about how they behave, what part of our chairmanship, to persuade more companies they will do during the elections and what support they and more countries, both in the region and internationally, can give the electoral process? to participate in the voluntary principles. It is important that the DRC should be committed to Mark Simmonds: I assure the hon. Gentleman that improving openness and the accountable management those conversations not only will take place, but have of resources. We encourage the DRC to pursue its EITI started already. When I was last in Goma, I met Martin accreditation and believe that that is important. I met Kobler and we discussed the security situation, the with President Kabila and Prime Minister Matata in broader political situation and the role that Church February this year. During my visit to Kinshasa, I groups and others can play in building security and reiterated our view that it is important that the DRC stability. retains its candidature status. That will ensure that the There are several points that I want to make quickly DRC and its people get full benefit from the mineral in the time I have left. The first is on the donor co-ordination wealth of the country and maintain investor confidence. of development spending. DFID leads donor co-ordination That idea is a main driver behind our Prime Minister’s in the DRC and is working closely with the Government, G8 agenda of tax, trade and transparency, which could MONUSCO and other donors to ensure that our play an important role in ensuring a fair balance between development assistance can best help the people in the the return on capital invested and people in the DRC region out of poverty. We have significant accountability benefiting significantly from the minerals in their country. mechanisms in place. The UK is one of the largest The hon. Members for Islington North, for Strangford donors to the DRC. DFID supports inclusive institutions, (Jim Shannon) and for Bassetlaw (John Mann) raised the empowering of citizens and the holding of service the issue of Virunga national park. I want all Members providers to account. Support to the DRC is based on to understand that the UK continues to oppose oil DFID’s partnership principles, of which hon. Members exploration in Virunga national park. Many of the will be aware. points that the hon. Gentlemen made were absolutely A number of Members touched on the appalling right. We urge the companies to act appropriately and levels of sexual violence. Tackling that is a significant the DRC Government to respect the international priority of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with conventions to which it is already a signatory. We are the preventing sexual violence initiative. We are holding committed to supporting UK companies in the great a conference in June. I am delighted that the Democratic lakes. Investment needs to be responsible and sustainable. Republic of Congo is a signatory to that initiative and 203WH Political and Human Rights (African 13 MAY 2014 204WH Great Lakes) [Mark Simmonds] Park Homes wants to be a key participant in the conference. I went 11 am to Goma with the Archbishop of Canterbury, where I visited some of the victims of these appalling events. I Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): reiterate my thanks to faith groups and recognise the It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship today, significant contribution they make and continue to Mr Howarth. I begin by welcoming the Mobile Homes make in tackling sexual violence and in building capacity Act 2013, which goes a long way towards rebalancing and rehabilitation for those who have suffered sexual the rights of park home owners and site owners. violence. Overwhelming evidence of appalling practices made Our role is not just bilateral, but multilateral, through it an imperative to introduce legislation to prevent important organisations such as the UN Human Rights unscrupulous site owners from blocking residents’ sales Council. The hon. Member for Strangford rightly raised on the open market. It was also obvious that greater the persecution of Christians, and we share his concerns protection should be made available through enhanced about the rising tide of violence against Christians in local authority powers and reform of the licensing middle east Africa and the north of Africa. On Tanzania, system. I have spoken at some length on such issues there is an impressive record of peace and stability, over the years, but I will just touch on them today. although we are concerned about the violence that led I again congratulate my constituent Sonia McColl, a to the death of the priest in Zanzibar, which he mentioned. park home owner who set up the national park home Alongside our EU partners, we have urged that the owners’ justice campaign and who has fought tirelessly highest levels of the authorities investigate that. on park home issues, particularly sale blocking. I also congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney I want to touch on Burundi, which a number of (Peter Aldous) on successfully leading his private Member’s Members raised as a particular concern, especially the Bill on mobile homes through to enactment. Different hon. Member for Bassetlaw. We give aid to Burundi; we parts of 2013 Act are being implemented at different contribute 15% of EU funding and 30% of World Bank times, so it is difficult to make an early, overall judgment funding to the country. There will be significant sums of on the Act’s impact. What assessment has been made of money in the next three or four-year period through the the effectiveness of the Department for Communities EU loan, and Burundi is targeted to get more than and Local Government’s communication strategy to ¤400 million. We are, however, concerned about the inform park home owners of their new rights and site country. That is one of the reasons why I visited. I was owners of their new responsibilities? On one site, a the first Foreign Office Minister to go to Burundi for notice has been erected stating that all sales must be many, many decades. I discussed some of the existing carried out through the site owner’s office. How is the challenges with the President. We are committed to new legislation on sale blocking being monitored and reducing poverty and supporting human rights and enforced? free, fair and credible elections while building the capacity of civil society, and there are concerns in Burundi about Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): I political tensions and the closure of political space. congratulate the hon. Lady on all her work. Without In the time I have left, I want to reassure all hon. her, much of this would not have happened. The Mobile Members that the UK Government will keep the great Homes Act 2013 has already made an overnight difference, lakes region at the forefront of our priorities, play our but a big issue that I have always campaigned about is role bilaterally and through multilateral institutions and the 10% charge payable to site owners. Will she say a support the UN deployment in the eastern part of the DRC little about that? as well as the wider peace and security framework. Annette Brooke: I thank the hon. Lady for her great support throughout our battle to secure legislation. I called this debate in the light of a huge new petition against the up-to 10% commission on the sale of park homes payable to site owners. Sonia McColl has collected signatures from some 30,000 park home residents from 956 parks across the United Kingdom and the petition will be presented to the Government in July. I have always accepted that there needs to be a reasonable return on capital to site owners, but I do not know in detail the justification for particular levels of commission. Given the strength of feeling from park home owners, it is right to put their views forward and to examine how their concerns about being overcharged for the level of service received might be addressed. The answer may lie in more transparency and accountability. Those who have signed the petition are calling for a proper debate on the fairness of the commission payment and they argue that previous inquiries into the charge have been biased and heavily reliant on information provided by park operators, rather than park home owners. It is interesting to note that the maximum level of commission was reduced in 1983 from 15% to 10%. While there has been no change since then, the 205WH Park Homes13 MAY 2014 Park Homes 206WH dissatisfaction of park home owners with this state of Annette Brooke: I commend my hon. Friend and all affairs has continued. The arguments for from the site members of the Communities and Local Government owners and their representative bodies and the arguments Committee, because the report was really useful and against from park home owners and their associations introduced elements into the 2013 Act that might not remain much the same. Park home owners argue that as otherwise have been there. a site owner does nothing to earn the commission, they Returning to site owners’ incomes, there are at least do not see why he or she should receive it. The argument three elements, including the initial siting of the mobile is reinforced when occupiers highlight how they have home, the pitch fees and the commission payment. I increased the value of their homes by adding porches have a scenario that outlines the siting of a new unit. and other improvements at their own expense. Many Suppose that a site owner purchases a new unit for park home owners claim that there has been little £60,000. Transport may cost £10,000 and they may have investment in their sites and that essential maintenance to spend a further £10,000 for connection to services has not been carried out. Site owners say that the and landscaping. The unit could sell for £160,000. I commission payment is part of the income, along with have no idea how realistic those figures are, but I am pitch fees and selling new mobile homes, that they have trying to illustrate the potential for a significant return. always expected to receive to make the businesses viable. Suppose that the home is sold within a year, the commission They say that if the commission was reduced or abolished, clicks in. In another scenario, a park home owner could they would either have to increase pitch fees accordingly replace their home, meaning that they will be charged to make up the difference or go out of business. for connections to services and landscaping, which means In March 2007, the Government published the responses more potential profit. It is therefore difficult to get into to their consultation on the park home commission all the payments that are actually made by park home rate, which outlined options for a more transparent owners. payment system for mobile homes. They concluded that I must confess that I am totally confused about the the current level should be retained but that there respective purposes of the pitch fee and the commission should be more transparency on the payment within payment, but they are clearly related, if the situation is agreements between park home owners and site owners. such that if commission is reduced, pitch fees will have An option to reduce the rate with no pitch fee increase to go up. As ever, I consulted House of Commons was rejected, although it unsurprisingly received Library briefings for clarification. The standard note overwhelming support from park home owners. on the 2013 Act states: Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con): Does the “The pitch fee is the sum paid to the site owner in return for hon. Lady agree that the pitch fee is one of the biggest permission to station a mobile home on the pitch and use the common areas of the site. The requirement to pay a pitch fee is an problems? It can become a tool for bullying, which then express term in the written agreement. Pitch fees are reviewable overrides everything else. annually and can usually only be increased in line with RPI plus the cost of expenditure on improving (rather than maintaining) Annette Brooke: I thank my hon. Friend for her the site.” intervention. There seems to be a complex and opaque relationship between the pitch fee and the commission In a recent letter, the Minister said that a commission payment. is not an estate agency charge, but an important income strand for park home businesses, enabling them to A third option, to scrap the commission on the sale ensure that sites are properly managed and maintained. of a park home for new agreements only without a He said that if the commission was reduced or abolished, limitation on a compensatory increase in pitch fees, there would need to be a compensatory increase in pitch received little support. If pitch fees increase further, I fees to cover the shortfall in income. That is where I find concede that there is a danger for residents on relatively it difficult to understand exactly what money is being low and often fixed incomes. used for what, and I can see where the questions come In 2012, the Select Committee on Communities and from park home owners. Local Government carried out an inquiry into the park On pitch fees, there should be available for inspection homes industry and undoubtedly contributed to the a transparent and audited set of published accounts. I 2013 Act. It concluded that site owners should continue have with me a file of cases from across the country. to receive up to 10% commission from the sale of a park Residents have supplied evidence that owners of their home. However, as well as some oral evidence, it relied sites are not properly managing or maintaining their heavily on the 2007 conclusions and on an earlier paper parks, making it harder for residents to sell their homes. from 2002 when reaching its own conclusion. It is They have asked why site owners should receive the 10% misleading to say that we have evidence from as recently commission if they are not supplying the services they as 2012 on the issue. are meant to. Park home owners argue that it is they Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): I sat who work hard to make improvements to their property, on the Communities and Local Government Committee which helps the site owner market his business. and was part of that investigation. It is right that we The 2013 Act will introduce some accountability, concluded that any reduction in the 10% rate would with an annual review of pitch fees; an opportunity for lead to an increase in the pitch fees referred to by my park home owners to challenge pitch fees on lack of hon. Friend the Member for Newton Abbot (Anne maintenance or deterioration of the site; and a requirement Marie Morris). Given that, we need to reconsider the for site owners to justify increases above the retail prices issue and to have another debate. I commend the idea of index. I would be interested to hear how the Minister my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North envisages those provisions working; whether the historical Poole (Annette Brooke) on greater transparency, which position in which many park home owners find themselves should give home owners the confidence that money is can be addressed; and whether it would be possible to being reinvested in site maintenance and upkeep. have a clear statement on the issues. I imagine that such 207WH Park Homes13 MAY 2014 Park Homes 208WH

[Annette Brooke] conducted by the Department for Communities and Local Government? The new licensing arrangements a statement could not be made fully today, but if we provide an opportunity for additional accountability, so could have something simple placed in the Library, it does she agree that we should let the legislation bed would be helpful for park home owners and Members down before reviewing it in, say, two to three years, as of Parliament to see what the future holds, so that we indeed the legislation provides for? can check whether anything else needs to be done. I fear that we will not pick up all the historical problems, but I Annette Brooke: Yes, there is an important element of hope that future purchasers will have clarity in their reviewing what is in place or is about to come in in the written agreements about all payments and will be clear near future, but not all of that is entirely understood by on the annual reviews. Also, I still come back to this park home owners. We need a clear statement of what is question: is it not reasonable to have audited published happening now and what will happen in the future, and accounts on pitch fees and the expenditure out of that? we need to try to untangle the pitch fee and the commission Research by the National Association of Park Home to be clear what items we are talking about. For example, Residents in November 2013 revealed that monthly is the commission just for contingencies, or just for pitch fees in 1,075 parks varied from £40 to £382. It improvements? I find the issue confusing, and I do not seems generally accepted that the average fee is about think we have bottomed that out yet. I agree that we £150 a month. For someone living on the basic state cannot make any big moves until we have reviewed the pension, while the pension is being increased by the legislation properly, but I think we can move forward by consumer prices index, fees are being increased by the getting more transparency. RPI. One can see how there are concerns out there. Not surprisingly, the petition calls for a reduction in Park home owners continually identify extra costs the commission rate. Petitioners are also interested in that creep in one way or another. Many park home looking at whether we should consider the difference owners referred to people who own flats or other dwellings, in value between the purchase and selling prices of the who pay a maintenance or service charge and a leasehold unit when a commission is applied. That might be quite charge, but do not generally have to pay another 10%, complex if there is deterioration on the unit, but obviously, on top of an estate agent’s fee, when they sell. That is that is food for thought. where I feel published accounts would help. Park home We need a full and frank debate on the issue. We need owners pointed to providers such as McCarthy and transparency on what the various payments are being Stone and looked at the many services provided in used for, and we need to ensure that there is no further private sheltered accommodation. I think that there is a exploitation of park home owners. Exploitation is still pretty good idea in those situations of what someone is going on regarding some of the utility charging. It paying for and what they are getting. should all be out in the open, but I am sure that we can Park operators have argued that they cannot remain all come forward with examples. in business without the 10% commission charge. Yet our petitioners have pointed out that it would be foolish Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con): I apologise for my for a business to rely on an income that is unpredictable. discourtesy in arriving late for the debate. As my hon. It is difficult to predict how many new homes will be Friend knows, through the work we have done with the purchased, or used homes resold, in a year. all-party group and the many debates in this Parliament, Many residents reported feeling trapped in their homes exploitation is the key point. I agree with her point on and unable to sell. Due to park rules, many sites are pitch fees, about where they go, what they are for and only for people of retirement age. The need to move transparency, and she knows I do. However, the point is into a nursing home or some other form of residential that the fee is effectively a charge, tax or levy on one care is a real possibility. Having to give the park operator group of home owners that would not be and is not such a high percentage from the sale of their home accepted for any other form of property ownership. reduces the amount the seller has to put towards their Once again, park home owners are put in a lesser care. category compared with everyone else we represent. That is the point. There are other considerations. The Government acknowledge that the park homes sector plays an important role in the provision of low-cost housing for the elderly Annette Brooke: I thank my hon. Friend for his and that it frees up under-occupied homes that are support throughout the campaign. That is a valid point. much needed as we face a housing crisis. However, with We must not just sit back. It is great that we have the pitch fees, other overheads and the 10% commission, legislation, but we need a continuous full and frank many residents worry that the costs of owning a park debate on the issue. As I said, we need transparency, home are becoming unviable. The issue of the 10% and equally we need to ensure that the industry is viable commission charge is undoubtedly a matter of concern. and that responsible site owners have a viable business model. Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con): I congratulate my We ought to praise good practice instead of just hon. Friend on securing this debate and on putting her focusing, as we have to do, on some bad practice. We points across so eloquently. It is important, after what should praise and look at some good sites and find sites was probably the biggest change to the sector in many where residents are satisfied. That would be a good years, that we review it from time to time. approach, and then we can make comparisons. Does my hon. Friend agree that the legislation was We have achieved a lot in ending the injustices that based on proper and full research and consultation, were being suffered, but we cannot be complacent until with the Select Committee report and the consultation all park home owners are treated fairly. I ask the Minister 209WH Park Homes13 MAY 2014 Park Homes 210WH to be prepared to look deeper into the matter to ensure We have put in place safeguards to ensure that the site that we get the right balance for site owners and park owner receives the commission. Most importantly, however, home owners. they cannot demand it before the home is bought and There will be a lobby, organised by my constituent, at the pitch agreement is assigned. That means the buyer, 4 pm on 2 July in Committee Room 10. I very much not the seller, is responsible for paying the commission. hope that the Minister will attend simply to set out what However, it is not payable until following completion, is going to happen with the existing legislation as far as when the site owner provides the buyer, who is now the pitch fees are concerned. Today, I hope, is the start of a new home owner, with their bank details. If the new constructive debate. owner does not pay the commission, they will be in breach of the pitch agreement and at risk of losing their Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con) home. The maximum commission payable is 10% of the rose— price paid for the home. Thus, when purchasing the home, the buyer pays 90% to the seller and retains 10% Mr George Howarth (in the Chair): Order. Before I to pay as commission to the site operator. call the hon. and learned Gentleman, may I ask whether I realise that some home owners object to the commission he has permission to speak from the Member who on the sale of a home. Some will feel aggrieved that they introduced the debate and the Minister, because there is have to give up 10% of the purchase price, which is paid very little time left? to the site owner, when they may believe they get little Annette Brooke indicated dissent. or nothing in return. Sometimes they see this charge as some kind of estate agent’s charge, despite the fact that Mr George Howarth (in the Chair): The Member who the site owner is no longer involved in the sale process. introduced the debate has signified that you did not However unfair home owners feel the commission is, approach her—that is the protocol you are supposed to the fact that it is payable should not come as a surprise. observe. It is implied in the terms of the pitch agreement, and people should be aware that it is payable on the sale Stephen Phillips: I am grateful to you, Mr Howarth. when they purchase the home. The maximum rate of commission is 10%, having 11.20 am been reduced from 15% by the Conservative Government The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for in 1983. Commission is a legitimate income stream for Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins): park home owners, and there is no evidence that the It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, payment leads to profiteering. That was the finding of Mr Howarth. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member the independent report commissioned by the previous for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke) on Government in 2002. The other income strands are securing a debate on this important issue, on which I from selling homes and from pitch fees. Income from have also received significant correspondence over the selling homes is necessarily limited because it requires years as an MP. She has campaigned tirelessly for better the availability of new pitches or site development. protection for park home owners, and she was instrumental Changes in pitch fees are regulated, and they are linked in securing the passage of the Mobile Homes Act 2013, to inflation and certain other costs that the operator introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney incurs in running the site. (Peter Aldous). She asked a couple of specific questions, which I will answer shortly. Anne Marie Morris: Will the Minister explain how a park home resident will know about the new provisions? As my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney said, the If they do not know about them, they cannot take 2013 Act was the biggest shake-up in park home legislation advantage of them, and they can still be bullied. for 30 years, and the Government were pleased to be able to support it during its passage through both Houses. It marks our commitment to ensuring that Kris Hopkins: I will come to that shortly. park home owners are protected and their rights are There is limited time, but let me add that there was a respected. One such right is the right to sell a park home further review in 2006. The then Government suggested without undue interference from the site owner. There that the commission be reduced to 7.5%. Following was significant evidence that the site operator’s role in significant consultation, they decided there was no case approving the purchaser had been abused by a number for change, and they maintained the status quo. In of unscrupulous individuals to block sales. The 2013 Act spring 2012, the Select Committee did significant work removed that opportunity by abolishing the site operator’s on the operation of park homes and came up with a right to approve the person to whom a home should or powerful and significant report, which obviously influenced could be sold. Provided that a person meets the relevant the 2013 Act. site rules, the sale can usually go ahead without the site On the specific issues that have come out of the owner being involved in the process until the purchaser debate, the Government have spent a significant time notifies them that the sale has been completed and the shaping our answers to parliamentary questions so that pitch agreement has been assigned. we can give really full answers to the absolutely pertinent The new system for buying and selling has been in questions that Members have asked about the progress place since last May. It is much fairer than the old that has been made. I am quite prepared to put another system and reduces the opportunity for abuse. As my document in the Library to provide some clarity and so hon. Friend the Member for Waveney said, it now needs that any Member who has not asked questions can have to bed in. To answer the specific point about a review, a access to it. However, we have spent a significant period body such as the Select Committee might, after a sensible reviewing our answers to make sure we pick up the period, want to explore the progress of the Act. issues that have been raised. 211WH Park Homes 13 MAY 2014 212WH

[Kris Hopkins] Human Rights (North Korea) In answer to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Newton Abbot (Anne Marie Morris), I should say that we have worked with trade bodies to [MR GARY STREETER in the Chair] make sure we disseminate information, and I hope good councils will also proactively contact local park owners 2.30 pm to transmit it. However, this issue has been so significant and has had such a media presence—indeed, it has had Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): It is significant coverage from Members on both sides of the a particular pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, House—that no site owner could legitimately say that Mr Streeter, as you are one of the few Members of they did not know about the change. In fact, if they Parliament to have visited North Korea. failed to comply with the rules in the legislation, it North Korea is arguably the world’s most closed would be a criminal act, and the council could pursue nation, with the worst human rights record. Looking them. through all 30 articles of the universal declaration of To conclude, the Government do not see a need to human rights, it is difficult to identify any of them that review the 10% commission at this time. As my hon. have been implemented and respected in North Korea. Friend the Member for Waveney said, it is appropriate, Almost all are severely repressed or denied. Indeed, the after a period, to reflect on what has happened. However, former United Nations special rapporteur on human home owners are in a completely different position rights in North Korea has described the country as “sui from the one they were in before the 2013 Act, and generis”—in a category of its own. significant safety barriers have been put in place to stop For those reasons, debates such as this are long unscrupulous individuals from pursuing home owners’ overdue. For too long—more than 60 years—what amounts moneys. It is important that we have clarity and to the world’s worst human rights crisis has also been its transparency on fees. The ability of councils to go on to most overlooked. Why has the appalling inhumanity in a site to pursue malpractice or inappropriate maintenance North Korea not generated the same headlines or provoked is some safeguard and some comfort for individuals. I the same mass public outrage as apartheid in South hope colleagues will continue to push the issue and to Africa? I hope that young people in our universities and seek to make sure that greater protections are in place. elsewhere will take the issue to heart, as they did apartheid. At this time, however, we do not seek to review the When I was at the university of Oxford the week before commission on park homes. last, I talked to students about it, and I encourage colleagues to do the same when they visit universities 11.29 am and colleges. Sitting suspended. Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East) (Lab): I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this enormously important debate. What he wishes is actually starting to happen. Students from Oxford have come to see me, and one important point that they made is that if we could get the BBC World Service to broadcast to Korea in Korean, its reputation for impartiality would be an enormous force for good.

Andrew Selous: I agree with the right hon. Gentleman. I will say more about the BBC World Service and broadcasting in general in North Korea later in my remarks. I welcome his support and intervention. On 17 February this year, the UN commission of inquiry on human rights in North Korea published its report, concluding that North Korea’s brutal regime is committing a wide range of crimes against humanity, arising from “policies established at the highest level of State”. Such crimes against humanity include, “extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence, persecution on political, religious, racial and gender grounds, the forcible transfer of populations, the enforced disappearance of persons and the inhumane act of knowingly causing prolonged starvation”. That is a pretty appalling list. Among the reported abuses, the inquiry found that pregnant women are starved, while their babies are fed rats and snakes. More than 100,000 people—I think the Government estimate up to 200,000 people—are in gulags, which have existed for more than 60 years. There is systematic torture; everyone is forced to inform on 213WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 214WH each other; entire communities are denied adequate tireless campaigning on the issue. I will leave it to her, if food; and the bodies of the dead are burned and then she should be fortunate enough to catch your eye, used for fertiliser. Mr Streeter, to focus on the findings and recommendations When pregnant North Korean women are forced to of her report in detail, but I commend the report to the return to North Korea from China—a serious issue in House and hope that the Minister will study it carefully. itself—they are subjected to forced abortions if it is Momentum is beginning to grow in other ways as suspected that the father of the child is Chinese. If the well. The outstanding work of the all-party group on baby is born, it is killed. Widespread forced abortion North Korea—if any colleagues present are not members, and infanticide for purely racial reasons are just two of I encourage them to join—under the chairmanship of the brutal regime’s many barbaric acts. Lord Alton of Liverpool, has kept the issue on the The UN’s 400-page report, based on many hours of agenda in Parliament for the past decade. The work of extensive first-hand testimony from victims and witnesses, advocacy organisations such as Christian Solidarity details what it describes as “unspeakable atrocities”. Worldwide, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International; campaigns by groups such as Open Doors Alok Sharma (Reading West) (Con): I congratulate and Release International; and the efforts of the my hon. Friend on securing this incredibly important international coalition to stop crimes against humanity debate, which matters to all our constituents. Many of in North Korea, have helped bring about the attention mine came to see me to raise the issue. that is finally being given by the UN to North Korea’s human rights crisis. New organisations, such as the The North Korean delegation to the UN has said recently launched North Korea Campaign UK and the that it will examine 185 of the 268 human rights European Alliance for Human Rights in North Korea, recommendations handed to it by the member states of will help to bring the situation to a new level of public the UN Human Rights Council. Does my hon. Friend awareness and campaigning. believe, based on what has happened in the past, that North Korea will take the recommendations seriously? All those are vital steps to shine a light on the darkest If not, what pressure does he think the UN and the corner of the world and to place North Korea’s human British Government should bring to bear on the North rights crisis where it belongs: at the centre of the Korean Government? international agenda. However, much, much more is needed. Andrew Selous: I am pleased that my hon. Friend’s Breaking the information blockade that surrounds constituents are engaging with him on the issue. As I North Korea is key to bringing about change, as has will say in a little while, we could press the UN to take already been mentioned. I welcome the steps already the matter to the International Criminal Court, which undertaken by the UK to promote academic and cultural would be one positive step that could come out of the exchanges and scholarships for North Koreans to study UN commission of inquiry. My hon. Friend is absolutely abroad. I also welcome the activities of others, including right; we must not let the report just gather dust on the distribution of information into North Korea via USB shelf. sticks, DVDs and other portable devices, and—crucially— radio broadcasts. The UN report concludes that, As Professor Andrei Lankov argues in his book, “the gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a State that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world.” “The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia”: The chairman of the commission of inquiry, Mr Justice Michael Kirby, has compared the situation in North “In order to initiate changes in North Korea, it is necessary to put North Korea’s rulers under pressure from its people and the Korea to the holocaust, and, as he says, that is no lower echelons of the elite. Only North Koreans themselves can exaggeration. change North Korea…The only long-term solution, therefore, is The inquiry has made a variety of recommendations, to increase pressure for a regime transformation, and the major but most particularly, it calls, as I have just said, for a way to achieve this is to increase North Koreans’ awareness of the case to be referred to the ICC. I welcome the Government’s outside world. If North Koreans can learn about the existence of attractive and available alternatives to their regimented and support for the inquiry’s recommendations; their efforts impoverished existence, the almost unavoidable result will be the at the Human Rights Council in March, when a UN growth of dissatisfaction toward the current administration. This resolution endorsed the commission of inquiry’s findings will create domestic pressure for change, and the North Korean and recommendations; and the recent briefing at the government will discover that its legitimacy is waning even among UN Security Council in the form of an Arria formula a considerable part of the elite.” meeting. I look forward to hearing from the Minister Every tool available should be used to break the what steps the United Kingdom is considering taking in information blockade, but there is one that is not currently future; what role the UK will play in continuing to lead being used: the BBC World Service. A sustained campaign international efforts to ensure that the commission of has developed over the past year or two for the establishment inquiry’s report is turned into a plan of action and does of a BBC Korean-language radio service to broadcast not sit on a shelf; and specifically what steps the Security to the Korean peninsula, north and south. An excellent Council can take to seek a referral to the ICC or report by the European Alliance for Human Rights in another appropriate mechanism for justice and North Korea, called “An Unmet Need: a Proposal for accountability. the BBC to Broadcast a World Service in the Korean Today, the Conservative party human rights commission Language”, was published in December 2013. The report released its report, entitled, “Unparalleled and Unspeakable: notes: North Korea’s Crimes against Humanity”. I pay huge “In spite of restrictive media policies, severe punishments and tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton radio jamming operations, changes to the global media environment (Fiona Bruce) for her leadership of that inquiry and her are gradually impacting media consumption within the DPRK”— 215WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 216WH

[Andrew Selous] violations of freedom of religion or belief in North Korea, and particularly the extreme persecution of that is, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Christians. There is China’s policy of forced repatriation although of course it is a state that is neither democratic of North Korean refugees, which returns them to a dire nor run for its people. The report goes on: fate and is in breach of international law. Further, there “Today, a surprisingly large percentage of North Koreans can are the desperate humanitarian needs of the people of access media devices that are capable of receiving foreign media”. North Korea and the question of whether the United Intermedia reports that almost half of North Korea’s Kingdom could and should be providing aid. There are radio listeners are able to access illegal radios and over a also concerns about possible breaches of existing sanctions quarter have actively listened to foreign radio broadcasts. and the need for more targeted sanctions to prevent the The remit of the BBC Trust sets out as a specific export of North Korean resources produced by forced purpose for the World Service that it should labour in political prison camps and slave labour in the mining sector, as well as the trade in blood minerals. “enable individuals to participate in the global debate on significant international issues.” Finally, there is a need to develop a much better A BBC strategy document, “Delivering Creative Future understanding of how the brutal regime in North Korea in Global News”, makes it a priority for the World works by engaging regularly with North Korean defectors, Service to access of whom there are several hundred in the United Kingdom. “a number of information-poor language markets with a clear Last week, one prominent defector, Jang Jin-sung, addressed need for independent information”. the all-party group ahead of the launch of his new book, “Dear Leader”. He provided a detailed insight Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): I into the centrality of the regime’s rather Orwellian congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate. sounding Organisation and Guidance Department, or He has touched on an interesting point about the BBC OGD. Understanding the key power structures in the World Service. I believe that one reason why the Foreign North Korean regime is essential if we are to use our Office is reluctant to ask the BBC to broadcast a levers of influence in the most effective way. Korean service is that it underestimates the number of In 2010, The Times published an editorial, headlined North Koreans who could receive it, but if it looks at “Slave State”, which stated: the figures, there is a much stronger case than it believes “The condition of the people of North Korea ranks for asking the BBC to broadcast to North Korea. among the great tragedies of the past century. The Andrew Selous: My hon. Friend is right and I agree despotism that consigns them to that state is one of its with him—the evidence available to us shows that despite greatest crimes.” the restrictions and the regime’s best efforts to stop The UN inquiry and the courage of an increasing them, more and more people in North Korea are managing number of North Korean exiles and international NGOs to listen to such broadcasts. are at long last beginning to shine a light on those Recently, Stephen Bosworth, the former US ambassador crimes and awaken the conscience of the world. In this to the Republic of Korea and former US special House, we have a responsibility to do all we can to representative for North Korea policy, said: ensure that the light shines brighter, the darkness is “I would like to lend my support to the effort to bring the BBC exposed and the appalling suffering of the North Korean World Service to North Korea. I believe the interests of the people is brought to an end. people of North Korea and the rest of the world are best served by opening North Korea to information from the outside. The 2.46 pm BBC World Service could clearly play an important role in that process.” Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): It is a pleasure to The all-party group on North Korea, the Conservative make a contribution to this debate. I commend the hon. party human rights commission and the European Alliance Member for South West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous) for Human Rights in North Korea, among others, have for his introductory remarks, which set the scene clearly. addressed many of the questions put forward by the I also commend the hon. Member for Congleton (Fiona BBC and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Bruce), in anticipation of her speech; I know she will particularly on cost-effectiveness, commercial opportunities, make a vast contribution. availability of shortwave radios in North Korea and It is always good to come along to debates such as availability of transmitters to broadcast. Has the Minister this, because we can remember those in other parts of had an opportunity to read “An Unmet Need”, to the world who do not have the freedom that we have in assess the information provided by various groups in this country. North Korea is certainly a country where response to BBC and Foreign Office concerns and to freedom is in very short supply and life is cheap. Human review the Government’s position? rights in North Korea simply do not exist: freedom of Last night, I was e-mailed by one of Radio Free association, of worship, of movement and even of Asia’s correspondents in Washington, and gave a radio thought are all denied. Everything in North Korea is interview over the telephone with that station. Given controlled and monitored, and life is not at all the same that today’s debate is in the British Parliament, it is a there as it is in our country. Often in my office we make little ironic that perhaps the only broadcast into North jokes about dictators, but when we think about the Korea to be mentioned today will be one from an dictator in North Korea we are increasingly aware of American-run radio station, and not a British radio how blessed we are to live where we live and have the communication. freedom that we have. There are many other concerns; I will briefly highlight As Jong-un was educated in the west there was a brief some, in the hope that other Members might elaborate hope that he would bring a more modern approach to on them during the debate. First, there are the severe running North Korea, but that hope has been dashed. 217WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 218WH

A US intelligence assessment published in The Wall Korea and how important it is to have the freedom she Street Journal depicted Jong-un as now has in South Korea. She has told the rest of the “a volatile youth with a sadistic streak who may be even more world. unpredictable than his late father”. I was interested in what the hon. Member for South We thought his late father was bad, but when we look at West Bedfordshire said about the Radio Free Asia the suffering now it is manifestly even worse. When we programme. I did a couple of interviews on it. I am not discuss North Korea we have an opportunity to remember sure how my Northern Ireland accent went down in those who do not have human rights or even the very North Korea. I am sure it was challenging for most of basics for life—we must be mindful of those people. them; it is a challenge for people here. In North Korea now, there is to be no modernisation Hae Woo spoke candidly about her horrific experience of thought, but simply of warfare, and with the dictator in a North Korean concentration camp. I spoke to some firmly established there are to be no kind of human of the staff in my office and gave them some of the rights. It is home to the world’s fifth largest army, of books we had been given on the day.They were illuminating, 1.2 million soldiers and 8.3 million reservists, and there but hard to read. They told the lady’s story, as well as is a monopoly of state-run media—TV, radio, and the that of thousands of others who had been beaten, press—that indoctrinates the population with the party’s tortured and abused. Those people had had their propaganda. We know of the existence of 14 concentration possessions taken, their children removed and their camps, some of which hold as many as 50,000 prisoners. homes ransacked, all because they had a page from the Some of those people do not even know the crime for Bible and were suspected of meeting other Christians. which they have been imprisoned, but others know Sometimes it is hard to understand, given how blessed exactly why they are there—it is because of their faith we are here, what it is like for someone to have no job, and the fact that they want to tell others of that faith. no house, no clothes, no family and to be thrown into The precise number of Christians in North Korea is prison when no one knows where they are and they have unknown, but it is estimated that there could be as no friends. That is reality for those in North Korea. many as 100,000, or more. Before the communists came to power, numbers were higher but during the Korean Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) war of 1950-53 many fled to South Korea or were (SNP): The hon. Gentleman reminds me of that day. martyred in North Korea. Those who remain are forced What I also found chilling was that some people in the to hide their faith or face terrible consequences. That is state apparatus masqueraded as Christians in the hope why it is important to make our point today on behalf of entrapping others, almost as agents provocateurs. of those in North Korea. They took people off to camps because of their faith. I am sure he agrees that that requires greater international Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): I pressure. congratulate the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous) on securing this debate. This is about Jim Shannon: I think it does. I will come to China our third discussion in recent months about North later in my speech because I think something can be Korea and, more broadly, human rights. I would have done. We need participation, encouragement and help thought that one of the ways in which the United from China to make that happen. Nations could exert pressure is through China, which My parliamentary aide works with children at Elim has a big influence on North Korea. church in Newtownards and told them the story of the Does the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) lady from North Korea. When she said that mums and agree that the images and films of prisoners in North dads were taken away, the children were amazed. They Korea and how they are tortured put us in mind of asked what could be done; that is what we are all asking Bosnia when the Muslims were being persecuted? It today, as the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire amazes me that there is not the same publicity and made clear. What can Parliament do? One child asked momentum—I am not talking about invading North what we could do to help and take care of them, and Korea—that the west exercised at the time of the Bosnian that is what we are asking the Minister today. conflict. That seems to be absent in this case. I wonder We are fortunate in that the Minister has a clear why. It is very strange. interest in the matter. We know that from experience and our discussions with him, and we look forward to Jim Shannon: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his hearing what hope he can give us as Members of intervention. It is hard to understand what is happening Parliament that we in turn can give our constituents. We in North Korea. We have seen films about the worst have all been inundated with e-mails and correspondence, happenings in Germany and the atrocities in Bosnia and we reflect that opinion in the Chamber in the best and Rwanda, which we discussed earlier today, and way we can. North Korea is closed off to the western many other parts of the world, but nothing in the world world and our influence is almost non-existent, but adds up to what happens in North Korea. That is there must be something that the greatest democracy in curious. the world can do. If so, what are we doing to exert I attended an eye-opening event with Hae Woo—given influence and to make a difference? my Northern Irish accent, I am not sure whether my I turn to China. The harsh regime and grinding pronunciation is correct; we would say “hay” as a poverty have forced thousands of North Koreans to try matter of terminology back home, but this is someone’s to escape to China. It is estimated that as many as name. The lady’s name was Hae Woo and she made a 350,000 North Koreans are in China as illegal immigrants. valuable contribution. We all had the opportunity to The Chinese authorities stubbornly uphold their hear her testimony about what it is like to live in North policy of repatriating defectors found in their territory, 219WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 220WH

[Jim Shannon] Mr Jang told us, in his own words, that the regime is “ruined inside” and that there is effectively a divide in even though repatriated North Koreans face notoriously North Korean society between the governing classes harsh treatment and often death. The North Korean and the market classes. We have known for some time authorities allegedly pay Chinese informants to denounce that the governing classes will make sure that they and defectors, so defectors in China are forced into hiding the military are well fed and provided for. What is and often into the clutches of ruthless individuals becoming increasingly apparent is that the rest of the who trap them into forced labour or sex work. Can we population simply have to fend for themselves. He told help these people? We have a duty to try. Can we ensure us that provision for what are called the market classes that aid comes their way to help them start a new life in has effectively been abandoned by the governing bodies. which they can have their faith and freedom? Can we Mr Jang confirmed that the market classes can only use our ties and links with China, with whom we have a survive through black-market dealing, and he spoke of semblance of a relationship, to make a difference? the governing classes having “lost control of the market”, I cannot help but think of those Christians in the saying that there is a façade of power, but the daily world who cherish their Bible and see it as their guide, currency of survival in North Korea has been converted and my mind goes to tales of people in North Korea from loyalty to the dear leader to money. The North who shred and burn their Bible after they have memorised Korean regime does all it can to control its people, but it it so that they can treasure it in their hearts. A reminder cannot even control the price of an egg. He also told us of that is a film, “The Book of Eli”, which I saw the that no one in the North Korean elite believes that the other week; it is similar at the end, when a blind person regime will last for ever. For us, that is good news. That memorises the Bible. day cannot come soon enough. Some people in North Korea have the memory of the Mr Jang encouraged those of us outside North Korea scriptures from Genesis to Revelations. It shocks me to stop focusing on the regime and to look at what he that in the modern world some people do not have a called the “wedge of hope” within the country. I took Bible, and do not have the opportunity to read it, to the phrase to mean that if the North Korean people in worship and to enjoy freedom, as the hon. Member for numbers are now beginning to use their individual South West Bedfordshire said. Like the child at Elim initiative to survive independently of Government provision church in Newtownards who asked whether we can take through the use of the black market, often using goods care of those people, I ask the Minister, “Can we?” We illicitly imported from outside the DPRK, surely there have a responsibility to do so and we must use every is hope that those same people, given information and avenue to make it happen for those Christians in North inspiration from the outside world, could begin individually Korea who are suffering severe persecution. to appreciate, ultimately understand and finally act on the fact that there is a different and more humane way for a society to live than that offered by their own 2.57 pm Government. Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): One of the many Our role surely has to be to increase the size and remarkable meetings that the all-party parliamentary impact of the wedge of hope in the people’s hearts. One group on North Korea has had with refugees and day, change will surely come within North Korea. Kingdoms asylum seekers from that country took place last week, rise and fall; no despotic regime ultimately endures. Our when Mr Jang Jin-sung came to speak to us. He is a role and our challenge, bearing in mind the deplorable former North Korean poet laureate and a counter- suffering of the North Korean people, is to do what we intelligence official so his knowledge of the hierarchy of can, however slight it may seem, to increase that wedge North Korean society gave us an unparalleled insight. of hope, so that change comes sooner rather than He told us that the world never really sees the true later—for one day, one month, one year, surely it will North Korea because although there is individualised come. cult worship of the dear leader, real political power lies with the Organisation and Guidance Department of Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I am listening the Korea Workers’ party. My hon. Friend the Member to my hon. Friend’s speech intently and I congratulate for South West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous) mentioned her on it. Is it her view that the wedge of hope will be that and I commend him on bringing forward this enough to end the regime, or is China’s changing its debate. stance a necessary condition for that? The OGD apparently controls all chains of command within North Korea, but very few people who have left Fiona Bruce: I think it is very important that our North Korea are aware of that; of the 26,000 or so who Government and other Governments in the international have left, perhaps only a handful have an insight into community press China to alter its approach towards what we were told last week. There is, of course, no North Korea—in particular, its treatment of asylum Parliament in North Korea. All laws are prepared by seekers. It is appalling that asylum seekers, when they the OGD for signature by the leader. It give all orders are found in China, are sent back to North Korea for for the military, appoints all high-ranking officials, operates torture, and, in many cases, certain death. It is appalling the prison camps, co-ordinates extensive surveillance that women who are sent back, if they are found to be and even appoints the leader’s own bodyguards. We pregnant or are even carrying a babe in their arms, will were informed that at the end of his life, the former have to see that child sacrificed. That must change. leader, Kim Jong-il, was effectively living under house arrest controlled by those very bodyguards. That startling Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): I revelation demonstrated to us the frailty of the apparent congratulate my hon. Friend on her fine speech. Does power of the regime and of this failed state. hope not also come from communication and from 221WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 222WH hearing and knowing what is out there? Will she join me Jim Shannon: I agree with everything that the hon. in urging—it is not necessarily a matter for the Minister— Lady has said. Does she also agree that the power of the BBC World Service to establish a Korean radio prayer is very important? service broadcast in English to the Korean peninsulas, both north and south, so that they can hear much more Fiona Bruce: I do, and in answer to the hon. Gentleman’s about the hope out there? question that I referred to earlier, one way we can also provide support is through some of the organisations Fiona Bruce: I certainly will, and I hope to mention that go into North Korea; many of them are Christian that later in my speech, given time. organisations, such as Open Doors or Christian Solidarity The hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) Worldwide. The commission heard from Amnesty asked what we can do. Well, one thing we can do is International, in a witness session, that support for speak out in this place, as we are doing today. The very them by means of food aid will get through to people in first time I spoke out about North Korea in this Chamber, North Korea. There are means of reaching North Koreans I was amazed to receive correspondence from Korea. It and those organisations are providing tremendous strength came from people who knew or were related to people and support for people in North Korea as they travel in North Korea—from those living in South Korea who about and provide aid and information. said, “Keep speaking out. We are hearing you here.” I turn back to the commission’s report. It was not its Given the increased use of technology to smuggle intention to repeat in detail evidence of the human information into North Korea, through USB sticks and rights violations, because they were already extremely other means of communication, what is now even more well documented in the UN commission’s report, published encouraging is that our debates in this place can—and I earlier this year, by Mr Justice Kirby. As the Conservative believe, will—reach the hearts, minds and ears of people party human rights commission’s report states: in North Korea, and they will be encouraged and “Instead, this brief report aims to serve as a policy document strengthened to speak and take action. That is one thing for the Conservative Party, summarising the scale of the challenge” we can do. faced by the international community “and then focusing on possible ways forward for the United Mr MacNeil: If people in North Korea are listening Kingdom in helping to lead the international community’s effort to any of these words, it is important that they understand to end the climate of impunity in North Korea, enhance mechanisms that if regime change comes, they would not be abandoned for accountability and justice, break the regime’s information by other countries. In fact, they would be helped by blockade, and bring an end to more than half a century of other countries and could see a manifestly better material horrific suffering endured by the North Korean people.” life through help from many supportive nations and Breaking that information blockade is, as my colleagues supportive peoples across the world. have mentioned, one way in which we can provide support. Mr Jang said, interestingly, that Fiona Bruce: That is exactly the point that I want to “this is not just a humane thing it is also a pragmatic thing to do”. come to now. It is clear—I have heard this not only from The commission urges the UK Government to continue Mr Jang last week, but from others—that although the their efforts while pursuing a critical engagement in the regime in North Korea, the North Korean elite, perceive DPRK on questions of human rights on every level. We that their state is failing, they simply do not know are also pressing them to continue to invest in academic another way. They do not know the solution to their and cultural exchanges, such as sponsoring the British difficulties. They cannot find a way through to feed Council’s English teaching in North Korea. Many escapees their people. They cannot understand, because they have told us they benefited directly from that. Although have never known it or experienced it, what it means to the British Council has only four people teaching there, live in a form of democracy, the like of which we know it has taught hundreds of North Koreans over the and must communicate to them in different ways. years. In many cases, that has been extremely helpful Several ways to increase the wedge of hope are outlined when people have sought to move on. in the report published today by the Conservative party Similarly, the report encourages increased investment human rights commission. I have just passed a copy to in developing the skills and education of North Korean the Minister, so I do not expect him to be able respond refugees in the UK. The country will need leaders who in detail to that in the debate, but it is called “Unparalleled can go back to it when change happens; it will need men and Unspeakable: North Korea’s Crimes Against and women of courage, insight and vision who have Humanity”. I encourage Members to read it. experienced life in a free nation. I think, for example, of Clearly, I cannot refer to all the report’s recommendations one young refugee, Timothy, who has done a little work today, but I want to put on the record my thanks to the experience in my office. He grew up in North Korea, but commission’s deputy chairman, Ben Rogers, for his he was orphaned. From the ages of about eight to 14, he sterling assistance in the production of the report and virtually lived on the streets. He then managed to escape for so much of the work that he has done over many to China, but, unfortunately, he was caught, repatriated years to highlight the human rights atrocities in North and tortured. He managed to escape again, and he Korea. finally reached this country. He is now studying politics I believe that we can be encouraged by what has at Salford university. happened in Burma, because that same man, Ben Rogers, We need to take care of such people. The UK has worked assiduously for many years to highlight the about 600 North Korean refugees—the largest diaspora difficulties that people in Burma suffered, and we have in the world, outside South Korea. We really should recently seen what has happened in that country. Just a increase engagement with them and draw on their few years ago, many of us might not have hoped for the knowledge and experience. We could then send changes that are occurring there. We must maintain the communications from them into North Korea, using same degree of hope for the people in North Korea. some of the technology we have these days—smuggled 223WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 224WH

[Fiona Bruce] The second concern raised about the BBC broadcasting into North Korea was that South Korean regulations USB sticks, DVDs and other portable devices. Such would prevent broadcasting from South Korea. However, things can also be used to send over films, newspaper Voice of America broadcasts its Korean language articles and reports from the human rights organisations service from a transmitter in South Korea, and there are I mentioned, and information can also be brought other options involving transmitters elsewhere in Asia. back. If we can work more closely with the North Therefore, the commission—this is one of our strongest Korean diaspora here, we can find another way of recommendations—urges the Government and the BBC breaking the information blockade. to reconsider the issue and to invest in establishing a BBC Korean service and in training exiled North Koreans John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): My hon. Friend is making as reporters and producers, as well as to take on other a typically insightful speech. However, the concern most staff positions in such a service. people have when thinking of North Korea is about the lack of hope. Individuals in the regime may be inclined Mr MacNeil: The hon. Lady has made a fantastic to distance themselves in some way from the leader, but plea for the BBC to be involved, and there is not a there is a fear of the risks associated with doing anything dissenting voice anywhere in the room and probably not differently. My hon. Friend speaks positively about the in Parliament. It is incumbent on people in the BBC to wedge of hope and the things we can do to support the listen to her words and to read them again. diaspora in this country, but what can we do to support those who are inclined to resist the pressure to conform Fiona Bruce: Absolutely. It is incumbent on them to to the leader’s direction? do that. I will close now—you have been extremely indulgent, Mr Streeter—by saying that if the BBC Fiona Bruce: I entirely agree that lives are lived in persists in being unwilling to broadcast into Korea, a permanent fear. Even before they can read or write, solution will be found elsewhere. The option of another children are taught to fear and worship the regime—that organisation broadcasting into Korea is being actively is a terrible mixture in people’s mindset. However, sending discussed. That would involve an independent radio information will gradually free their minds. I accept station broadcasting from the UK into the DPRK. that that is an extremely slow process, but if we do not It would be to the BBC’s shame if it did not take a try, how will these things happen? That is my question. role in righting the injustices experienced by the North If we do not do these things, people will never know the Korean people—the injustices experienced by this truth. However, we cannot say we do not know the generation, which are comparable only to the holocaust truth, because the 400-page report from Mr Justice experienced by our forebears’ generation—and if it did Kirby has told the world of the horrors of this regime, not rise to the challenge that we are putting before it. and we must act—we must take what steps we can to address the situation. 3.17 pm I turn now to the many calls made in this debate, and in several others, for the BBC to broadcast into North Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): I am Korea and, indeed, South Korea. Again, I ask the BBC grateful to have caught your eye in this important to consider the issue. A large percentage of North debate, Mr Streeter. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Koreans can now access media devices capable of receiving Member for South West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous). foreign media, and DVD players, televisions and radios I also pay sincere tribute to my hon. Friend the Member are smuggled into the country. Under the remit of the for Congleton (Fiona Bruce), who clearly showed her BBC Trust, one specific purpose of the BBC World passion for this subject in the way she spoke about it. Service is to enable With the Conservative party human rights commission, she has produced a comprehensive report. I participated “individuals to participate in the global debate on significant international issues.” in some of the hearings, and I congratulate her on the report. I have read every word of it, and it would repay Under the BBC strategy “Delivering Creative Future in any Member of the House to read from it. Global News”, a priority for the World Service is to access I want to concentrate on human rights in North “a number of information-poor language markets with a clear Korea. Before I do, however, I want to put on record need for independent information”. that North Korea is one of the world’s putative nuclear The World Service operating agreement also prioritises states. It carried out nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and audiences 2013. Whenever my right hon. Friend the Minister has dealings with any of the five powers in the six-party “which have the least access to news”. talks, I would urge him to see whether we can get the Surely, nowhere qualifies more under that criterion talks back on track. In my recent discussions with the than North Korea. Chinese—I was in Beijing last week and met Foreign The two objections we have had from the BBC are, Office Ministers at Minister of State level—it was clear first, that that they, too, do not want a rogue nuclear state on their “an insignificant percentage of the population” doorstep. There is, therefore, good cause to hope that would be reached, but that can be discounted. In 2005, China, which has the most influence of any country on 18% of people had listened to a foreign radio. In 2009, the DPRK, can put some pressure on it to at least the Asia Foundation collated information suggesting prevent it from becoming a nuclear power and deploying that 20% were listening to one. In 2012, InterMedia ever longer range ballistic missiles, potentially carrying found that nearly half the respondents from a North nuclear warheads. Korean defector community owned radios and that The UN commission of inquiry has been widely “many radio listeners…modify fixed-dial radios in order to receive quoted today; indeed, my hon. Friend the Member for unsanctioned channels.” Congleton quoted widely from it. One of the most 225WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 226WH telling quotes from it was from Mr Justice Kirby, the “It is important that whenever we see a chink of light, we try to retired and very respected Australian judge who wrote widen it to expose to the people of North Korea that there is a it. Let me quote just one sentence of what he said: better world out there.”—[Official Report, 16 December 2013; Vol. 572, c. 482.] “The gravity, scale, duration and nature of the unspeakable atrocities committed in the country reveal a totalitarian state that I entirely agree. The report prepared by my hon. Friend does not have any parallel in the contemporary world”. the Member for Congleton has shone a strong light on That is a pretty damning indictment, if ever there was North Korea, and we must continue to try to change the one, of the inhuman treatment that the country metes situation there. The leadership are aware of the current out. The ordinary citizens of North Korea are sentenced attention. They know that we are on their case. We must to a slow death, because they do not have enough food. now use the report to show the people that there is a Their life expectancy is probably not beyond their thirties. better world out there. Knowledge is power. People If they go into one of the camps—and there are between need knowledge so that they, and we, have the power to 80,000 and 120,000 political prisoners—they face a change things. quick death sentence, because they are starved there, and work harder; but it is not only that. The appalling Andrew Selous: On the “knowledge is power” point, thing about North Korea is that if someone commits a does my hon. Friend share my concern that apparently crime it is often not only that person, but their children the number of defectors getting out of North Korea has and their children’s children, who are imprisoned. That dropped by some 40% since Kim Jong-un became leader? often applies to those poor people who try to escape the He has increased the number of troops on the Korean- misery across the Chinese border. They are sent back, Chinese border, as have the Chinese on the other side, as my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton has said, because they understand that knowledge getting out is to appalling conditions in the prison camps. They are harmful to them. routinely tortured and forced to have abortions. People’s babies are routinely slaughtered in front of them and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: My hon. Friend makes a the other inmates of the camp. The regime is truly very important point. It is clear that the new, younger inhuman. leader, Kim Jong-un, is more unpredictable than his In an article in the Korea Times the other day Kim predecessors. He is more ruthless. He is stationing more Mikyoung said that troops on the border to prevent people from getting “the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is one of out. Unfortunately another factor in the figure that my the poorest nations, yet one of the proudest; it is one of the most hon. Friend has just given the House is the hardening sanctioned states, yet one of the most defiant; it is one of the attitude of the Chinese towards sending people back, weakest, yet one of the most resilient.” which is completely inhuman. We need to say to the Its people are incredibly resilient, considering the treatment Chinese that it is not acceptable. that the state metes out to its poor citizens. As my hon. We have certain tools that allow us to shine this light Friend the Member for Congleton said, the little known on the regime, and I would like to discuss briefly three Organization and Guidance Department for the Workers of them. The World Service has been mentioned several Party of Korea is responsible for many aspects of times in the debate, and figures have been given for the ordinary Koreans’ lives—the prison camps and the number of people who could potentially receive it in the re-education that happens in them, the “dear leader’s” DPRK. I have no way of knowing whether those figures guard and the watching of that guard to see who are true—perhaps the Minister has reliable figures—but adulates the leader. Such is a state where the citizens spy as I said in the debate on the urgent question tabled by on each other. my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton, I do not The recommendations of the UN commission are think that the Government can leave the matter completely comprehensive and should be implemented in full, including to the BBC. by taking the report to the UN Security Council and As my hon. Friend’s report makes clear on page 19, referring the DPRK to the International Criminal Court. Along with the report of the commission of inquiry, the “another argument used by the Government is that the BBC is independent and the Government cannot ‘interfere’ or make a report produced by my hon. Friend the Member for decision on this. Yet under the new 2014 Operating Licence for Congleton produced a number of excellent findings, the BBC World Service, the Foreign Secretary retains his decision- and I encourage everyone to read it. making authority over where, why, how and to whom the World I put a question to my hon. Friend the Minister Service is broadcast. The Foreign Office is required to agree to the during the urgent question debate obtained by my hon. objectives and priorities of the World Service, and thus can influence where, why and to whom to broadcast. Furthermore, in Friend the Member for Congleton on 16 December. a letter to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee in February 2013, the Foreign Secretary states: ‘I…provide final 3.22 pm agreement to any BBC proposal to open a new service.’” Sitting suspended for a Division in the House. The current operating licence for the BBC World Service, the new 2014 operating licence, a BBC Trust paper in June 2013 and the Foreign Secretary’s own words confirm 3.36 pm that any new language service must be agreed between On resuming— the BBC Trust and the Foreign Secretary. I urge my right hon. Friend the Minister not to stand aside and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: Before the break, I was about say that that is a matter for the BBC, because I do not to draw attention to the Minister, because in response believe that it is. I believe that the Foreign Secretary to a question that I put to him in the debate on 16 December could intervene, and I hope that my right hon. Friend 2013 on the urgent question tabled by my hon. Friend has heard enough pleas this afternoon to convince him the Member for Congleton, he said: to ask his boss, the Foreign Secretary, to do so. 227WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 228WH

Fiona Bruce: My hon. Friend is making a powerful The third tool in our locker is Kaesong. When I stood point. Does he agree that it is important that the on the demilitarised zone and looked through the telescope Government take note of the increasing number of into North Korea, I could see the industrial zone of Members of Parliament who are calling for that and Kaesong quite clearly. Working in the Kaesong industrial expressing concern about the human rights atrocities in complex is one of the very few activities where both North Korea? The considerable number of Members in North Korean and South Korean workers can get together. this debate has reflected that, and others regularly join The factories manufacture things that are needed in the our all-party group. No less than 34 Members came to south. The North Koreans who work there receive an open-doors meeting recently, many prompted by much-needed hard currency from the south, but, more cards from their constituents, and 68 have signed early-day than that, they are able to interact with South Koreans motion 1184, which calls on the Government to consider and encounter their ideas about what is going on in every possible mechanism for accountability for the South Korea and the rest of the world. The hope is that human rights atrocities in North Korea. Surely that they will spread those ideas by word of mouth into the should include consideration of the BBC broadcasting rest of North Korea. That is an important tool in our into the country. armoury. Another important tool in our armoury is the fact Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: My hon. Friend is entirely that there are an increasing number of electronic devices right. A number of known voices in Parliament have such as radios and mobile phones. Villages on either made the case for North Korea for long time, including side of a valley that were previously unable to communicate Lord Alton, to whom my hon. Friend the Member for with each other suddenly find that through the odd one South West Bedfordshire has referred. I have visited or two people who have mobile phones, they can South Korea and looked across the demilitarised zone communicate with each other. That combined with the into North Korea, where I had my photograph taken. internet will probably bring down the regime more The ambassador said, “There you are; you will now be quickly than almost anything else. on the files of the North Korean authorities for ever more, and they will know who you are.” That is the sort Finally, in the very few minutes that I have left, I of regime that we are dealing with. Those of us who would like to say a word or two about China. As I said, have been campaigning on the matter for a long time—my I was in China last week with quite senior members of hon. Friend the Member for Congleton referred to Ben the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although they are not Rogers of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, who has prepared at the moment to intervene in condemning the done superb work on this subject—are beginning to DPRK for its human rights record, it is quite clear that find a wider camaraderie with people in both Houses of they do not want to see it becoming a nuclear state. Parliament who want to campaign on this horrendous issue. Jim Shannon: One of the things that China could do today, which would not be a big thing for them but Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): I pay tribute to would be a big thing for North Koreans, would be to the fantastic speeches that we have heard today. My give North Koreans who leave their country safe passage hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce) through China. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that referred to the number of people who have signed that would be a massive step forward? early-day motions. I am not able to sign early-day motions, but I have been urged by a number of constituents to come here and express my concerns and theirs about Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: I agree with my friend the human rights in North Korea. Will my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Strangford. I think that is a very valid Member for The Cotswolds (Geoffrey Clifton-Brown) point. We made the point to the Chinese that when pay tribute to the many Church groups that have people had gone to all the difficulties of escaping across campaigned on the matter, which have encouraged MPs the border—by golly, it is difficult, particularly with the to attend debates such as this and encouraged engagement number of soldiers now deployed on the rivers along in the issue? which people escape in winter when they ice over—it is particularly unfortunate that China return those people Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: There is no doubt about it; to the DPRK where they face certain torture and probable the increased interest by a number of Members of death, as well as forced abortions and infanticide. We Parliament, which has been emphasised by the strong must continue to discuss those matters with China. attendance at today’s debate, is in no small part attributable I end where I began. We are talking about one of the to the work that the Churches are doing. I have already most terrible regimes in the world, which commits some referred to Christian Solidarity Worldwide and the work of the worst human rights atrocities in the world. It that it has done. starves its people, and it commits against them all sorts The second tool that we have in our armoury is the of crimes against humanity, as my hon. Friend the British Council, which my hon. Friend the Member for Member for South West Bedfordshire has said. That is South West Bedfordshire has referred to. The British completely unacceptable. As my hon. Friend the Member Council had an excellent programme of training English for Congleton has demonstrated, increasing numbers of teachers, but unfortunately when Kim Jong-un and his parliamentarians in both Houses of Parliament are regime threatened the Foreign Office with the closure of paying attention to the issue, and I expect yet more to our embassy last year, it had to stop its activities. I do so. Let us all work, wherever we can and in our would be grateful if my right hon. Friend the Minister individual ways, to shine a light on this dreadful situation could, in his summing up, say something about the in the hope that we can bring about an improvement in British Council and tell us if and when it is likely to be the standard of living and quality of life for the people able to resume its activities. of North Korea. 229WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 230WH

3.46 pm and religion, as well as of the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, information and association. The Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): It is a pleasure, commission highlighted how the spread of Christianity as ever, to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Streeter. is considered a particularly serious threat, underlining I congratulate the hon. Member for South West why the work of organisations such as Christian Solidarity Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous) on securing the debate. It Worldwide and Open Doors is so important. is difficult to know where to begin talking about the horrors and atrocities in North Korea; as the hon. The report details how the North Korean state is an Gentleman said, the country is certainly in a category of all-encompassing indoctrination machine; how state its own. Although we can all unite in condemning the surveillance permeates the private lives of all citizens; horrors in the country, we are, in fact, trying to identify how people are punished for watching and listening to ways to do something about the situation. I am sure foreign broadcasts; and the pervasive state-sponsored that I am not alone in sometimes feeling a sense of discrimination under the songbun system. The gross impotence. There is only so much work that can be done violations of the right to food and its manipulation as a in identifying the horrors, and the next step is to see means of control mean that North Korean citizens are what action can be taken. being left to starve. The commission warned that it was particularly concerned about the long-term effects of We are in a stronger position than previously following ongoing chronic malnutrition among children. the report of the UN commission of inquiry and the recent UN Human Rights Council resolution. I joined organisations such as Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International in Co-op): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way, supporting calls for the inquiry, not only on a personal particularly as I had to attend a Committee during the level but on behalf of the Labour Front-Bench team, earlier part of the debate but still wanted to put my and I welcomed Foreign Office support for international concern on the record. She mentioned the control of action last year. information. Does that not indicate the importance of taking steps to ensure that people in North Korea have more access to what is happening in the outside world? Fiona Bruce: I thank the hon. Lady for what she is We must make sure that they have a true picture of what doing. Does she agree that now that the UN commission is going on in their country and elsewhere. That also of inquiry has been received, and it is so devastating, we highlights the importance of debates such as this that should press for it to be forwarded to the UN Security keep the British public’s attention on the issue. Council and call on the Security Council to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court? Kerry McCarthy: I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. Indeed, as the hon. Member for Congleton Kerry McCarthy: I also congratulate the hon. Lady (Fiona Bruce) said, debates such as this are important because she has done a huge amount of work on the because if we speak out, our voices do get heard, matter through the all-party group on North Korea, despite the restrictions in North Korea. I would also and she made a powerful speech a moment ago. I will echo the points made about the BBC World Service, come to her point in a moment; that is one of the steps although I am not going to dwell on that because those that should be considered. points were made comprehensively. The DPRK rejected the commission of inquiry and refused to grant access, but the commission still provided Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab): I do not wish to invaluable evidence of life inside the country and in the depress the House even more, but does my hon. Friend prison camps, as we have heard. I pay tribute to the agree that things are actually getting worse by the day? members of the inquiry, its secretariat and the witnesses We now have a situation in which Satan is devouring his and experts that it heard from. We should reflect especially children. The regime is slaughtering its own, and there on the bravery required from the victims who shared has never been a time when it has been more vital that their experience with the inquiry. There were 80 witnesses we promulgate these facts, as we heard at the meeting of and experts who testified publicly, while 240 people the all-party group last week. Who would have thought gave confidential interviews. The commission rightly that matters could get worse? But they have and continue emphasised the duty to protect their safety and the need to do so. That is why debates such as this are so vital. for member states to provide additional protection measures where necessary. It is imperative that such efforts continue. Kerry McCarthy: My hon. Friend is entirely right. I The report, as we have heard, provides a comprehensive just mentioned the food situation in North Korea—how account of the complete absence of human rights in do we influence a regime that does not seem to care North Korea. The illustrations submitted to the inquiry whether its people starve? What sort of leverage do we provide a graphic impression of the unimaginable torture have when the issue is not just the repression of people’s meted out in the prison camps. The conclusion that freedom of expression and religion and their right to systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations challenge the regime, but the fact that North Korea’s have been, and are being, committed by the DPRK, leaders seem perfectly happy to sit back and let their constituting crimes against humanity, demonstrates the people starve? Things have indeed become much worse. clear need for the international community to respond. I will come to how, as a matter of absolute priority, we Chillingly, the commission warns: must look at what we can do to try to change the “The gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state situation. that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world.” We also heard from the report about how discrimination As we heard, the violations include an almost complete against women and girls has resulted in their becoming denial of the right to freedom of thought, conscience increasingly vulnerable to trafficking and prostitution. 231WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 232WH

[Kerry McCarthy] and their fate in North Korea, prevents defectors who manage to get to China from registering their children’s The punishments associated with transgressions are birth in China, denying them access to health services severe and arbitrary, including summary executions, and education. It is estimated that there are 20,000 most notably that of Kim Jong-un’s uncle in December children born to DPRK women in China. In failing last year. such defectors, China is failing in its international The prison camps are indicative of the North Korean responsibilities, so it is imperative that the international state’s complete rejection of basic human rights and community challenges it. international law. We hear about people being disappeared because of their connection with the Republic of Korea Andrew Selous: Does the hon. Lady agree that China’s or Christian Churches—they are taken off to political policy is particularly unfortunate given that South Korea prison camps. It was, I suppose, a small sign that things would accept all the refugees? If China did not want were not quite as bad as they have been that the commission them, they would not be left in China. found that guilt by association is now less frequent, although that is more than compensated for by some of Kerry McCarthy: I entirely agree. China provides the other atrocities that occur. Nevertheless, although some humanitarian assistance to North Korea; one some relatives are still at risk, the commission found would therefore hope that it had some leverage over the that guilt by association is not quite as prevalent as it Government there and could persuade them to change was previously. their ways. To use the commission’s words, “unspeakable atrocities” The hon. Member for Congleton mentioned the fact are being committed in the camps, including that one action that could be considered is referral to “deliberate starvation, forced labour, executions, torture, rape the International Criminal Court and the adoption of and the denial of reproductive rights enforced through punishment, targeted sanctions. Resolution 25/25, passed by the UN forced abortion and infanticide.” Human Rights Council in March, was a welcome first It estimates that hundreds of thousands of people have step in taking the report forward, in particular by died in the camps over the past 50 years, and that extending the mandate of the special rapporteur and between 80,000 and 120,000 political prisoners are currently requesting increased support, including establishing a detained in four camps and being subjected to horrifying field-based structure to strengthen monitoring and improve treatment. engagement with all states. The report leaves us in no doubt that action from the However, it was disappointing that 11 countries at the wider international community is imperative. As the Human Rights Council abstained on the resolution commission stated, vote, while six—Russia, Cuba, Pakistan, Venezuela, Vietnam and China—voted against it. There is more “The fact that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as a general concern about the composition of the Human State Member of the United Nations, has for decades pursued policies involving crimes that shock the conscience of humanity Rights Council. The UK is on the council, but many raises questions about the inadequacy of the response of the member states have, shall we say, rather poor human international community.” rights records. There is concern about such countries’ It went on to stress: failure to respect the special procedure or country-specific mandate holders. It would help if the Minister set out “The international community must accept its responsibility to more about what he thinks the Human Rights Council protect the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from crimes against humanity, because the Government of the can actually achieve—beyond mere condemnation of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has manifestly failed to the DPRK regime—and how that can be done. do so.” Following the recent universal periodic review, it has We know that that will continue. been reported that North Korea has actually agreed to consider 185 of the 268 recommendations. However, it The commission’s report must ensure not only that has rejected some of them outright, including that it the world’s attention is on the plight of the people of should co-operate with the ICC, end guilt by association, North Korea, but that urgent action is taken. As has implement the commission’s recommendations, close already been mentioned, action from China is key because the prison camps and abolish the songbun system. it is one of the few countries that has some leverage on Critically, the Human Rights Council resolution the situation. As the commission stated, recommended that the General Assembly submit the “China pursues a rigorous policy of forcibly repatriating” report to the Security Council for further action. The North Korean citizens who have managed to flee their Human Rights Council called for the consideration of a country, despite their being refugees in need of, and referral entitled to, international protection. “to the appropriate international criminal justice mechanism”, China not only fails to respect the principle of non- which would presumably be the ICC. On top of that, it refoulement; the commission suggests that, in some called for consideration of the cases, Chinese officials inform their North Korean “scope for effective targeted sanctions against those who appear counterparts about those they have apprehended. According to be most responsible for crimes against humanity”. to the commission, those repatriated are systematically Will the Minister update us on the Government’s subjected to discussions with Security Council members about formally “persecution, torture, prolonged arbitrary detention and, in some putting the DPRK on the agenda? What sanctions does cases, sexual violence, including during invasive body searches.” he think could possibly be effective in targeting the As we have heard, repatriated pregnant women are DPRK leadership? Bearing in mind Russia’s and China’s subjected to forced abortions, while babies born to position on the Security Council, what are the prospects returned women are often killed. The risk of refoulement, and time scales for action and any referral to the ICC? 233WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 234WH

Now that the commission has reported and the Human 4.2 pm Rights Council has passed its resolution, it is crucial that we maintain the momentum and keep the spotlight The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth and pressure on North Korea, to try to secure the Office (Mr Hugo Swire): I congratulate my hon. Friend co-operation of partners in key positions of influence. the Member for South West Bedfordshire (Andrew It would be so much easier to say that solutions are Selous) on securing this debate. I pay tribute to his more easily at hand in other countries, where the UK work, and that of the all-party group on North Korea, operates more leverage and where we know that we can, in raising the profile of human rights issues in DPRK perhaps, achieve more good in a shorter time, but to and seeking to give North Koreans, wherever they are, a turn our back on what is happening in DPRK, just voice. I also thank the Conservative party human rights because it is a difficult case and the solutions do not commission for the report it released earlier today, immediately present themselves, would be morally wrong. called “Unparalleled and Unspeakable”, which makes We simply should not contemplate that. harrowing reading. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce), as I have done Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: I am grateful to the hon. before, on her work in this respect. Lady; she has been generous in giving way. I join other hon. Members in paying tribute to church The approximately 600 people from the North Korean groups, non-governmental organisations and fellow diaspora in this country have not been mentioned so parliamentarians for continuing to raise this issue and far. Could we not harness them and perhaps ask the shining some light, as I have said before, on this dark, BBC to ask them to help with some editorial work on dark place. programmes broadcast into Korea? They would surely The issue of human rights in North Korea has occupied want to help their families still left in the country. a great deal of my time. I discussed it only yesterday with our ambassador to Pyongyang, who will also meet Kerry McCarthy: The hon. Gentleman makes an the all-party group next week. As I have said before to interesting point. What always has to be weighed up is this House, and in two written ministerial statements in whether such a move would make life easier or worse February and March respectively, I believe that the for the people in the country. People in the country situation in North Korea is without equal in its scale know how dreadful the situation is there. People from and brutality. No one who has read Lord Alton’s book, the diaspora community here would, obviously, need to “Building Bridges”, can fail to be moved by the suffering highlight that to win over international opinion, ensuring of North Korea’s people, or to recognise the urgent that this matter is firmly on the political agenda. I am need to end this suffering. not so sure, although I have only just heard the hon. Gentleman’s suggestion, what the impact would be of Of course, the Government also have wider objectives such footage being displayed in North Korea. There is a in DPRK. We remain deeply concerned about the particular danger of measures being taken against people’s development of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes relatives who are still in the country. We have to be pursued in wilful disregard of UN Security Council slightly worried about that. resolutions. The DPRK’s behaviour poses a threat to regional stability and to the global non-proliferation Stephen Pound rose— regime, and its willingness to sell conventional arms to anyone who will pay fuels conflict around the world. Mr Gary Streeter (in the Chair): Order. Before the Nevertheless, we have not allowed this to distract us hon. Lady gives way, she might like to consider that we from challenging the DPRK on its human rights record. are eating into the Minister’s time. The UK played an active role in supporting the Kerry McCarthy: I am sorry; I thought we had until a commission of inquiry, hosting a visit that allowed quarter past. DPRK refugees in the UK to provide evidence to it. I myself met Justice Kirby on that visit. It is deeply Stephen Pound: As my hon. Friend is aware, the regrettable that he has been subjected to personal abuse North Korean embassy is in my borough of Ealing. I from the regime in Pyongyang. Following the commission’s have tried to work with some of the North Korean report in February, I issued a statement welcoming the diaspora in west London, to mount some sort of protest spotlight it shone on appalling human rights violations so that people can hear an alternative voice. I have to and called upon the DPRK Government to address say to her that they are terrified. The crime of guilt by them urgently. association throughout the family is so corrosive that, We worked with the EU, Japan and others to ensure sadly and tragically, they will not dare to raise their that the UN Human Rights Council adopted a strong heads above the parapet. resolution, recommending that the commission’s report be forwarded to the UN Security Council for consideration Kerry McCarthy: My hon. Friend obviously speaks of appropriate action, including referral to an appropriate from experience, having talked to the diaspora about international justice mechanism. I have made it clear this point. that, ultimately, the UK sees the International Criminal I conclude with the words of the UN high commissioner Court as the most appropriate option for this. for human rights, Navi Pillay, who has warned that in We took a similarly strong position in New York last looking at what was happening in the DPRK, month, when the commission gave an informal briefing “insufficient attention was being paid to the kind of horrific and to UN Security Council members—the first time members sustained human rights violations” of the Security Council have ever considered DPRK that were going on there. Her conclusion was that human rights—although both China and Russia were “there can no longer be any excuses” notable for their absence. Again, we took a tough line at for ignoring that. the DPRK’s universal periodic review on 1 May, using 235WH Human Rights (North Korea)13 MAY 2014 Human Rights (North Korea) 236WH

[Mr Hugo Swire] also provided training to improve DPRK officials’ understanding of international economic standards. Also, our role as a member of the troika to counter any through our contacts with NGOs, the all-party group exaggeration of DPRK engagement with the review’s on North Korea and DPRK refugees, we are ready to recommendations. consider how we can support others who want to engage We will continue to keep the spotlight on North directly with the DPRK. Korea: when the DPRK special rapporteur, Marzuki Critical engagement means finding ways to inform Darusman, presents his report to the Human Rights DPRK citizens, especially officials and others with influence, Council in June; when Ministers meet at the UN General about the UK and its values, so that they recognise the Assembly in September; and through a tough UN General benefits of working with the outside world rather than Assembly resolution in the autumn. remaining isolated. This is a policy aimed at long-term, With an UNGA resolution behind us, we could work incremental change. We are honest enough to acknowledge with like-minded partners to gather the nine votes necessary that nothing the UK says or does will lead to any to put DPRK human rights on the Security Council’s improvement in the immediate future. agenda, but we are realistic about the prospects for However, we have a responsibility to use our embassy holding individuals to account before an international in Pyongyang to do the things that many of our partners justice mechanism, at least in the short term, because cannot do, so as to exploit what the US special envoy the DPRK is not a signatory to the Rome statute and a for human rights in the DPRK, Ambassador Bob King, referral to the International Criminal Court requires a described to me in a meeting we had in London last UN Security Council resolution, as would the creation week as our “advantage”, and to take forward the of an ad hoc tribunal. We expect both would be blocked commission of inquiry’s recommendation that states by China and Russia. However, that does not mean that and civil society organisations foster opportunities for we should give up. We will continue to work to change dialogue and contact in areas such as culture, good the position of those members of the international governance and economic development. community—and there are too many of them—who For example, as my hon. Friend the Member for The will not condemn the DPRK’s human rights record. Cotswolds (Geoffrey Clifton-Brown) said, through the The DPRK’s response to the commission of inquiry’s British Council and educational immersion programmes, report shows it is sensitive to international criticism, so we have provided thousands of North Koreans with we will ensure there is no let-up. We all have a part to their first access to a foreigner and an understanding of play in that. British culture and values. Sustained engagement by the We will also pursue another of the commission’s UK and other European countries, and by NGOs, has recommendations, endorsed by the Human Rights Council, resulted in modest improvements in the treatment of which is the creation of a new body to continue the disabled people, with a particular boost being given by commission’s work of documenting human rights violations, the participation for the first time of a DPRK athlete in so that when conditions allow for criminal investigations, the Paralympic games when they were held in London as they surely will, there will be up-to-date, credible in 2012. I met that athlete myself. evidence for prosecutors. Several Members from all parties have again raised— Alongside our efforts to ensure that DPRK human quite rightly—the introduction of a BBC World Service rights remain high on the international agenda, the UK Korean-language programme, which would be a further will continue to use our policy of critical engagement to way for us to inform DPRK citizens about the outside raise our concerns directly with the North Korean world. As hon. Members know, and must accept, the authorities. Critical engagement means robust exchanges BBC World Service is operationally, managerially and that leave our DPRK contacts in no doubt about our editorially independent. Nevertheless, we kept in close views, not least about their appalling human rights contact with it during its review last year, which we violations. It means raising specific cases, like the 33 believe to have been a thorough consideration of all the people reportedly sentenced to death for alleged contact options. Although the World Service board concluded with Kim Jong-uk, a South Korean national who entered that it was not currently possible to offer a meaningful the DPRK for missionary purposes and has been convicted and cost-effective Korean-language service, it has on charges of espionage. It means reminding the DPRK undertaken to keep that decision under review. We have that, in the modern world, even it cannot keep its passed on to the BBC the report from the European misdeeds hidden and that, if the rest of the world really Alliance for Human Rights in North Korea, “An Unmet is wrong about its political prison camps—its gulags—it Need”. We understand that the BBC will complete its has the means to disprove the claims by providing response to the report in the next few weeks. We will access to independent observers. Those we speak to continue to engage with the BBC and bring to its may be able to do no more than repeat standard lines, attention any changes in circumstances that might affect but what we say is repeated up the chain to those with its assessment of the viability of a Korean-language real power. We are expanding our engagement, but we service. As hon. Members have already said, the Foreign are doing so cautiously, not least because we do not Secretary has to agree to new BBC World Service want to give the impression of rewarding the DPRK programmes. However, it is rightly and properly for the when there is nothing to reward. BBC itself to make proposals to him in the first instance. For example, we took an important step earlier this That may just sound like a sequencing issue, but it is an year when we accredited a non-resident defence attaché important distinction and one that Members must respect. to Pyongyang and gave the DPRK attaché in Moscow Many other issues were raised in the debate, but alas similar status. That process is opening up new opportunities in my remaining minute, I do not have time to address for engagement with a different part of the DPRK them. Let me conclude by reiterating the Government’s system, opaque though that system may be. We have desire, which is shared by my hon. Friend the Member 237WH Human Rights (North Korea) 13 MAY 2014 238WH for South West Bedfordshire, to see concrete progress Local Plans on alleviating the appalling human rights situation in North Korea, on ending the climate of impunity and on 4.14 pm bringing those responsible to account. I would just say that— Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this afternoon, Mr Streeter. Mr Gary Streeter (in the Chair): Order. I am afraid I am delighted to have secured this debate today on a that our time has gone; we must move on to our next vital issue for my constituents. As I will discuss shortly, debate. the proposed allocation of safeguarded land by the local authority in my area is causing profound concern among many of my constituents. Despite the transformative impact that it has on the nation’s countryside, the term “safeguarded land”appears only three times in the national planning policy framework; all three references are in paragraph 85. This somewhat confusing phrase is first used when the boundaries of a green belt are defined. Local planning authorities should “where necessary, identify in their plans areas of ‘safeguarded land’ between the urban area and the Green Belt, in order to meet longer-term development needs stretching well beyond the plan period”. Crucially, the NPPF states that local authorities should safeguard land only “where necessary”. Therefore, it is clearly not a requirement that land should be safeguarded for development, despite some local authorities being convinced otherwise. I myself could not make that point any better than the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles) did in a previous Westminster Hall debate. He said that “there is nothing in the Localism Act 2011, in the NPPF or in any aspect of Government planning policy that requires someone to plan beyond 15 years. So, anybody who is suggesting that there is any requirement to safeguard land or wrap it up in wrapping paper and ribbons for the future development between 2030 and 2050 is getting it wrong. There is no reason for it and my hon. Friend can knock that suggestion straight back to wherever it came from.”—[Official Report, 24 October 2013; Vol. 569, c. 193WH.] I can entirely appreciate the rationale behind allowing local authorities the option—I stress the word “option”—to “safeguard land”. However, I am deeply concerned that this policy is being abused by certain local authorities in an effort to undermine the permanence of the green belt, which, as we all know, underpins this country’s entire planning system. In order to illustrate that point, I will refer to a specific example of what is currently happening in my constituency. The city of York council is now just over a year into the process of formulating and adopting a local plan. When the council announced its initial proposals this time last year, I was contacted by hundreds of constituents who were horrified at the sheer scale of the development being proposed, and at the amount of green-belt land that would be lost for ever as a result. The initial draft of the local plan proposed 22,000 new homes during the 15-year life of the plan, including 16,000 new homes on approximately 1,400 acres of what is currently York’s established green belt. Not content with fundamentally altering the nature of York, which is a historic cathedral city, the council proposed to encircle the city with up to 40 wind farms and 80 pitches for Travellers and show people, all of which would be constructed on the green belt. For good measure, the council then decided to safeguard a further 1,000 acres of green-belt land for future development. In the past few weeks, it has moved to the 239WH Local Plans13 MAY 2014 Local Plans 240WH

[Julian Sturdy] supposed to be supported by a robust evidence base. I fail to see how cast-iron evidence detailing the housing next stage of adopting its local plan and it has published and employment needs in 20 to 30 years’ time can be a “Further Sites” document that contains proposals for achieved. A far more appropriate course of action is to new developments and revised boundaries. While the continue reassessing the housing requirements of our council’s revisions have resulted in recommendations to local communities throughout the plan’s life and address decrease some of the existing safeguarded allocations, additional need as and when it arises. That pragmatic the new safeguarded sites mean that the council is and common-sense alterative avoids the risk of unnecessarily proposing a net increase of 162 acres of safeguarded concreting over thousands of acres of green-belt land. land, which is land taken out of the green belt. That I call on city of York council to remove the completely flies in the face of opposition from the rural communities pointless allocations of safeguarded land from its draft surrounding York in my constituency which, quite frankly, local plan before it progresses any further. I strongly are being ignored. believe that my constituents should not be forced to live Some may wonder why that is of such concern to under the shadow of these needless development proposals many of my constituents, given that safeguarded land is on their doorstep. It is only right and proper that the not intended for development in the immediate future. council should reflect on the concern it has caused in so Indeed, paragraph 85 of the national planning policy many communities on the outskirts of York. framework states that local authorities should If it is the case that safeguarded land is not a requirement “make clear that the safeguarded land is not allocated for development for any local authority, the Government should be at the present time.” doing more to communicate that message to local My concern, however, is that once land has been removed authorities. There clearly remains some confusion about from the green belt, it is effectively lost, gone for ever as the nature of safeguarded land, what it is for and what development is practically guaranteed to occur on the its position within the local plan process should be. If site at some point in future. Although local authorities we are to achieve a coherent and joined-up series of are encouraged to make it clear that safeguarded land is local plans across the country that promotes sustainable not currently available for development, I fear that, development while protecting green-belt land, there sadly, some weak-willed local authorities may sacrifice must be absolutely no confusion about what is required the long-term interests of local residents for short-term in the plans. gain by permitting development ahead of schedule. Again, there is an example in my constituency. I need Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con): My hon. Friend only point to one of the council’s most recent proposals is doing an excellent job of highlighting the concerns in that is causing anxiety among constituents in the village his local area, where the Labour-run city of York council of Earswick. In the new proposal for a 220-acre block is using the neighbourhood plan possibly to build on of safeguarded land to the east of the village, which green-belt land. Does he agree that it may be a good would see the village triple in size, the council recommends: idea to name and shame councils nationally by publishing what they are doing with their plans and highlighting “To include this site as safeguarded land within the Local Plan. the councils that are putting green-belt land at risk? This reflects concerns over access and the creation of a sustainable neighbourhood.” Julian Sturdy: I thank my hon. Friend for his timely That seems innocent, but the local plan goes on to state: intervention. He is right that this is of such public “If these concerns can be overcome part of this land could importance that there is no harm in putting such potentially be considered as an allocation for years 1-15 of the information into the public domain. I am interested to Plan.” hear what the Minister has to say. For anything such as The proposal has only just been announced, and already this, having more information out there means that the council is trying to work out how it can develop the people can make informed decisions. That is part of the land ahead of schedule. It is inexplicable how, if there problem with safeguarded land, because people do not are already concerns on sustainability and access, the fully understand it. The confusion means that people site can be proposed for long-term future development, are not participating in the consultation process of my let alone for construction within the 15-year plan period. local authority in York. The crux of the problem is contained in paragraph 85 of the national planning policy framework: Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): I, too, thank my hon. Friend for raising the issue of safeguarded “Planning permission for the permanent development of safeguarded land should only be granted following a Local Plan land. In my area, Labour-run Kirklees council has review which proposes the development”. provisional open land, and our local plan is probably two years from completion. I have communities in My understanding is that, once adopted, a local plan Upperthong, Meltham, Linthwaite, Netherthong and must be reviewed every five years. Such reviews provide Lindley whose local wishes are being steamrollered by local authorities with endless opportunities to revise housing developments in areas that, to all intents and existing site boundaries, propose safeguarded land for purposes, are green belt. I agree with the question asked development and allocate further land for future expansion. by my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Chris In short, promises to local residents can easily be Skidmore). Does my hon. Friend the Member for York broken. The five-year local plan review also effectively Outer (Julian Sturdy) agree that councils need to provide removes the local authority’s need to safeguard land in more detail on where their local plans are and to use the first place. Why should local authorities plan for more accurate designations so that things such as development beyond the 15-year life of the plan when safeguarded land and provisional open land are either there is no means of accurately identifying the community’s green-belt or development land? Such land is currently needs that far in the future? After all, local plans are between the two. 241WH Local Plans13 MAY 2014 Local Plans 242WH

Julian Sturdy: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend, in York. I also call on the Government to do all they can who I know is a sturdy campaigner in his constituency. to ensure that all local authorities are fully aware that As I said earlier, it is about having clear definitions so safeguarded land is not a requirement under the NPPF. that the public at large are aware of what local authorities At the same time, I would be pleased to hear the propose. Different local authorities propose different Minister comment on whether the Government will things in their local plans. My local authority in York reconsider the terminology used for safeguarded land. proposes something that I think is fundamentally wrong That terminology is so important, and it is misleading. for our great city. We need to ensure that there is clarity in the process so that everyone can make an informed 4.31 pm choice and decision and take part in this important The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for public consultation period as local authorities put together Communities and Local Government (Nick Boles): It is a their local plans for the next 15 years. pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Streeter. The Minister may recall that in a debate I secured on I fear that we might be interrupted by the Division bell, York’s green belt this time last year, I called on the so I will try to address the points raised so quickly that Government to reconsider the terminology used for we might sneak in under the wire, although I am not safeguarded land due to the confusion it causes. When entirely confident that I can achieve that. the council’s local plan was first announced, many of I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for York my constituents were wrongly under the impression that Outer (Julian Sturdy) on securing this debate on a these massive blocks of land were safeguarded from matter of intense importance to his constituents. He has development, rather than safeguarded for development. raised the matter with me in debates such as this, in the The problem clearly still exists in many parts of my Division Lobby, in the cafeterias, in the Tea Room and constituency, where the reality of the proposals has yet on every opportunity he has had. I have absolutely no to sink in fully. Although I will continue to do my best doubt of the importance of the matter to his constituents to ensure that no one is under any illusion as to what or of his desire to represent them fully in the process of “safeguarded land” really is and what city of York producing an acceptable local plan for York. If I may—I council intends to do with it, I urge the Government to hope he will understand—I will not make any reference review the terminology to prevent such confusion limiting to the York plan or the particular issues relating to community involvement in challenging unsustainable York, because it would be improper for me to do so. I development proposals. hope that by talking about the general policy issues, it If we truly want our local communities to have a might be possible for him to take some comfort and greater say on planning and development policies as some information for the benefit of his communities. part of the Government’s wider commitment to localism, The green belt and the protection of green-belt land we must ensure that our constituents are equipped with are of enormous importance to the Government. That the information they need to take on that role, rather is why the national planning policy framework has than isolating them from the process by using unhelpful repeated in very clear terms the very high levels of jargon. My understanding is that, before the introduction protection that apply to green-belt land. I can state of the national planning policy framework, safeguarded clearly that there has never been a time when the land was known as reserved land, which is a much more protections of green-belt land have been clearer or more appropriate name. I hope the Minister will reconsider explicit in national policy than now. the terminology. Finally, I will reflect on the Opposition’s deeply flawed Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): I want to ask planning policy and what it might mean for our countryside the Minister about the best and most versatile agricultural if they were ever to put that policy into practice. My land being specifically singled out for extra protection. fear is that the Labour-run city of York council’s draft We have a big issue in Bristol with the plans to tarmac local plan and its emphasis on construction at the over grade 1 agricultural land. Is it not important that expense of any other considerations, such as the green we protect the best soil for growing food, rather than belt and sustainability—perfectly illustrated by the vast use it for other purposes? It simply cannot be replaced amount of safeguarded land put aside in that plan—is a elsewhere. clear indication of what is to come nationally if Labour Nick Boles: The hon. Lady has singled out another is elected to power in 2015. I was absolutely aghast to category of land where the preservation of current use learn that York council has signed up our historic is given great priority—the highest quality agricultural cathedral city to be one of Labour’s “right to grow” land. The national planning policy framework is clear cities. We can be in little doubt that under a Labour that, to the extent that greenfield land has to be allocated Government the beautiful countryside surrounding York for development—unfortunately, some does—less high will be swallowed up by unrestricted development, and quality agricultural land should be preferred and that the legitimate concerns and protests of the surrounding grade 1 agricultural land, which is the highest quality, communities will, I fear, be cast aside. I have no qualms should be preserved for agriculture where at all possible. in saying that localism, which has been one of the Government’s defining principles and has provided the To return to green-belt protections, the national planning inspiration behind an incredibly successful programme policy framework is clear on the importance of those of reforms, is under great threat. protections, the permanence of green-belt land and its role in preserving the openness of the countryside and I am grateful for the opportunity to raise these important in preventing settlements from merging. issues on safeguarded land in local plans on behalf of my constituents. I reiterate my calls for the withdrawal Chris Skidmore: I want to reiterate what the Minister of safeguarded allocations from York’s draft plan and is saying about the green belt for my constituency of for a more pragmatic approach to long-term development Kingswood. Before the 2010 general election, there 243WH Local Plans13 MAY 2014 Local Plans 244WH

[Chris Skidmore] of my time in this post, I, too, was somewhat confused about whether it was “safeguarded for” or “safeguarded were several applications to build on green-belt land. from”. He makes a good point about the terminology Since 2010, there has not been a single application to being—it is not deliberate—rather baffling to people. build on the green belt in Kingswood. It is clear that the “Safeguarded” seems to suggest protection, rather than NPPF is working well. I would, however, like the Minister’s an allocation for future development needs. comments on the possibility of a future Government’s I commit to my hon. Friend that we will go away and “right to grow” policy, which would be disastrous for look at the simple question of the terminology and our local area. It would be the greatest threat to the whether there could be better wording. When the national green belt in 30 years if Bristol was allowed to ride planning policy framework is reviewed, whether we can roughshod over the wishes of south Gloucestershire better clarify that wording will be on the agenda. The residents. concept of safeguarded land as land that is reserved, as he put it, for the possibility of future development Nick Boles: This Government’s policy is clear: we needs beyond the life of the plan being laid out has a want to achieve locally arrived at, co-operative solutions good justification in some cases. It has a good justification to difficult problems, rather than having top-down for the following reason: if future development needs Government imposition of solutions or one authority are likely to require further difficult choices about some being able to ride roughshod over another. Everyone in sites in the green belt, it is better to be clear that certain our communities has a right to a voice, but that does sites might some day have to have their status reviewed, not mean that any of us can entirely abdicate responsibility rather than to have the entire green belt under some for difficult decisions, such as fulfilling the housing abstract possible future threat. needs of future generations. We all deserve to have our voices heard and we all deserve to be part of that The reason behind the safeguarding terminology is solution. We are keen to ensure that, so far as possible, the idea that by clarifying where the future might lead it the future development needs of our country are met is made clear that there are some permanently protected without threatening the protection of the green belt, of places. In some sense, therefore, more reassurance is grade 1 agricultural land and of our most beautiful gained than uncertainty created about what is being countryside with other designations. protected for ever. That said, it has always been the case—there is no My hon. Friend is completely right, however, that change in this—that local authorities can revise their safeguarding is not a requirement for every local authority green-belt boundaries through a local plan process involving with green-belt land. It is something that it can choose intense consultation with local people. There are a to do, but only if necessary. If the plan that it puts number of communities around the country that are forward has provisions to meet housing needs in full doing just that. It is painful and difficult, and it is right and if other sites are available for potential future that it happens through an intensely transparent, open development beyond the life of the plan, it may well be and democratic process that takes into account all the that safeguarding land is unnecessary. He has asked me opinions expressed by all the different communities before, and I have been happy to confirm, that while we affected. want all communities to embrace growth, a vaulting When it does that exercise, the local authority has to ambition is not a sufficient justification for threatening pass a very high test: it has to be able to demonstrate protected land. Need is an important factor and can be that exceptional circumstances justify taking a particular a contributor to the exceptional circumstances that site out of the green belt or redrawing a green-belt might justify some potential revision of a site’s protected boundary, perhaps to swap land currently in the green status. Ambition and the desire to grow faster than belt for land that is not, but is of greater environmental one’s neighbours or perhaps to build a small empire is importance. Those are the kinds of arguments that not a sufficient justification for putting protections at local authorities need to bring forward and the kinds of risk. As my hon. Friend pointed out, it is only if it is evidence they need to provide to satisfy a planning necessary that an authority should consider the possibility inspector that any such proposal is reasonable. I do not of designating some safeguarded land. criticise any council that is going down that road, Given that local authorities must act carefully and because it is right that it, as the duly-elected local with evidence; that safeguarding is not mandatory and authority, should be able to. The local authority must, authorities should use it only if necessary; that we are however, go openly and transparently into that process happy to examine the terminology to clarify that such with evidence and after a great deal of consultation. land is not safeguarded for ever and is reserved because I turn to the particular issue of safeguarded land. I of an evidence base for potential future need; and that accept the point made by my hon. Friend the Member the rest of the green belt is not subject to such possibilities, for York Outer that it is an often misunderstood concept. I hope that my hon. Friend will have something to take I have to confess that for several months at the beginning back to his constituents. 245WH 13 MAY 2014 GP Services (Tower Hamlets) 246WH

GP Services (Tower Hamlets) elimination of a percentage of the QOF indicators? Is it the seven-year phase out of the minimum income practice guarantee? 4.42 pm Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): It is a 4.46 pm pleasure to see you in the Chair this afternoon, Mr Sitting suspended for a Division in the House. Streeter. I am grateful to Mr Speaker for affording me the opportunity to hold this debate, to the Minister for 4.53 pm being here to listen and respond and to my parliamentary On resuming— neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Rushanara Ali), for taking an interest Jim Fitzpatrick: I had just asked the Minister three and supporting the debate. questions relating to what he thinks might be causing My remarks are designed to defend Tower Hamlets the problems confronting our GP practices. The fourth GP services. I am a great admirer of all that they have is whether it is because of the range of different contracts achieved, especially over the past 15 years. I called for negotiated over the past decade, awarding different this debate for three reasons. The first is to find out levels of funding for numbers of patients to different more about the nature of the problem facing GP services practices; and the fifth is whether it is because there is a in Tower Hamlets. The second is to determine whether shift of funding away from primary care, and, if so, the Government accept that there is a problem. The where the money is going. Some 90% of NHS contact third is, hopefully, to identify a solution. with patients is through primary care, but it receives less The picture is confused and many aspects must be than 10% of the NHS spend, a point I will come back to considered, but the real concern is that primary care later. budgets are being cut, and not only in Tower Hamlets. I would also be grateful if the Minister indicated who In response to my written question about average annual makes the decisions. Practices, in discussion with the changes to GP income in Tower Hamlets, the Minister local clinical commissioning group and NHS England, stated that there would be have been unable to identify exactly who determines the “a decrease of £184,000 spread across 21 GMS practices.”—[Official funding levels. Obviously, it is NHS England that Report, 6 May 2014; Vol. 580, c. 126W.] implements ministerial policy, which is why I have an However, The Guardian has reported that the Jubilee outstanding request to speak to the Minister responsible, Street practice alone who I understand is the noble Earl Howe. I have briefly mentioned that request to the Minister, who kindly said “will be down £77,263 by the end of 2014-15” that he would pass on the message and reinforce the and that it had “already lost £30,000 QOF”—quality request that we have made directly to his office. I would and outcomes framework— like to have that meeting, and would be accompanied by “income last year and will lose its £219,508 a year MPIG allocation clinicians and practice managers from Tower Hamlets incrementally over the next seven years—the accumulated loss to put the case. due to MPIG alone amounting to over £903,000.” Tower Hamlets primary care has much to be proud of The figures do not add up. in the past 15 years; at one point it was the fastest improving primary care trust in the UK. Practices such Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab): As as Jubilee street have cupboards full of awards. When I well as the Jubilee Street surgery, four other practices in was first elected in 1997, complaints about NHS services Tower Hamlets are reported to be part of the 98 surgeries and GP practices were numerous and regular, but they facing closure, but we do not know where they are. Will disappeared due to the investment by the Labour the Minister commit to publish a list of those surgeries Government over many years and the dedication and and to place that list in the House of Commons Library? professionalism of clinicians and staff in primary and secondary care. Jim Fitzpatrick: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for My own GP practice in Ettrick street on the Aberfeldy asking the Minister that question and look forward to estate in E14 is a great example of that first-class service his response. and improvement; I thought that I had better mention The Jubilee Street and St Katharine Docks practices it, because if the staff there knew that I was complimenting are the two main affected surgeries in my constituency. other practices but left out Dr Phillip Bennett-Richards, They are professional, efficient and well-loved and respected Dr Sarah Pitkanen and their colleagues, they would be by patients. Jubilee Street says that if its proposals to mightily disappointed. solve the dilemma are not addressed and no agreement The local worry is that all that is about to change. is reached, it will have to give notice of closure by Not only have Labour stalwarts such as London assembly October this year. member John Biggs—our mayoral candidate—and Today, I accompanied my right hon. Friend the Member Councillor Rachael Saunders been on the issue, but for Leigh (Andy Burnham) and my hon. Friend the local Conservative councillors have been expressing Member for Leicester West (Liz Kendall), my colleagues concerns, so the issue is not party political in that sense. in the shadow health team, on a visit Jubilee Street to I attended a meeting last week at the Mile End hospital see first hand the problem. At the same time, we launched with nearly 100 people and many GPs in attendance. I Labour’s NHS pledge on GP appointments within 48 have had numerous e-mails from constituents concerned hours, which I am sure the Minister has noted. What is about what is going on, and I know that my hon. Friend causing the problem? I will be grateful for the Minister’s the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow has, too. There views. Is it the shift from deprivation indices to age in are petitions with hundreds and hundreds of signatures the new allocation funding formula from 2012? Is it the springing up all over Tower Hamlets. 247WH GP Services (Tower Hamlets)13 MAY 2014 GP Services (Tower Hamlets) 248WH

[Jim Fitzpatrick] I know that the Minister is deputising for his colleague Earl Howe—that is why I would like a face-to-face All that is against the background of increased pressure. meeting with Earl Howe, or indeed with the Secretary The British Medical Association has said: of State—but I am keen to hear his response to the “It is estimated that 340 million consultations are undertaken points I am raised. I am sure he has some information every year. This is up 40 million since 2008.” and data for us. As I mentioned, it also said: In Tower Hamlets, we have some of the poorest and “Over 90% of all contacts with the NHS occur in general most vulnerable people in the United Kingdom. There practice.” is the lowest life expectancy, on average, of anywhere in The then-chair of the Royal College of General the UK. It is estimated that between 10% and 12% of Practitioners, Dr Clare Gerada, called for residents are not registered on GP lists. Now, this crisis “an urgent increase in general practice’s share of the NHS budget is coming to a head. I look forward to the Minister’s from 9% to 10% so that 10,000 more GPs could be hired, in order response, but I look forward more to a proper meeting to make GPs’ work loads sustainable.” with Earl Howe or with the Secretary of State, and I Rushanara Ali: Does my hon. Friend agree that, in a look forward most to arriving at a solution for the borough such as Tower Hamlets, with high levels of patients, the staff and the clinicians, so that we can health inequalities, the fact that people cannot get GP protect and continue to provide first-class primary care appointments for days on end is scandalous? It will services in Tower Hamlets. devastate people’s lives further and actually cost more, particularly by putting pressure on accident and emergency 5.1 pm services while we are having an A and E crisis. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Jim Fitzpatrick: I agree entirely with my hon. Friend, (Dr Daniel Poulter): It is a pleasure to serve under your and I am sure that the Minister also agrees that if we chairmanship, Mr Streeter, for what I believe is now the can treat people in general practice and prevent them third time, and to respond to this debate. I congratulate from going to A and E, that is a much more efficient use the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim of NHS resources. Her point is valid. Fitzpatrick) not only on securing the debate but on his advocacy on behalf of local patients. We have discussed The House of Commons Library has produced for that before during meetings in my office in the Department me a table of data on GP funding, which on other issues. I am sure that my noble Friend Earl “shows a shift on the share of funding for general practice from Howe will be happy to meet him, and I extend that 10% in 2005-06 to 8.3% in 2012-13. The real terms change in spending over the past three years shows a fall of £432 million”. invitation on my noble Friend’s behalf. At the same time, there has been an equivalent Jim Fitzpatrick: I apologise for intervening so early, “annual percentage decrease of 2.1% per year” but I do not remember having any meetings with the in GPs’ salaries through the same period. Minister in his office on any subject. I would not want So there we have it. There has been a 40 million to mislead the House, or for people to think that we had increase in appointments but cuts in the share of the held meetings in which I had not raised this issue. NHS budget; a significant real-terms fall in salaries; huge variation in funding at local level; and crises Dr Poulter: A congregation of MPs from London affecting many local practices in my constituency—some came to see me and I believed that the hon. Gentleman looking at closure, which would be a disaster for some had been there, but I am obviously mistaken. I apologise of the most vulnerable people in our country. for that mistake, but I can recall similar conversations in I want not just to return to the Jubilee Street practice the past during meetings with other MPs from other but to take the issue wider. The NHS deputy head of parts of the country, in which we talked about not just primary care for north central and east London, Rylla GP services but other local health care services of a Baker, recently wrote: similar nature. During those meetings there was advocacy “The situation has, unfortunately, developed further and we of similar strength to that which we have heard today. met with the Jubilee street practice earlier this week. Although the Indeed, a previous debate in Westminster Hall, led by situation with the loss of MPIG”— my hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland and the minimum practice income guarantee— Lonsdale (Tim Farron), focused on the impact of the “is, for most practices manageable, when the practices take into minimum practice income guarantee changes on more account other changes in funding that impact on them, the rural practices in his constituency. The topic has come cumulative impact is significantly greater and practices such as to the fore for many hon. Members, who I know will Jubilee Street have said that if there is no mitigation against the wish to discuss it further with the relevant Minister. I loss the practice will not be viable… I have copied in Neil Roberts, Head of Primary Care for North Central and East London and therefore want to put on record a formal invitation to Jane Milligan from the CCG as discussions are ongoing about the come and see my noble Friend Earl Howe to discuss the best way forward. It is also relevant to point out that this is an subject further at some point after this debate. issue that is not limited to Tower Hamlets.” It may be helpful if I outline why the minimum We are hearing of numbers of practices in Hackney and practice income guarantee was set up in the first place Newham, two other impoverished boroughs, that are and why it is important to change the payment structure facing similar problems. for general practice. The minimum practice income The Royal College of General Practitioners has said: guarantee is a top-up payment to some general medical “In total, the phasing out of a key NHS funding stream called services—GMS—practices. It was introduced as part of the Minimum Practice Income Guarantee…could affect a total the 2004 GP contract to smooth transition to what were 1,700 practices with the care of 12.2 m patients potentially under then new funding arrangements, so it is now 10 years serious threat.” out of date. Last year, we announced that the minimum 249WH GP Services (Tower Hamlets)13 MAY 2014 GP Services (Tower Hamlets) 250WH practice income guarantee will start to be phased out young people, and the language problems, even NHS from April 2014. We consider minimum practice income England, as I quoted, is saying that the combination of guarantee payments to be inequitable because under the changes to the minimum practice income guarantee and system, two surgeries in the same area serving similar the quality and outcomes framework reductions is creating populations may be paid different amounts of money specific difficulties in Tower Hamlets that are not generally per registered patient. replicated across the rest of London. The MPIG will be phased out over a seven-year period, as the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse Dr Poulter: I am happy to write to the hon. Gentleman will know. We are phasing it out to make sure that there after the debate to outline the more general points, and is more equity between what different practices in I am sure that we can ensure that more specific details comparable areas receive per patient, and that funding are available for him to discuss in his meeting with my follows the patient more accurately, rather than the noble Friend Earl Howe. NHS England has made it practice. I am sure we can all sign up to that in principle. clear that it has been looking carefully at how it can The payments will be phased out gradually with the support the practices that are most affected, through its overall intention that the funding for GP practices will area teams, and I am sure that it will be happy to be properly matched to the number of patients they continue a dialogue with local practices and with the serve and the health needs of the local population. hon. Gentleman to work out how further local support The money released by phasing out the MPIG will be could be given if some practices are struggling as a reinvested in the basic payments made to all general result of the changes. That offer has been made to those medical services practices. Those payments are based practices that have already been identified as most on numbers of patients and key determinants of practice affected, but NHS England is continually reviewing the work load such as patients’ ages and health needs— matter as a pathway process for phasing in the changes. deprivation is of course a driver of patients’ health NHS England has also suggested that those practices needs. We are committed to making sure that patients with very small lists, which may be particularly affected, have access to high-quality GP services wherever they could collaborate through federating, networking or live and ensuring that in the same geographical area merging with other practices nearby to provide more similar practices receive effectively the same amount of cost-effective services. It also suggested that it would be funding for each patient they look after. possible to identify other ways in which practices might It is also worth highlighting the overall impact for improve cost efficiency, such as reviewing staffing structures practices, both in the country more generally and in and other commissioning or contracting options—for London in particular. NHS England has undertaken example, how some patient care services are offered in analysis regarding the withdrawal of the MPIG. Inevitably, the area by collaboration. Sometimes, back office costs a small number of practices will lose funding, and NHS and inefficiencies can be reduced to free up more money England has considered the very small number of significant for patient care. We must remember that, on the whole, outlier practices for which alternative arrangements GP practices are small businesses in their own right. We may need to be made to ensure appropriate services are expect NHS England to work with GPs to support best maintained for local people. practice and technology, and to encourage general practices to collaborate and work together, and it is happy to do We appreciate that this is a matter of concern for so. It is expected that general practices will do what they some practices, including some in the hon. Gentleman’s can to help themselves, and that NHS England will constituency that he has mentioned today. That is why work with them to facilitate that for them as small we have decided to use the next seven years to implement business owners. the changes to the MPIG, introducing them gradually through a phased transition to a new funding arrangement, rather than taking a big bang approach. Phasing the Jim Fitzpatrick: I recognise that there is some logic in changes in over that seven-year period will allow the the Minister’s suggestion about smaller practices. The minority of practices that lose funding to adjust more Jubilee street practice has 13,000 patients. It is a big gradually to the reduction in payments. practice and is multi-handed with clinicians and staffing, and is considered to be extremely efficiently run. As the hon. Gentleman highlighted in his remarks, the changes cannot be seen in isolation but should be looked at together with the changes to the quality and Dr Poulter: Indeed. I will talk in more detail about outcomes framework payments for GP practices; those Tower Hamlets, but the hon. Gentleman is right to say changes need to be set alongside the global sum paid to that it has a long history of collaboration, efficiently GMS practices. When all those factors are put together, run practices and good working between GPs and other I understand that practices in London with a GMS community health services to support some of the most contract, of which there are 721, will see an overall vulnerable people in our society and to address specific funding increase of £731,000 resulting from the net issues of health care and equality. The hon. Gentleman effect of all the changes. I will write to the hon. Gentleman outlined that in his speech and local GPs should be to outline that in detail ahead of his meeting with my proud of what they have done and their work and noble Friend Earl Howe. efforts in many cases to help deliver greater efficiencies. Nevertheless, the offer is there from NHS England to Jim Fitzpatrick: When we have that meeting with engage with area teams to see what more support can be Lord Howe, it would be useful if NHS England could provided. It is keen to ensure that if particular practices provide the Minister and his officials with an accurate believe they are disadvantaged, the teams will do what breakdown of figures for the practices in Tower Hamlets. they can to work with the practices to mitigate that. Given the order of deprivation, the chronic ailments It is worth talking briefly about the changes in the and conditions, the age profiles of very elderly and very quality and outcomes framework. In addition to the 251WH GP Services (Tower Hamlets)13 MAY 2014 GP Services (Tower Hamlets) 252WH

[Dr Poulter] As the hon. Gentleman outlined, Tower Hamlets is top in the country for blood pressure and cholesterol minimum practice income guarantee from April this control for patients with diabetes, resulting in reduced year, we have also made changes to QOF and reduced it complications of diabetes and reduced admissions for by more than a third to free up space and time for GPs heart attacks. It is also top in London for MMR vaccination to provide more proactive and personalised care for and for flu vaccination for the over 65s. That is an their patients, particularly the frail elderly. One of the example of how, even in one of the most deprived areas great frustrations that we are all aware of—medical with some of the greatest health care needs, local GPs, staff, health care staff and particularly GPs—has been local primary care and local community care are delivering the amount of bureaucracy that GPs are sometimes very good results for patients. It is also one of the required to undertake, which has got in the way of their 14 national pioneers for integrated care, a programme being able to deliver front-line patient care and spend in which primary care will play an increasingly important time with patients. The changes to QOF were welcomed role. We want to keep people out of hospital and it is by the British Medical Association and GPs because vital that they are supported in their own homes and they will help reduce the bureaucratic burden and allow communities. Integrating primary care with community GPs to spend more time with patients and focus more care and effective adult social services care from the on personalised care and more vulnerable patient groups. local authority will be key in delivering that. I think we all believe that to be a good thing and a great I understand that NHS England’s area team has set achievement from those GP contract negotiations. up a task and finish group to look at the support that As part of the QOF changes, we have retired indicators might be offered to practices with membership drawn when they were either duplicating other incentives in from local medical committees and the London office the health care system, or were of low clinical value and of the clinical commissioning group’s chief officers and use—for example, if they were just process measures the local area primary care commissioning team. I rather than measures linked directly to patient care. We understand that NHS England’s area team in London are ensuring that the payment system is strongly linked has been in regular contact with individual practices in to delivering better care and improving care for patients Tower Hamlets to offer them ongoing support regarding rather than to process measures. That has sometimes these changes. I am sure that after this debate, that been a criticism of QOF payments in the past, not least important input and dialogue will intensify to recognise by GPs. Removal of these indicators will help to reduce some of the issues that the hon. Gentleman raised. bureaucracy, unnecessary patient testing and unnecessary We also recognise some of the challenges facing small frequency of patient recall and recording. practices in delivering the increasingly wide range of The money released from the changes to QOF will be primary care services as more services move from hospital reinvested in the basic payments made to all general settings into the community. All health services, hospital medical services practices, to which I alluded earlier. trusts, community and mental health care providers, as The global sum will be reinvested through the GP well as GPs, are facing the challenge of meeting increasing contract and I understand that practices in London demand with small increases in funding. That demand with a general medical services contract will overall be is coming from an ageing population with increasing net beneficiaries to the tune of roughly £700,000. We levels of long-term conditions as well as the costs of welcome that, and I will give the exact figures in my new drugs, and patients’ expectations. Those issues are letter to the hon. Gentleman, but I believe that what I faced throughout the health service, but they are acute have said in this debate is an accurate reflection of the in Tower Hamlets. Local GPs recognise the need for situation. flexibility in the way in which future services are provided I turn to Tower Hamlets and will address some of the and we need to support practices to work together to concerns that have been raised in the debate today. We demonstrate how best to use their resources for the understand that some practices have particular concerns benefit of all their patients. about the changes to the minimum practice income We have announced that NHS England is supporting guarantee and to QOF funding. I assure the hon. practices as they phase in the changes to the minimum Gentleman and his constituents that the Government practice income guarantee and to QOF payments. There and NHS England are committed to ensuring that is an offer to meet my noble Friend Lord Howe and I good, high quality primary care for local people, such know that NHS England will continue to do what it can as his constituents, is a priority. I understand that to support local practices in Tower Hamlets. despite being one of the most deprived boroughs in Again, I put on the record my congratulations to the London, Tower Hamlets has developed some outstanding hon. Gentleman on securing this debate and to the local general practices often as a result of the hard work and GPs who deliver some of the best health care outcomes dedication of the GPs who want to address health care in England for the patients they look after. needs, to look after vulnerable people in society, and to Question put and agreed to. ensure that the health care inequalities that we have discussed are properly addressed. His local GPs and all health care staff delivering care on the ground should 5.18 pm be proud of that. Sitting adjourned. 17WS Written Statements13 MAY 2014 Written Statements 18WS

Correspondence from MP/Peers to Ministers and Agency Chief Written Statements Executives 20131 Number %of Target set for of replies Tuesday 13 May 2014 reply (working letter within Department or Agency days) received target

- Medicines and 18 64 93 Healthcare Products CABINET OFFICE Regulatory Agency 3 - Public Health England 18 73 99 Home Office4 15 8,761 61 -UK Visas & 20 57,582 70 Handling Member’s Correspondence Immigration/Immigration Enforcement/Border Force5 The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster - Her Majesty’s Passport 15 1,123 69 General (Mr Francis Maude): I am today publishing a Office report on the performance of Departments and agencies Department for 15 3,407 94 on handling correspondence from Members and peers International during the calendar year 2013. Development Ministry of Justice 15 4,985 83 Details are set out in the table below. Correspondence - HM Courts Service and statistics for 2012 can be found in the Official Report, Tribunals Service* 13 May 2013, column 23W. *Where Ministers replied 15 1,006 78 Departmental figures are based on substantive replies *Where CEO replied 15 417 85 unless otherwise indicated. The footnotes to the table -NationalArchives 15 19 100 provide general background information on how the (Minister and CEO replies) figures have been compiled. - National Offender Correspondence from MP/Peers to Ministers and Agency Chief Management Service Executives 20131 *Where Ministers replied 15 899 74 Number %of *Where CEO replied 20 274 93 Target set for of replies - Office of the Public reply (working letter within Guardian* Department or Agency days) received target *Where Ministers replied 15 47 90 Attorney-General’s Office 20 433 86 *Where CEO replied 10 52 98 Department for Business, 15 7,968 93 - Official Solicitor and 15 15 60 Innovation and Skills Public Trustee - Companies House 10 114 100 Northern Ireland Office 15 509 86 - Insolvency Service 15 62 89 Office for Standards in 15 340 74 - Land Registry 15 107 93 Education, Children’s - Skills Funding Agency 10 451 96 Services and Schools Cabinet Office 15 3,072 72 Office of Gas and 15 379 67 Charity Commission 15 262 91 Electricity Markets Department for 10 9,832 72 Office of the Leader of 15 147 96 Communities and Local the House of Commons Government Office of the Leader of 15 134 85 - Planning Inspectorate 10 1,022 81 the House of Lords Crown Prosecution 20 410 89 Office of Rail Regulation 20 51 85 Service OFWAT (Water Services 10 119 85 Department for Culture, 20 6,317 51 Regulation Authority) Media and Sport Scotland Office 15 170 72 Ministry of Defence 20 4,853 82 Serious Fraud Office 20 64 73 Department for 15 16,898 66 Department for Transport 20 8,041 97 Education2 - Driver Vehicle Licensing 7 2,272 99 Department of Energy 15 6,920 74 Agency and Climate Change - Driving Standards 10 192 98 Department for 15 10,362 71 Agency Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Highways Agency 15 417 91 - Animal Health and 15 113 94 - Maritime and 10 35 91 Veterinary Laboratories Coastguard Agency Agency HM Treasury 15 9,608 72 - Rural Payments Agency 15 179 91 -HMRevenueand Food Standards Agency * Customs* *DH Ministers replies 20 141 87 *Where Ministers replied 15 1,915 73 *FSA Chair/CE replies 20 114 89 *Where CEO replied 15 6,331 83 Foreign and 20 10,043 95 Treasury Solicitor’s 10 16 100 Commonwealth Office Department Department of Health 18 18,918 95 Wales Office 15 47 100 19WS Written Statements13 MAY 2014 Written Statements 20WS

Correspondence from MP/Peers to Ministers and Agency Chief INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Executives 20131 Number %of Target set for of replies Foreign Affairs Council for Development reply (working letter within Department or Agency days) received target The Secretary of State for International Development Department for Work and 20 21,005 89 (Justine Greening): On 19 May, I will attend the Foreign Pensions Affairs Council for Development in Brussels. The meeting - Child Maintenance 15 1,410 99 will be chaired by the High Representative of the European Group6 Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness - Health and Safety 15 165 95 Ashton of Upholland. The UK is recognised as a leader Executive in international development as the first G7 member to - Human Resources 15 20 38 reach the UN aid target of 0.7% gross national income. 7 - Director General 15 2,825 97 As Secretary of State for International Development, I 1 Departments and Agencies which received 10 MPs/Peers letters or look forward to participating in the meeting to share fewer are not shown in this table. Holding or interim replies are not included unless otherwise the UK experience in delivering world-class international indicated. The report does not include correspondence considered as development and to work with other member states to Freedom of Information requests. push the EU to do more to use its development, 2 Department for Education statistics include Education Funding humanitarian, trade and diplomatic instruments in a Agency, National College of Teaching and Leadership, and coherent way to end poverty. Standards and Testing Agency. 3 From 1 January to 16 June 2013 the target set for reply at MHRA Introduction was 20 working days. The reduction to 18 on 17 June was made to Baroness Ashton is expected to cover a number of bring the Agency in line with the target set by the Department of topics in her introductory remarks, including an update Health. 4 HOHQ refers to all Home Office correspondence that is not dealt on the Ukraine donor co-ordination platform. I will with within UKVI/IE/BF (the former UKBA). take this opportunity to underline the vital role which 5 Reported separately from HOHQ because of different target that the EU and member states can play in supporting the applies to these cases. Ukrainian Government’s reform efforts. 6 Formerly Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. Post-2015 agenda 7 Formerly Chief Operations Officer. The UK remains at the forefront of the post-2015 DEFENCE discussions, building on the Prime Minister’s co-chairing National Strategy for Maritime Security of the UN high-level panel. Ministers will discuss progress in the international post-2015 process, including reflecting on current discussions in the open working group on The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): sustainable development goals and next steps for the I am today laying before the House the UK national EU. I will use this discussion to encourage the EU and strategy for maritime security (NSMS), which outlines member states to think strategically about how to ensure for the first time the UK’s coherent and co-ordinated we get the best possible outcome from next year’s UN approach to delivering maritime security at home and negotiations. internationally by explaining how we organise and use Programming our extensive national capabilities to identify, assess and address maritime security challenges. The strategy The UK has been influential in strengthening EU places the maritime domain in context, highlighting its development delivery. The EU is at the start of a new importance to UK prosperity and security and explains seven-year programming cycle under the new multi-annual how, through effective collaboration across Government financial framework. As a result of UK and like-minded and with industry and our international partners, and member states’ efforts, there will be a greater focus on through the integration of our assets and personnel the poorest countries, increased flexibility and country wherever possible, we will deliver a maritime security ownership, and an enhanced ability to measure results output much greater than the sum of its parts. of EU aid. Ministers will receive an update on implementation of the agenda for change, including The strategy’s objectives are: to promote a secure programming of EU financial instruments and emerging international maritime domain and uphold international trends in the current programming period. I will welcome maritime norms; to develop the maritime governance progress towards a results-based approach to the delivery capacity and capabilities of states in areas of strategic of EU aid, but also call for further action on results, maritime importance; to protect the UK and the overseas tracking and value for money and greater ambition on territories, their citizens and economies by supporting girls and women. the safety and security of ports and offshore installations and Red Ensign Group-flagged passenger and cargo Rights-based approach to development vessels; to assure the security of vital maritime trade Ministers will adopt Council conclusions on a rights- and energy transportation routes within the UK marine based approach to development co-operation reaffirming area, regionally and internationally, and to protect the that promotion of human rights, democracy, the rule of resources and population of the UK and the overseas law and good governance, and inclusive and sustainable territories from illegal and dangerous activity, including growth, are basic and mutually reinforcing pillars of the serious organised crime and terrorism. EU’s development policy. The strategy also introduces a robust Government Other agenda items approach to maritime security decision making and I expect to receive updates from the Commission and confirms our commitment to preserving the flow of European External Action Service on the forthcoming maritime trade and upholding international maritime communication on private sector development, progress law. on policy coherence for development, the recent global 21WS Written Statements13 MAY 2014 Written Statements 22WS partnership for effective development co-operation TRANSPORT ministerial, and the Eastern Partnership. I will also update my counterparts on the “girl summit” which the Prime Minister and UNICEF will co-host on 22 July. Ministerial Correction This will be a defining moment to rally a global movement to end female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage for all girls within a generation. With The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport global co-operation, we can build on the efforts of (Stephen Hammond): I would like to inform the House many developing country Governments and local that a statement I made on 29 April 2014 during an communities to end these harmful practices. adjournment debate on proposed Government reforms to taxi and private hire vehicle regulations, Official JUSTICE Report, column 225WH, was incorrect. During the Prison Service Pay Review Body (Triennial Review) speech I stated that: “the Government asked the Law Commission to carry out a comprehensive review of the law. As has rightly been pointed out, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice it will present its report—it will not be presenting a Bill; it will be (Jeremy Wright): My hon. Friend the Minister of State presenting a report in the next few weeks—and at that stage, as for Civil Justice and Legal Policy, Ministry of Justice, with all reviews and reports, the Government will review the Lord Faulks, has made the following written ministerial whole of those detailed findings and recommendations.” statement: This was incorrect as the Law Commission will later On 4 March 2014, I announced in Parliament through a this month present the Government with both a written ministerial statement, the commencement of the triennial comprehensive review of taxi and private hire legislation review of the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB). I am as well as a draft Bill. However, the Government have now pleased to announce the completion of the review. no plans to introduce a dedicated taxi Bill in the final The PSPRB plays an important role providing independent advice to the Secretary of State for Justice and the review has parliamentary Session. Instead, Government will consider concluded that the body remains fit for purpose, delivering relevant the detailed findings of, and recommendations made, and beneficial functions on behalf of the Prison Service, in an by the Law Commission before setting out our thinking appropriate governance framework. The report makes some minor on each in due course. recommendations to improve the governance arrangements for Given there will be no dedicated taxi Bill this Parliament, the PSPRB and these will be examined and implemented as required. the measures which the Government intend to take The triennial review has been carried out comprehensively and forward within the Deregulation Bill represent an ideal I am grateful to all those who contributed to this review. I have, opportunity to make a real-world difference to the today, placed a copy of the report in the Libraries of both business men and women who make up the taxi and Houses. private hire vehicle trades.

9P Petitions13 MAY 2014 Petitions 10P

Quay and Landing Stage in Devonport, situated as it is Petition in an area of rich maritime heritage. Plymouth City Council, as statutory harbour authority Tuesday 13 May 2014 for certain areas within Plymouth, is responsible for the improvement, maintenance and management of North OBSERVATIONS Corner Quay and Landing Stage and they are in the best position to decide how this should be achieved. It would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to TRANSPORT exercise powers under Part IV,Clause 48 of the Plymouth City Council Act 1987 and intervene in decisions about North Corner Quay and Landing Stage, Devonport the management of local assets. The Petition of residents of Devonport and Plymouth, and others, The Secretary of State for Transport is conscious of the financial and fiscal pressures currently faced by Declares that the Petitioners are concerned about the local authorities. However, it must be for local determination condition of the North Corner Quay and Landing by the Councillors of Plymouth City Council to decide Stage, Devonport. how it prioritises its expenditure. Local authorities and The Petitioners therefore request that the House of their stakeholders have full knowledge of local Commons urges the Secretary of State for Communities circumstances and are therefore best placed to establish and Local Government under his powers contained in solutions to local problems. Part IV, Clause 48 of the Plymouth City Council Act (1987) to encourage Plymouth City Council to restore The Government remain committed to improving the and repair North Corner Quay and Landing Stage as efficiency, openness and accountability with which municipal contained in Part IV, Clause 26 of the said Act. ports, and indeed ports in general, conduct their business and undertook a review of municipal ports in May 2006. And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Oliver (Opportunities for Ports in Local Authority Ownership: Colvile, Official Report, 10 March 2014; Vol. 577, c. 146.] a review of municipal ports in England and Wales). The [P001324] aim is to encourage the continued development of an Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport: open and accountable relationship between all ports, The Secretary of State for Transport, having policy their users and local communities to their mutual benefit. responsibility for harbours, notes the concerns of the The Secretary of State for Transport wishes the petitioners petitioners with regard to the condition of North Corner well in pursuing a solution to this issue at local level.

433W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 434W

Mrs Grant: The Equality and Human Rights Written Answers to Commission is an independent body and is responsible for its own staff management, including diversity training. Questions The guidance papers requested are internal documents that were not intended for wider publication. However, I have asked the EHRC to send copies to my hon. Tuesday 13 May 2014 Friend.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Gender Crime: Nature Conservation Chi Onwurah: To ask the Ministers for Women and Mr Heath: To ask the Attorney-General what steps Equalities what guidance she has given to other he has taken to improve prosecution of wildlife crime. Departments on commissioning publicly-funded [904021] research into gender differences in brain development and functioning. [198267] The Solicitor-General: The CPS views wildlife crime offences very seriously and will robustly prosecute cases referred by the police. In order to achieve this, the CPS Mrs Grant: I have given no guidance to other has 13 wildlife co-ordinators based in its regional areas. Departments on commissioning publicly-funded research They are supported by face to face training and legal into gender differences in brain development and guidance on wildlife offences, which is available to all functioning. prosecutors and to the public. Social Security Benefits: Fraud LGBT People Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney-General how many (a) men and (b) women have been (i) Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Ministers for Women and investigated, (ii) given an administrative penalty, (iii) Equalities what steps he is taking to advance equal given a caution and (iv) convicted in court for benefit rights for LGBT citizens in the EU; and if he will make fraud since the prosecution of such cases was a statement. [198168] transferred to the Law Officers’ Department. [197836] Jenny Willott: The International Lesbian and Gay The Solicitor-General: Allegations of benefit fraud Association (ILGA) continue to recognise the UK as are investigated by the Department for Work and Pensions the highest ranking country for human rights protection (DWP). Administrative penalties are financial penalties, of LGBT people in Europe. which can be offered as an alternative to prosecution, where there has been no previous fraud penalty of any The UK Government is a member of the European form. These are issued by the DWP and local authorities. Network of Governmental LGBT Focal Points which Cautions are issued by the police. enables us to disseminate good practice and insight from the UK. Other members include European Union The records held by the Crown Prosecution Service member states. (CPS) identify the number of offences in which a prosecution commenced and, reached a first hearing in The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 will magistrates courts, rather than the number of defendants recognise legally valid marriages of same sex couples prosecuted and convicted or their gender. formed in other European countries as legal marriages No central records of the prosecution outcomes of in England and Wales. The Foreign and Commonwealth offences are held by the CPS. To obtain details of the Office, in liaison with the Government Equalities Office, number of people prosecuted for and convicted of is also carrying out an exercise to gain recognition of offences of benefit fraud, which can be charged under marriages of same sex couples formed in England and various sections of the Social Security Administration Wales overseas, including in other European Union Act 1992, Section 35 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 or the member states. Fraud Act 2006, including their gender, would require a manual exercise of reviewing individual case files to be undertaken at a disproportionate cost. Women’s Business Council Furthermore, cases of benefit fraud are also prosecuted by local authorities so any data the CPS can glean from Gloria De Piero: To ask the Ministers for Women and a manual exercise would not provide a complete record. Equalities how many times the Women’s Business Council has met in 2014; and how many times Ministers met that council in the last 12 months. WOMEN AND EQUALITIES [197766] Equality and Human Rights Commission Jenny Willott: The Women’s Business Council has Philip Davies: To ask the Ministers for Women and already met on two occasions this year to progress the Equalities if she will place in the Library a copy of the recommendations in its report published in 2013: on 5 guidance currently issued to managers at the Equality March 2014 and 24 April 2014. and Human Rights Commission on managing a diverse Women’s Business Council members have met with workforce. [197840] Minsters four times during the last 12 months. 435W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 436W

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE of the Rohingya. I raised our wider concerns about the situation in Rakhine state with senior Burmese Ministers Bangladesh during their visit in January and Baroness Warsi discussed the situation with the Burmese Minister of National Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Kan Zaw, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment during his visit to the UK in March. During my visit to he has made of the effect on the UK’s relationship with Burma in January, I also met the Kachin Baptist Bangladesh of the activities in the UK of Tareque Convention, the largest religious organisation in Kachin Rahman, Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh state. We continue to encourage religious tolerance and Nationalist Party. [198033] dialogue and call on the Burmese authorities and community leaders to help create a conducive environment Hugh Robertson: The UK enjoys a broad and wide- for this to take place. ranging relationship with Bangladesh which is built on engagement with the Government of Bangladesh and Commonwealth Bangladesh political parties, business and cultural exchanges between our people. We work on a range of bilateral and global issues that include Bangladesh’s recent Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State endorsement of the Declaration of Commitment to for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will End Sexual Violence in Conflict. We are not aware of convene a special session of Commonwealth any activities by Mr Rahman that have had an impact representatives to discuss the suitability of President on our bilateral relationship. Rajapaksa as Chairperson in Office. [197767]

Brunei Mr Hague: Any decision on the Chair-in-Office role is for all Commonwealth Heads of Government to take Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for by consensus, and we have no plans to convene a session Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions on this. On 27 March 2014, the UN Human Rights he has had with (a) the Sultan of Brunei or (b) his Council passed a resolution which establishes an representatives on the introduction of sharia criminal international investigation, and calls on the Sri Lankan law in Brunei. [198032] Government to make progress on human rights and reconciliation. We encourage the Sri Lankan Government Mr Swire: We remain concerned about the introduction to co-operate with the resolution and the investigation, of sharia criminal law in Brunei and have raised the which is led by the Office of the High Commissioner for matter with Brunei on several occasions. I raised the Human Rights. issue with Foreign Minister, Pehin Lim in October 2013. Senior Minister of State, my right hon. noble Egypt Friend Lady Warsi, visited Brunei and raised our concerns with HM The Sultan, Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed, Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State the Attorney-General and State Mufti on 19 April. The for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my representations he has made to his Egyptian hon. Friend the Member for North West Cambridgeshire counterpart about the sentencing to death of 683 (Mr Vara), discussed the implementation of sharia with people in that country. [197747] Brunei’s Attorney-General at the Commonwealth Law Ministers meeting on 6 May. We set out our concerns at the Universal Periodic Review of Brunei at the Human Mr Hague: The British Government is deeply concerned Rights Council on 2 May. We will continue to raise this about the sentencing to death of 683 people by a court issue with the Bruneian authorities. in Minya on 28 April. I made a statement on 28 April expressing my concern over the sentences and reports Burma that some of the defendants may not have had adequate legal representation. On 2 April, during my last meeting Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for with Egyptian Foreign Minister Fahmy, I raised the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent death sentences imposed on 529 people by the same reports he has received on the situation for religious court on 24 March, and asked the Egyptian Government minorities in Burma. [198232] to ensure that the defendants’ human and legal rights are properly upheld. The Government will continue to Mr Swire: British officials regularly receive reports raise these concerns with the Egyptian Government. on a wide range of human rights issues, including the treatment of religious minorities in Burma. We share Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State UN Special Rapporteur for Burma Tomas Ojea Quintana’s for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what concerns, as noted in his final report to the UN Human discussions he has held with EU High Representative Rights Council on 2 April 2014, that the Burmese Catherine Ashton, regarding the EU monitoring Government is mission to Egypt in advance of this month’s “not fulfilling its international human rights obligation to presidential elections. [197758] tackle incitement to violence based on national, racial or religious hatred”. Mr Hague: Baroness Ashton briefed European Union We are particularly concerned by the rise in anti-Muslim member states on the Election Observation Mission attacks and hate speech over the last two years, continued (EOM) at the April EU Foreign Affairs Council. The intercommunal tensions in Rakhine state and the plight EU has deployed an EOM to Egypt for the presidential 437W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 438W elections scheduled on 26-27 May 2014, in response to Boko Haram have been indiscriminate, but it is almost an invitation by the Egyptian authorities. We support certain that these attacks have killed more Muslims this deployment. than Christians. We recognise the underlying issues of poverty and Iran inequality, which lead to inter-communal tensions and conflict in Nigeria and we urge political, traditional and Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for religious leaders to work together in order to resolve Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the these issues. The Department for International Development answer of 6 May 2014, Official Report, column 72W, (DFID), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on Iran, if he will provide a detailed itemisation of and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) continue to fund a works of art, antiquities, fixtures and fittings and other range of conflict resolution projects across Nigeria items of public property damaged or destroyed by designed to address these problems. We currently have rioters in HM embassy in Tehran in 2011. [198221] an expert team in Abuja to help Nigeria deal with the Hugh Robertson: The FCO is currently unable to abduction of the school girls from Chibok and to also provide a detailed breakdown of all items damaged or look at addressing longer term challenges, including destroyed by rioters at the British embassy in Tehran in inter-communal tensions. November 2011. Since visits to Tehran by UK officials Nuclear Disarmament recommenced on 3 December 2013—after a gap of two years—it has only been possible to conduct preliminary Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign assessments of the condition of the embassy. A and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the steps comprehensive assessment of the damage will require a he plans to take to remove UK nuclear weapons from detailed survey by a specialist. Planning is currently deployment and their subsequent destruction. [198199] under way to conduct this survey as soon as is practical. Morocco Hugh Robertson: The Government committed in 2010 to reduce the UK’s nuclear weapons stockpile by the Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for mid 2020s, down to no more than 120 operationally Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the available warheads and no more than 180 warheads. provisions of the EU Deep and Comprehensive Free Nevertheless, the United Kingdom will retain a credible, trade Agreement with Morocco apply outside the continuous and effective minimum nuclear deterrent for sovereign territory of Morocco. [198209] as long as the global security situation makes that necessary. The 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Hugh Robertson: The terms of the Deep and Review sets out the Government’s approach in more Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement are currently detail. being negotiated between the EU and the Kingdom of Official Visits Morocco. The agreement is between the European Communities and their member states and the Kingdom of Morocco. Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Nigeria answer of 28 April 2014, Official Report, columns 594-5W, on official visits, (1) whether the six received Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for requests for special mission status were refused or Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he granted, by country making the request; [198229] has made of the number of school-age girls in Nigeria (2) whether any of the six received requests for abducted by Boko Haram or similar groups in each of special mission status were refused (a) by reference to the last five years. [197894] duties to prosecute or extradite persons alleged to have committed or to have ordered to be committed grave Mark Simmonds: While abductions by Boko Haram breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention or other are not new, the scale of this recent abduction of over international crimes and (b) on other human rights 200 school girls from Chibok School on 14 April was grounds; [198228] unprecedented. As most of the reported abductions in (3) if he will provide details of the six received the last few years have taken place in remote areas, requests for special mission status; and from which where communication is difficult, we have been unable countries they were received. [198230] to verify the details of how many have taken place or how many children have been abducted. Mark Simmonds: None of the six requests for special Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for mission status to which I referred in my answer to the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent House of 28 April 2014, Official Report, columns 594-5W, assessment his Department has made of the situation were refused. After consenting to the visits as special missions, two of the visits were subsequently cancelled for religious minorities in northern Nigeria. [198231] by the country making the request. Mark Simmonds: Conflict in northern Nigeria has As I noted in my previous answer, in view of the caused great suffering in communities of different faiths confidentiality of diplomatic exchanges, we have no and ethnicities. Representatives of the Government maintain plans to make public further details about requests that regular contact with religious and ethnic community have been granted or refused. But if those applying for leaders across Nigeria. We recognise there are tensions special mission status wish to announce the details of in many parts of the country, including in the north-east, their visit to the UK, they are of course at liberty to do middle belt and the Niger Delta. Recent attacks by so. 439W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 440W

Pakistan Africa covers our relations with Swaziland and our officials visit Swaziland regularly. Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for received on the fairness of the hearing of Asiya Noreen Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he Bibi sentenced to death in 2011 at the provincial has received on the arrest of Mario Masuku in Lahore High Court. [198201] Swaziland. [198215]

Hugh Robertson: We receive regular reports on the Mark Simmonds: We are concerned by the arrests of case of Mrs Bibi and others facing charges of blasphemy Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini at a Workers’ in Pakistan and we are aware that a number of NGOs Event in Swaziland on 1 May. They have been charged and other governments follow her case closely. We under the Sedition and Subversive Activities and remain concerned about the case of Asia Bibi and Suppression of Terrorism Acts and continue to be held would urge the courts in Pakistan to ensure a fair and in custody pending trial proceedings. We are also concerned swift hearing of her appeal due later this month. by the situation of Thulani Maseko, a lawyer, and Bheki Makhubu, a journalist, who remain in custody in Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Swaziland following their re-arrest on 9 April 2014. We and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has encourage the Swazi Government to respect the rights had with the Government of Pakistan on (a) the to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in fairness of the hearing of Asiya Noreen Bibi who was Swaziland, as set out in the Swazi constitution, and sentenced to death in 2011 at the provincial Lahore their international human rights obligations. High Court and (b) providing adequate protection to Syria judiciary officials to allow a further hearing to take place. [198202] Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Hugh Robertson: We regularly raise the issue of assessment his Department has made of the situation blasphemy laws, and their misuse against both Muslims of Christian communities in Syria. [198237] and religious minorities, at the highest levels in Pakistan and press the government to ensure fair trials. We Hugh Robertson: The ongoing crisis has clearly had a remain concerned about the case of Asia Bibi and devastating impact on Christians, and on all of Syria’s would urge the courts in Pakistan to ensure a fair and communities. We remain deeply concerned by the situation swift hearing of her appeal due later this month. The for Christian communities in Syria, including in Raqqah Prime Minister raised our concerns regarding these and Kessab. laws and the need for reforms during the recent visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. This reinforces the need for us to support the moderate opposition who, as the UN Commission of Inquiry has acknowledged, have a pluralist and democratic vision Swaziland for Syria and who are fighting extremist groups such as ISIL which pose a grave threat to Christians and others. James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Western Sahara Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports the Government has received on the Zakhele Remand Centre in Swaziland. [198164] Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the de facto Mark Simmonds: We have not received any specific administering power is in the area of Western Sahara reports about the Zakhele Remand Centre. However, not under Moroccan control; and if he will make a we remain concerned by the human rights situation in statement. [198207] Swaziland, including restrictions to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.We call on the Swazi Government Hugh Robertson: The UK does not regard any power to respect the human rights of all detainees and the as the de facto administrator of that part of the territory independence of the judiciary. We will continue to work of Western Sahara not under Moroccan control. with international partners including the EU, US, Commonwealth and the South African Development Community (SADC) to exert international pressure for DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER change. Business Growth: Basildon and Thurrock James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will instruct 9. Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Deputy Prime HM High Commissioner to Swaziland to raise the case Minister what support the Government is giving to of Mario Masuku and the Zakhele Remand Centre business growth opportunities in Basildon and with the Swaziland Government. [198204] Thurrock. [903986]

Mark Simmonds: We will continue to raise human Greg Clark: Basildon and Thurrock are key economic rights concerns, such as Mr Masuku’s arrest and current centres within the South East Local Enterprise Partnership detention with the Swazi authorities at senior levels. (LEP) area. The LEP submitted its Strategic Economic The UK has no permanent diplomatic presence in Plan and Growth Deal at the end of March which is Swaziland. However, our high commission in South currently being assessed and negotiated. 441W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 442W

The Growth Deal contains proposals for direct business bring forward legislative proposals to provide for support by extending the Southend Growth Hub penalties against local authorities which fail to provide announced in its City Deal recently. sufficient funding and resources to enable electoral Other funding is also being invested through Regional registration officers to fulfil their statutory Growth Fund, Growing Places Fund, and through responsibilities. [197930] investment in major transport improvements on the M25 and Dartford Crossing to reduce congestion and Greg Clark: Section 54 of the Representation of the enhance connectivity to the ports. People Act 1983 sets out that any expenses properly incurred by an ERO in the performance of their functions Members of Parliament: Recall must be paid by the local authority that appointed them. 10. Mr Hanson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to bring forward legislative proposals Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for the recall of hon. Members by their constituents. which local authorities have achieved the highest [903987] increase in levels of voter registration in the last two years; and what steps his Department has taken to The Deputy Prime Minister: The Government remains ensure that the practices leading to such increases are committed to introducing a recall mechanism which is adopted in other local authorities. [197961] transparent, robust and fair when parliamentary time allows. We reiterated this commitment in our response Greg Clark: In 2012-13 the areas with the five largest to the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee’s percentage increases in the numbers registered on the report on recall. local government register of electors were: The Government’s legislative programme for the fourth Tower Hamlets Session of Parliament will be announced in the Queen’s Wycombe Speech. Cambridge Political and Constitutional Reform East Lindsey City of Edinburgh 11. Mrs Lewell-Buck: To ask the Deputy Prime In 2011-12 the areas were: Minister what the Government’s political and Clackmannanshire constitutional reform priorities are for the remainder of Thanet the present Parliament. [903989] West Lothian The Deputy Prime Minister: The Government continues City of Edinburgh to work on political and constitutional reform, particularly Shropshire UA on devolving more powers from Whitehall to our cities The Government encourages local authorities to share and regions. best practice through the Expert Panel of electoral Work also continues on the implementation of Individual administrators, and various other forums in place to Electoral Registration, recall of MPs and implementing deliver Individual Electoral Registration. the statutory register of consultant lobbyists. Guidance has also been available on the Association Electoral Register of Electoral Administrators’ website with examples of good practice which electoral registration officers can use to shape their work. 12. Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps the Government is taking to raise the number of people registered to vote. [903990] Referendums

13. Luciana Berger: To ask the Deputy Prime Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister Minister what steps the Government is taking to raise whether he has reviewed the efficacy of the guidance of the number of people registered to vote. [903991] the Electoral Commission on referendums; and if he will make a statement. [903992] Greg Clark: The Government is introducing online registration as of 10 June in England and Wales which Greg Clark: The Government has not reviewed the will make it more convenient to register to vote. efficacy of guidance produced by the independent Electoral In addition, five national organisations and every Commission. electoral registration officer in Great Britain are sharing £4.2 million funding aimed at maximising the rate of Respite Care voter registration, as part of the transition to individual electoral registration. These organisations have received funding to find new ways of reaching a range of under- Paul Maynard: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister registered groups such as young people and encouraging which organisations have received how much funding them to register to vote. from his Office aimed at supporting access to short breaks and respite provision for children, young people Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister with and their families experiencing all types of reference to the answer of 6 September 2010, Official disadvantage in each of the last five financial years. Report, column 304W, on electoral register, if he will [197822] 443W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 444W

The Deputy Prime Minister: The Deputy Prime Minister’s Summary of payments made to public interest lawyers in relation to the Office does not itself fund organisations that support Al-Sweady Inquiry. short breaks and respite provision. The Department for Date of payment Amount of payment (£) Education has policy responsibility for this area. February 2014 36,133.25 March 2014 59,093.74 April 2014 301,909.00 Grand Total 2,417,701.75 DEFENCE

Al-Sweady Inquiry Employment Tribunals Service

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Defence if he will place in the Library copies of all if he will place in the Library a copy of all invoices submitted by public interest lawyers for work Employment Tribunal judgements made against his Department since 2008 to date; and if he will make a undertaken in relation to Al-Sweady Inquiry. [196973] statement. [193112] Mr Francois: The Al-Sweady Inquiry has cost the Anna Soubry: I will write to the hon. Member shortly. public purse £28.4 million to 31 March 2014. The potential cost of the Inquiry to its completion is Substantive answer from Anna Soubry to Mrs Moon: £31.1 million. In my answer of 1 April 2014 (Official Report, column 622W) I promised to write in response to your request for copies of all The information requested is commercial in confidence Employment Tribunal judgments that have been made against the and cannot be provided without a significant level of Ministry of Defence since 2008. redaction of sensitive information. There have been six such judgments between 2008 and 2013. However I am able to provide a summary of costs Arrangements have been made for copies of those judgments to incurred by public interest lawyers for work undertaken be placed in the Library of the House. I am aware that in a previous answer (Official Report, 31 March 2014, column 441-2W) in relation to the Al-Sweady Inquiry up to 31 March I advised that there had been seven judgments made against the 2014. Department, however the number of judgments for 2012 included Summary of payments made to public interest lawyers in relation to the a claim which was actually settled before it went to tribunal. Al-Sweady Inquiry. One of the six judgments was subject to an Employment Date of payment Amount of payment (£) Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal and then Court of Appeal—I have only provided a copy of the Court of Appeal decision. March 2010 6,921.60 August 2010 68,060.36 European Fighter Aircraft October 2010 45,752.15 Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for February 2011 41,581.11 Defence what collision warning system is currently May 2011 94,154.64 being tested on Typhoon aircraft; when he expects June 2011 6,210.00 testing to be completed; when a decision will be taken July 2011 33,828.33 to install such a system; and what the estimated total September 2011 10,113.68 cost is. [194523] November 2011 6,445.34 December 2011 2,421.51 Mr Dunne: Analysis is currently underway into potential collision warning system capability for Typhoon. A system has not yet been fitted on a Typhoon aircraft for January 2012 68,343.35 testing. February 2012 37,838.53 April 2012 21,775.17 It is not possible at this stage to provide a timetable May 2012 47,491.94 for the development of this capability, or for the decision June 2012 16,328.20 on whether to install such a system on the aircraft. July 2012 5,200.00 Similarly, it is too early to estimate the likely cost of August 2012 220.60 such a system. September 2012 10,115.00 Legal Costs November 2012 100,587.10 December 2012 46,352.33 Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much his Department spent in total January 2013 99,208.41 on external legal advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 February 2013 51,117.56 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; March 2013 74,356.24 [157644] May 2013 197,070.38 (2) what the top 20 highest amounts paid by his June 2013 107,544.50 Department for external legal advice was in (a) 2010, July 2013 164,335.64 (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; who received each such August 2013 85,516.25 payment; and for what reasons the legal advice was September 2013 33,091.25 sought in each case; [158112] October 2013 176,401.67 November 2013 187,376.83 (3) how much his Department spent on external legal advice from Queen’s Counsel (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; January 2014 174,806.09 [158148] 445W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 446W

(4) what the highest day rate paid for external legal 2010-11 advice by his Department has been since 7 May 2010. Payments [158149] Service Provider Nature of Service (£)

Denton UKMEA Fees for professional services 32,007 Mr Francois: [holding answer 5 June 2013]: The LLP Ministry of Defence delegates authority for expenditure Pinsent Masons LLP Legal fees for land acquisition/disposal 30,243 on external legal advice within the Department and it Field Fisher Fees for professional services 26,955 will therefore take time to collate the information. Waterhouse LLP I will write to the right hon. Member with the information Simmons and Fees for professional services 25,198 requested. Simmons LLP Mills and Reeve LLP Fees for professional services 15,846 Substantive answer from Anna Soubry to Sadiq Khan: Field Fisher Provision of legal services to MOD 14,115 My predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Rayleigh Waterhouse LLP and its Agencies and Wickford (Mark Francois), undertook to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Questions 157644, 158112, 158148 and 158149 of 17 June 2013 (Official Report, column 498W) 2011-12 about the Ministry of Defence’s spending on external legal advice. Payments I apologise for the length of time it has taken to respond. This Service Provider Nature of Service (£) is because legal costs are not accounted for in a manner which Dentons Provision of legal services to MOD 835,605 readily corresponds with the questions as framed. To establish UKMEALLP and its Agencies such costs in the manner requested cannot be done without a Wragge and Co LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 725,686 further substantial manual examination of detailed financial and and its Agencies contractual records held across the Ministry of Defence. I regret Pinsent Masons LLP Fees for professional services 631,518 therefore that we do not hold information in a form that would Denton UKMEA Provision of legal services to MOD 496,839 allow us to give you a fully comprehensive response. LLP and its Agencies Question 157644 Mills and Reeve LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 378,512 and its Agencies In broad terms, however, our legal costs have been in the region Freshfields Fees for professional services 261,917 of £30 million in financial year 2010-11, £25 million in 2011-12 Bruckhaus Deringer and £28 million in 2012-13. We also recovered some £20 million LLP of legal costs to the Defence budget in 2010-11. These annual Field Fisher Fees for professional services 188,477 figures include expenditure with the Treasury Solicitor’s Department Waterhouse LLP and other external legal advice and guidance. The figures do not Simmons and Provision of legal services to MOD 143,575 include external legal work commissioned by the single Service Simmons LLP and its Agencies legal branches or by the Service Prosecuting Authority, or SNR Denton UK Fees for professional services 123,831 miscellaneous expenditure such as the use of external patent LLP attorneys or advice sought in foreign jurisdictions. Wragge and Co LLP Fees for professional services 63,837 Question 158112 Simmons and Fees for professional services 41,186 Simmons LLP From the information which we hold, the following listing Pinsent Masons LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 37,843 outlines the top twenty amounts paid to external law firms under and its Agencies our Commercial Framework arrangements and may be of use to Field Fisher Fees for professional services 37,529 you. Waterhouse LLP 2010-11 Burges Salmon LLP Fees for professional services 29,873 Payments Allen and Overy LLP Fees for professional services 25,504 Service Provider Nature of Service (£) Wragge and Co LLP Fees for professional services 19,717 Pinsent Masons LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 917,844 Shepherd and Provision of legal services to MOD 12,134 and its Agencies Wedderburn LLP and its Agencies Simmons and Fees for professional services 804,716 Wragge and Co LLP Fees for professional services 11,042 Simmons LLP Simmons and Fees for professional services 6,984 Dentons Provision of legal services to MOD 746,220 Simmons LLP UKMEALLP and its Agencies Denton UKMEA Fees for professional services 4,077 Pinsent Masons LLP Fees for professional services 448,415 LLP Freshfields Fees for professional services 375,483 Bruckhaus Deringer 2012-13 LLP Service Provider Nature of Service Payments Mills and Reeve LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 369,939 and its Agencies Freshfields Legal services in support of the Defence 2,660,887 Herbert Smith LLP Fees for professional services 213,260 Bruckhaus Deringer Infrastructure Organisation’s change Wragge and Co LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 196,717 LLP programme and its Agencies Linklaters LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 1,469,501 Dentons Provision of legal services to MOD 186,853 and its Agencies UKMEALLP and its Agencies Denton UKMEA [Provision of legal services to MOD 1,379,965 Simmons and Fees for professional services 172,386 LLP and its Agencies Simmons LLP Denton UKMEA Provision of legal services to MOD 974,966 Burges Salmon LLP Fees for professional services 161,247 LLP and its Agencies Freshfields Fees for professional services 99,043 Simmons and Provision of legal services to MOD 675,281 Bruckhaus Deringer Simmons LLP and its Agencies LLP Simmons and Provision of legal services to MOD 470,389 Shepherd and Provision of legal services to MOD 52,168 Simmons LLP and its Agencies Wedderburn LLP and its Agencies Wragge and Co LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 452,384 Field Fisher Fees for professional services 47,003 and its Agencies Waterhouse LLP Burges Salmon LLP Fees for professional services 396,962 447W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 448W

2012-13 Support Helicopters Service Provider Nature of Service Payments Mech Brigades Wragge and Co LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 283,043 RAF Force Protection and its Agencies RAF Reserves Mills and Reeve LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 182,935 and its Agencies Royal Marines Allen and Overy LLP Legal services for Defence Spectrum 172,192 RNR and RMR sale Logistic Brigades Freshfields Fees for professional services 165,628 2 MED Brigade Bruckhaus Deringer LLP Defence Medical Services Pinsent Masons LLP Fees for professional services 159,163 Artillery Regts Pinsent Masons LLP Fees for professional services 154,971 Engr Regts Field Fisher Fees for professional services 75,108 Waterhouse LLP Signals Regts Shepherd and Provision of legal services to MOD 64,186 HQ Theatre Troops Wedderburn LLP and its Agencies Commitments staff Mills and Reeve LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 62,909 PJHQ, JFHQ, Theatre HQs and its Agencies Burges Salmon LLP Government Procurement Service 39,920 Battle-Space Command and Control Communications and Framework Lot 8 Information Systems Burges Salmon LLP Provision of legal services to MOD 38,549 IS and Communications Capability Projects and its Agencies Deployed Ops supporting units Wragge and Co LLP Fees for professional services 29,596 Deployable HQ Question 158148 Maritime Warfare Centre We do not hold separate records of the amount spent on Joint Combat Aircraft external legal advice from Queen’s Counsel. Tornado Question 158149 Nuclear Deterrent The maximum hourly rate under the framework contracts we mostly use is just under £500. Nuclear Estate I hope that this information goes some way to answering your Merlin questions. Ship Submarine Ballistic Nuclear Ship Submarine Nuclear Public Expenditure Estate Disposals MOD Estate Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Regional Prime Contracts Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his Service Families Accommodation Department’s cost of defence output categories Single Living Accommodation taxonomy. [196961] Supporting infrastructure (utilities) Sustainability (DE&S War Reserves/Op Stocks) Mr Philip Hammond: The Ministry of Defence’s cost of defence taxonomy is as follows: IS for Logistics Permanent Joint Operating Bses Frigates A400M Aircraft Carriers BAe125 Destroyers BAe146 Lynx Mk 3/8 C17 Minehunters Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft Patrol vessels Hercules Survey vessels and Ice Patrol RW (SAR) Tristar Test, Simulation VC10 Landing Platform Dock Auxiliary Oiler Landing Platform Helicopter Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Landing Ship Dock Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sea King Mk 7 ASaC, Mk 5 SAR Forward Repair Ship Army Manning/Training Margin Joint Casualty Treatment Ship Army phase 1 training Defence Intelligence Staff Army phase 2 training ASTOR Army phase 3 training E3-D Defence CBRN Wing Rivet Joint Civilian Training Ballistic Missile Early Warning System Light Brigades Electronic Warfare Air Assault Brigade UK Air Surveillance and Control Armoured Brigades Army Joint and Collective Training Attack Helicopters Specialist Training 449W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 450W

Defence Academy HOME DEPARTMENT RAF Joint and Collective Training RN Joint and Collective Training Airguns RAF Manning/Training Margin RAF phase 1 training Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate her Department has RAF phase 2 training made of the number of air rifles in the UK. [198134] RAF phase 3 training Army Cadets Norman Baker: Only air rifles which have a discharge Army Recruiting velocity of 12ft lbs are held on a firearms certificate. RAF Cadets The police National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS) shows that as of 12 May, 11,852 such RAF Recruiting air rifles were held on certificate in England and Wales. RAF Aerobatic Team Low-powered air rifles (those below 12ft lbs discharge RN Cadets velocity) are not licensed in England and Wales. It is RN Recruiting therefore not possible to provide an estimate of the Regional Forces—Northern Ireland number of air rifles which fall into this classification. Regional Forces—Germany Asylum: Deportation Regional Forces—GB SIT Outputs Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Army Reserves Home Department how many people have been RN Manning/Training Margin removed from the UK under the Dublin Convention in RN phase 1 training each year since 2010. [197239] RN phase 2 training James Brokenshire: The information requested is shown RN phase 3 training in the following table: MOD Police and Guarding People removed Special Forces Number

Typhoon 2010 1,449 Fleet Air Arm Fixed Wing. 2011 1,308 2012 970 2013 1,020 Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Note: Defence if he will place in the Library copies of his The figures quoted have been derived from management information Department’s output maps. [196962] and are therefore provisional and subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. Mr Philip Hammond: I regret that I must withhold Removals fell in 2011 and 2012 because we stopped the requested information as its disclosure would or transferring asylum applicants to Greece under the would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness Dublin Regulation in 2010. This was because it was or security of the armed forces. found conditions there amounted to a breach of article 3 of ECHR. There then followed similar litigation around conditions in Italy, but we are still able to effect Radioactive Waste: Fife transfers there.

Asylum: Syria Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to publish the remedial action plan for Dalgety bay; and when he expects to begin a Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have arrived in consultation on that plan. [197890] the UK under the Syrian refugee programme. [196250]

Mr Dunne: The right hon. Member will be aware that James Brokenshire: To date 24 Syrians have arrived in the Ministry of Defence remains committed to working the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation alongside the Scottish Environment Protection Agency scheme, with the first group arriving at the end of (SEPA) and other interested parties as part of a coalition March and a further group in April. We will not be to address the issue of radioactive contamination at releasing any further details; such as where they are Dalgety bay in the long term. travelling from, their specific vulnerabilities, or where I am pleased to be able to report that the Department they will be placed. remains on track to define and deliver a proposal informed The scheme is based on need, rather than being by the work of Public Health England and the more designed to meet a quota. However, we will continue to detailed risk assessment for SEPA to assess the wider bring groups here on a regular basis, and envisage that implications of implementation on stakeholders and several hundred people will be helped over the next the local community from the end of June 2014. three years. 451W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 452W

Deportation Deportation: Somalia

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons she will no longer Home Department what her policy is on the removal of fund the detention element of the Choices service from asylum seekers to Somalia; and if she will make a 1 April 2014; whether an alternative assisted voluntary statement. [197448] returns programme will be made available to immigration detainees; and what assessment she has James Brokenshire: I refer the right hon. Member to made of the potential effects of this decision on the the answer I gave on 13 March 2014, Official Report, number of (a) assisted voluntary returns and (b) column 327W. enforced removals. [194689] Domestic Violence

James Brokenshire: An assessment of the impact of Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the this change is in train and the range of possible alternatives Home Department how many calls were made to the is complex. A full written response on the issue will be National Domestic Violence Helpline in 2013; and how provided to the Member in due course, and the letter many such calls mentioned use of (a) any weapon and placed in the House Library. (b) a firearm. [198132]

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Norman Baker: The Home Office provides funding to Home Department how many immigration detainees the National Domestic Violence Helpline, which is run left the UK through the assisted voluntary returns jointly by Women’s Aid and Refuge. Latest management programmes in each of the last five years. [194690] information provided by Women’s Aid and Refuge sets out that in the first half of financial year 2013/2014 James Brokenshire: For the last five years, the numbers (April-September 2013), the National Domestic Violence of detainees who have left the UK annually through Helpline received 78,894 calls. AVR programmes are as follows: This data does not provide information on the number of calls that mention the use of any weapon or firearms. Detainees departing through AVR Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2009 585 Home Department what estimate she has made of the 2010 824 number of incidents of domestic violence involving a 2011 848 legally owned (a) firearm and (b) airgun in each of the last five years. [198133] 2012 1,150 2013 2,081 Norman Baker: The requested information is not available centrally. The figures provided are sourced from a Home Office The Home Office is notified by police forces in England management information system which is not quality and Wales of how many domestic abuse incidents they assured under National Statistics protocols and is subject have dealt with but it is not possible from this information to change due to internal data quality checking. Figures to say how many involved firearms (whether legally provided from this source do not constitute part of owned or not) or air weapons. National Statistics and should be treated as provisional. Emergency Services: Telecommunications

Deportation: Offenders Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the the potential benefits and risks of commercial mobile Home Department what the average length of time was networks providing the emergency services between a deportation order being made on a foreign communications network. [197008] national offender and their deportation in each year since 2010. [193470] James Brokenshire: The potential benefits and risks have been considered in detail as part of the Outline Business Case, which recommended this direction of James Brokenshire: The average length of time between travel and was approved by the emergency services, lead a deportation order being made on a foreign national departments and the devolved governments of Wales offender and their deportation in each year since 2010 is and Scotland during March 2014. These risks and as follows: 143 days in 2010, 148 days in 2011, 174 days issues will be updated as the Full Business Case is in 2012 and 187 days in 2013. developed during the procurement phase, which was The increase in average time taken is driven mainly by launched on 14 April 14. serving more deportation orders earlier in the process, sometimes up to 27 months before sentence end date, to Entry Clearances enable removal to take place as early as possible within the early removal scheme (ERS) period. The by-product Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the of starting the deportation process earlier is that we Home Department (1) what representations she has have to wait longer to enforce a person’s removal, which received on removing the requirement to top up artificially inflates the view on the average time taken to investments held by individuals on Tier 1 (Investor) deport. visas; [197733] 453W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 454W

(2) what representations she has received on Nationality Gender Region Agency type extending the list of investment products that individuals can use to qualify for a Tier 1 (Investor) Albanian Female West Midlands Home Office visa. [197735] Albanian Female South NGO Albanian Female South East Home Office James Brokenshire: The Home Office has had meetings Albanian Female West Midlands Home Office with a number of immigration law firms who represent Albanian Female South East NGO Tier 1 (Investor) clients in which these issues have been Albanian Female South Police raised. The firms consider that removing the requirement Albanian Female South East Home Office to top up investments, and extending the list of qualifying Bangladeshi Male South Home Office investments, would attract more investors to the UK British Female North East Local Authority and encourage investments which would lead to greater British Female South Police returns. British Female North West Self Referral The Government is currently considering its response British Male South East Police to the report on the Tier 1 (Investor) route published by British Female East Midlands Police the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) on 25 February British Female West Midlands Local Authority 2014, which made recommendations on these issues. We British Male Not Known Police will announce our decisions in due course. British Female South East Police Cameroonian Female South East NGO Human Trafficking Cameroonian Male South NGO Chinese Male South East Health Services John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Chinese Female South East Home Office Home Department what the nationality and gender Chinese Female Wales Home Office was of each suspected victim of trafficking referred to Chinese Female West Midlands Legal the Trafficking Victim Support Scheme operated by the Representative Salvation Army in April 2014; in which (a) region and Chinese Male Yorkshire Home Office (b) county each of the suspected victims was found; Czech Male South West Police which agency referred each person to the Scheme; in Czech Male Yorkshire NGO which town the shelter was in which each such victim Czech Female South East Police Democratic Female Yorkshire Home Office was placed for the relevant period; and what contact Republic of there is with each victim after they exit the shelter to Congo ensure that they are not re-trafficked. [197880] Eritrean Female West Midlands Home Office Eritrean Female West Midlands Home Office Karen Bradley: In April 2014, there were 111 referrals Filipino Female South NGO to the Government-funded support service for adult Ghanaian Male South Home Office victims of human trafficking in England and Wales, Ghanaian Female North West Police administered by the Salvation Army. In the interests of Guyanian Female South East Home Office victim safety, only the region in which the victim was Hungarian Male Yorkshire NGO encountered is provided, and not which town they were Hungarian Male South East Police placed in. Once an individual receives a Conclusive Indian Female South East Police Grounds decision they will be given tailored support to Indian Female North East NGO safely return home or integrate in the UK. Once they Indonesian Female South NGO exit the service, no formal mechanisms exist to maintain Kenyan Female South East NGO contact. Korean Female Yorkshire Home Office Details of the 111 referrals in April are provided in Latvian Male West Midlands Police the following table: Latvian Female South East Home Office Latvian Female West Midlands Other Nationality Gender Region Agency type Lithuanian Male South Police Lithuanian Male South East Police Albanian Female South Home Office Lithuanian Female South East Police Albanian Female South East Home Office Lithuanian Male Yorkshire NGO Albanian Male East Midlands Local Authority Malaysian Male South East NGO Albanian Female Not Known Home Office Nigerian Female South East Police Albanian Female Not Known Home Office Nigerian Female Not Known Home Office Albanian Female South East Home Office Nigerian Female Wales Legal Albanian Female South East Home Office Representative Albanian Female South East Police Nigerian Female South East Police Albanian Female South East Home Office Nigerian Female South Home Office Albanian Female South Home Office Nigerian Female South Home Office Albanian Female West Midlands Home Office Nigerian Female South East Legal Albanian Female South Home Office Representative Albanian Female South East Home Office Nigerian Female Yorkshire Home Office Albanian Female South Health Services Nigerian Female South Home Office Albanian Female West Midlands Home Office Nigerian Female South NGO Albanian Female South East Home Office Nigerian Female North West Home Office Albanian Female South Home Office Nigerian Female South East Police Albanian Female West Midlands Home Office Nigerian Female South Home Office 455W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 456W

Karen Bradley: The Modern Slavery Bill is an important Nationality Gender Region Agency type step in the fight against modern slavery. The provisions Nigerian Female South NGO in the Bill are designed to protect victims and strengthen Pakistani Female East Home Office the law enforcement response. Increased sentences, Pakistani Male South Self Referral restricting the activities of those who pose a risk to Pakistani Trans-gender South East NGO others and introducing an Anti-Slavery Commissioner Polish Male East Midlands Self Referral will ensure that law enforcement have the tools they Romanian Male South West Police need to prosecute and convict the perpetrators of this Romanian Male South West Police abhorrent crime, while at the same time protecting more Romanian Male South West Police people from becoming victims of this appalling crime. Romanian Male South West Police Romanian Female South Police Illegal Immigrants: Olympic Games 2012 Romanian Male West Midlands Police Romanian Male West Midlands Police Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Romanian Male West Midlands Police Home Department what estimate she has made of the Romanian Male South Police number of people who came to the UK to (a) Romanian Male South Police participate in and (b) spectate at the 2012 Olympic Senegalese Female South East NGO Games who remain in the country illegally. [197837] Sierra Leone Male Yorkshire Home Office Sierra Leone Male South East Local Authority James Brokenshire: Close to 70,000 records of individuals Sierra Leone Female South East Police who were accredited by LOCOG (London Organising Slovakian Female West Midlands Police Committee of the Olympic Games) have been investigated. Slovakian Female North West Police These individuals were subject to immigration control. Sri Lankan Female South East Home Office This would include athletes, coaches, sponsors, etc. but Tanzanian Female North East Home Office the records do not include those who came merely to Ugandan Female East Midlands Home Office watch the Games. Ugandan Female South NGO At the time of the investigations, 82 individuals had Ugandan Female South East Police claimed asylum and 50 had not returned but were in Unknown Female Yorkshire Police possession of another form of legitimate leave. Vietnamese Female South East Local Authority Vietnamese Male South West NGO Immigration Controls Vietnamese Male South West Police Vietnamese Female South East Home Office Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Vietnamese Male South East NGO Home Department what steps are taken so that immigration officers ensure the removal of any face Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the coverings before authorising an individual’s entry to Home Department how many officials are employed in the UK. [197802] her Department’s Human Trafficking Unit; what the purpose of the unit is; and what the role is of each such James Brokenshire: All passengers wearing a veil or face covering on arrival in the United Kingdom will be official. [198147] asked to remove their veil so that their appearance can be compared with the photograph in their passport. If a Karen Bradley: A dedicated Modern Slavery Unit has passenger refuses to remove their veil they will be been set up in the Home Office to lead and coordinate detained until they do so. cross-Government activity to stamp out this terrible crime. The Modern Slavery Unit currently comprises Immigration: Telephone Services 13 members of staff and is responsible for a comprehensive programme of activity, which includes development of Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the the Modern Slavery Bill, and management of the adult Home Department what the annual cost is of the victim care contract. In addition, one member of staff asylum and immigration hotline open to hon. has been seconded from the Foreign and Commonwealth Members. [197460] Office to lead on international issues. There are also six members of staff working on the review of the National James Brokenshire: I wrote to the hon. Member, on Referral Mechanism. This team is independent of the 12 May. A copy of the letter was also placed in the Modern Slavery Unit. House Library. The Modern Slavery Unit is further supported by a The MPs’ hotline is a dedicated resource, for Members, number of staff across the Home Office who work on based in Croydon and answers queries on Members’ related modern slavery issues including child trafficking constituents’ immigration queries. The staffing costs of and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. This is in the MPs’ hotline for 2013 were £180,240. addition to the operational caseworkers in UK Visas and Immigration, who are involved in decision making Licensing Laws: Wales on individual cases. David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which people from Wales the Home Department what his Department’s responded to the consultation on the relaxation of priorities are for provisions to be included in the licensing hours during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. forthcoming Modern Slavery Bill. [903852] [198131] 457W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 458W

Norman Baker: The Government received 25 responses Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State to the online consultation on the relaxation of licensing for the Home Department when she intends to reply to hours during the FIFA World Cup from respondents the letter to her dated 19 March 2014 from the right who identified themselves as living or working in Wales. hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to This included nine from members of the public, seven Mr F. Mir. [198192] from licensing authorities, three from the licensed trade or trade organisations and two from the police and four James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member from ‘other’. The response to the consultation is available on 8 May 2014. online at the gov.uk website. Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State Members: Correspondence for the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 17 March 2014 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Asif Rafiq. [198193] the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to the Minister for Immigration and Security James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member dated 10 March 2014, from the right hon. Member for on 8 May 2014. Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms S Ejaz. [197502] Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member for the Home Department when she intends to reply to on 6 May 2014. the letter to her dated 17 March 2014 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr M. Barzi. [198194] the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 13 March 2014 from the right hon. James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right. hon. Member Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs S today, 13 May 2014. Rajabbi. [197505] Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member the Home Department when she intends to reply to the on 6 May 2014. letter to the Immigration and Security Minister dated 27 March 2014 from the right hon. Member for Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State Manchester, Gorton with regard to Dr M Hatamleh. for the Home Department when she intends to reply to [198195] the letter to her dated 17 March 2014 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member Mr A A Dada Shzadeh. [197507] on 6 May 2014.

James Brokenshire: A Home Office official replied to Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the right hon. Member on 2 May 2014. the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to the Minister for Immigration and Security dated 16 March 2014 from the right hon. Member for Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms S Ejaz. [198196] the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 17 March 2014 from the right James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to on 6 May 2014. Mr M Barzi. [197508] Metals: Licensing James Brokenshire: I replied to the right hon. Member today, 13 May 2014. Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for proportion of applicants for scrap metal dealer’s the Home Department when she intends to reply to licences who were not known to their local authority the letter to her dated 19 March 2014 from the right under the previous registration system. [198269] hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to MrFMir. [197509] Norman Baker: No estimate has been made of the proportion of applicants for scrap metal dealer’s licences James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member who were not known to their local authority under the on 8 May 2014. previous registration system.

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Offenders: Deportation the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 24 March 2014 from the right Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Home Department what the average length of time Mr Abdul Rehman. [197510] spent in prison awaiting deportation for those foreign national prisoners beyond the end of their sentence was James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member in the latest period for which figures are available. on 8 May 2014. [195725] 459W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 460W

James Brokenshire: The average length of time foreign Prison name Total national offenders (FNOs) were held in prison beyond the end of their sentence pending deportation, as of 31 HMP Belmarsh 10 December 2013 is 234 calendar days. This is the mean HMP Birmingham (Winson Green) 15 average, calculated using the table shown which was HMP Brinsford 5 provided in response to PQ 195817. HMP Bristol 5 It should be noted that the small number of FNOs HMP Brixton 10 who fall in the 24 to 60 and 60+ months categories HMP Bronzefield 10 (45 individuals out of 850) heavily skew the mean. By HMP Bullingdon 25 way of context, the modal average length of time in HMP Bure 5 prison for the same cases is 32 days. HMP Cardiff 5 HMP Channings Wood * Time held beyond end of sentence Total HMP Chelmsford 15 HMP Coldingley * 0-1 month 110 HMP Dartmoor * 1-2 months 110 HMP Deerbolt 5 2-6 months 285 HMP Doncaster 10 6-12 months 200 HMP Dorchester * 12-24 months 100 HMP Dovegate * 24-60 months 35 HMP Drake Hall 5 60+ months 10 HMP Dumfries * Grand Total 850 HMP Durham * Notes: HMP Eastwood Park * 1. All figures quoted have been derived from management information HMP Edinburgh 5 and are therefore provisional and subject to change. This information HMP Elmley 5 has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. HMP Elmley (Sheppey Cluster) 30 2. Figures relate to main applicants only. 3. Figures relate to FNO cases who met the criteria for deportation HMP Erlestoke House * only. HMP Everthorpe * 4. Figures rounded to the nearest5(-=0,*=1or2)andmaynot HMP Exeter * sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding. HMP Featherstone 5 5. Data are a snapshot of individuals detained in prison on 31 December HMP Feltham 15 2013. HMP Forest Bank 15 We make every effort to ensure that a person’s removal HMP Garth * by deportation coincides, as far as possible, with his/her HMP Glen Parva 10 release from prison on completion of sentence. Where a HMP Guys Marsh 5 detainee refuses to cooperate with the removal or HMP Haverrigg * deportation process, detention may be prolonged. HMP Hewell 15 The Immigration Bill will have a significant impact HMP High Down 15 on the ability of FNOs to delay removal by mounting HMP Highpoint North 20 legal challenges while in the UK. The current appeals HMP Highpoint South 10 system means that 17 different types of decision can be HMP Holloway 15 appealed. The Immigration Bill will simplify the appeals HMP Holme House 5 system and mean that appeals can only be brought HMP Hull * where the Home Office has refused a protection (asylum HMP Huntercombe and Finnamore 35 or humanitarian protection) claim, a human rights HMP Lancaster Farms * claim or a claim based on EU free movement rights. It HMP Leeds (Armley) 15 will also give us the power to certify that where deportation HMP Leicester 10 will not cause serious irreversible harm, the appeal will HMP Lewes 5 be heard after the FNO has left the country. HMP Lincoln 20 HMP Lindholme 5 Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the HMP Littlehey 15 Home Department how many foreign nationals who HMP Liverpool 10 have served their sentence but are awaiting deportation HMP Long Lartin * there are in each prison. [195803] HMP Low Newton * HMP Maidstone 45 James Brokenshire: The number of Foreign National HMP Manchester 10 Offenders (FNOs) detained in prison beyond the end of HMP Moorland 20 their sentence pending deportation (as of 31 December HMP New Hall * 2013) is shown in the following table: HMP Northumberland * HMP Norwich 10 Prison name Total HMP Nottingham 15 HMP and YOI Isis 10 HMP Oakwood 5 HMP Addiewell * HMP Parc 5 HMP Altcourse * HMP Pentonville 45 HMP Aylesbury 5 HMP Peterborough 15 HMP Barlinnie 5 HMP Portland 5 HMP Bedford 5 HMP Preston * 461W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 462W

Prison name Total Time held beyond end of sentence Total

HMP Ranby 15 2-6 months 285 HMP Risley 15 6-12 months 200 HMP Rochester * 12-24 months 100 HMP Send * 24-60 months 35 HMP Shotts * 60+ months 10 HMP Stafford 5 Grand Total 850 HMP Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster) * 1. All figures quoted have been derived from management information and are HMP Stoke Heath 5 therefore provisional and subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. HMP Styal * 2. Figures relate to main applicants only. HMP Swinfen Hall * 3. Figures relate to FNO cases who met the criteria for deportation only. HMP Thameside 35 4. Figures rounded to the nearest5(-=0,*=1or2)andmaynotsumtothe totals shown because of independent rounding. HMP The Mount 10 5. Data is a snapshot of individuals detained in prison on 31 December 2013. HMP Wakefield * We make every effort to ensure that a person’s removal HMP Wandsworth 45 by deportation coincides, as far as possible, with his/her HMP Wayland * release from prison on completion of sentence. Where a HMP Whatton * detainee refuses to cooperate with the removal or HMP Winchester * deportation process, detention may be prolonged. HMP Wolds * HMP Woodhill 15 The Immigration Bill will have a significant impact HMP Wormwood Scrubs 60 on the ability of FNOs to delay removal by mounting HMP Wymott 5 legal challenges whilst in the UK. The current appeals Grand total 850 system means that 17 different types of decision can be Notes: appealed. The Immigration Bill will simplify the appeals 1. All figures quoted have been derived from management information and are system and mean that appeals can only be brought therefore provisional and subject to change. This information has not been where the Home Office has refused a protection (asylum quality assured under National Statistics protocols. 2. Figures relate to main applicants only. or humanitarian protection) claim, a human rights 3. Figures relate to criteria FNO cases only. claim or a claim based on EU free movement rights. It 4. Figures rounded to the nearest5(‘-’=0,*=1or2)andmaynotsumtothe totals shown because of independent rounding. will also give us the power to certify that where deportation 5. Data is a snapshot of individuals detained in prison on 31 December 2013. will not cause serious irreversible harm, the appeal will be heard after the FNO has left the country. We make every effort to ensure that a person’s removal by deportation coincides, as far as possible, with his/her release from prison on completion of sentence. Where a Official Visits: Uganda detainee refuses to co-operate with the removal or deportation process, detention may be prolonged. Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the The Immigration Bill will have a significant impact Home Department what the names are of all those on the ability of FNOs to delay removal by mounting issued visas in connection with the current visit of legal challenges while in the UK. The current appeals President Museveni of Uganda. [197911] system means that 17 different types of decision can be appealed. The Immigration Bill will simplify the appeals James Brokenshire: It is not the policy of the Home system and mean that appeals can only be brought Office to comment on the detail of individual applications. where the Home Office has refused a protection (asylum or humanitarian protection) claim, a human rights Private Investigators claim or a claim based on EU free movement rights. It will also give us the power to certify that where deportation Sir Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for will not cause serious irreversible harm, the appeal will the Home Department pursuant to the answer of be heard after the offender has left the country. 26 February 2014, Official Report, column 346W, on private investigations, when the terms and conditions Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the for private investigator licences will be published. Home Department how many foreign nationals in [198138] prison awaiting deportation beyond the end of their sentence have spent (a) up to one month, (b) up to Karen Bradley: The terms and conditions for licences two months, (c) up to six months, (d) up to to conduct private investigations will be issued by the 12 months, (e) up to 24 months, (f) up to 60 months Security Industry Authority (SIA)-the regulator of the and (g) over 60 months awaiting deportation. [195817] private security industry-before the implementation of the new statutory licensing requirement. James Brokenshire: The following table shows the number of time served Foreign National Offenders Proceeds of Crime (FNOs) in prison pending deportation, based on the length of time held beyond the end of their sentence, as Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for of 31 December 2013. the Home Department with which countries the UK has asset sharing agreements for the purposes of Time held beyond end of sentence Total freezing, confiscating and repatriating the proceeds of 0-1 month 110 crime; and how many such agreements have been 1-2 months 110 reached since 2010-11. [197341] 463W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 464W

Karen Bradley: The UK is party to a number of Roads: Lighting multilateral international agreements that contain asset recovery and asset sharing provisions. These include the Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Home Department what research her Department has Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime, undertaken on the relationship between levels of street the UN Convention Against Corruption and the UN lighting and the incidence of (a) burglaries, (b) Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime. offences against the person and (c) other crimes. The UK does not require a formal international agreement [197999] to be able to cooperate with another country in respect of freezing, confiscating and sharing or repatriating the Norman Baker: The Home Office has not undertaken proceeds of crime but does have 37 bilateral mutual any recent research into the relationship between levels legal assistance agreements with other countries including of street lighting and the incidence of crimes. such provisions. These are: 1. Algeria Theft: Metals 2. Antigua and Barbuda 3. Argentina Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the 4. Australia Home Department what discussions she has had with 5. Bahamas her EU counterparts on the export of stolen scrap 6. Bahrain metal. [198210] 7. Barbados 8. Brazil Norman Baker: Home Office Ministers have regular 9. Canada meetings with ministerial colleagues and EU counterparts 10. Chile as part of the process of policy development and delivery. 11. Colombia As was the case with previous administrations, it is not 12. Ecuador the Government’s practice to provide details of all such 13. Grenada meetings. 14. Guyana Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the 15. Hong Kong SAR Home Department what advice her Department has 16. India issued to police forces on working with the UK Border 17. Ireland Force in preventing the export of stolen scrap metal. 18. Italy [198211] 19. Jordan 20. Libya Norman Baker: The Home Office has not issued 21. Malaysia guidance on this point to police forces. However, work 22. Mexico is underway in UK Border Force and other law enforcement organisations to tackle this problem, including the better 23. Netherlands profiling and identification of containers that may contain 24. Nigeria stolen metal. They are also looking at whether there are 25. Panama technological solutions that can be used to better secure 26. Paraguay our borders. 27. Philippines 28. Romania Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the 29. Saudi Arabia Home Department what organisation will take over the competencies of the National Metal Theft Taskforce 30. Spain once funding for that body ends. [198212] 31. Sweden 32. Thailand Norman Baker: The Home Office will continue to 33. UAE contribute to the funding of the National Metal Theft 34. Ukraine Taskforce until 30 September 2014. The decision to 35. Uruguay provide funding until that date ensures the Taskforce 36. USA operates concurrently with the first year of the new licensing scheme under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 37. Vietnam 2013. After that date, future enforcement activity will The agreements with Jordan and Malaysia have been become the responsibility of individual police forces concluded since 2010. based on their local crime priorities. It was never the There are a further six bilateral agreements limited to intention that the Taskforce would continue indefinitely. the issue of asset sharing. These are: 1. Canada Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2. Jersey Home Department what recent assessment her 3. Hong Kong SAR Department has made of the level of stolen scrap metal exported for sale abroad. [198268] 4. Ireland 5. Jamaica Norman Baker: The Home Office has not undertaken 6. Netherlands an assessment of the level of stolen scrap metal exported These were all concluded prior to 2010. for sale abroad. 465W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 466W

We are aware of the risk that stolen metals may be At Westminster magistrates court, which is the only directly exported and so work is underway with UK court that deals with outgoing extraditions, a court-based Border Force and other law enforcement organisations mental health team makes an assessment of defendants to deal with this, including the better profiling and making their first appearance in custody, who include identification of containers that may contain stolen all defendants in extradition cases. metal. We are also looking to see whether there are any technological solutions we can use to better secure our Bail borders. UK Visas and Immigration Directorate Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what average period of time is spent on bail by Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the an offender whose case is dealt with in a (a) Home Department how many people were employed magistrates court and (b) Crown court where the by the UK Visa and Immigration Directorate on offender (i) pleads guilty at the outset, (ii) changes their 1 April 2014. [197261] plea to guilty during the course of the proceedings and (iii) pleads not guilty. [197785] James Brokenshire: The number of people (paid and unpaid civil servants as well as agency and contractors Mr Vara: Information on bail and remand collected substituting as civil servants) employed by UK Visas centrally by the Ministry of Justice and held on the and Immigration on 31 March 2014 was 7,107 (6,598.67 court proceedings database does not include any full-time equivalent). information on the length of time defendants were held on bail or remand. This information could only be In line with Office for National statistics guidelines, ascertained by reference to individual court files which all Government Departments are required to report could be achieved only at disproportionate cost. their official statistics relating to numbers of employees using calendar month end dates. This answer has therefore been provided using information as at 31 March 2014 Brighton rather than 1 April 2014. Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to relocate (a) staff and (b) offices of his Department to Brighton; and if JUSTICE he will make a statement. [197441] Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse Jeremy Wright: Although reducing and rationalising Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the Ministry of Justice estate could result in relocations, how many people in (a) Rossendale and (b) Darwen there is no centrally driven relocation target to this were found guilty of (i) drunk and disorderly behaviour effect. Any relocation is done based on the operational and (ii) drunk and aggravated behaviour in each of the needs of the Department. The Ministry of Justice currently last three years. [194835] has no plans to relocate its staff or offices to Brighton. The Ministry of Justice continues to work with the Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice Court Government Property Unit to ensure that the Ministry Proceedings Database holds information on defendants of Justice estate operates in an efficient manner and proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal represents value for money. offences in England and Wales. This database holds information on offences provided by the statutes under Burglary which proceedings are brought but not the specific circumstances of each case. It is not possible to separately Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for identify from this centrally held information the location Justice what assessment his Department has made of of an offence or the home address of an offender. This the effect of burglary on children. [196614] detailed information may be held on the court record but due to the size and complexity is not reported Damian Green: I recognise that burglary can have centrally to the MOJ. As such, the information requested severe emotional and other negative effects on victims, can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. particularly on children, for whom the safety and security Arrest Warrants of the home is especially important. The Government’s new Code of Practice for Victims Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for of Crime, which came into force on 10 December 2013, Justice what steps his Department is taking to ensure gives victims of crime clearer entitlements from criminal adequate procedural safeguards are in place for justice agencies and better tailors services to individual vulnerable defendants in European Arrest Warrant need. Under the code, criminal justice agencies must proceedings. [184542] provide enhanced services to vulnerable victims, including victims under the age of 18. The code contains a section Mr Vara: Legal aid is available for extradition proceedings dedicated to the needs of children and young people. in the same way as any other criminal proceedings, The code also entitles victims to make a victim personal subject to passing the interests of justice test and means statement (VPS) which provides them with a stronger test; and the services of an interpreter are available to voice in the criminal justice process. Therefore child any defendant who needs them. These safeguards are victims of burglary, or other crimes, are able to explain not limited to vulnerable defendants. in their own words how the crime has affected them. 467W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 468W

CAFCASS (2) how many senior decision makers were employed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for each region on (a) 31 March 2011, (b) 31 March 2012 Justice what estimate he has made of levels of and (c) 31 March 2013. [193735] satisfaction with CAFCASS among younger children who do not complete formal feedback forms. [197639] Damian Green: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Simon Hughes: While complaints made to CAFCASS Authority (CICA) divides its case work between six by children and young people are monitored nationally, teams, each of which handles applications from a particular it collects, monitors and acts on feedback at a local region of Great Britain. When the need arises they also level. CAFCASS has commissioned the Family Justice create cross-regional special exercise teams to carry out YoungPeople’s Board to review how children and young projects. All of these teams work from a single office. people provide feedback to CAFCASS and advise on Northern Ireland has a separate Criminal Injuries ways to encourage more feedback both via formal and Compensation Scheme, which CICA does not administer. informal routes. CAFCASS now has various methods The six regional teams are numbered as follows: of obtaining feedback from the children and young 1. Scotland and Wales people it works with which include more formal methods 2. North-west England such as feedback forms and more informal and child- 3. North-east England friendly methods such as ‘feedback trees’. Feedback trees encourage children to write out or draw their 4. Midlands feelings on how CAFCASS has worked with them, 5. South England allowing CAFCASS practitioners to build on this feedback. 6. London There is no central or national monitoring of this CICA publish detailed datasets of their staff numbers informal feedback. broken down by job title, but these do not specify which Compensation regional team someone works in. The table sets out how many staff CICA employed on the dates specified, and Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of those were senior decision makers (SDMs) what the target time is for a decision on an application and decision makers (DMs) in each region. CICA may for compensation. [193876] move staff between regions throughout the year to fill temporary staff vacancies or address variances in the Damian Green: The Criminal Injuries Compensation number of cases each region is handling. These figures Authority (CICA) does not have a target. The average do not show if staff were temporarily redeployed to (mean) time between application receipt and the Criminal assist another region on the date specified. Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) initially deciding In recent years CICA have invested in improved the case was 8.8 months in 2012-13. technology and introduced more efficient processes which This time taken varies depending on the individual’s have allowed them to reduce administration costs while circumstances and the complexity of the case: for some maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. serious injuries claims can only be finalised when the extent of the impact on their health or ability to earn Number of Number of Number of becomes clear. The Criminal Injuries Compensation SDMs DMs staff Authority (CICA) seeks to decide cases as quickly as possible. 31 March 2011 Region 1 2 6 443 Criminal Injuries Compensation Region 2 1 11 Region 3 3 6 Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many applications were made to the Criminal Region 4 2 7 Injuries Compensation Authority’s hardship fund in Region 5 3 5 2012-13; and what proportion of such applications was Region 6 3 7 successful. [197801] Special exercise 1 4 Damian Green: The hardship fund opened on 27 November 2012 so only covered four months of the 31 March 2012 2012-13 financial year. In that time the Criminal Injuries Region 1 2 3 407 Compensation Authority received nine applications for Region 2 3 6 hardship funds. Two of these were withdrawn by the Region 3 1 5 applicant and one was redirected to be considered under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which Region 4 3 6 was more appropriate to the facts in that case. Region 5 3 7 All six of the remaining applications were successful. Region 6 3 7 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority 31 March 2013 Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Region 1 2 5 369 (1) how many staff were employed by the Criminal Region 2 1 7 Injuries Compensation Authority on (a) 31 March Region 3 0 6 2011, (b) 31 March 2012 and (c) 31 March 2013; Region 4 5 6 [193899] 469W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 470W

Simon Hughes: The Government is currently reviewing Number of Number of Number of SDMs DMs staff the sanctions available for breaches under the Data Protection Act 1998. This includes considering whether Region 5 3 8 to consult on introducing section 77 (CJIA) and commence Region 6 2 7 the enhanced public interest defence under section 78 Special exercise 4 2 (CJIA).

Criminal Proceedings Electronic Government

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress he has made implementing the Justice pursuant to the oral answer of 30 April 2014, recommendations of Getting It Right for Victims and Official Report, column 815, how the assisted digital Witnesses, Cm 8288, published in January 2012; and if service for lasting power of attorney is provided and he will make a statement. [197988] accessed; and what assisted digital services are in place for other Government digital services. [198286] Damian Green: We have made great progress in implementing all recommendations from the ‘Getting it Simon Hughes: The Office of the Public Guardian right for victims and witnesses’ consultation. (an Executive agency of the Ministry of Justice) is From 1 October this year the majority of support services for piloting an assisted digital service through three third victims of crime will be commissioned locally by PCCs, who are sector organisations: Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and best placed to understand the needs of victims in their community. CAB. Customers identified as requiring the service are MOJ are nationally commissioning a number of services for signposted by the OPG contact centre to the providers victims and witnesses, specifically the Homicide Service, the court national contact numbers. The pilots are being used to based witness service and the rape support fund, as well as some assess the extent of the assisted digital need and to national helplines for victims. evaluate different methods for delivery. Support services, whether commissioned locally or nationally, will for the first time be focused on outcomes, supporting victims Before going live every digital by default service is to cope with the immediate impacts of crime, and as far as is required to make sure appropriate assisted digital support possible, help them to recover. is in place. Services are working with GDS to understand The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime came into force on who their assisted digital users are and what this support 10 December 2013. The Code gives victims of crime clearer should look like. entitlements from the criminal justice system and tailors services to individual need so they get the right support at the right time. It Family Courts also includes a section dedicated to people under 18, their parents and guardians and a separate chapter for businesses. We wanted to give victims a stronger voice in the criminal Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for justice system. That is why the new Victims’ Code entitles victims Justice what proportion of (a) judges and (b) to make a Victim Personal Statement to leave the in no doubt magistrates who deal with family court cases are (i) about the impact of their crime on the victim. The Code now male and (ii) female. [197799] includes an improved complaints process. The Government has also published the Witness Charter alongside Mr Vara: The Government is committed to judicial the Victims’ Code, which demonstrates our commitment to improving diversity—it is important that judges and magistrates all witnesses’ experience of the criminal justice system. reflect the diverse communities in which they serve. I We are currently piloting pre-trial cross-examination in Leeds, am able to provide an answer to the first part of the Liverpool and Kingston–upon–Thames crown courts, allowing vulnerable witnesses to give evidence in advance and sparing question—the following table provides the gender them from facing questioning during the trial. breakdown of judges who deal with family cases. We reformed the Victim Surcharge in October 2012 to increase fines and extend it to a wider range of cases to ensure more Number Percentage offenders pay towards the cost of victims’ services. Penalty Notices Male 765 65 for Disorder (PNDs) were increased from 1 July 2013 for the same aim. A clause included in the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014 Female 411 35 will prevent offenders sentenced in the magistrates’ courts from Total 1,176 — discharging the Surcharge as additional days in custody. I am unable to provide an answer to the information We implemented a revised Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme in November 2012 that focuses on seriously injured requested about magistrates—to do so would require victims of serious crime. each of the 47 local advisory committees to check the More money than ever before will be available for services to individual personal records of all of the family court support victims of crime, with a potential total budget of up to magistrates in their respective areas. This would incur £100 million, double MOJ’s current spending of around £50 million. disproportionate costs. Information on magistrates’diversity more generally is published on the judiciary website at: Data Protection http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/ statistics/magistrates-statistics Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for In relation to my hon. Friend’s question about the Justice when he expects to consult on the introduction gender profile of magistrates who sit in the family of custodial sentences under section 77 of the Criminal court, I trust it will be of some assistance if I explain Justice and Immigration Act 2008 relating to data that the gender profile for the 21,641 serving magistrates protection breaches; and if he will make a statement. overall is currently 10,317 (48%) male and 11,324 (52%) [198236] female. 471W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 472W

Ford Prison Fraud: Social Security Benefits

Mr Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for how many prisoners released on temporary licence Justice what proportion of (a) men and (b) women from Ford Open Prison failed to return in each of the found guilty of benefit fraud in each of the last last five years. [197782] 10 years received (i) immediate custodial sentences and (B) non-custodial sentences. [197800]

Jeremy Wright: The following table shows the number Jeremy Wright: The sentencing framework and of releases on temporary licence and failures to return sentencing guidelines apply equally to all offenders. recorded at HMP Ford since 2008. Data on failures to Sentencing is entirely a matter for the courts, taking return is unavailable before 2009 and centrally held data account of all the circumstances of each case. This will on temporary releases is unavailable for 2009 and 2010 include the seriousness of the offence, including all when a new prison database system was introduced. aggravating and mitigating factors, and a guilty plea. Data on temporary release failures for 2013 will be Fraud has a maximum penalty of 10 years’imprisonment published later this year: and there are various other offences which are specific HMP Ford: Release on temporary licence and failures to return to benefit fraud, with maximum penalties of up to 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 seven years’ imprisonment. The courts must follow the relevant sentencing guideline in their approach to sentencing. Failures to return — 10 12 18 28 Last year, the Sentencing Council conducted a public Temporary releases 21,145 — — 24,606 33,381 consultation on a new draft guideline for fraud and a new definitive guideline, informed by the responses Failures on ROTL remain very rare, consistently received, will apply in due course. accounting for less that one tenth of 1% of all releases, but they are taken seriously. In March, we announced a In addition to criminal penalties, those convicted of range of measures to strengthen the existing temporary benefit fraud also face a restriction on their benefits for release provisions to ensure that the right balance is an extended period. always struck between facilitating resettlement and The number of men and women sentenced at all protecting the public. Under our plans, there will be a courts for offences relating to benefit fraud in England more consistent, tougher approach to dealing with ROTL and Wales from 2002 to 2012 (latest data available) can failures and, in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, we be viewed in the table. are seeking to increase the maximum penalty for failing Please note that court proceedings statistics for the to return from ROTL from six months’ to two years’ year 2013 are planned to be published by the Ministry imprisonment. of Justice on 15 May 2014.

Males and Females sentenced at all courts for offences relating to benefit fraud1, England and Wales, 2002-122, 3, 4 Sex Year Sentenced Immediate custody Non custodial sentences5

Male 2002 3,919 141 3,778 2003 3,995 115 3,880 2004 4,285 148 4,137 2005 4,387 168 4,219 2006 3,928 169 3,759 2007 4,065 111 3,954 2008 3,572 172 3,400 2009 2,855 179 2,676 2010 2,624 106 2,518 2011 2,556 163 2,393 2012 3,341 135 3,206 Female 2002 3,910 59 3,851 2003 3,958 71 3,887 2004 3,904 82 3,822 2005 4,107 131 3,976 2006 4,240 103 4,137 2007 4,452 89 4,363 2008 4,231 90 4,141 2009 3,544 121 3,423 2010 3,263 102 3,161 2011 3,014 123 2,891 473W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 474W

Males and Females sentenced at all courts for offences relating to benefit fraud1, England and Wales, 2002-122, 3, 4 Sex Year Sentenced Immediate custody Non custodial sentences5

2012 3,847 115 3,732 ″-″ Nil 1 Includes the following offences: Social Security Administration Act 1992 added by Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997-Dishonest representation for obtaining benefits Social Security Administration Act 1992-False representation. Contravention of regulations etc. Social Security Administration Act 1992 as amended by Social security Act 1998-Knowingly being concerned in fraudulent evasion of contributions Social Security Administration Act 1992-Illegal possession of documents relating to benefits etc. 2 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 4 Excludes those cases where the defendant’s sex was ’not stated’. 5 Includes the following: absolute and conditional discharge, fine, community sentence, suspended sentence, otherwise dealt with. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for and women found guilty for offences relating to benefit Justice pursuant to the answer of 9 April 2014, Official fraud by court type in England and Wales from 2008 to Report, columns 244-46W, on fraud: social security 2012 (latest data available) is shown in the following benefits, how many of the convictions listed were dealt table. with at (a) magistrates courts and (b) Crown courts. [197883] Please note that court proceedings statistics for the year 2013 are planned to be published by the Ministry Mr Vara: Pursuant to the answer of 9 April 2014, of Justice on 15 May 2014. Official Report, columns 244-46W, the number of men

Males and females found guilty for benefit fraud1, by court type, England and Wales, 2008-122, 3, 4 Court type Gender 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Magistrates court Male 3,228 2,437 2,210 2,161 3,026 Female 3,695 2,935 2,582 2,337 3,314

Crown court Male 343 394 393 370 277 Female 504 576 627 622 484 1 Includes the following offences: Social Security Administration Act 1992 added by Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997—Dishonest representation for obtaining benefits Social Security Administration Act 1992—False representation. Contravention of regulations etc. Social Security Administration Act 1992 as amended by Social Security Act 1998—Knowingly being concerned in fraudulent evasion of contributions. Social Security Administration Act 1992—Illegal possession of documents relating to benefits etc. 2 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 4 Excludes those cases where the defendant’s sex was ‘not stated’. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services: Ministry of Justice.

Health: Research place. These concerns centre on amendments to the proposed Regulation that have been agreed by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) committee Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice of the European Parliament. what steps he is taking to ensure that the proposed General European Data Protection Regulation does The Government’s view is that the ability of researchers not prevent health research involving personal data to process personal data in the way that they are legitimately from taking place. [187610] able to do so at present must be preserved. The Government is alert to the concerns raised and will continue to Simon Hughes: The Government is aware of the engage with representatives of the research community concerns raised by representatives of the research about the processing of personal data for medical research community about amendments to the proposed EU purposes under the proposed Regulation. General Data Protection Regulation that could prevent Negotiations on the EU data protection framework health research involving personal data from taking are ongoing and the final text will be subject to the 475W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 476W co-decision of the Council of the European Union and Female defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty and 1 2, 3 the European Parliament under the ordinary legislative sentenced for sexual offences against children , England and Wales, 2008-12 4 procedure. However, negotiations have yet to begin Outcome 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 between the Council and the Parliament as the Council Average custodial sentence 40.5 36.2 26.1 54.6 40.8 has not yet agreed a position on the text. length (months)

Magistrates’ Courts Custody rate5 (percentage) 53 50 50 54 64 1 Includes sexual offences against a child where the age of the victim has been recognised: Sexual Offences Act 2003, s1, s5, s6, s7, s8, s9, s10, s11, s12, s14, s15, Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for s16, s17, s18, s19, s25, s26, s47, s48, s49, s50; Criminal Justice Act 1988, s160; Justice what assessment he has made of magistrates’ Protection of Children Act 1978, s1; Indecency with Children Act 1960, s1; use of two year sentencing powers; and if he will make Sexual Offences Act 1956, s28. 2 The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were a statement. [197786] the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest Jeremy Wright: A Detention and Training Order, the penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum main custodial sentence for children and young people, penalty is the most severe. can be up to 24 months in length and is available to 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and magistrates sitting in the YouthCourt. The Government complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police has not made an assessment of magistrates use of this forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection order. processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. There are a range of disposals available to magistrates 4 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. when dealing with children and young people which are 5 Conviction ratio is calculated as the number of convictions as a proportion of the number of proceedings. designed to address offending behaviour. Through our Source: reforms this Government has taken steps to improve the Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice. youth sentencing framework. Female defendants found not guilty1 of sexual offences against children2, England and Wales, 2008-123, 4 Northern Ireland Number

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 20085 17 when he last met the Minister for Justice in Northern 2009 14 Ireland; and what subjects were discussed at this 2010 19 meeting. [197835] 2011 19 2012 21 1 Includes cases where proceedings discontinued, discharged, withdrawn, dismissed Damian Green: The Lord Chancellor and Secretary at all courts and, at Crown courts only, defendants not tried and acquitted. The of State for Justice, my right hon. Friend the Member number found guilty and found not guilty in a year can be greater than the for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) had a meeting number proceeded against in that year if they include cases from previous years. 2 Includes sexual offences against a child where the age of the victim has been with David Ford, the Northern Ireland Justice Minister recognised: Sexual Offences Act 2003, s1, s5, s6, s7, s8, s9, s10, s11, s12, s14, s15, on 6 February 2013 in Belfast at which they discussed s16, s17, s18, s19, s25, s26, s47, s48, s49, s50; Criminal Justice Act 1988, s160. matters of mutual interest in relation to justice policy. 3 The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest Offences Against Children penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for 4 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and Justice how many women have been charged with child complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police sex offences but not convicted in each of the last three forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection years. [195893] processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 5 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Simon Hughes: The proportion of offenders given Source: custody for sexual offences has increased since 2003. Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice. The number of female defendants proceeded against Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for at magistrates courts and found guilty or not guilty at Justice (1) how many people have been convicted of an all courts for sexual offences against children, in England offence contrary to sections 33 or 41 of the Sexual and Wales from 2008 to 2012 (the latest data available), Offences Act 2003, where the person caused to watch can be viewed in the table. the sexual activity in question was a child, in each of Court Proceedings data for calendar year 2013 are the last four years; [194004] planned for publication in May 2014 Charging data is (2) how many people have been convicted of an not held by the Ministry of Justice. offence contrary to sections 31 or 39 of the Sexual Female defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty and 1 2, 3 Offences Act 2003, where the person caused or incited sentenced for sexual offences against children , England and Wales, 2008-12 to engage in sexual activity was a child, in each of the Outcome 20084 2009 2010 2011 2012 last four years; [194005] Proceeded against 31 43 42 46 50 (3) how many people have been convicted of an Found guilty 15 22 24 24 34 offence contrary to section 36 of the Sexual Offences Conviction ratio (percentage) 48 51 57 52 68 Act 2003, where the person who agreed to be present or Sentenced 15 22 24 24 33 in a place from which the person committing the Of which: offence could be observed was a child, in each of the Immediate custody 8 11 12 13 21 last four years; [194006] 477W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 478W

(4) how many people have been convicted of an relating to sexual abuse including the abuse of children. offence contrary to sections 32 or 40 of the Sexual The proportion of offenders sentenced who were sentenced Offences Act 2003, where the person who was present to immediate custody rose to 86% in 2012, compared to or in a place from which the person committing the 58% in 2009. offence could be seen was a child, in each of the last four years; [194007] The number of defendants found guilty of offences under sections 30 to 41 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, (5) how many people have been convicted of an in England and Wales from 2008 to 2012 can be viewed offence contrary to sections 35 or 37 of the Sexual in the table. Offences Act 2003, where the person induced, threatened or received was a child in each of the last Court proceedings data for England and Wales for four years; [194008] 2013 are planned for publication as part of the Criminal (6) how many people have been convicted of an Justice Statistics publication in May 2014. offence contrary to sections 30, 34 or 38 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, where the offence was committed It is not possible separately to identify the age of the against a child in each of the last four years. [194009] victim from centrally held data or to give figures for each individual offence requested. Damian Green: Our laws in these areas are robust and clear. The Government takes very seriously all matters

Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty and sentenced at all courts for offences under Sections 30-41 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, England and Wales, 2008-121, 2, 3 Outcome 20084 2009 2010 2011 2012

Proceeded against 46 44 62 42 44 Found guilty 19 26 31 30 29 Conviction ratio5 (percentage) 41 59 50 71 66

Sentenced 19 26 29 31 28 Of which: Immediate custody 14 15 19 21 24 Suspended sentence 2 6 4 3 1 Community sentence 3 3 5 7 3 Fine ————— Conditional discharge — — — — — Absolute discharge — — — — — Otherwise dealt with5 — 2 1—— Custody rate6 (percentage) 74 58 66 68 86 1 The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, these data have been extracted from large administrativedata systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 The number of offenders sentenced can differ from those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty in a particular year, and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following year. 4 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. 5 Conviction ratio is calculated as the number of convictions as a proportion of the number of proceedings. 6 The proportion of offenders sentenced who are sentenced to immediate custody. Note: The category Otherwise Dealt With (ODW) includes: one day in police cells; disqualification order; restraining order; confiscation order; travel restriction order; disqualification from driving; recommendation for deportation; and other miscellaneous disposals. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Open Prisons assessed as having a low risk of harm to the public and a low risk of absconding by the independent Parole Board and/or NOMS. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 1 May 2014, Official Indeterminate sentence prisoners located in open Report, column 763W, on open prisons, what offences conditions have been rigorously risk assessed and were committed by each of the offenders in prison for categorised as being of a low enough risk to the public violence against the person. [197807] to warrant their placement in an open prison. They will have previously spent time in prisons with higher levels of security, before being transferred to open conditions Jeremy Wright: Open prisons have been used since if recommended by the Parole Board—or directed through 1936, because they are the most effective means of NOMS. Time spent in open prisons affords prisoners ensuring that prisoners are suitably risk-assessed before the opportunity to find work, re-establish family ties, they are released into the community under appropriate reintegrate into the community and ensure housing licence conditions. These prisons also provide effective needs are met. For many prisoners, in particular those, supervision for prisoners who do not require the security such as indeterminate sentence prisoners who have spent conditions of the closed estate, because they have been a considerable amount of time in custody; these are 479W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 480W essential components for successful reintegration in the Prerogative of Mercy community and therefore an important factor in protecting the public. To release these prisoners directly from a Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice closed prison without the resettlement benefits of the whether all people who received a Royal Prerogative of open estate would undoubtedly lead to higher levels of Mercy had their names listed in the London Gazette. post-release re-offending. [197901] The requested information is provided in the following table. Damian Green: There are no statutory requirements relating to the publication of pardons granted under These figures have been drawn from administrative the Royal Prerogative of Mercy. However, by convention, IT systems which, as with any large scale recording the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery places a notice of system, are subject to possible errors with data entry such pardons granted in England and Wales in the and processing. London Gazette. Prisoners serving an immediate custodial sentence in the open estate1 for violence against the person offences, 31 December 2013, England Prison Accommodation and Wales Number Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Murder 363 how much has been spent purchasing additional prison Manslaughter 70 places from existing privately run prisons in each Other and attempted homicide 130 month since 1 January 2014; from which prisons such additional spaces have been purchased; how many Wounding 536 additional spaces were agreed; for how long each such Assaults 4 additional space has been purchased for; and what the Cruelty to children 4 cost was for each space agreed. [197071] Other violence against the person 120 All violence against the person 1,227 Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice has purchased 1 Based on predominant function of the prison and therefore excludes the following additional prisoner places (APPs) in existing prisoners held in open wings of closed establishments. privately run prisons since February 2014. Data Sources and Quality: These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, We are unable to provide the cost of APPs at each as withy any large scale recording system, are subject to possible prison as this information is commercially sensitive. errors with data entry and processing. We have presented the following information setting out at which prisons the APPs have been purchased Police Cautions: Copeland since February 2014, and the duration of these places.

Duration Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Prison Number of places (months) Justice how many police cautions were issued in Altcourse 100 11 Copeland constituency in each of the last five years. Dovegate 73 11 [196695] Forest Bank 96 11 Lowdham Grange 32 6 Damian Green: I have been asked to reply on behalf Peterborough (male only) 48 6 of the Home Department. Parc 63 9 Total number of places 412 Simple cautions (previously police cautions) are a non-statutory disposal available to the police to dispose of any offence committed by an adult designed for Prison Service dealing with low level, mainly first time offending. The Ministry of Justice issues guidance on the process to be Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice followed by the police and the CPS when they are what the required prison officers in post figures are as administering simple cautions for adult offenders part of the benchmarking process for each prison; and The Government is clear that serious offences should what the corresponding current full-time equivalent always be brought to court, and to ensure that there is prison officer figures are. [194299] increased public confidence in the justice system, last Jeremy Wright: Benchmarking public sector prisons year announced changes to stop the use of cautions for started last summer and concludes by April 2015. The indictable only offences and certain serious either way numbers in the following table relate to the prisons in offences unless there are exceptional circumstances and which the process of applying the benchmark, during a senior police officer, as well as the CPS for certain which the number of prisons officers and all other staff cases, has agreed that a caution should be administered. are determined, has been completed. The MOJ guidance on Adult Simple Cautions was Benchmarking is by far the best means of delivering amended in November last year to reflect these changes, value for money for the public purse (savings of £175 million and we are legislating in the Criminal Justice and Courts by 2015-16). It optimises the skills of staff by introducing Bill to place statutory restrictions around their use. new ways of working and puts all prison officers in Information on cautions is not held by parliamentary prison-facing roles. constituency. This information may be on the police Our benchmarking approach has been agreed with record, which can be obtained only at disproportionate the unions, and it will help the wider strategy of cost. reconfiguring the prison estate which the NAO has 481W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 482W commented is the most coherent and comprehensive for Benchmark FTE prison officer and prison officer specialists (as at 7 March many years. Benchmarking delivers efficiencies while 2014) ensuring that public sector prisons can operate safely, Establishment Benchmark FTE decently and securely. Manchester 328 Benchmark FTE prison officer and prison officer specialists (as at 7 March Portland 112 2014) Swinfen Hall 126 Establishment Benchmark FTE Woodhill 316 Note: Bedford 111 Please note these figures are subject to change as a result of further reviews to Bristol 124 ensure a safe, decent and secure environment is maintained. Brixton 122 Bullingdon 173 The number of full-time equivalent prison officers Bure 116 employed in each establishment of the Public Sector Cardiff 159 Prison Service of England and Wales, as at December Channings Wood 123 2013, is published in the National Offender Management Chelmsford 139 Service workforce statistics at; Coldingley 78 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-offender- Dartmoor 99 management-service-workforce-statistics Durham 158 Erlestoke 91 Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Exeter 113 what the staff sickness rate has been in (a) the prison Featherstone 104 estate and (b) HM Prison High Down in each month Guys Marsh 103 since September 2013. [197104] Haverigg 95 Hewell 181 High Down 167 Jeremy Wright: Sickness absence is measured as the Highpoint 206 average working days lost (AWDL) per staff year, which Holme House 183 is the measure used across all Government Departments. Hull 167 Sickness rates in adult prisons have fallen over the Huntercombe 76 last ten years and remain below the rate of 14.8 days Kennet 45 lost, across public sector adult prisons, in 2002-03. Leeds 176 Information on staff sickness rates for High Down Leicester 93 and for all prisons in England and Wales are published Lewes 143 in Management Information Addendum to the NOMS Lincoln 123 Annual Report. The latest figures, which relate to 2012-13, Liverpool 202 can be found at the following link: Maidstone 86 Norwich 160 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Nottingham 168 attachment_data/file/225231/prs-data-12-13.xls Onley 108 Figures for 2013-14 will be published on 31 July 2014. Pentonville 224 Preston 149 Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Ranby 163 Justice what the ratio of prison officers to inmates of Risley 160 each gender was in each (a) prison establishment and Rochester 135 (b) category of prison in each of the last five years. Stafford 110 [197839] Stocken 129 Stoke Heath 126 Swansea 106 Jeremy Wright: I refer the hon. Member to the reply The Mount 144 given on 7 April 2014, Official Report, column 261W. Usk/Prescoed 61 Wandsworth 241 Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wayland 136 Justice pursuant to the answer of 7 April 2014, Official Wealstun 155 Report, columns 130-1W, on prisons: disciplinary Whatton 136 proceedings, what the sex was of each of the Winchester 150 11 employees dismissed for conducting an Wormwood Scrubs 198 inappropriate relationship with a prisoner; and how Wymott 181 many employees were disciplined but not dismissed for Aylesbury 104 the same misconduct in the same period, broken down Belmarsh 316 by sex. [197872] Brinsford 148 Deerbolt 102 Jeremy Wright: The vast majority of Prison Service Garth 161 staff are honest, hard-working professionals. When a Gartree 159 member of staff has an inappropriate relationship with Glen Parva 154 a prisoner or ex prisoner, their actions fail to meet the Isis 118 professional standards expected of them in the course Littlehey 193 of their duty. 483W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 484W

Corruption is taken very seriously and there is no Jeremy Wright: The information requested in parts place for it within the Prison Service. Anyone who fails (a) and (b) of the question is set out in Tables 1 and 2 to meet these standards will be dealt with swiftly and for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12, which are the last robustly. three years for which this information was collected. Of the 11 employees dismissed for conducting an The information requested in part (c) was provided inappropriate relationship with a prisoner 6 were male in my earlier answer on 6 June 2013, Official Report, and 5 were female. column 1292, to the right hon. Member for Tooting From 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013 there (Sadiq Khan): were a total of 6 NOMS employees disciplined for http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/ having an ’Inappropriate Relationship with a prisoner/ex cmhansrd/cm130606/text/130606w0003.htm#13060674001141 prisoner’. Of these, were 3 were male and 3 were female. Figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Justice how many prison officers left Prison Service Purposeful activity was formerly a performance indicator employment within (a) six months, (b) one year and for prisons, but was discontinued at the start of 2012-13. (c) two years of becoming an officer in each of the last The indicator was not used in the day-to-day management five years. [198003] of prisons and NOMS had concerns over the burden on the frontline of collecting the information. Indicators Jeremy Wright: Information on the number of prison introduced into prison SLAs in respect of rehabilitation, officers who left employment within the first two years resettlement and work in prisons provide a better of joining public sector prisons in England and Wales demonstration of the efforts to equip prisoners to be in 2009 to 2013 is contained in the following table. less likely to offend on release. Headcount of officers leaving public sector prison service in England and Wales within (a) 6 months, (b) 1 year, (c) 2 years 2009-13 Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners Officers leaving Officers leaving Officers leaving are engaged purposefully while they are in custody. It within 6 months within 1 year1 within 2 year1 also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a work ethic which can increase their chances of finding 2009 40 100 190 employment on release, a key element to reducing 2010 30 60 130 reoffending. 2011 20 50 90 2012 20 40 80 The number of prisoners working in industrial activity 2013 — 20 50 in public sector prisons increased from around 8,600 in 1 Figures are cumulative i.e. the number leaving within one year includes those 2010-11 to around 9,700 in 2012-13. This delivered an leaving within 6 months. increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities Officer numbers, which are derived from a dynamic from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours. The administrative system, have been rounded to the nearest average hours per week spent in education has increased 10 to reflect the level of uncertainty in the figures. since 2010. It is not possible to provide figures for privately In addition there are substantial numbers of prisoners contracted prisons with the time available. This is because who work to keep prisons running on tasks such as information on leavers is held not held centrally and is cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning. only available from the individual contractors. This Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges information has been requested and I will write to you national policy framework came into effect in adult again when it is available. prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected Prisoners to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for are to earn privileges. Justice how many hours per week was spent in (a) education or training, (b) work and (c) cells by Figures are published in the NOMS Annual Report prisoners in (i) each prison in England and Wales and Management Information Addendum: (ii) each category of prison in each of the last three https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ years. [178604] attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf

Table 1: Average hours per prisoner per week in education and work by prison category 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Average hours of: Education per Work per prisoner Education per Work per prisoner Education per Work per prisoner Prison category prisoner per week per week prisoner per week per week prisoner per week per week

Category B 7.3 13.5 7.4 13.7 7.6 13.3 Category C 8.5 12.5 8.5 12.7 8.8 12.6 Dispersal 6.2 11.0 6.7 10.8 7.3 11.1 Female closed 6.9 14.4 9.0 14.4 9.2 13.8 Female local 9.1 10.7 9.2 10.7 8.6 10.6 Female open 11.2 13.7 10.9 15.2 10.1 15.5 Male closed young offender 11.3 8.4 11.3 8.4 11.8 7.6 Male juvenile 20.6 3.8 19.5 2.6 18.2 3.1 Male local 5.9 11.0 6.1 11.3 6.3 11.1 485W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 486W

Table 1: Average hours per prisoner per week in education and work by prison category 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Average hours of: Education per Work per prisoner Education per Work per prisoner Education per Work per prisoner Prison category prisoner per week per week prisoner per week per week prisoner per week per week

Male open 8.4 19.3 7.7 19.3 7.6 20.0 Male open young offender 16.9 17.4 18.4 17.8 20.1 17.1 Semi open 8.2 15.2 7.3 17.0 7.4 16.6 Cluster 7.1 13.7 7.2 13.6 6.4 13.4 Note: In the above table prisons are categorised according to their predominant function, though some establishments will have more than one function.

Table 2: Average hours per prisoner per week in education and work by prison establishment 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Average hours of: Work per Work per Work per Education per prisoner per Education per prisoner per Education per prisoner per Establishment prisoner per week week prisoner per week week prisoner per week week

Acklington 5.94 12.01 6.18 12.69 — — Albany 5.84 13.62 6.42 15.56 5.73 16.60 Altcourse 12.64 14.67 13.53 13.86 12.45 13.16 Ashfield 23.04 0.75 21.79 0.75 20.13 0.75 Ashwell 11.32 14.81 11.39 15.07 — — Askham Grange 14.55 11.86 13.39 12.64 12.23 12.58 Aylesbury 7.94 10.31 6.36 10.64 7.88 10.53 Bedford 5.82 7.68 6.10 7.65 5.20 8.15 Belmarsh 4.45 9.04 4.46 10.37 4.82 10.12 Birmingham 6.81 9.80 7.21 10.68 8.02 10.09 Blantyre House 4.53 10.67 4.47 11.19 4.44 13.57 Blundeston 9.01 10.70 8.26 12.17 7.44 11.85 Brinsford 11.63 11.83 11.78 12.33 14.60 11.77 Bristol 4.68 15.99 4.80 16.65 4.36 14.64 Brixton 4.80 7.75 3.65 9.62 3.75 9.75 Bronzefield 8.28 11.27 8.60 11.24 9.53 10.74 Buckley Hall 10.65 12.66 10.81 13.31 9.65 13.87 Bullingdon 6.00 11.78 6.33 12.07 6.65 10.10 Bullwood Hall 9.92 10.99 10.18 10.64 9.87 10.52 Bure — — 11.99 7.06 13.28 8.87 Camp Hill 6.81 12.05 7.43 12.50 7.82 13.38 Canterbury 7.88 8.73 8.81 8.32 9.78 9.57 Cardiff 5.00 12.18 4.24 13.23 3.82 12.87 Castington 11.93 7.65 9.47 8.64 — — Channings Wood 7.52 11.85 7.17 11.63 7.46 11.65 Chelmsford 7.47 9.11 7.04 9.79 5.98 9.55 Coldingley 5.41 15.27 5.82 15.23 5.53 15.27 Cookham Wood 20.79 2.32 17.66 2.20 18.75 1.88 Dartmoor 5.48 13.41 6.79 13.42 7.45 12.45 Deerbolt 11.25 8.44 10.56 8.78 10.45 10.44 Doncaster 5.37 13.08 4.75 14.09 4.10 12.93 Dorchester 6.74 5.97 7.19 7.29 6.91 8.01 Dovegate 6.68 12.15 6.40 11.86 5.72 11.84 Downview 6.23 16.54 6.57 18.45 6.41 16.14 Drake Hall 7.65 15.49 8.29 17.59 9.57 18.03 Durham 4.87 8.16 5.78 8.20 7.29 8.04 East Sutton Park 6.83 16.08 7.40 18.68 7.28 19.34 Eastwood Park 6.10 8.66 5.13 8.84 5.09 10.03 Edmunds Hill 9.04 9.89 9.57 10.43 — — Elmley 4.30 11.18 3.98 9.80 4.19 9.87 Erlestoke 9.29 12.01 8.16 12.22 7.52 12.34 Everthorpe 14.58 5.38 13.16 5.98 12.83 6.15 Exeter 5.24 10.37 5.42 10.87 5.59 11.91 Featherstone 6.91 17.86 7.88 16.98 8.62 15.96 Feltham 15.74 3.28 13.22 3.08 12.74 2.17 Ford 8.77 21.07 6.96 20.72 7.18 19.51 Forest Bank 11.65 12.46 10.63 12.84 9.93 13.23 Foston Hall 8.32 12.01 14.13 12.34 14.30 11.56 Frankland 6.20 10.44 6.78 9.78 7.42 9.99 487W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 488W

Table 2: Average hours per prisoner per week in education and work by prison establishment 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Average hours of: Work per Work per Work per Education per prisoner per Education per prisoner per Education per prisoner per Establishment prisoner per week week prisoner per week week prisoner per week week

Full Sutton 6.89 11.69 7.52 10.70 7.89 11.06 Garth 5.52 13.69 6.23 13.37 5.93 13.76 Gartree 7.07 11.97 7.89 14.38 9.25 15.62 Glen Parva 9.03 6.65 8.81 7.03 8.82 7.02 Gloucester 4.02 11.28 4.68 11.64 4.57 10.73 Grendon 6.27 9.70 6.17 9.88 6.71 8.69 Guys Marsh 7.82 12.90 7.08 14.00 7.09 13.24 Haslar 17.17 2.20 — — — — Haverigg 7.83 17.09 8.96 16.50 8.18 14.80 Hewell 7.12 13.74 7.17 13.59 6.38 13.36 High Down 5.26 9.84 5.51 11.21 5.40 10.53 Highpoint 5.69 14.14 6.30 14.20 — — Hindley 22.17 3.29 24.79 1.35 25.80 2.20 Hollesley Bay 8.83 14.17 8.80 13.81 9.16 13.13 Holloway 10.82 7.75 10.78 7.34 9.87 7.49 Holme House 5.67 9.28 5.46 10.14 6.94 11.34 Hull 5.84 10.80 5.13 10.09 5.35 9.65 Huntercombe 18.53 7.13 16.02 8.04 16.23 8.85 Kennet 12.74 8.54 13.19 9.70 12.31 10.30 Kingston 10.26 16.31 13.29 14.43 11.13 14.68 Kirkham 9.85 18.36 8.83 17.55 8.29 20.17 Kirklevington 6.84 17.09 6.74 17.31 6.43 16.13 Lancaster 8.87 10.99 10.92 11.43 — — Lancaster Farms 13.14 7.09 14.84 6.81 15.25 6.97 Latchmere House 7.79 18.93 7.22 17.38 6.78 17.86 Leeds 4.45 8.74 4.45 9.29 4.07 9.41 Leicester 7.33 6.84 7.69 7.65 8.20 7.31 Lewes 7.53 8.62 7.96 8.99 7.41 8.14 Leyhill 9.25 19.30 8.47 19.25 8.41 19.04 Lincoln 3.52 12.91 3.68 13.30 3.88 12.72 Lindholme 10.95 10.30 10.29 9.50 10.78 9.43 Littlehey 6.78 12.07 7.39 10.41 9.49 10.05 Liverpool 5.57 11.31 5.46 11.69 6.01 11.45 Long Lartin 5.17 12.92 5.56 12.46 6.80 12.33 Low Newton 7.38 10.82 8.75 11.71 8.83 11.99 Lowdham Grange 10.40 14.99 9.66 14.67 10.33 14.83 Maidstone 5.81 17.33 5.52 16.91 5.86 17.22 Manchester 5.77 11.69 6.16 12.32 6.17 13.27 Moorland 12.07 9.20 11.34 10.89 10.28 13.36 Morton Hall 7.60 18.47 8.05 18.34 — — Mount 8.51 11.75 8.06 12.24 7.47 13.24 New Hall 10.76 13.24 9.67 14.44 9.16 13.10 North Sea Camp 8.64 15.46 8.06 18.18 6.51 18.63 Northallerton 9.43 4.04 10.60 5.14 10.66 4.93 Northumberland — — — — 7.72 10.59 Norwich 7.15 9.64 6.44 12.08 6.19 11.76 Nottingham 4.27 14.89 5.76 14.48 5.50 15.57 Onley 10.14 9.17 10.83 9.62 11.04 9.85 Parc 6.57 16.83 7.81 15.11 9.24 14.59 Parkhurst 6.48 12.86 5.45 12.79 6.56 13.31 Pentonville 3.49 10.15 5.15 9.44 6.37 8.80 Portland 11.93 9.59 13.29 9.42 13.47 8.19 Preston 6.25 11.42 6.60 11.22 6.24 11.59 Ranby 8.11 12.90 8.60 12.92 7.72 13.63 Reading 9.33 9.53 8.61 8.35 9.26 7.42 Risley 6.83 14.65 7.26 16.41 6.91 16.81 Rochester 6.42 12.17 6.84 11.66 7.58 11.32 Rye Hill 7.38 19.46 7.45 17.95 7.79 18.17 Send 6.35 13.83 6.84 12.30 7.27 12.11 Shepton Mallet 8.58 11.51 9.05 11.58 8.49 12.90 Shrewsbury 6.44 12.64 8.66 14.08 9.43 13.80 489W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 490W

Table 2: Average hours per prisoner per week in education and work by prison establishment 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Average hours of: Work per Work per Work per Education per prisoner per Education per prisoner per Education per prisoner per Establishment prisoner per week week prisoner per week week prisoner per week week

Stafford 8.77 14.39 9.22 14.17 9.38 14.31 Standford Hill 7.45 14.85 7.18 14.52 7.55 15.12 Stocken 9.59 12.71 8.37 14.43 8.16 14.41 Stoke Heath 10.49 10.01 11.02 10.37 10.50 13.34 Styal 9.89 12.20 10.91 11.34 9.94 10.19 Sudbury 6.10 27.10 6.03 27.71 6.37 25.99 Swaleside 9.12 12.38 7.87 13.20 8.12 15.40 Swansea 4.95 10.14 4.82 10.54 4.89 9.81 Swinfen Hall 11.52 10.77 11.57 11.14 9.88 10.32 Thorn Cross 16.94 17.36 18.36 17.81 20.09 17.09 Usk\Prescoed 12.91 11.70 13.38 11.61 11.39 11.11 Verne 7.08 16.17 7.15 16.04 6.91 15.35 Wakefield 6.07 11.07 6.54 11.74 6.74 12.37 Wandsworth 4.91 10.89 5.40 8.99 5.20 9.53 Warren Hill 20.99 3.53 21.64 2.83 21.43 2.38 Wayland 9.26 10.72 9.25 11.75 9.27 12.08 Wealstun 8.99 8.25 8.38 9.01 9.82 9.22 Wellingborough 10.26 9.88 9.00 13.41 8.81 12.88 Werrington 26.70 3.73 23.03 3.77 20.21 3.68 Wetherby 17.25 4.59 15.96 3.81 15.60 4.60 Whatton 7.17 15.03 7.07 15.52 6.94 14.65 Whitemoor 6.69 8.67 7.04 8.99 7.57 9.27 Winchester 3.69 11.53 3.31 11.79 3.73 10.56 Wolds 9.57 12.82 9.34 12.96 10.06 11.75 Woodhill 4.30 12.32 4.89 12.85 6.72 9.76 Wormwood Scrubs 7.34 9.27 5.51 8.52 4.16 8.94 Wymott 5.66 15.73 5.66 15.49 5.50 16.06

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Morecambe Bay cockle pickers disaster, is currently Justice what assessment he has made of the incarcerated in China; [185326] relationship between trends in (a) the prison (2) how many years Lin Mu Yong served in prison in population and (b) crime levels in the last 10 years; the UK for his part in the Morecambe Bay cockle and if he will make a statement. [183318] pickers disaster; and when he was deported to China; [185327] Jeremy Wright: In the last 10 years crime has come (3) what year Lin Liang Ren was deported to China down and fewer people are committing crimes for the following his conviction relating to the Morecambe first time. However there is now a hard core of persistent Bay cockle pickers disaster; and how many years of his offenders that keep coming back to serve time in our sentence he had served in the UK before that prisons over and over again. deportation; [185329] Prison is an essential part of our criminal justice (4) how many years Zhao Xiao Qing served in prison system—it punishes offences, protects the public from in the UK for his part in the Morecambe Bay cockle dangerous offenders, sends a strong message about pickers disaster; and when he was deported to China. what society is willing to accept, and provides an [185330] opportunity for rehabilitation. We are currently reorganising the prison estate to put Jeremy Wright: Lin Liang Ren served approximately in place an unprecedented nationwide through the prison eight years and two months and was subsequently gate resettlement service meaning that for the first time deported from the United Kingdom upon his release in nearly all offenders will be given continuous support 2012. We have no knowledge of whether he has been from custody into the community. This package of arrested and imprisoned in connection with other offences reforms will provide more effective rehabilitation at since his deportation to China. better value to the taxpayer and in a way that is sustainable Lin Mo Yong served approximately three years and for the future. five months and was deported from the United Kingdom in 2008. Prisoners: China Zhao Xiao Qing served approximately one year and was subsequently deported from the United Kingdom David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for upon her release in 2007. Justice (1) what information his Department holds on Each of these prisoners served the minimum period whether Lin Liang Ren, who served part of his or more required by law before they could be released sentence in the UK after being convicted for his part in and deported from the United Kingdom. 491W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 492W

Prisoners: Per Capita Costs Table 1: Number of prisoner on officer assault incidents referred to the police 2010 2011 2012 Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average monthly cost of Prisoner on officer assaults referred 374 393 543 maintaining someone in prison is. [182793] to police

Jeremy Wright: The Department routinely publishes full details of average costs per prisoner and place, Prisons: Mobile Phones based on actual net resource expenditure for each private and public sector prison and in summary form for the Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for whole of the prison estate in England and Wales on an Justice how many cellular devices have been annual basis after the end of each financial year. The confiscated from prisons in each of the last five years most recently published figures are for financial year by establishment. [197143] 2012-13 (1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013). The overall average annual cost per prisoner is £34,766 for financial Jeremy Wright: Since April 2010, prisons have been year 2012-13. This equates to an average monthly cost asked to send all unauthorised phones and SIM cards of £2,897 per prisoner. found to a central unit for interrogation, or to notify the The information for financial year 2012-13 is published unit if an unauthorised phone or SIM card has been as an Addendum to the NOMS Annual Report and found but not sent for analysis. Data prior to April 2010 Accounts and available on the Department’s website at: is not held centrally and data for 2013 and 2014 is being https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prison-and- verified and is not yet available. probation-trusts-performance-statistics-201213 The following table shows the number of seizures of Continuing to reduce prison unit costs is one of the mobile phones and/or SIM cards reported by each key targets for the Department. prison between April 2010 and December 2012. One Between 2009-10 and 2012-13 prison unit costs (direct seizure may constitute a handset containing one SIM prison costs only) have reduced in real terms by 10% per card or media card, a handset only, or a SIM card only. place and 8% per prisoner. Furthermore, the Government is committed to delivering Number reform in our public services. The Prison Competition Establishment 2010 2011 2012 Phase One Programme will deliver efficiency savings, in Acklington 54 28 — line with other public sector prisons, over the next four Albany — 3 4 years. Altcourse (C) 790 609 534 Ashfield(C) 1 2 2 Prisons: Crimes of Violence Ashwell 2 7 — Askham Grange — — 2 Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Aylesbury 278 97 29 how many (a) charges and (b) successful convictions Bedford 27 55 29 have been brought following assaults against prison Belmarsh 15 25 9 staff by prisoners in each year since 2010. [194693] Birmingham 248 537 302 Blantyre House 19 12 4 Jeremy Wright: NOMS takes the issue of assaults on Blundeston 27 1 11 prison staff very seriously. It currently has systems in Brinsford 12 76 45 place to deal with perpetrators quickly and robustly, Bristol 54 33 26 with serious incidents referred to the police for prosecution. Brixton 46 67 28 It is working with the police and Crown Prosecution Bronzefield (C) 34 12 3 Service to ensure that prisoners who assault staff are Buckley Hall 11 22 149 charged and punished appropriately. Bullingdon 42 16 6 NOMS is committed to exploring options to continue Bullwood Hall 1 8 15 to improve how violence is tackled in prisons to keep Bure 5 1 — both staff and prisoners safe. It is currently reviewing Camp Hill 98 52 22 the policy and practice of the management of violence. Canterbury 22 10 21 Cardiff 19 36 7 The number of prisoner on prison officers assault Castington 10 11 — incidents in each year are provided in table 3.8 of the Channings Wood 64 63 15 supplementary tables on assaults that accompany each Chelmsford 42 38 11 Safety in Custody statistics bulletin. The latest publication Coldingley 37 52 42 can be found at Cookham Wood 6 1 1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safety-in- Dartmoor 27 16 2 custody Deerbolt 3 15 2 Figures for the number of these incidents that are Doncaster(C) 15 6 24 reported on the centralised administrative system as Dorchester 20 14 8 being referred to the police in each year are provided in Dovegate (C) 5 24 15 table 1. These figures do not represent individuals as Dover142110 there may be multiple assailants in some incidents. How Downview 5 5 2 many of these resulted in charges or conviction can be Drake Hall 10 2 3 obtained only at disproportionate cost. Durham 24 41 23 493W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 494W

Number Number Establishment 2010 2011 2012 Establishment 2010 2011 2012

East Sutton Park 1 5 4 Norwich 30 15 11 Eastwood Park 3 9 1 Nottingham 11 38 17 Edmunds Hill 25 22 — Oakwood — — 33 Elmley 45 47 53 Onley 53 68 65 Erlestoke 62 176 137 Parc (C) 32 79 16 Everthorpe 50 32 26 Parkhurst 6 8 20 Exeter 14 21 15 Pentonville 207 199 124 Featherstone 39 29 133 Peterborough (C) 141 145 60 Feltham 84 65 45 Portland 24 6 11 Ford 61 250 200 Prescoed — 2 4 Forest Bank (C) 122 37 105 Preston 18 15 9 Foston Hall — 1 2 Ranby 90 124 300 Frankland 6 2 7 Reading 12 25 7 Full Sutton 10 4 9 Risley 72 12 37 Garth 76 32 39 Rochester 6 10 23 Gartree 14 22 65 Rye Hill (C) 42 79 70 Glen Parva 2 4 8 Send 3 12 11 Gloucester 1 4 3 Shepton Mallet 3 7 4 Grendon 17 10 3 Shrewsbury 3 — — Guys Marsh 77 182 175 Spring Hill 12 13 34 Haslar — — 2 Stafford 12 69 14 Hatfield 10 58 154 Standford Hill 150 186 127 Haverigg 107 134 291 Stocken 26 12 30 Hewell 76 289 335 Stoke Heath 8 28 19 Styal779 Highdown 23 68 49 Sudbury 72 120 124 Highpoint 80 55 180 Swaleside 100 58 107 Hindley 1 4 6 Swansea 2 — 1 Hollesley Bay 193 129 90 Swinfen Hall 32 44 14 Holloway 7 7 10 Thameside — — 8 Holme House 18 15 5 Thorn Cross 74 79 84 Hull232513 Usk211 Huntercombe 2 36 9 Verne 67 144 161 Isis 8 52 39 Wakefield 1 2 3 Kennet 4 5 9 Wandsworth 157 131 119 Kingston 6 — — Warren Hill 5 10 5 Kirkham 273 390 493 Wayland 20 30 17 Kirklevington 13 15 19 Wealstun 57 145 155 Grange Wellingborough 61 195 181 Lancaster Castle 18 — — Werrington House 12 4 9 Lancaster Farms 89 79 25 Wetherby 5 3 5 Latchmere House 69 40 — Whatton 9 1 — Leeds 53 59 27 Whitemoor 18 28 17 Leicester 27 26 15 Winchester 39 3 31 Lewes384630Wolds (C) 104 96 44 Leyhill 83 27 30 Woodhill 4 58 74 Lincoln 28 33 4 Wormwood 141 267 39 Scrubs Lindholme 164 96 145 Wymott 58 50 11 Littlehey 13 34 4 Liverpool 138 118 88 Long Lartin 12 31 77 Total 6,756 7,789 7,301 Note: Low Newton — 3 — All figures provided have been drawn from live administrative data systems Lowdham Grange 27 10 26 which may be amended at any time. Although care is taken when processing and (C) analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent Maidstone 6 34 22 in any large scale recording system. Manchester 41 36 23 Note: All figures provided have been drawn from live administrative data systems Moorland 111 65 13 which may be amended at any time. Although care is taken when processing and Moorland Open 10 — — analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Morton Hall — 4 5 Mount 86 78 182 New Hall 2 — 1 Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State North Sea Camp 86 63 67 for Justice how many mobile telephones have been Northallerton — 7 3 found in prisons in England and Wales, by Northumberland 9 15 109 establishment, in each year since 2010. [197705] 495W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 496W

Jeremy Wright: The National Offender Management Establishment 2010 2011 2012 Service takes the issues of mobile phones in prison seriously and is committed to addressing the risks that Dovegate (C) 5 24 15 they present. Part of its response is to deploy technology Dover 142110 in prisons that prevents mobile phones from working. Downview 5 5 2 Drake Hall 10 2 3 The Government has supported the Prisons Interference Durham 24 41 23 with the Wireless Telegraphy Act which came into force East Sutton Park 1 5 4 on 21 October 2013. This Act creates clear statutory Eastwood Park 3 9 1 powers to enable all prisons to use signal denial technology Edmunds Hill 25 22 — to suppress the use of wireless telegraphy such as mobile Elmley 45 47 53 phones by prisoners. Erlestoke 62 176 137 A range of mobile signal denial technology was trialled Everthorpe 50 32 26 in a small number of prisons. The trials demonstrated Exeter 14 21 15 that the equipment is capable of denying signals to Featherstone 39 29 133 illicit mobile phones within the prison perimeter as Feltham 84 65 45 required by law and Ofcom regulations. NOMS has Ford 61 250 200 since distributed 300 short range portable blockers around Forest Bank (C) 122 37 105 the prison estate. Foston Hall — 1 2 Frankland 6 2 7 Since April 2010, prisons have been asked to send all Full Sutton 10 4 9 unauthorised phones and SIM cards found to a central Garth 76 32 39 unit for interrogation, or to notify the unit if an Gartree 14 22 65 unauthorised phone or SIM card has been found but Glen Parva 2 4 8 not sent for analysis. Data prior to April 2010 are not Gloucester 1 4 3 held centrally and data for 2013 and 2014 are being Grendon 17 10 3 verified and are not yet available. Guys Marsh 77 182 175 The following table shows the number seizures of Haslar — — 2 mobile phones and/or SIM cards reported by each Hatfield 10 58 154 prison between April 2010 and December 2012. One Haverigg 107 134 291 seizure may constitute a handset containing one SIM Hewell 76 289 335 card or media card, a handset only, or a SIM card only. Highdown 23 68 49 Highpoint 80 55 180 Hindley 1 4 6 Establishment 2010 2011 2012 Hollesley Bay 193 129 90 Acklington 54 28 — Holloway 7 7 10 Albany — 3 4 Holme House 18 15 5 Altcourse (C) 790 609 534 Hull 232513 Ashfield (C) 1 2 2 Huntercombe 2 36 9 Ashwell 2 7 — Isis 8 52 39 Askham Grange — — 2 Kennet 4 5 9 Aylesbury 278 97 29 Kingston 6 — — Bedford 27 55 29 Kirkham 273 390 493 Belmarsh 15 25 9 Kirklevington Grange 13 15 19 Birmingham 248 537 302 Lancaster Castle 18 — — Blantyre House 19 12 4 Lancaster Farms 89 79 25 Blundeston 27 1 11 Latchmere House 69 40 — Brinsford 12 76 45 Leeds 53 59 27 Bristol 54 33 26 Leicester 27 26 15 Brixton 46 67 28 Lewes 384630 Bronzefield (C) 34 12 3 Leyhill 83 27 30 Buckley Hall 11 22 149 Lincoln 28 33 4 Bullingdon 42 16 6 Lindholme 164 96 145 Bullwood Hall 1 8 15 Littlehey 13 34 4 Bure 5 1 — Liverpool 138 118 88 Camp Hill 98 52 22 Long Lartin 12 31 77 Canterbury 22 10 21 Low Newton — 3 — Cardiff 19 36 7 Lowdham Grange (C) 27 10 26 Castington 10 11 — Maidstone 6 34 22 Channings Wood 64 63 15 Chelmsford 42 38 11 Manchester 41 36 23 Coldingley 37 52 42 Moorland 111 65 13 Cookham Wood 6 1 1 Moorland Open 10 — — Dartmoor 27 16 2 Morton Hall — 4 5 Deerbolt 3 15 2 Mount 86 78 182 Doncaster (C) 15 6 24 New Hall 2 — 1 Dorchester 20 14 8 North Sea Camp 86 63 67 497W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 498W

All figures provided have been drawn from live Establishment 2010 2011 2012 administrative data systems which may be amended at Northallerton — 7 3 any time. Although care is taken when processing and Northumberland 9 15 109 analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to Norwich 30 15 11 the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording Nottingham 11 38 17 system. Oakwood — — 33 Onley 53 68 65 Parc (C) 32 79 16 Prisons: Seized Articles Parkhurst 6 8 20 Pentonville 207 199 124 Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Peterborough (C) 141 145 60 for Justice how many seizures of (a) class A drugs, (b) Portland 24 6 11 mobile telephones and (c) knives there were in each Prescoed — 2 4 high security prison in 2013. [197706] Preston 18 15 9 Ranby 90 124 300 Jeremy Wright: The National Offender Management Reading 12 25 7 Service (NOMS) takes the issue of all contraband in Risley 72 12 37 prisons extremely seriously and deploys a comprehensive Rochester 6 10 23 range of robust searching and security measures to Rye Hill (C) 42 79 70 detect items of contraband both at the point of entry to Send 3 12 11 the prison and concealed within the prison. These include Shepton Mallet 3 7 4 targeted searching, random and targeted mandatory Shrewsbury 3 — — drug tests, the use of x-ray machines and CCTV surveillance Spring Hill 12 13 34 cameras, Body Orifice Security Scanners to detect Stafford 12 69 14 contraband secreted internally, and the imposition of Standford Hill 150 186 127 closed (non-contact) visits. Prisoners found with prohibited Stocken 26 12 30 items face swift and robust punishment. This can include Stoke Heath 8 28 19 having days added to their custody, being transferred to Styal 779a different prison and losing privileges. Sudbury 72 120 124 Swaleside 100 58 107 NOMS records seizures of heroin and cocaine in Swansea 2 — 1 prisons on its Incident Reporting System (IRS). Seizures Swinfen Hall 32 44 14 of any other class A drug are recorded in a miscellaneous Thameside — — 8 category alongside seizures of other drugs and drug Thorn Cross 74 79 84 taking paraphernalia. To disaggregate the seizures of Usk 211other class A drugs from other seizures recorded in the Verne 67 144 161 miscellaneous category would require a manual inspection Wakefield 1 2 3 of each record and would incur disproportionate costs Wandsworth 157 131 119 for each area inquired of. Warren Hill 5 10 5 Similarly, seizures of knives and other bladed weapons Wayland 20 30 17 are also recorded in a miscellaneous category on the Wealstun 57 145 155 IRS, alongside seizures of other contraband, and can Wellingborough 61 195 181 only be extracted through a manual inspection of each Werrington House 12 4 9 record. For six of the areas enquired of, such an inspection Wetherby 5 3 5 would incur disproportionate costs. Whatton 9 1 — Data relating to mobile phones seized in prisons in Whitemoor 18 28 17 2013 is being verified and is therefore not available for Winchester 39 3 31 this response. Wolds (C) 104 96 44 Woodhill 4 58 74 The following table gives the number of seizures of Wormwood Scrubs 141 267 39 heroin, cocaine and knives (including bladed improvised Wymott 58 50 11 weapons and individual blades) seized in each prison in each area in 2013, where extracting the data would not Total 6,756 7,789 7,301 incur disproportionate cost.

Establishment area Establishment seizures of cocaine seizures of heroin Seizures of knives

High Security (197706) Belmarsh 0 0 1 Frankland 0 0 9 Manchester 1 7 19 Whitemoor 0 0 2

West Midlands (197707) Birmingham 3 9 Disproportionate costs Dovegate 0 1

Featherstone 1 6 499W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 500W

Establishment area Establishment seizures of cocaine seizures of heroin Seizures of knives

Hewell 2 2 Oakwood 3 4 Stafford 0 5

London (197708) Bronzefield 0 1 Disproportionate costs Feltham 1 0 Pentonville 3 1 Thameside 3 3 Wandsworth 0 2 Wormwood Scrubs 2 5

Wales (197709) Cardiff 1 4 0 Parc 1 2 0 Swansea 0 6 0

Kent and Sussex (197710) Elmley 0 0 9 Ford 3 0 5 Lewes 1 5 4 Maidstone 1 0 0 Rochester 0 1 1 Standford Hill 0 3 0 Swaleside 1 0 0

North East (197854) Deerbolt 0 1 0 Durham 0 1 0 Holme House 2 2 0 Kirklevington Grange 1 1 0 Low Newton 0 4 0 Northumberland 1 0 5

Eastern (197855) Chelmsford 4 4 Disproportionate costs Highpoint 3 8 The Mount 1 6 Bedford 0 3 Littlehey 0 1 Peterborough Female 0 6 Peterborough Male 0 6 Wayland 0 1

Yorkshire and Humberside (197856) Doncaster 1 1 Disproportionate costs Everthorpe 0 4 Hull 0 1 Leeds 0 2 Lindholme 3 0 Wealstun 0 1 Wolds 0 1

South Central (197857) Bullingdon 2 5 2 Isle of Wight 0 1 0

East Midlands (197858) Foston Hall 0 2 Disproportionate costs Glen Parva 1 0 Leicester 1 4 Lincoln 0 2 Lowdham Grange 1 1 501W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 502W

Establishment area Establishment seizures of cocaine seizures of heroin Seizures of knives

Morton Hall 1 0 Nottingham 0 5 Ranby 1 1 Rye Hill 8 9 Stocken 2 0 Whatton 1 0

South West (197859) Bristol 1 0 0 Dartmoor 0 0 1 Dorchester 0 4 0 Eastwood Park 1 3 0 Erlestoke 0 0 2 Exeter 0 7 1 Guys Marsh 0 2 1

North West (197860) Altcourse 4 9 Disproportionate costs Buckley Hall 3 0 Forest Bank 3 11 Garth 0 5 Haverigg 3 4 Kennet 1 0 Kirkham 2 3 Preston 0 7 Risley 1 1 Styal 0 3

It is important to note that many drugs are similar in companies (CRCs) which will be responsible for the appearance and in many cases drugs seized are not provision of services to all but those offenders which categorically identified by scientific analysis. Some will pose the highest risk. We will assess the bids we receive have been identified using indicative reagent or Marquis over the summer, and appoint CRC owners later this tests. Many will have been identified by appearance year. Offers will be evaluated using quality and financial only. criteria. We expect the new owners to implement their All figures in this answer have been drawn from live new operating models during 2015. administrative data systems which may be amended at We are taking a staged approach to implementation any time. Although care is taken when processing and and are rolling out business readiness tests at key stages analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to of implementation so that we can ensure we are managing the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording the transition to the new system in a safe and measured system. The data are not subject to audit. way which maintains public protection. Probation Procurement Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) on what date contracts for probation work will be Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice signed; and when operations will go live; [188998] what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department (2) what the close of tender date will be for the and (c) special advisers have had with (i) G4S, (ii) Transforming Rehabilitation agenda; [188999] Serco, (iii) Sodexo, (iv) A4E, (v) Capita, (vi) Mitie, (vii) (3) what criteria will be used to identify preferred GEOAmey and (viii) Working Links since September bidders for probation contracts; [189000] 2013; what the dates of each such meeting were; and (4) what risks arising from the outsourcing of what was discussed at each meeting. [189213] probation contracts bidders in the process of transition have brought to the attention of his Department. Jeremy Wright: All meetings with external organisations [189001] up until October 2013 are published by the Cabinet Office on the gov.uk website: Jeremy Wright: Under our Transforming Rehabilitation proposals we are opening up the market to a diverse https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers- range of new providers across the public, private and transparency-publications voluntary sectors to bring innovation to rehabilitative Details of meetings from October 2013 onwards will services and help deliver reductions in reoffending rates. be published shortly. In addition, I can confirm that We are currently engaged in a competition to appoint special advisers have not attended any meetings the 21 owners of the new community rehabilitation independently from Ministers. 503W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 504W

Prosecutions cases (domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape) in England and Wales, annually 2010-13, is shown in Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice table 1. what the average length of time is between a defendant being charged and the first day of proceedings in court The way in which offence level data is collected and in cases of (a) domestic violence, (b) sexual abuse and reported means that some offences are not separately (c) rape. [197386] identifiable from others. The information presented in table 1 relates only to those offences which can be Damian Green: The Government is committed to separately identified from others and relates specifically modernising courts and using technology to improve to the legislation listed under a given category. Statistics efficiency. on domestic violence have not been provided due to the The average (median) number of days taken from reason outlined above and therefore excluded from charge to first listing in court for completed criminal table 1.

Table 1: Average (median) number of days taken from charge to first listing for all completed criminal cases, in England and Wales, annually 2010-131, 2, 3, 4 Sexual abuse5 Rape6 Charge or laying of Charge or laying of information to first listing information to first listing Defendants (days) Defendants (days) Number Median Number Median

2010 Q2-47 3,757 11 1,370 2 2011 4,825 12 2,125 6 2012 4,370 13 2,107 2 2013 4,097 15 2,099 2 1 Excludes breaches and cases with an offence to completion time greater than 10 years. 2 Statistics are sourced from linked magistrates courts and Crown court administrative data systems—with a match rate of around 95%. 3 Only one offence is counted for each defendant in the case. If there is more than one offence per defendant that complete on the same day, a set of validation rules applies to select one offence only and these relate to the longest duration, seriousness and the lowest sequence number of the offence. 4 Included all criminal cases which have received a verdict and concluded in the specified time period, in either the magistrates courts or the Crown court. 5 Sexual abuse offences refer to the sum of the detailed offences such as sexual assault, sexual activity and familial sexual offences under Sexual Offences Act 2003. 6 Rape offences refer to the sum of the detailed offences such as rape and attempted rape under Sexual Offences Act 2003. 7 Timeliness figures are only available from April 2010, so data for 2010 is presented above for Q2 to Q4 only. Source: Criminal Court Statistics, Justice Statistics Analytical Services.

Remand in Custody Jeremy Wright: The following table shows the total number of defendants proceeded against for the specified Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for offence groups and the number of defendants who were Justice pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2014, remanded in custody, broken down by sex. It also shows Official Report, column 406W, on remand in custody, the percentage of defendants remanded in custody out what proportion of the total number of defendants of the total number of defendants proceeded against charged with the relevant offences the figures represent. for the specified offence categories. [197887]

Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, by remand status, offence group and sex, England and Wales, 20121, 2 Percentage of total proceeded against Offence group Remand status Male Female Total Male Female Total

Violence Against the Person3 Custody4 6,867 401 7,268 17.7 1.0 18.7 Total proceeded against 33,975 4,834 38,809 87.5 12.5 100.0 Public Order Offences3 Custody4 1,508 112 1,620 8.5 0.6 9.1 Total proceeded against 15,836 1,957 17,793 89.0 11.0 100.0 Harassment Offences5 Custody4 2,060 78 2,138 10.3 0.4 10.7 Total proceeded against 17,701 2,235 19,936 88.8 11.2 100.0 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 2 Magistrates courts data for 2012 are estimated. 3 Based on new Office for National Statistics (ONS) crime classifications. For further detail see: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/specific/crime-statistics-methodology/ presentational-changes-on-police-recorded-crime-in-england-and-wales.pdf 4 Includes those remanded in custody at any stage of proceedings at the magistrates court who may also have been given bail at some stage of those proceedings. 5 Includes offences under S.2, S.2A(1), S.3, S.4, S.4A(1)(a)(b)(i), S.4A(1)(a)(b)(ii), S.5, SS.5A(2) & 5(5) and (6) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and S.31(1)(b) and (4), S.31(1)(c) and (4) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and S.42A of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Reoffenders who (a) breached their licence conditions and (b) re-offended while on licence were recalled to prison in Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for each year since 2008. [187481] Justice how many and what proportion of offenders 505W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 506W

Jeremy Wright: For offenders, the period of post-release Recall for supervision on licence forms an integral part of a breach of sentence imposed by the court. The overriding priority licence Recall following is to protect the public from harm and prevent re-offending. conditions further charges Recalls to prison Recall of offenders on licence is designed to protect 2008-09 n/a n/a 13,467 the public by removing an offender from the community 2009-10 n/a n/a 15,004 who, by breaching his licence conditions, is considered 2010-11 n/a n/a 15,631 to present an increased risk of re-offending and where 2011-12 11,428 15,163 16,591 probation officers recommend that this is the most 2012-13 10,677 15,630 16,307 effective response to that increased risk, in order to 2013-14 (April to 5,693 13,154 8,847 protect the public. September) 1 The data on recall on grounds of further charges includes those cases where Behaviour that can result in recall includes: the further charges were not proceeded with. commission of further offences or charges being laid; behaviour which indicates that further offending is Sentencing: West Yorkshire imminent; or breaches of licence conditions which undermine the Probation Service’s ability to provide Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for effective supervision, such as not living at the address Justice how many people of each gender were stipulated on the licence or failing to attend probation sentenced in the West Yorkshire police force area to appointments. immediate custody for a first offence in each year since Data on those offenders who had committed minor 2008; and for which offences such people were breaches of licence, were warned, and not recalled to sentenced. [194706] prison are not collected centrally. Those offenders whose breach of licence has resulted Jeremy Wright: The sentencing framework and in a recall to prison are published quarterly in the sentencing guidelines apply equally to all offenders. Ministry of Justice’s Offender management statistics Sentencing is entirely a matter for the courts, taking bulletin. This may be found at the following web address: account of all the circumstances of each case. This will https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender- include the seriousness of the offence, including all management-statistics-quarterly aggravating and mitigating factors, and a guilty plea. These are data are also shown in the following table. Defendants are now more likely to be convicted for Also included in the table are data on the reasons for committing crime and sent to prison for longer than recall. Data on reasons for recall before the year 2011-12 they were a decade ago. In addition, criminals convicted was not reliably recorded on the central IT system and since 2010 are more likely to receive an immediate as such, are not available. custodial sentence, both overall and for a first time offence. Recall for breach of Table 1 shows the number of offenders given an licence Recall following immediate custodial sentence in the West Yorkshire conditions further charges Recalls to prison police force area for their first offence, by offence class 2007-08 n/a n/a 13,252 and gender 2008-13.

Table 1: Number of first time entrants1 who received immediate custody for their first offence by offence class and gender2, West Yorkshire police force area, 12 months ending September 2008 to 12 months ending September 2013 Number 12-month period to the end of December: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Offence class Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male

Violence against 8 45 7 55 7 45 8 36 6 40 1 34 the person Sexual offences 1 53 0 35 2 43 0 41 1 50 0 43 Robbery 1 13 1 17 0 12 0 19 3 19 0 8 Theft Offences 5 13 6 14 5 16 9 14 5 15 5 6 Criminal 01 11 02 02 11 12 damage and arson Drug offences 3 58 6 56 7 61 5 66 2 64 2 28 Possession of 03 05 05 01 00 01 weapons Public order 0100502030509 offences Miscellaneous 9 36 6 38 6 39 8 41 5 34 2 20 crimes against society Freud offences 1 7 4 12 1 15 8 20 8 17 1 9 Summary non 03 04 03 12 05 02 Motoring Summary 06 03 02 01 01 01 motoring 507W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 508W

Table 1: Number of first time entrants1 who received immediate custody for their first offence by offence class and gender2, West Yorkshire police force area, 12 months ending September 2008 to 12 months ending September 2013 Number 12-month period to the end of December: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Offence class Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male

All offences 28 248 31 245 28 245 33 246 31 251 12 163 1 First time entrants are offenders who received their first reprimand, warning, caution or conviction for a recordable offence committed in England and Wales. Offenders who were resident outside of England and Wales at the time of their first conviction, caution, reprimand or warning are not counted in these statistics. Additionally, non-recordable offences (i.e. TV licence evasion, driving without insurance) are not recorded on the police national computer and therefore not counted. Where an offender was dealt with for multiple offences on the same occasion, the primary offence as recorded on the police national computer has been counted in the above table. 2 Offenders whose gender is unknown, has not been included in the above table. Note: All data have been taken from the MOJ extract of the police national computer. This includes details of all convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings given for recordable offences, see www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/1139/schedule/made_for_definition It is therefore possible that some offenders presented in the table above have previously also received convictions for offences not recorded on the PNC. Some less serious offences that do not attract a custodial sentence are also included on the PNC, usually when accompanied by a recordable offence in the same case. Source: Ministry of Justice, Police National Computer (PNC).

Victim Support Sentencing Council guideline for young people. This includes factors such as the age, maturity and culpability Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for of the young offender as well as the seriousness of the Justice what recent progress he has made on plans to offence. extend the funding of Victim Support beyond 2015. Data on the number of Detention and Training Orders [197465] given by magistrates alone (not including district judges) in the youth court is not held centrally. However data Damian Green: The Ministry of Justice is extending on the number of children and young people aged 12 to grant funding arrangements to March 2015, for the 17 given a Detention and Training Order of 24 months provision of its core victims’ support service. These in length in the youth court is set out in the following extended arrangements will cover all areas until October table: 2014, when a small number of Police and Crime Juveniles sentenced to the maximum custodial sentence of two years at Commissioners will move out of MOJ grant arrangements magistrates’ courts, England and Wales, 2008-12 with Victim Support. The remaining majority of areas 2 year sentence will continue to be covered by the grant funding arrangements until end March 2015. 2008 21 2009 16 From April 2015, the MOJ grant arrangement with 2010 20 Victim Support for its core service will end as all Police 2011 29 and Crime Commissioners replace the MOJ grant 2012 15 arrangement with Victim Support with locally Source: commissioned arrangements for support to victims. Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice These arrangements may include Police and Crime Commissioner commissioning services from Victim Support, but are not restricted to this. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Some national services, including the national homicide service, the court-based witness service, the rape support Apprentices: Pay fund, and some telephone helplines will remain nationally commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. Victim Support Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for is the current provider of some of these services and is Business, Innovation and Skills if he will commission able to compete for future provision of these services. research into whether the rate of pay for apprentices under 18 years is a disincentive. [197748] Youth Courts Jenny Willott: The last Apprentice Pay Survey was Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for published in 2012. The Government has recently Justice on how many occasions magistrates in youth commissioned a new Apprentice Pay Survey. This will courts handed down maximum two-year sentences in provide a complete overview of Apprentice pay in Great each of the last five years. [197812] Britain by autumn 2014. In addition it is now possible to specifically identify information relating to apprentices Jeremy Wright: There is a separate and distinct youth within the large Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. justice system, including a different sentencing framework. Apprentice pay is reviewed annually by the independent The Detention and Training Order is the main custodial Low Pay Commission (LPC) as part of their review of sentence for children and young people and the only the Apprentice National Minimum Wage. Since its custodial sentence available in the youth court. introduction in 2010 the LPC has not found any evidence Detention and Training Orders are available for persistent that the Apprentice rate damaged employment levels. and serious offending committed by children and young The Government has recently accepted the LPC’s people under 18-years-old. When determining the length recommendation to increase the Apprentice rate by 2% of sentence, courts must have regard to the specific to £2.73 per hour. In the judgment of the LPC a higher 509W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 510W rate would risk damaging employment of Apprentices. 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Research shows that in reality the majority of employers pay more – the average pay for apprentices in 2012 is Online 366,051 437,441 470,800 £200 per week (England only). Offline 34,504 18,208 11,995 The Apprentice minimum wage recognises that employers Total 400,555 455,649 482,795 invest significantly in apprenticeships and may be put off recruiting apprentices due to their lack of experience Construction in the workplace and the additional training costs involved. Young people who complete an Apprenticeship derive significant long-term advantages and their investment Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for in training has clear benefits. Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2014, Official Report, column 312W, on Business: Cumbria building regulations, what assessment he has made of the cybersecurity implications of the Building Rory Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Information Modelling Smart City project. [198285] Business, Innovation and Skills what support the Government is giving to small and medium-sized Mr Willetts: The next phase of the Building Information businesses in Cumbria. [903988] Modelling (BIM) programme will include provision for data interaction between designs created using BIM Matthew Hancock: We continue to work hard to and other interfaces, such as Smart Cities. The potential provide the right support to make life easier for small for this to give rise to security issues has been considered and medium sized business everywhere. as part of the base design, and this phase will incorporate The home for Government services and information a secure but workable approach developed in conjunction online is with partners inside and outside of Government. www.gov.uk One of the tools available is the ’Finance and Support Direct Selling Finder;’ a searchable database of publicly-backed sources of finance and business support. The website Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for www.greatbusiness.gov.uk Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking also provides support and advice for anyone trying to to protect consumers from fraud and other doorstep start or grow a business. crimes. [197891] In addition to online support, the Business Support Helpline is available to provide a quick response on Jenny Willott: The Government takes doorstep crime queries about starting a business, or a personalised and very seriously and the issue has been identified as a top in-depth advice service for more complex needs. priority by the Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP) which brings together enforcement, consumer education, Cumbria has benefitted from a number of support and advocacy partners to identify, prioritise and coordinate schemes. The Start-Up Loan Scheme has provided business collective action to tackle the issues causing greatest advice and 43 loans with a value of £275,000 to people harm to consumers. starting a business. Since May 2010, 165 companies have benefitted from the Government’s Enterprise Finance Both the National Trading Standards Board (NTSB) Guarantee Scheme with a drawn down value of and Trading Standards Scotland (TSS), which are funded £12.1 million. 470 employer workplaces have received by BIS, are putting resources into tackling doorstep payments to take on an Apprentice’s through the crime and Trading Standards Officers across the country Apprenticeship Grant for Employers Scheme (AGE are cracking down on these fraudsters. In Lincolnshire 16-24). for example, Trading Standards has teamed up with the Police and Community Lincs to raise awareness of Business: Registration doorstep crime amongst professionals caring for the elderly, including awareness of bogus callers, rogue Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for traders, distraction burglary, and scam mail. To date Business, Innovation and Skills how many people 330 health and social care professionals who work registered a business (a) online and (b) offline in (i) regularly with 4,300 elderly and vulnerable people have been trained in how to spot potential victims and how 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13. [197731] to intervene at an early stage of a scam. Michael Fallon: There is no register containing every Doorstep Crime will also be the focus on this year’s business in the UK. The Companies House register National Consumer Week in November 2014, when provides information on a subset of businesses required CPP Partners and the Government will work together to file information with the registrar of companies; for to in raise consumer awareness of how to spot a bogus example, those businesses that incorporate as companies salesperson and where to report it. or limited liability partnerships or register as limited We are also hitting the perpetrators of fraud hard. A partnerships. Not all of the companies that register recent operation involving Trading Standards companies with Companies House are businesses or go on to across the country and 20 police forces brought down a become actively trading businesses. trio of fraudsters targeting vulnerable caravan park Companies House statistics show that in the years in residents across the country. This resulted in six years of question the following numbers of companies were custodial sentences being handed down and the recovery registered (a) online and (b) offline: of £20,000 in cash. 511W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 512W

We encourage anyone who believes that they have Common Agricultural Policy been the victim of doorstep crime or fraud to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 08454 040506. Sir Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to his Respite Care answer of 8 April 2014, Official Report, column 208W, on Common Agricultural Policy, if he will assess the Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for value and purpose of advertising the merits of the EU Business, Innovation and Skills which organisations Common Agricultural Policy in British cinemas. have received how much funding from his Department [196875] aimed at supporting access to short breaks and respite provision for children, young people and their families George Eustice: We do not have any plans to assess experiencing all types of disadvantage in each of the the value and purpose of advertising the merits of the last five financial years. [197818] EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in British cinemas. Using cinema advertising is not part of the Government’s Jenny Willott: Departmental records show that in approach to communicating information on the CAP. each of the last five financial years, no funding was My Department is informed by the European Commission made in respect of supporting access to short breaks that the advert ran for four weeks across the EU, and respite provision for children, young people and including in the UK, but it has now ended and that the their families. campaign was funded by reducing other activities, such as European Commission attendance at certain events. Deer ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Agriculture: Herefordshire Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the prevalence Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for of ticks in deer; and what steps he is taking to tackle Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total ticks in deer. [197936] value is of Common Agricultural Policy payments to farms in Herefordshire in the last five years for which George Eustice: DEFRA has not made an assessment data are available. [197808] of the prevalence of ticks in deer but I am aware that they are widespread. The Deer Initiative, which is part George Eustice: Our records do not currently distinguish funded by DEFRA, provides advice on ticks on its between farms and other claimants; the figure provided website. relates to all eligible claimants paid (including farms). Forests The total value of all Common Agricultural Policy claims paid by the Rural Payments Agency and the Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Forestry Commission to all claimants with a registered Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring address in Herefordshire during the five years up to forward legislative proposals to protect the UK’s 15 October 2013 was ¤261,476,438.25. forests. [198252]

Birds Dan Rogerson: Forestry is a devolved matter. As far as public forests in England are concerned, I refer the Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 April 2014, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is Official Report, column 394W,to the right hon. Member taking to catch and control magpies and hooded crows. for Stirling (Mrs McGuire). [197939] Mangoes: India George Eustice: DEFRA is not taking action to catch or control magpies or hooded crows. Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Like all wild birds in Great Britain, magpies and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what hooded crows are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside discussions, he has had with (a) EU officials, (b) Act 1981. Indian authorities and (c) affected UK businesses regarding the European Commission’s ban on the Within England, general licences are issued by Natural import of Indian mangoes. [198233] England permitting users to kill or take magpies for a range of purposes, such as the protection of public Dan Rogerson: The Secretary of State for Environment, health and safety. These may be relied upon by landowners Food and Rural Affairs has met with the Indian high and other authorised persons as long as they are satisfied commissioner to discuss the ban on imports of mangoes they have met the conditions of the licence. from India and will be working with the European In the UK, the hooded crow is found primarily in Commission and other member states to facilitate a Scotland and Northern Ireland and is not normally lifting of the ban subject to the necessary plant health resident in England. As nature conservation is a devolved standards being achieved. DEFRA officials have discussed matter, the Department of the Environment Northern the issue with the main trade association, the Fresh Ireland and the Scottish Government should be approached Produce Consortium, both prior to and following the regarding their wildlife legislation and policy for the introduction of the ban and also recently with the control of magpies and hooded crows. National Asian Business Network. 513W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 514W

Mink attended the launch of the new RNIB ‘We’re on Board’ bus charter and gave a speech highlighting the importance Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for of disability awareness training to an audience including Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is several bus operators. taking to control mink. [197937] In addition, on 24 February 2014, as part of the Department’s review of the derogation applied under George Eustice: The Government is not undertaking EU Regulation 181/2011 exempting bus and coach drivers any nationwide action to control mink. However, from undertaking mandatory disability awareness training, landowners are free to control mink on their land as Baroness Kramer wrote to the Confederation for Passenger long as they do so humanely and within the law. Advice Transport (CPT) requesting information on the structure on controlling mink can be obtained from Natural and effectiveness of disability awareness training courses England. As a non-native species, it is an offence to currently offered and sought an update on the percentage release mink into the wild and I would encourage of drivers that have completed this important training. landowners to control them wherever practical. The Environment Agency is not directly involved in Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for any mink control programmes in England. It does, Transport how his Department plans to monitor however, contribute a small amount of annual funding voluntary compliance with disability awareness to the Wildlife Trusts and some other local organisations training by bus and coach companies. [198251] towards the cost of local water vole conservation projects. Some of these projects may involve an element of mink Stephen Hammond: In March 2013, the Department control. The Environment Agency is one of a number for Transport applied a number of time-limited exemptions of contributors to these projects. available within EU Regulation 181/2011 (concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport) including one from the requirement for drivers to undertake TRANSPORT mandatory disability awareness training. Bus Services: Disability Before taking this decision, the Department requested information from the Confederation of Passenger Transport Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for (trade association for the bus and coach industry) on Transport if he will commission independent research the percentage of bus and coach drivers that had completed to analyse the effectiveness of a voluntary approach to some form of disability awareness training. The information disability awareness training for bus staff. [198249] provided suggested that this figure was approximately 75% in March 2013. Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport is On 24 February 2014, my noble Friend, the Minister currently reviewing the use of a derogation applied of State for Transport, Baroness Kramer wrote again to under EU Regulation 181/2011 (concerning the rights the Confederation for Passenger Transport, seeking an of passengers in bus and coach transport) exempting update on the percentage of drivers that have completed bus and coach drivers from undertaking mandatory disability awareness training. This updated information disability awareness training. is being used to inform the Department’s current review To inform this review, on 24 February 2014 my noble of the disability awareness training exemption and will Friend, the Minister of State for Transport, Baroness be made available shortly when the Department announces Kramer, wrote to various bus industry representatives, the outcome of this review. disability groups and charities with an interest in disability As part of the review, Ministers will consider what awareness training requesting information on the structure the appropriate future monitoring arrangements should and effectiveness of disability awareness training courses be. currently available. The commissioning of further research on this subject Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for is one of a number of options the Department is Transport what discussions officials and Ministers in considering in response to the findings of the review. his Department have had with disability or transport Once we have considered all responses to the review, we groups on bus driver awareness training and EU will provide further details on how the Department Regulation 181/2011 since 9 January 2014. [198287] intends to proceed shortly. Stephen Hammond: On 18 March 2014 my noble Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Friend, the Minister of State for Transport, Baroness Transport what discussions officials or Ministers of his Kramer, met representatives from ‘Transport for All’ to Department have had with bus company discuss a range of bus accessibility issues, including representatives on disability awareness training and EU disability awareness training and EU Regulation 181/2011. Regulation 181/2011 since 9 January 2014. [198250] Furthermore, on 27 March 2014, Baroness Kramer Stephen Hammond: Although there have been no attended the launch of the new RNIB (Royal National meetings between Department for Transport Ministers Institute of Blind People) ‘We’re on Board’ bus charter or officials and bus company representatives specifically and gave a speech highlighting the importance of disability focusing on disability awareness training or EU Regulation awareness training to an audience including disability 181/2011 since 9 January, the Minister of State for campaigners. Transport, my noble Friend Baroness Kramer, has met On 24 February 2014, as part of the Department’s bus industry representatives on a number of occasions review of the derogation applied under EU Regulation to discuss a variety of issues, including bus accessibility. 181/2011 exempting bus and coach drivers from undertaking More specifically, on 27 March 2014, Baroness Kramer mandatory disability awareness training, Baroness Kramer 515W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 516W wrote to a number of disabled transport stakeholders revocation of a driving licence on medical grounds in and charities with an interest in disability awareness the most recent period for which figures are available; training, requesting information on the structure and what the average timescale was for an application to be effectiveness of disability awareness training courses decided in that period; and how many requests were currently offered around the country. Responses have outstanding. [197757] been received from organisations including Guide Dogs for the Blind, RNIB and the muscular dystrophy Stephen Hammond: The following tables show the ‘Trailblazers’ campaign. number of drivers that have voluntarily surrendered, or had their driving licence refused/revoked on medical Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for grounds, during 2013 and since applied to restore their Transport pursuant to the contribution of the licence and the average timescale for processing these Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport applications: of 9 January 2014, Official Report, column 174WH, on Car/Motorcycle driving licences disabled people (access to transport) and to his oral Average time taken to process answer of 8 May 2014, what his Department’s policy is application(calendar days) on reviewing the UK’s derogation from the requirement to have disability awareness training for Applications to restore a licence 3,455 106 following voluntary surrender bus drivers as set out in EU Regulation 181/2011. Application to restore a licence 5,446 131 [198288] previously refused Applications to restore a licence 3,580 98 Stephen Hammond: In March 2013, the Department previously revoked for Transport made use of a number of time-limited Total 12,481 — exemptions available within EU Regulation 181/2011. These included an exemption from the requirement for Bus/Lorry driving licences drivers to undertake mandatory disability awareness Average time taken to process training. However, we are also committed to review the application(calendar days) use of the disability awareness training exemption in Applications to restore a licence 103 111 March 2014, this process is largely complete. following voluntary surrender To inform the review, on 24 February 2014 my noble Application to restore a licence 478 110 Friend, the Minister of State for Transport, Baroness previously refused Applications to restore a licence 1,251 52 Kramer, wrote to bus industry representatives requesting previously revoked information on the structure and effectiveness of disability Total 1,832 — awareness training courses currently offered and sought an update on the percentage of drivers that have completed Information is not held about those applications that this important training. A copy of this letter was also are still outstanding for drivers that had voluntarily sent to disability stakeholders and charities with an surrendered or had their licence refused/revoked in 2013. interest in disability awareness training, seeking their input on this issue. Railways Throughout March, the Department received many comprehensive responses on this subject from a range Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for of stakeholders and we are currently working through Transport how much from the public purse was spent this information. Once we have considered all responses on rebranding (a) engines and (b) rolling stock used in detail, Baroness Kramer will provide further details on rail services in (i) Bury St Edmunds, (ii) Suffolk, (iii) on how the Department intends to proceed shortly. the East of England and (d) England and Wales in each of the last five years. [198331] Cycling: Northern Ireland Stephen Hammond: No money from the public purse Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for has been spent in the last five years on rebranding of Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the rolling stock or engines used on rail services in Bury effectiveness of the cycle to work scheme in Northern St Edmonds and Suffolk. The Department does not Ireland; [198223] hold this level of disaggregated information for the East (2) what level of uptake there has been for the of England or for England and Wales. cycle-to-work scheme in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) Scotland. [198239] Roads: Hampshire

Mr Goodwill: The Department does not retain data Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for on the uptake of the cycle-to-work scheme. Independently Transport how much has been invested in road of Government, the Cycle to Work Alliance have published infrastructure in (a) Portsmouth South constituency reports containing information on take up of the scheme. and (b) Hampshire in each of the last four years. This is available at: [198023] www.cycletoworkalliance.org.uk/news.html. Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport is Driving: Licensing responsible for the strategic road network which is managed by the Highways Agency on behalf of the Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Secretary of State for Transport. The remaining roads Transport how many individuals applied to have their are the responsibility of local highway authorities under licences restored following the voluntary or enforced the Highways Act 1980. 517W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 518W

Highways Agency spending on improving road In addition, the Department for Transport also provides infrastructure (including smaller schemes and technology capital funding for local major schemes, costing over £5 improvements) on the strategic road over the last four million. The Department for Transport has agreed to financial years in Hampshire is as follows: provide a funding contribution to two schemes being promoted by Portsmouth city council. Financial year Funding (£ million)

2010-11 49.415 2011-12 65.526 CABINET OFFICE 2012-13 51.296 2013-14 71.830 Public Appointments The strategic road network does not extend into Portsmouth South. Mr Jenkin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what criteria are used to decide which public bodies The Department for Transport also provides funding and offices are regulated by the Commissioner for to local highway authorities through Integrated Transport Public Appointments; [198042] and Highways Maintenance Block grants. This funding can be used to improve local roads that the authorities (2) appointments to which public bodies and offices manage if they so wish. The following tables provide to which Ministers make appointments are not this information: regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, by appointing Minister. [198035] Highways Maintenance Block and top-up funding Mr Maude: The public appointments that are subject £ million to regulation by the Commissioner for Public Appointments Portsmouth Hampshire city council county council are governed by legislation-the Public Appointments Order in Council 2013. This lists the public bodies that 2010-11 1.316 21.392 fall within the Commissioner’s remit. March 2011—Pothole funding 0.259 6.016 The document is available to view online at: 2011-12 1.260 24.268 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public- 2012-13 1.099 23.230 appointments-order-in-council 2013-14 1.108 22.052 2013-14 top-up (as announced in 0.201 3.990 Publications December 2012 autumn statement) 2013-14—Flood repairs 0.147 11.509 Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the The Department for Transport is also supporting the Cabinet Office what literature was produced to educate (a) Portsmouth highways maintenance project and a street the public on government policy in 2012-13 and (b) [197900] lighting project in Hampshire which are both being 2013-14. funded through the private finance initiative. The total Department for Transport funding being provided for Mr Maude: Government published material is listed the scheme over a 25-year period is as follows: at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications Scheme Total cost (£ million) Respite Care Portsmouth Highways 253.775 Maintenance PFI project Paul Maynard: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Hampshire Street Lighting PFI 234.328 project Office which organisations have received how much funding from his Department aimed at supporting access to short breaks and respite provision for Integrated Transport Block and top-up funding children, young people and their families experiencing £ million all types of disadvantage in each of the last five Portsmouth city Hampshire county financial years. [197819] council council

2010-11 2.067 10.017 Mr Hurd: I am not aware of any specific direct 2011-12 1.484 6.547 payments of this type made by the Cabinet Office. 2011-12 top-up 0.247 1.091 Details of organisations funded by the Cabinet Office funding can be found on gov.uk. 2012-13 1.583 6.984 2013-14 1.583 6.984 Universal Credit

Local authorities are also able to use revenue funding Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet allocated by the Department for Communities and Local Office how many of his Department’s employees are Government through the Revenue Support Grant for currently working on the digital solution for universal maintaining their local highways. credit. [198243] Neither capital nor revenue highways maintenance funding is ring-fenced and it is for local highway authorities Mr Hurd: There are currently no Cabinet Office to decide upon their spending priorities across the whole employees working full-time on the digital solution for range of services they provide. universal credit. 519W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 520W

Cabinet Office officials have provided wide-ranging The guidance papers requested are internal documents support and advice to the Department of Work and that were not intended for wider publication. However, Pensions (DWP) universal credit digital team who have I have asked the EHRC to send copies to the hon. their own team working on the digital solution for Member. universal credit. This model of supporting departments to develop Giro d’Italia their own digital capability is core to the Government Digital Strategy, available at: Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, gov.uk/digitalstrategy Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential for growth in tourism as a result of the opening stages of the Giro d’Italia taking place in Northern Ireland. [198091] CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Mrs Grant: I have not held any discussions with the Broadband Northern Ireland Executive on the potential for growth in tourism as a result of the opening stages of the Giro Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for d’Italia taking place in Northern Ireland. However, I Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has would like to congratulate them on having won the right made of the potential benefits of the introduction of to stage the Big Start of this major cycling race on 9 to unbundled fibre to the cabinet and sub-loop bundling 11 May, which will further support Northern Ireland’s of residential broadband provision. [197016] wonderful tourism offer and boost the economy.

Mr Vaizey: I favour competition at all levels of the Radio Frequencies telecoms system, where it is effective and sustainable. Sub-loop unbundling (SLU), where a competing provider Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for takes their fibre to BT’s street cabinets and connects to Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations BT’s copper lines to consumers’ premises, is a standard he has received on privatising a larger share of the product controlled by Ofcom. At present there appears radio spectrum; and if he will make a statement. to be limited demand from communications providers [197734] for SLU. There may be opportunities to increase the likelihood of future competition in fibre-to-the-cabinet Mr Vaizey: Government is aware of the need to put by designing network upgrades to make such access more spectrum into the market to support innovation easier at little or no additional cost at the time of and growth and launched the Public Sector Spectrum deployment, but lower entry barriers subsequently. Ofcom Release Programme in 2011. This programme aims to is keeping the matter under review. release 500 MHz of sub-5GHz spectrum from public sector use by 2020. One of the early actions was to Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for gauge stakeholder demand at a series of events. The Culture, Media and Sport if he will initiate a review of most recent programme update was published on 10 March the fibre broadband wholesale pricing structure. 2014. On the same day Government published the UK [197017] Spectrum Strategy which sets out a vision for efficient and flexible spectrum management, with specific actions Mr Vaizey: On 27 January this year, Ofcom published and the goal of doubling the contribution of spectrum a consultation on an update on the impact of fibre use to the economy by 2025. Both documents can be roll-out and the proposed charge control review of the found on the gov.uk website: wholesale broadband access (WBA) markets, following-on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spectrum- from its July-September 2013 consultation on the WBA strategy market. In this context, services provided via copper, cable and fibre access networks are considered to be Respite Care within the same market. The update consultation closed on 10 March. Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which organisations have Equality and Human Rights Commission received how much funding from his Department aimed at supporting access to short breaks and respite Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for provision for children, young people and their families Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of experiencing all types of disadvantage in each of the 29 January 2014, Official Report, column 576W, on last five financial years. [197821] Equality and Human Rights Commission, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance referred to Mrs Grant: DCMS has not provided any funding to in the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s organisations aimed at supporting access to short breaks Equality and Diversity Workforce Report 2010-11 and respite provision for children, young people and which has been provided to all managers on how to their families. However, DCMS and VisitEngland manage a diverse workforce through organisational contributed to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Social change. [197889] Tourism. VisitEngland also works with the Family Holiday Association (FHA) to raise awareness of the issue of Mrs Grant: The Equality and Human Rights families excluded from taking holidays. I visited ‘Kent Commission is an independent body and is responsible Life’ in March 2014 to promote Visit Kent’s social for its own staff management, including diversity training. tourism pilot with the FHA. 521W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 522W

NORTHERN IRELAND EDUCATION Northern Ireland Government Children: Protection

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to her answer of 30 April Education how many children were on child protection 2014, Official Report, column 723W, on Northern plans in each Greater Manchester local authority area Ireland government, when she last met with the in the last three years for which data is available. Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development. [198220] [198182] Mr Timpson: The data requested can be found online Mrs Villiers: I am in regular contact with the Northern at: Ireland Minister for Social Development on several https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/characteristics- issues. I last met him on 8 May 2014. I am due to meet of-children-in-need-in-england-2012-to-2013 him again shortly. Free Schools Praxis Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will discuss with (a) the Whitbourne Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Independent School and Hub and (b) other projects Northern Ireland if she will provide funding for Praxis whose applications for free school status were turned to support the relocation of employees working on the down those applicants’ feedback on how the Hillsborough Estate. [198178] application process can be made easier for small independent schools. [198079] Mrs Villiers: The NIO will not provide funding for Praxis to support the relocation of employees working Mr Timpson: The Department for Education welcomes on the Hillsborough Estate. Praxis has benefited from all feedback on its processes and routinely surveys both generous terms over several years at the site, including successful and unsuccessful free school applicants to an annual rent of only £1 and has been given a lengthy ensure the application process remains rigorous and fair period to make appropriate arrangements for their service and that only the strongest applications are approved. users to move to one of the other Praxis sites. The Whitbourne Independent School and Hub Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for unsuccessfully applied to the New School Network’s Northern Ireland what recent support her Department development programme, but has not applied to the has offered to Praxis to help relocate their services off Department of Education to open a free school. It is the Hillsborough Estate. [198179] welcome to do so. GCSE Mrs Villiers: Praxis Care has benefited from generous terms over several years at Hillsborough, including an Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for annual rent of only £1. My Department has also given Education what proportion of the cohort achieved an them a prolonged period in which to make other A* to C grade in (a) GCSE mathematics, (b) GCSE arrangements; the original Notice to Quit was issued 21 English and (c) GCSE English literature at the end of months ago. (i) year 11, (ii) year 12 and (iii) year 13 in each of the last 10 years. [198173] Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will meet representatives of Mr Laws: The following tables show the proportion Praxis to discuss their eviction from the Hillsborough of 15, 16 and 17 year olds (based on academic age) who Estate. [198180] had achieved A*-C grade in GCSE English and GCSE mathematics for the last 10 years. The figures cover Mrs Villiers: I have met Praxis Care on two occasions young people who were in the state sector at academic to discuss this matter and my officials have had several age 15. Academic age refers to the age at the start of the further meetings with them. academic year, so the majority of young people of In the light of the extensive discussions that have academic age 15 will be in year 11. The data source used taken place with Praxis I do not feel that a further for this analysis does not differentiate between English meeting would be appropriate at the present time. literature and English language so may include those that have A*-C in either subject. Prerogative of Mercy Tables that show key stage 4 results for English and Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for English literature are available at: Northern Ireland when she was informed by officials in http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and- her Department that records for the period 1987 to equivalent-results-in-england-2012-to-2013-revised 1988 relating to the Royal Prerogative of Mercy had Proportion achieving A*-C grade in GCSE English by academic age and cohort gone missing; and whether she instigated an inquiry. Percentage [198181] Academic age Cohort academic Mrs Villiers: I first became aware of the issue on age15in 15 16 17 receipt of advice from officials and a draft response to 2001/02 53 55 56 recent parliamentary questions. I have asked for an 2002/03 54 56 56 urgent review of the historical records relating to RPMs 2003/04 54 56 57 during the period 1987 to 1997 and this is now being 2004/05 56 58 59 conducted. 523W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 524W

Proportion achieving A*-C grade in GCSE English by academic age and cohort Mr Laws: The Department for Education routinely Percentage collects information on pupils who are both eligible for Academic age and claiming free school meals. This information is Cohort academic published in the “Schools, pupils and their characteristics, age15in 15 16 17 January 2013” Statistical First Release, available at: 2005/06 57 59 60 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-pupils- 2006/07 58 60 61 and-their-characteristics-january-2013 2007/08 59 62 63 Identifying pupils who are eligible for but not claiming 2008/09 61 64 65 free school meals is more difficult. 2009/10 66 68 69 The Department has published a research paper, 2010/11 69 70 71 “Pupils not claiming free school meals: 2013”, available at: Proportion achieving A*-C grade in GCSE mathematics by academic age and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupils-not- cohort claiming-free-school-meals-2013 Percentage which presents estimates of the number and proportion Academic age of pupils who are entitled to receive free school meals Cohort academic age15in 15 16 17 but are not claiming. The paper compares registration rates for children aged between four and 15 and highlights 2001/02 47 48 49 regions and local authorities where under-registration 2002/03 46 48 48 rates are high. A table showing under registration rates 2003/04 47 49 50 by local authority can be found in the annex. 2004/05 50 52 52 The Department has developed a free school meals 2005/06 51 54 54 eligibility checking system (ECS). The ECS enables 2006/07 53 56 56 local authorities to check very quickly and determine 2007/08 56 58 59 whether a parent can claim free school meals by linking 2008/09 58 61 62 benefits information from DWP, HMRC and the Home 2009/10 62 64 65 Office. It represents a significant achievement in reducing 2010/11 65 67 67 bureaucracy and cost for local authorities and encouraging Source: DFE Young Person’s Matched Administrative Dataset. more parents to sign up their children for a free school lunch. The ECS has been extended to allow parents to Members: Correspondence check their own eligibility, and to apply online, for free school meals. The new system reduces the time, stigma Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for and bureaucracy previously associated with applications Education when he intends to reply to the letter to him for free school meals. dated 24 March 2014 from the right hon. Member for Resources are also available from the Children’s Food Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Sherratt. Trust to help schools increase take-up of free school [198191] meals, available at: http://www.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk/resources/fsm/free- Mr Timpson: The Secretary of State for Education, school-meals-matter-toolkit my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), replied to the right hon. Gentleman’s Schools: Admissions letter on 2 May 2014. Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for School Meals Education if he will make it his policy to rule-out the introduction of fees for admission to over-subscribed schools supported by public funds. [198167] Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the Mr Laws: Education legislation prevents all state-funded performance of the School Food Plan in increasing schools from charging for admission. The School healthy breakfast provision in more deprived areas; Admissions Code, which applies to all state-funded and how much had been spent on this programme by schools (including academies and free schools through April 2014. [198049] the terms of their funding agreements), further enforces this. I have no intention of changing this legislation. Mr Laws: As part of the school food plan, Magic The School Admissions Code can be accessed at: Breakfast started work in March 2014 to set up breakfast clubs in schools where over 35% of pupils are eligible www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-admissions- code for free school meals and where there is currently no breakfast provision. Schools: Inspections We are currently tendering for a contract to evaluate the effectiveness of the breakfast clubs. The successful Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for bidder will be announced shortly. Education pursuant to the answers of 29 April 2014, Official Report, columns 559-60W and column 560W, Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for on schools: inspections, for what reason local Education in which local authorities 30 per cent or authorities are inspected separately from schools more pupils entitled to free school meals are not maintained by local authorities but academies are not claiming them; and what steps he is taking to improve inspected separately from the head offices of academy the take-up of free school meals. [198051] chains. [197382] 525W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 526W

Mr Laws: Ofsted can inspect local authorities to see Jobcentre Plus whether they are fulfilling a number of statutory duties. Academy head offices do not have the same statutory duties. However, Ofsted already inspects academy chains Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Work through batched inspections. It has recently undertaken and Pensions what training is provided to front-desk focused inspections of academies within E-ACT multi- jobcentre staff on understanding and being academy trust, and has previously inspected a group of sympathetic to the variety of difficulties that some academies within the AET chain. people with ill health or disability face. [198185]

Sixth Form Education Esther McVey: It is really important that DWP staff have the skills required to support a range of Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for claimants: to respect their individual needs, including Education how many schools and academies have (a) those related to their health conditions and disabilities opened a new sixth form and (b) closed their sixth and it is DWP Policy to ensure staff have those necessary form in each year since 2005. [198172] skills. Jobcentre advisers, after initial compulsory training Matthew Hancock: The Department for Education sessions, can regularly update their knowledge through does not collect the data in the format requested. access to a comprehensive training programme. This training focuses on raising awareness of the individual’s personal circumstances, and also recognises that disabilities and health conditions can affect individuals in different WORK AND PENSIONS ways. Carrington Wire Further support for claimants is available from disability employment advisers who receive additional training which has been designed in conjunction with specialist Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work DWP occupational psychologists to enable those advisers and Pensions when he expects the Pension Regulator to to provide effective support to people with particular conclude its investigation into the Carrington Wire complex needs. pension scheme. [198254]

Steve Webb: This is a matter for the Pensions Regulator Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Work which has operational independence. and Pensions what steps his Department takes to ensure that a claimant suffers no financial hardship as Inevitably in complex cases involving foreign companies a result of paperwork lost by a jobcentre. [198186] where it appears that scheme abandonment may have taken place, it can take some time for the Regulator to complete the thorough investigations needed to establish Esther McVey: In the event of maladministration, the whether the legal tests in relation to its ‘anti-avoidance’ Department provides for a special payment scheme. powers, including the power to issue contribution notices, The scheme is designed to allow us to restore the are met. claimant to the financial position they would have been in, had there been no maladministration. Information Employment Schemes: Young People about the scheme can be found on gov.uk

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Work and Pensions what underspend there has been on and Pensions how many sick notes have been recorded the Youth Contract scheme; and how any such as missing by Jobcentre plus (a) annually since 2010 underspend has been used. [198110] and (b) in each of the last 12 months. [198235]

Esther McVey: The Government has announced a Esther McVey: DWP does not collate this information number of measures to reallocate the Youth Contract at the level required. This could be achieved only at underspend. disproportionate cost to the Department. In July 2013, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that out of the £1 billion initially allocated to the Youth Jobseeker’s Allowance Contract, £50 million of underspend would be made available to City Deals to support local youth initiatives. Additionally £5 million of funding was made available Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for to the devolved Administrations to support further Work and Pensions how many jobseeker’s allowance youth schemes. claimants have been referred early to payment group Funding of £35 million was also allocated to extend three of the work programme since June 2011; and the successful New Enterprise Allowance scheme. The what proportion of all the referrals to that payment scheme has already helped over 40,000 people start up group they account for. [197913] their own business. A further £20 million was allocated for start-up loans. Esther McVey: The number of jobseeker’s allowance Further funds were allocated to enable pilots for claimants referred early to the Work Programme under 18 to 21-year-olds with low levels of skills including payment group three between June 2011 and December maths and English, and 16 to 17-year-olds to receive 2013 is 51,440. This equates to 18.5% of the total help from Jobcentre Plus. number referred under this payment group. 527W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 528W

Mortgages: Government Assistance Steve Webb: The analysis required to answer this question is not currently available. To answer this question Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for requires analysis across a number of data sources to Work and Pensions how many people claimed how include all women and men of working age. much support for mortgage interest in (a) 2010, (b) If a robust outcome can be reached it will be published 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) January to April on the DWP website. 2014. [198226] Universal Credit

Steve Webb: Available figures on the average number Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for of claimants in receipt of support for mortgage interest Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the (SMI), and total SMI expenditure, are based on financial net benefits in 2011-12 prices of the Universal Credit years. programme in the period 2010-11 to 2022-23. [198217] The following table includes outturn figures for the years up until 2012-13, together with estimates for Esther McVey: The net benefits of the universal 2013-14, and the forecast for 2014-15. These figures credit programme are set out in the NAO report: “Universal were published on 23 April 2014. Credit—Early Progress”HC 621 published on 5 September 2013. Support for Real terms Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for mortgage Caseload Nominal (cash £ (2014-15 prices £ interest (thousand) millions) millions) Work and Pensions when his Department first approached the Computer Electronics and Surveillance 2009-10 235 563 621 Group of GCHQ about security in the universal credit outturn IT system. [198224] 2010-11 240 514 554 outturn Esther McVey: Similarly to other Government 2011-12 221 367 386 outturn Departments, DWP has a long history of working with 2012-13 203 348 362 GCHQ on issues of security as and when necessary. outturn Part of GCHQ, The Computer Electronics and 2013-14 211 382 390 Surveillance Group are the national lead for information estimate assurance. The Department has been working with 2014-15 229 368 368 forecast them from the start of universal credit design to develop Source: the IT security of universal credit. We continue to work DWP benefit expenditure and caseload tables; Outturn and forecast: Budget closely to ensure that all aspects of the system are 2014; tables 3a-c, which can be found via the following link: appropriately secured. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and- caseload-tables-2014 Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Occupational Pensions Work and Pensions when he commissioned recruitment firms to assist in the appointment of a new Director General for Universal Credit. [198225] Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the Mike Penning: The director general of universal credit number of women with multiple part-time jobs whose was appointed on a two-year contract to May 2015. To total earnings are above the threshold for automatic ensure a smooth transition in advance of the next enrolment; and if he will make a statement. [197739] general election, the search for a replacement to lead the programme through to its completion will commence Steve Webb: There are 230,000-260,000 female workers in due course. with multiple jobs who have total earnings above the automatic enrolment earnings trigger (£10,000 in 2014/15). Just 40,000-50,000 of these are ineligible for automatic TREASURY enrolment because they earn less than the earnings trigger in any one of their jobs. A majority of these Air Passenger Duty workers have earnings above the lower limit of the automatic enrolment qualifying earnings band (£5,772 in Gavin Shuker: To ask the Chancellor of the 2014/15) in at least one job and so can opt-in to a Exchequer (1) what estimate his Department has made pension scheme with a mandatory contribution from of the potential effect on GDP of the reform to the air their employer. Further detail is available in Workplace passenger duty banding system announced in the 2014 Pension Reform: Multiple Jobholders, DWP, available Budget; and if he will make a statement; [197769] at: (2) if he will commission a dynamic modelling study https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ on the economic effects of air passenger duty; and if he attachment_data/file/211729/ad-hoc-multiple-jobs.pdf will make a statement. [197770]

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Nicky Morgan: The economic and fiscal effects of Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the Government policies are routinely assessed by the Office number and proportion of working age (a) men and for Budget Responsibility. Information can be found in (b) women who do not meet the wage criteria for the OBR’s economic and fiscal outlook, at: eligibility for auto-enrolment; and if he will make a http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/economic-fiscal-outlook- statement. [197764] march-2014 529W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 530W

The Government expects the reform to air passenger On 1 July 2013, during Report stage of the Finance duty announced in Budget 2014 to support export trade Bill, I referred to confidence by strengthening UK links to overseas markets. “a simple calculation arrived at by dividing £2 billion by 55,000 The Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. (an internal HMRC estimate of the number of properties valued Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), keeps the at over £2 million) to give a ‘mean’ average of £36,000.” use of dynamic modelling under review. A so-called mansion tax would depress stamp duty land tax and inheritance tax yields. The exact impact Debts: Developing Countries would be dependent on the rates and bands chosen. Mr Godsiff: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Income Tax if he will undertake a review of the effectiveness of the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010 in Mr Ruffley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer preventing the use of the English legal system by if he will estimate the potential cost to the public purse vulture funds to extract funds from developing of raising the income tax personal allowance for countries. [198104] 2014-15 from £10,000, (a) £10,550, (b) £11,000, (c) £11,500, (d) £12,000, (e) £12,500 and (f) £13,000. Andrea Leadsom: I refer the hon. Member to the [191880] answer given by the former Financial Secretary to the Treasury, my right hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove Mr Gauke: The cost of raising the income tax personal (Sajid Javid), on 6 January 2014, Official Report, allowance may be approximated using the “Direct effects column 160W, which includes information on the of illustrative tax changes” table as published on the Government’s approach to promoting debt sustainability internet at the following address: among low-income countries. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/direct-effects-of- The impact assessment for the Debt Relief (Developing illustrative-tax-changes Countries) Act 2010 indicates direct benefits to heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) of between zero and Mapeley £26 million a year. The Government’s decision to make the Act permanent on 25 May 2011 was taken following Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the consultation with relevant stakeholders; evidence from Exchequer how much his Department has paid to that exercise suggested that the Act had some benefit on Mapeley STEPS Contractor Limited since the sale of HIPCs and no evidence was found of unintended or HM Revenue and Customs’ estate to that company. adverse effects. [198041] The UK continues to be at the forefront of international Mr Gauke: Since the financial year 2006-07, the efforts to promote responsible lending and borrowing earliest year for which records are held on HMRC practices, including our ongoing support for the IMF/World accounting systems, HMRC has paid £2,364 million to Bank Debt Sustainability Framework and OECD lending Mapeley STEPS Contractor Ltd. This amount includes principles covering official export credits. The UK also VAT and utility and other non STEPS costs. Payments supports the World Bank’s debt reduction facility, which to Mapeley are published in departmental spending enables countries to buy back their commercial debt at reports at data.gov.uk a deep discount with donor backing, and the African Legal Support Facility, which provides legal advice to Minimum Wage countries facing litigation. Liz Kendall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Housing which social care providers have been identified by HM Revenue and Customs as non-compliant with national Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the minimum wage legislation; how much is owed in Exchequer (1) what estimate his Department made arrears by each such provider and to how many before the 2012 Budget of the number of properties workers; and what value of fines have been levied on valued at more than (a) £2 million and (b) £5 million; such providers to date. [195074] [191427] (2) what assessment his Department made before the Mr Gauke: The Government takes the enforcement 2012 Budget of the average annual payment required of national minimum wage (NMW) very seriously and from each property valued above £2 million in order to HMRC enforce the national minimum wage legislation raise a net sum of £2 billion per annum; [191429] on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation (3) what assessment his Department made before the and Skills and has done so since the introduction of 2012 Budget of the effect on stamp duty land tax and NMW in April 1999. It does that by investigating all inheritance tax receipts of the introduction of a complaints made about employers suspected of not so-called mansion tax designed to raise a net sum of paying the minimum wage, in addition carrying out £2 billion per annum. [191430] targeted enforcement where it identifies a high risk of non-payment of NMW across the whole of the UK. Mr Gauke: The number of residential properties in HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have a legal the UK valued at more than £2 million was estimated duty of confidentiality towards their customers. For before Budget 2012 to be around 55,000. NMW, this includes employers and their workers. This Before Budget 2012, an assessment of the average means that HMRC cannot supply all the information annual payment required from each property above requested as this would breach HMRC’s statutory duty £2 million in order to raise a net sum of £2 billion per of confidentiality under s18(1) of the Commissioners annum was not made. for Revenue and Customs Act 2005. 531W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 532W

Fines are associated with criminal offences. Where To ensure that underpaid workers receive the arrears minimum wage arrears are identified for any pay reference of national minimum wage due to them, HMRC contacts periods starting on or after 6 April 2009, the employer every employer for confirmation that they have paid the will be charged an automatic penalty. The rate of the arrears to workers. In cases where five or fewer workers penalty charge was 50% of the arrears falling in pay are owed arrears HMRC also contacts all those workers periods after 6 April 2009 (minimum penalty charge for confirmation of payment. In cases where more than was £100 and the maximum was £5,000). five workers are identified as being owed arrears HMRC The Government has increased the financial penalty contacts an additional sample of workers for confirmation percentage from 50% to 100% of the unpaid wages of payment. owed to workers, and the maximum penalty from £5,000 HMRC records information by Standard Industry to £20,000. These new limits are now in force where Codes. The following table shows the number of employers arrears are identified in pay reference periods on or in the Social Care sector found to be non-compliant after 7 March 2014. The Government will also bring in with NMW legislation in the last year. Also shown are primary legislation as soon as possible so that the the value of arrears, the number of underpaid workers maximum £20,000 penalty can apply to each underpaid identified and the value of penalties issued to employers worker. as a result of those investigations.

Number of employers recorded as Social Care Sector and found to be non- Arrears identified during Underpaid workers identified Penalties issued during those Financial year compliant those investigations during those investigations investigations

2013-14 30 £800,883 3,620 £46,020

Money Laundering: EU Action Region Total

Naomi Long: To ask the Chancellor of the Northern Ireland 1265 Exchequer what steps he will take to implement the Scotland 3975 Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive; and what Wales 1695 plans he has to distinguish between high and low risk East Midlands 2645 trusts. [198101] North East 1840 North West 4840 Andrea Leadsom: The Treasury is leading the ongoing South West 3975 negotiations on the Fourth Anti-Money Laundering West Midlands 3100 Directive. The UK is committed to implementing measures Yorks. and Humber 3265 to prevent potential misuse of trusts for illicit purposes. Total 26600 We support mandatory requirements on trustees to The NICs holiday attracted around 26,600 applicants hold beneficial ownership information on their trusts over a three year period. Further statistical information and together with the new automatic exchange of tax on the scheme is available on a factsheet at: information agreements there will be more transparency http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/nics-hol.htm and information exchange on trusts than ever before. The factsheet only covers periods from the start of the scheme to December 2012. National Insurance Contributions: New Businesses PAYE Stephen Doughty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employers participated in the Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the regional employer National Insurance contributions Exchequer how many requests for annual PAYE status holiday in each region. [184094] have been received in each month since the introduction of PAYE Real Time Information; and Mr Gauke: This Government is committed to helping how many such requests in each such month have been UK businesses grow and create jobs. The NICs holiday granted. [198002] was a temporary, targeted scheme to help start ups take on new staff within their first year of trading. Although Mr Gauke: I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to take up was lower than expected, the holiday benefitted the response I gave him on 6 September 2013, Official over 26,000 businesses and supported over 90,000 jobs. Report, column 582W. Building on the lessons learnt from the holiday, we are taking action to reduce the employer NICs burden Revenue and Customs on small businesses and have created the new employment allowance which is simple to administer, permanent and Gregg McClymont: To ask the Chancellor of the available to all business and charities in the UK, this is Exchequer how many people are employed by HM reducing their employer NICs bill by up to £2,000 each Revenue and Customs in regional post rooms at each year. As a result, 450,000 employers will pay no NICs at location in the UK. [196997] all in 2014-15. According to the latest available figures the break Mr Gauke: As requested, please find detailed below down of employers that applied for the national insurance staff numbers employed in HMRC regional post rooms holiday by region, throughout the scheme is as follows: employed solely in post room activities. 533W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 534W

Written Questions: Government Responses Number

Shipley 45 Liz Kendall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Cardiff 65 when he intends to answer Question 195074, from the Bootle 35 hon. Member for Leicester West, on social care Newcastle 98 providers and non-payments of the National Minimum Cumbernauld 46 Wage. [197784] Mr Gauke: I have done so today. I also refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer on 12 May 2014, Official Report, column 334W. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Tonnage Tax Electricity

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Exchequer how many and what proportion of Energy and Climate Change whether all independent qualifying companies in the Tonnage Tax scheme were renewable energy generators will have agreed project in the (a) public and (b) private sector in each year the terms with their financiers at the time of submitting a scheme has been in operation. [198293] Contracts for Difference auction bid. [198289]

Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available. Michael Fallon: The Government is committed to ensuring that a broad range of developers and projects are able to access the CfD, and is introducing the UK Asset Resolution Offtaker of Last Resort (OLR) to guarantee independent renewable generators a route to market and improve their ability to raise project finance. Ultimately the Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the financing of individual projects is a matter for developers. Exchequer (1) what discussions he has had with Projects applying for CfDs will be at different stages of UKAR regarding the potential effect on customers of development, including the extent to which they have a rise in interest rates; [182195] engaged with and/or agreed terms with financiers. However, (2) what assessment he has made of the potential the CfD offers a number of important advantages over effect of an interest rate rise on customers whose the renewables obligation, including providing developers mortgages are held by UKAR; and what support is and their financiers with the certainty of a private-law available to assist such customers to switch providers. contract which will be awarded to successful projects [182196] years ahead of the point at which some projects can accredit under the renewables obligation. Andrea Leadsom: This Government’s long term economic plan has kept interest rates at record lows for hardworking Solar Power people across the country. Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Many lenders impose affordability stress tests on and Climate Change how many reviews of solar PV their mortgage lending decisions to ensure that the support schemes his Department has undertaken since mortgage will remain affordable should interest rates 2010. [197688] rise. The Financial Conduct Authority’s Mortgage Market Review rules, which came into force in April this year Gregory Barker: The level of support for solar PV will require all mortgage lenders to conduct such a generation under the renewables obligation (RO) was stress test. last reviewed in 2012 as part of the comprehensive RO Although UKAR does not engage in new lending, banding review. The results of the solar review are UKAR runs a range of modelling scenarios to available at the following link: understand the potential effects of interest rate rises https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/levels-of- on customers. This work helps UKAR to identify banded-support-for-solar-pv-under-the-renewables- customers who may be susceptible to higher interest obligation-for-the-period-1-april-2013-to-31-march-2017 rates and to engage with such customers at an early A comprehensive review of the feed-in tariff (FIT) stage. scheme was carried out during 2011 and 2012, with a UKAR assists all customers who wish to switch fast-track review of FIT support for larger-scale PV in mortgage providers. March 2011. The link for the FITs reviews is: NRAM and Bradford and Bingley are managed by https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/increasing-the-use- UK Asset Resolution Limited (UKAR) which was of-low-carbon-technologies/supporting-pages/feed-in-tariffs- scheme established in 2010 to manage the disposal and rundown of outstanding assets at Bradford and Bingley and Solar PV Strategy Group Northern Rock Asset Management in an integrated way, with a view to creating value for the taxpayer. Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy UKAR is managed at arm’s length from Government, and Climate Change how many meetings of the on commercial principles. Government industry solar strategy group have taken It is therefore not for the Chancellor to discuss detailed place since it was established in 2012; and on what commercial matters with UKAR. dates that group met. [197678] 535W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 536W

Gregory Barker: The Solar PV Strategy Group has ‘Efficiency Strategy for Road Lighting’ which led to switching off met three times, on the following dates: motorway lighting at night (21 April 2008, Official Report, column 1444W; Highways Agency, “Efficiency Strategy for Road Lighting 8 March 2013; Midnight Switch Off for Motorway Lighting”, 2009). 7 June 2013; and Department for Communities and Local Government: 11 December 2013. The right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford They plan to meet again early this summer. (Yvette Cooper) (now Shadow Home Secretary), when as Minister in the precursor Department to DCLG, noted there was nuanced debate on the extent of street lighting: COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT “We all recognise the fact that there is a series of tensions Burglary around light pollution. People in the cities will never have the same view of the night sky as one can get in the middle of Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Dartmoor... There can be tensions too at neighbourhood level Communities and Local Government what assessment between the security-obsessed householder who has glaring white he has made of the link between (a) street and (b) security lights stuck to every corner of the house, which flicker on ambient lighting and the incidence of burglaries. every time a little bird flies past or the cat runs across the garden, and the neighbour who... has a telescope and cannot see across [198177] the garden, let alone into the skies” Brandon Lewis: As I stated in my answer of 10 February (12 February 2004, Official Report, column 510WH). 2014, Official Report, column 419W, street lighting Department of Energy and Climate Change: plays an important role in road safety, as well as ensuring In 2008, the right hon. Member also personally launched the the personal safety of pedestrians. There may be some Carbon Reduction Commitment, which resulted in councils cutting roads where lights could be dimmed in the very early carbon emissions from street lighting, including dimming or hours, saving taxpayers’ money. However, this should switching off lights. The Highway Agency’s “Energy Strategy for be a local decision by elected local councillors, reflecting Roadside Equipment” (April 2010) explained that the approach local circumstances-specially in relation to any concerns of “dimming, trimming and partial night lighting”was a consequence of the requirements to meet the Carbon Reduction Commitment. about crime. Equally, not every neighbourhood wants As DECC Ministers said to the House: street lighting, as some communities, especially in rural “DECC is working to include street lighting in the Carbon areas, value dark skies. Reduction Commitment. This will provide an incentive for local We believe that councils should listen to the views of authorities to improve the energy efficiency of street lights. DECC their local residents, and then adopt appropriate local is working closely with Communities and Local Government to policies based on the neighbourhood, the precise location develop the policy, in so far as it relates to local authorities” and the usage of the road/street. I previously noted that (19 June 2009, Official Report, column 515W). Of course, the “Manual for Streets” contains some useful guidance on Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at that time getting the balance right when providing street lighting, was the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband) taking into account the different issues around safety, now Leader of HM Opposition. crime prevention, street clutter and light pollution. I hope this illuminates the historical fogginess of the Ultimately, there is no prescriptive Whitehall guidance, Labour party’s current campaign on municipal street and any assessment will depend on local circumstances lighting. I would suggest the last person out of Labour and local views. HQ tonight should turn off the lights. Notwithstanding, I would observe that Her Majesty’s Derelict Land: Recreation Spaces Opposition seem to have a short memory about their actions on cutting street lighting when they were in office: Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Communities and Local Government if he will assess the potential merits of retaining brownfield enclaves When the right hon. Member was Secretary of State for within urban areas as greenspaces for local amenity Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, his Department and its quangos lectured local councils to switch off or reduce street rather than being used for in-fill building. [198307] lighting to minimise carbon emissions. For example, in 2007, he personally launched the Carbon Trust Standard, which was tied Nick Boles: The National Planning Policy Framework to an extensive programme to reduce street lighting as part of the recognises that access to high quality open spaces can Local Authority Carbon Management Programme. As DEFRA make an important contribution to the health and Ministers told the House: well-being of communities. At the local level, planning “All authorities should be seeking to reduce energy usage both policies should be based on assessments of need for to cut costs and to help combat climate change. As street lighting open space, sports and recreation facilities and opportunities accounts for a significant proportion of the energy used by for new provision. The Framework also enables local authorities, it should be readily identified as an area that should be examined for potential efficiency savings” communities, through the preparation of local and (6 November 2006, Official Report, column 709W). neighbourhood plans, to identify for special protection green or open areas of particular importance to them as Department for Transport: Local Green Space. This includes land in urban areas. The Minister of State for Transport, the noble Lord Adonis (now a Shadow Minister for Infrastructure) when asked about Empty Property: Bristol reducing the hours of operation of street lighting, noted that “the Government also support the Carbon Trust’s local authority carbon management programme, which provides councils with Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for support and guidance to help them realise carbon emissions Communities and Local Government what estimate he savings from street lighting” has made of the number of empty properties in (a) (17 December 2008, Official Report, House of Lords, column Bristol North West constituency and (b) Bristol. WA52). Transport Ministers also endorsed the Highways Agency’s [198256] 537W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 538W

Stephen Williams: Statistics on vacant dwellings in long-term economic plan to tackle the deficit left by the England and in each local authority district, including last Administration and keep interest rates down. I Bristol, are published in the Department’s live table 615 would note: which is available at the following link. We have already delivered 420,000 new homes since 2010. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live- New orders in residential construction have risen to their tables-on-dwelling-stock-including-vacants highest level since 2007 according to the Office for National This table shows the annual total numbers of empty Statistics; homes and those vacant longer than six months and Housing starts are at their highest since 2007 according to also vacant in the local authority, housing association DCLG figures; and other public sector tenures: The number of first time buyers is at its highest since 2007 Data are collected only at local authority district level according to the Council for Mortgage Lenders; and are not available by parliamentary constituency. Repossessions are at their lowest since 2007, according to the Council for Mortgage Lenders; and The number of vacant dwellings and long-term dwellings, New home registrations rose by 30% in 2013 in England, the for the City of Bristol and England, are shown in highest since 2007, and are up 60% in London, according to the Tables 1 and 2. NHBC. Table 1: All vacant dwellings, City of Bristol and England, 5 October 2009 to 7 In relation to specific programmes: October 2013 5 4 3 1 Affordable housing October October October October 7 October 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 170,000 affordable homes have been delivered in England since April 2010. City of 4,890 5,069 4,519 4,294 3,583 Bristol Our Affordable Homes Programme will deliver 170,000 England 770,496 737,147 719,352 704,357 635,127 homes over the current spending review period (2011-2015) levering in £19.5 billion of public and private funding. We have announced a new ‘Affordable Rent to Buy’ Table 2: All long-term vacant dwellings, City of Bristol and England, 5 October 2009 to 7 October 2013 scheme which will deliver affordable homes through a 5 4 3 1 recoverable fund. We have also published details of a October October October October 7 October new Affordable Homes Programme for the next spending 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 period, which will lever in up to £23 billion in public City of 2,034 1,929 1,968 1,780 1,283 and private funding to deliver 165,000 homes from 2015 Bristol to 2018. England 316,251 299,999 277,529 254,059 216,050 The Affordable Housing Guarantee Scheme is worth up to £3.5 billion (with further lending capacity held in Housing reserve according to demand) and supported by up to £450 million grant funding in England. Up to 30,000 Mr Raynsford: To ask the Secretary of State for additional affordable homes will be underway by December Communities and Local Government when he expects 2017. Affordable Housing Finance Plc was awarded the to publish the findings of the research he licence for the Affordable Housing Guarantee Scheme commissioned from the University of Sheffield into the in June 2013. The first eight housing associations to be New Homes Bonus. [R] [196708] approved to borrow through the scheme were announced in January 2014, who will raise over £400 million of Kris Hopkins: The Department is undertaking a wider debt to facilitate the delivery of over 4,000 new affordable evaluation of the New Homes Bonus; its findings will homes. We also announced a European Investment be published in due course. Bank loan facility worth £500 million. More borrowers will follow. Housing: Construction The Right to Buy Scheme, allowing eligible social tenants to buy their homes at a discount has achieved Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for almost 24,000 sales since April 2010, with the majority Communities and Local Government what progress (16,200) since we reinvigorated the scheme in 2012. A has been made on plans to increase house building by total of 2,845 council properties were sold between 2030. [183915] October and December last year, a 42% increase on the same period in 2012. The reinvigorated Right to Buy Kris Hopkins: [holding answer 23 January 2014]: The ensures, for the first time, that the receipts from the Government does not have a Whitehall building target. additional sales, that is those over what was forecast The last Administration had a state target to increase prior to the change, are reinvested in helping to fund house building to 240,000 dwellings a year, yet house new homes for affordable rent. So far, £300 million has building then fell to its lowest peacetime rate since the been generated from additional sales and already over 1920s. 2,000 homes have been started on site or acquired since By contrast, the coalition Government has put in April 2012. place a range of measures to get Britain building again, Home ownership schemes (Help to Buy) fix the broken housing market and help hard-working Since April 2013, the Help to Buy: Equity Loan people get the home they want. scheme has offered buyers a 20% equity loan that can be Action taken includes wide-ranging planning reform used towards the cost of buying a new build homes, through National Planning Policy Framework; new allowing people to buy with a 5% deposit. There were incentives to deliver housing growth through the New over 30,000 reservations and 19,394 completed loans Homes Bonus; as well as the Government’s broader across England by the end of March 2014, with funding 539W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 540W for up to 74,000 sales by March 2016. Alongside this, also launched a procurement inviting bids from the the Help to Buy: NewBuy scheme has so far supported market to be our delivery partner for Private Rented a further 5,173 households purchase new build homes Sector Housing Debt Guarantees, with the aim of by the end of March 2014. The Help to Buy: Equity maximizing take up of guarantees including for small Loan scheme was extended through the 2014 Budget and medium enterprises. My Department will be evaluating announcement to 2020 to help 120,000 more households bids to perform the role in due course. purchase a new build home. Infrastructure and development finance The FirstBuy scheme was announced in the Budget The Get Britain Building investment fund has been 2011 to help support 10,000 first time buyers on the provided over £500 million of finance to unlock smaller property ladder. The scheme was replaced in April 2013 stalled sites. As at February 2014, it has helped kick with Help to Buy. There were 11,590 FirstBuy sales to start 11,893 new homes on stalled sites. the end of March 2014. The Growing Places Fund is providing £770 million Since the end of last year, the Help to Buy: Mortgage to deliver the infrastructure needed to unlock stalled Guarantee scheme is providing up to £12 billion of schemes that will promoted economic growth, create Government guarantees to support people to buy with jobs and build homes. The fund has been fully allocated a 5% deposit, and over 2,500 homes have so far (by the to Local Enterprise Partnerships and the devolved end of January 2014) been brought through this route, administrations to fund local projects. Progress updates and has helped lower interest rates for those with smaller in June 2013 reported that £652 million of capital deposits. The three Help to Buy schemes complement funding had been allocated to 305 projects across England. each other, and their success can be taken in the whole. Local Enterprise Partnerships expect these projects to Private rented sector create 4,900 businesses, 94,000 jobs and 27,000 houses. The £1 billion Build to Rent programme, which provides A further update will be published in due course. development phase finance, is supporting new high The £474 million Local Infrastructure Fund is helping quality development purpose built for private rent and to unlock large scale housing developments. To date, we is on track to create up to 10,000 new homes. The have unlocked 15 sites capable of delivering almost programme received £1.4 billion of bids under Round 80,000 homes through a combination of financial and One, which is expected to support 15 developments non-financial support. We are currently working to which will provide over 2,600 homes across England in unlock a further 13 stalled schemes to deliver up to locations which include Durham, Liverpool, Manchester 40,000 new homes. In addition to the capital investment, and London. Five contracts to the combined value of we have made available £13 million of capacity funding over £74.5 million have already been agreed which will to support local authorities in fulfilling their local housing deliver over 1,000 new homes for private rent; construction ambitions. has already started in Southampton (Centenary Quay) The 2013 autumn statement also announced a further and Manchester (Three Towers); more contracts will £1 billion to unlock development on large housing sites follow. and a prospectus inviting bids was published on 14 April. Bidding for Round Two of the Build to Rent Fund During the Easter recess, we also published the Local was significantly oversubscribed receiving 126 bids to Growth Fund (Housing Infrastructure) prospectus. This the value of around £3 billion. 36 projects on the sets out the detail on how to access the £50 million part shortlist from Round Two are now going through a of the Local Growth Fund in 2015-16. It is designed to competitive due diligence process, with successful bids help speed up and restart housing developments between receiving funding to deliver thousands of new homes. A 250 and 1,499 units that have slowed down or stalled. list of all shortlisted bids has been placed in the Library of the House. The shortlist is over-programmed, meaning The 2014 Budget announced further funding for driving not all shortlisted projects will receive funding. Shortlisting up housing supply including a £525 million Builders and due diligence are the first stages of the Build to Finance Fund to provide development finance for small Rent approval process. The Homes and Communities sites to support the construction of 15,000 new homes; Agency will continue to work with bidders until exchange the prospectus has also recently been published. of contracts in order to ensure value for money for The Budget announced the intention to create an taxpayers. Urban Development Corporation for the Ebbsfleet area In addition to direct funding, the Government’s Private to accelerate the construction of a garden-city style Rented Sector Taskforce is continuing to build the development which will unlock up to 15,000 homes-with private rented sector as an investment market and have up to £200 million capital being made available. We identified £10 billion of domestic and foreign investment have also published a prospectus to support further available in the private rented sector. locally-led garden cities. The Private Rented Sector Guarantees scheme will A new Estate Regeneration Fund of £150 million of provide a government guarantee for up to £3.5 billion recoverable investment will help kick start and accelerate debt (with further lending capacity held in reserve according the regeneration of some of our most deprived estates. to demand) for borrowers investing in new build private And we will work with the Greater London Authority rented sector homes across the UK. The guarantees will to support the regeneration of Brent Cross and unlock use the UK Government’s hard earned fiscal credibility 11,000 homes at Barking Riverside. to help lower the cost of borrowing and incentivise We have also taken steps to scale back economically investment in the sector. DCLG is open for business to unrealistic section 106 agreements, such as from the last issue direct guarantees and is actively discussing potential Administration’s housing bubble, which result in no applications with a number of borrowers looking to housing development, no regeneration and no community invest in large scale developments. On 18 March, we benefits. 541W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 542W

Self-build Kris Hopkins: The Government is currently negotiating The £30 million investment fund for Custom Build a ‘Growth Deal’ with every Local Enterprise Partnership, Homes is currently assessing loan funding of £22.6 million based on the Strategic Economic Plans they submitted with the potential to deliver 270 units. At the 2014 in March 2014. The criteria being used to assess the Budget, we announced that the Government will consult plans are set out in the guidance published in July 2013. on a new ‘Right to Build’ to give self builders a right to These are: ambition and rationale for intervention; a plot from councils, a new £150 million investment value for money; and deliverability and risk. Combined fund to help provide up to 10,000 service plots, and authorities, where they exist, are represented in Local announced will we look to extend Help to Buy equity to Enterprise Partnerships and will have been involved in custom build. We have also exempted self-build from the development of the Strategic Economic Plans. the Community Infrastructure Levy and we are consulting Notwithstanding, as I indicated to the right hon. on a similar policy change for Section 106 tariffs. Member in my answers to him of 3 April 2014, Official Empty homes Report, column 778W and 6 May 2014, Official Report, This Government has provided £235 million of funding column 24W, we should be cautious about any measure which aims to bring up to 12,000 homes back into use which had the effect of transferring power upwards by March 2015. This is part of a wider package of away from elected local councils. Decentralisation should measures to get empty homes and empty buildings back devolve power to the lowest appropriate level. into productive use, in contrast to the last Administration’s Combined authorities are relatively new bodies. They policy of wholesale demolition. The numbers of empty now should focus on using the functions and powers properties in England have fallen to a 10-year low, and that they currently have and prove themselves on delivering the number of long-term vacant properties has fallen by local growth; we do not intend to repeat the “function around a third since 2009. creep” mistakes of the Regional Development Agencies Public sector land which just became unwieldy and unfocused, taking on The Public Sector Land Programme has identified too much and failing to deliver. land with capacity for over 100,000 homes which we aim to release to the private sector by March 2015. At the end of December 2013, we had released land capable Local Government and Local Enterprise Partnerships of delivering 68,000 homes to be built. Through the Strategic Land and Property Review we Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for have identified scope to generate £5 billion of receipts Communities and Local Government what powers and from government land and property between 2015 and freedoms relating to (a) skills and employment, (b) 2020. This will put land and property into the hands of housing and (c) economic development have been those who can exploit them for commercial purposes- devolved since May 2010 to (i) local government and creating opportunities for housing and economic (ii) local enterprise partnerships. [162343] development. This was part of a series of measures to support Kris Hopkins [holding answer 1 July 2013]: The brownfield development, as outlined in more detail in Government is taking considerable steps to devolve the answer of 3 April 2014, Official Report, column power and freedom to local government and Local 780W. Enterprise Partnerships. There is more to do, but I hope this illustrates how Through the Localism Act, councils now have the this Government’s long-term economic plan is helping general power of competence that enables them to do build more houses, help people move on and up the anything that an individual might do, apart from that housing ladder and clean up the mess left by the last which is specifically prohibited. In addition we have Administration. radically reformed the local government finance system Leasehold Advisory Service putting levers and incentives in the hands of local authorities, for instance: Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects The removal of ring-fencing from local government grants has given councils the freedom and flexibility over the money they to appoint a new chariman to the Leasehold Advisory receive and allows them to work with their residents to decide Service. [196398] how best to make their spending decisions to fit their local priority needs. Kris Hopkins: Consideration will be given to the position of Chairman of the Leasehold Advisory Service Rewarded places that deliver growth, through the New Homes later this year, when the current term of office is due to Bonus and Business Rate Retention. end. Local authorities now directly retain 50% of business rates This will be carried out in line with the Code of locally which amounts to nearly £11 billion, instead of returning it to Whitehall. Practice for ministerial appointments to Public Bodies published by the Office of the Commissioner for Public We established five pilot Rural Growth Networks aimed at Appointments. tackling the barriers to economic growth in rural areas, such as a shortage of work premises, slow internet connectivity and fragmented Local Government business networks. These pilots expect to create up to 3,000 new jobs and support up to 700 new businesses, offering a local Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for approach to local problems. We will share the lessons they learn Communities and Local Government what criteria he with other Local Enterprise Partnerships and Local Authorities will use to assess requests for extra powers from local to help them promote growth in other rural areas. enterprise partnerships and combined authorities. We have also given councils the ability to borrow [197627] against their Housing Revenue Account. 543W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 544W

Through the city deals programme we have devolved Local Government: Publications powers and responsibilities to 26 cities. For example we have: Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for provided levers to deliver the skills and jobs that local businesses Communities and Local Government pursuant to the and people need; answers of 6 May 2014, Official Report, column 29W, and of 21 November 2013, Official Report, columns created joint investment programmes; and 980-1W, on local government publications, if he will list devolved greater financial powers and incentives to invest in all councils that publish magazines or newsletters more growth to all cities. than four times a year. [198175] As we made clear in our response to Lord Heseltine’s review of Growth, we intend to go further. We have Brandon Lewis: Further to the information provided committed to negotiating Growth Deals with every in my previous answers, my Department has not at this Local Enterprise Partnership through which we will point undertaken a recent, definitive survey of every allocate the Local Growth Fund and negotiate broader council in the country. It is a moving picture, as the powers, freedoms and flexibilities where a strong case commencement of the Local Audit and Accountability for decentralisation can be made. The Local Growth Act has encouraged greater compliance with the Publicity Fund brings together funding from skills, housing and Code—for example, further to my answer of 21 November transport and we have committed £2 billion in 2015-16 2013, Official Report, column 980W, I understand that and it will continue to be at least £2 billion a year up to East Northamptonshire has stopped its newspaper. 2021. The Local Growth Fund includes: Such local initiatives are preferable to intervention. over £6 billion of transport funding; Notwithstanding, I refer the right hon. Member to the written ministerial statement of 28 April 2014, Official £300 million of additional Housing Revenue Account borrowing; Report, column 35WS, which outlines the rationale for £50 million of Local Infrastructure Funding for housing developers; the steps taken on 17 April against five specific councils and with the worst breaches, and which notes how we are £300 million skills capital funding. prepared to take further action against other breaches We are also for the first time putting £5 billion of of the Publicity Code. European Structural Investment Funds for the 2014-20 Planning Permission period under the strategic direction of Local Enterprise Partnerships, bringing the total resource (including the Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Local Growth Fund) under the control of Local Enterprise Communities and Local Government what steps he is Partnerships to over £17 billion up until 2020. taking to ensure that local authorities take into account the effect of planning decisions on neighbouring authorities when making those decisions. [198291] Local Government: Pay Nick Boles: The Government’s reforms enshrine the Local Plan as the cornerstone of the planning system. Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for We have confidence that local authorities will show the Communities and Local Government what recent leadership necessary to work together in order to produce representations he has received on levels of Local Plans that are effective and deliverable on important remuneration for local government executives. [198330] cross-boundary matters. My Department has also published an on-line set of planning guidance, which includes new Brandon Lewis: The Government regularly receives advice to local authorities on the Duty to Co-operate representations from concerned taxpayers on the levels across local authority boundaries. Furthermore, adjacent of remuneration offered to senior local government authorities are consulted on planning applications which officers. Whilst councils are independent employers we are likely to affect land in their area, and in making its have taken steps to increase transparency and accountability decision, the determining authority must consider all on these local decisions. representations made. Under the Localism Act, councils are required to Private Rented Housing publish an annual pay policy statement setting out their Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for approach to pay, in particularly senior pay. In guidance Communities and Local Government when he expects to which all councils must have regard when preparing to publish the Government’s response to the review of their policy statements, we have said that full council property conditions in the private rented sector. should to vote on senior salaries and exit packages of [198174] £100,000 or more. Through the Transparency Code councils are required Kris Hopkins: The closing date for responses to the to publish on-line a range of workforce information discussion document was 28 March. We have received including details of senior salaries for employees earning almost 300 substantive responses and these are currently £50,000 or more and detailed organisation charts. This being considered. We plan to publish an analysis of the will further open up senior pay to greater public scrutiny. replies and proposed next steps in the summer. We also published “50 ways to save” a practical guide Solar Power: Planning Permission on how councils can make sensible savings in their budgets. This includes either cutting senior pay or looking Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for at sharing chief executives and senior management Communities and Local Government what proportion teams. I would note that Ministers in this Government of solar farm planning applications were approved by cut their salaries in 2010 and then froze them for the rest local planning authorities in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and of this Parliament. (c) 2014 to date. [198312] 545W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 546W

Nick Boles: We do not hold aggregated information ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE on planning applications for solar farms in the form requested. However, the Department of Energy and Electoral Register Climate Change’s Renewable Energy Planning Database (RESTATS) includes information on a range of renewable Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South energy projects above 0.01 megawatts, including applications West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on for solar energy developments. The database tracks the the Electoral Commission, what recent assessment the progress of potential new projects from inception, through Electoral Commission has made of electoral planning, construction and operational stages, and can registration rates of attainers in (a) Scotland, (b) be accessed at: Northern Ireland, (c) Wales and (d) England. [197501] https://restats.decc.gov.uk/cms/planning-database Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me Temporary Accommodation: Essex that it does not hold separate estimates of registration rates of attainers for England, Scotland and Wales. Mr Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for However, its 2011 report on the completeness and accuracy Communities and Local Government how many of the electoral registers in Great Britain found that families were based in temporary accommodation in 55% of 17-18 year olds were registered to vote. The (a) Chelmsford constituency and (b) Essex in each sample size of the survey does not allow for country quarter of the last five years. [184755] breakdowns. The Commission further informs me that their 2012 Kris Hopkins [holding answer 27 January 2014]: The report on the Northern Ireland register found that 66% Department does not collect constituency level data. A of 16-17 year olds were registered to vote. table has been placed in the Library of the House with data for Chelmsford City Council and Essex. To assist Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South my right hon. Friend, I have provided quarterly data West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on back for the last 10 years; the table illustrates how there the Electoral Commission, what the percentage annual are fewer households in temporary accommodation canvass return rate was for each local government area than the average under the last Administration. in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012. [197583] This Government has retained a strong homelessness safety net protected in law, supported by £470 million in Mr Streeter: A copy of the information requested by the current spending review period to prevent and tackle the hon. Gentleman has been placed in the Library. homelessness, rough sleeping and repossessions. We are Electorate: Visual Impairment seeing this investment making an impact with households now spending on average seven months less in temporary accommodation than at the start of 2010. Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on We have also made some changes to the rules under the Electoral Commission, what assessment the the Localism Act to enable local authorities to end the Electoral Commission has made of the number and main homelessness duty by arranging an offer of suitable proportion of visually impaired voters who receive accommodation in the private rented sector. This means election communication in a format they can households are likely to spend less time in temporary understand. [197581] accommodation waiting for social housing to become available. Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that returning officers (ROs) are responsible for issuing Urban Areas: Land Drainage election-related communications such as poll cards and postal voting statements which must, by law, contain Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for information telling the recipient what to do if they need Communities and Local Government what the information provided in a different format. It is for representations he has received on requiring car- ROs, in discharging their duties, to identify how best to parking areas around large retail developments to meet the needs of individuals in their area who are retrofit sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS); visually impaired. The Commission has made no assessment and what assessment he has made of the benefits for of the numbers of voters who receive information from urban flood control of such retrofitting of SUDS. ROs in their preferred format. [197759] The Commission also informs me that it ensures that its public information campaigns are accessible to those Dan Rogerson: I have been asked to reply on behalf with visual impairments, and that the voter registration of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural and information materials it produces are available in a Affairs. variety of formats including Braille and Easy Read. The We know of no such representations. The National Commission has written to the RNIB, following the Planning Policy Framework prioritises the use of sustainable evidence they gave to the Political and Constitutional drainage systems (SuDS) in developments where possible. Reform Committee on 1 May, to offer to meet to DEFRA officials have met representatives from leading discuss what else could be done to help ensure that supermarkets to discuss the use of SuDS and their those with visual impairments can register and vote. benefits in retail developments. Case studies assessing the benefits of SuDS on commercial developments are Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South available on the DEFRA funded SusDrain website at: West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on www.susdrain.org the Electoral Commission, what steps the Electoral 547W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 548W

Commission is taking to cross-reference data on visual Justine Greening: Countries will need stronger health impairment with the electoral register for the purpose systems if they are to be able to meet the diverse needs of improving election communications with the of an ageing population and we are working with them visually impaired. [197582] to encourage investment in cost-effective solutions to these challenges. We have supported the inclusion of Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me universal health coverage as a target in a post 2015 that it ensures that its public information campaigns are framework, the aim of which is to ensure that all people accessible to those with visual impairments, and that obtain the health services they need without suffering the voter registration and information materials it produces financial hardship when paying for them. This includes are available in a variety of formats including Braille the elderly. and Easy Read. The Commission has written to the RNIB, following the evidence they gave to the Political Developing Countries: Unemployment and Constitutional Reform Committee on 1 May, to offer to meet to discuss what else could be done to help Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for ensure that those with visual impairments can register International Development what steps she is taking to and vote. ensure that the problems of youth unemployment and The Commission also informs me that electoral other forms of unemployment are addressed effectively registration officers (EROs) are responsible for compiling in the Sustainable Development Goals. [198206] and managing electoral registers and returning officers (ROs) are responsible for issuing election-related Justine Greening: Economic development is the clearest communications to those on the register. This includes way to end aid dependency through inclusive growth poll cards and postal voting statements which must, by and job creation. The UK is a strong advocate for a law, contain information telling the recipient what to do post-2015 target and indicator on employment, including if they need the information provided in a different disaggregated targets for women and youth, and DFID format. It is for EROs and ROs, in discharging their is working through the United Nations Open Working duties, to identify how best to meet the needs of individuals Group process to achieve this. in their area who are visually impaired. Developing Countries: Urban Areas

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT International Development what steps she is taking to ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals Developing Countries: Education effectively recognise the potential human and environmental costs arising from a growing proportion Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for of the global population living in urban slums. [198205] International Development how much the UK plans to give to the Global Partnership for Education at its next Justine Greening: The Government is keen that the funding round. [198097] Sustainable Development Goals include measures to improve conditions for poor urban residents and address Lynne Featherstone: The UK is by far the largest the issues that lead to the formation of slums. We donor to Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and continue to support the approach to urban issues set the largest bilateral donor to basic education. We are out in the report of the High Level Panel on post-2015 currently considering the level of future UK support to goals, co-chaired by the Prime Minister. This promotes GPE based on their case for investment and the results a detailed consideration of the urban implications of to be delivered under their new funding model. each goal and target.

Developing Countries: Health Services Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for ensure that action is taken in the Sustainable International Development what steps her Department Development Goals to address the pressures which has taken to reorganise its funding model to ensure rapid urbanisation is placing upon the infrastructure of that it is encouraging service delivery for complex cities around the world and their inhabitants. [198216] multiple needs, in line with an intregrated model of healthcare solutions. [198203] Justine Greening: We continue to support the approach to urban issues set out in the report of the High Level Lynne Featherstone: DFID supports work to strengthen Panel on post-2015 goals, co-chaired by the Prime health systems and deliver health programmes, helping Minister. This promotes a detailed consideration of the developing countries to assess and provide for the health urban implications of each goal and target, including needs of its people. This will enable countries to make those for infrastructure. sound decisions about the delivery of the promotion, prevention and treatment services that are needed. Nigeria

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to International Development what assessment she has ensure that the problem of rising health costs, in part made of the ability of Nigerian federal authorities to owing to ageing populations, is addressed in the provide adequate security for young women in Sustainable Development Goals. [198208] northern states. [197892] 549W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 550W

Lynne Featherstone: A team of UK experts who will Palestinians advise and support the Nigerian authorities in its response to the abduction of over 200 school girls touched down Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for in Abuja on the 9 May. International Development what recent discussions she The team is drawn from across Government, including has had with the Palestinian Authority on that body’s DFID, FCO and the MOD, and will work with the use of UK funding. [197752] Nigerian authorities leading on the abductions and terrorism in Nigeria. The team will be considering not Mr Duncan: The UK regularly meets Palestinian just the recent incidents but also longer-term counter- Authority Ministers, most recently on 6 March 2014 as terrorism solutions to prevent such attacks in the future part of our regular strategic dialogue to discuss progress and defeat Boko Haram. against commitments in our Memorandum of Understanding. The discussion covered the range of The team will be working closely with their US areas of cooperation (including security and justice, counterparts and others to coordinate efforts. finance and the economy) as well as progress on developing the new Palestinian National Development Plan. Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has HEALTH made of trends in the numbers of forced marriages in Abortion northern Nigeria over the last five years. [197893] Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Lynne Featherstone: Data from the last, 2008, Health whether all abortions commissioned by NHS Demographic and Health Survey suggests that the median England from private providers are recorded in the age at marriage for girls and women in the north is abortion statistics. [198165] about 16 years. This compares with the national median age of about 20 years. The 2013, Demographic and Jane Ellison: It is a legal requirement for a medical Health Survey is expected to be released this summer practitioner terminating a pregnancy to notify the chief and will enable us to assess if the situation is changing. medical officer on form HSA4 within 14 days of the procedure whether it is undertaken in a national health service hospital or in the independent sector. All procedures Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for are recorded in “Abortion Statistics, England and Wales” International Development what assessment she has published annually. made of progress by Nigeria towards meeting Millennium Development Goal 3A on eliminating Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of gender disparity in education. [197895] State for Health when he last amended his Department’s guidelines on the authorising of Lynne Featherstone: The ratio of girls to boys in abortions; and if he will make a statement. [198255] primary education in Nigeria has increased from 0.79 in Jane Ellison: The chief medical officer for England 1990 to 0.91 in 2010. The regional average for Sub-Saharan has written twice (on 23 February 2012 and 22 November Africa was 0.93 in 2011. Whilst some improvements 2013) to all medical practitioners reminding them of have been made nationally, there remain significant their responsibilities under the Abortion Act. challenges in the north to ensure that all children, girls The Department will be providing further guidance and boys, have equitable access to a quality basic education. to all those involved in providing abortion care on compliance with the Act; this will be published shortly. Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Ambulance Services International Development what recent assessment she has made of the proportion of girls under the age of 16 Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for years old in northern states of Nigeria who are in Health what the average ambulance response time was full-time education. [197896] in (a) Liverpool, (b) Merseyside and (c) England in each month since May 2007. [197760] Lynne Featherstone: 52% of primary-aged girls and Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the 36% of secondary-aged girls were attending school in format requested. Such information as is available is northern states of Nigeria in 2011. shown in the following tables.

The median ambulance response times to treatment for category A1 calls in the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust2, 3, April 20114 to March 2014 Median time to treatment for category A calls (in minutes)

2011 April 4.2 May 5.0 June 5.2 July 5.0 August 4.7 September 4.8 October 4.9 November 4.9 December 5.0 551W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 552W

The median ambulance response times to treatment for category A1 calls in the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust2, 3, April 20114 to March 2014 Median time to treatment for category A calls (in minutes)

2012 January 4.8 February 5.1 March 5.0 April 5.6 May 5.7 June 5.1 July 5.1 August 5.2 September 5.3 October 5.4 November 5.4 December 5.7

2013 January 5.5 February 5.6 March 5.6 April 5.8 May 5.4 June 5.5 July 5.8 August 5.7 September 6.1 October 6.0 November 6.1 December 6.1

2014 January 5.8 February 6.1 March 6.1 1 Category A calls are defined as those that are the result of immediately life threatening incidents. 2 North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides services to the Liverpool and Merseyside areas. Ambulance response times are not readily available for areas smaller than those covered by one ambulance trust. 3 It is not possible to calculate the median time to treatment for England from the medians for individual ambulance trusts. 4 Information is not available before April 2011. Source: Ambulance quality indicators, NHS England.

Before April 2011, data was collected annually in the The performance of ambulance services is performance KA34 Ambulance Statistics. This shows the annual measured on a monthly basis against three response trend in national ambulance activity has been increasing time standards. On the basis of these standards performance since 2007-08: from 4.3 million emergency journeys in in the North West Ambulance Trust is broadly stable. 2007-08 to 5 million in 2012-13 (latest available).

Percentage of category A calls responded to within 8 and 19 minutes in the North West Ambulance Trust between April 2011 and March 2014 Percentage Of all category A calls Of all category A calls, Of all Red 1 calls, Of all Red 2 calls, resulting in an ambulance proportion responded proportion responded to proportion responded to arriving, proportion within to within 8 minutes within 8 minutes within 8 minutes 19 minutes (standard Financial year (standard 75%)1 (standard 75%)2 (standard 75%)3 95%)4

2011-12 April 75.2 n/a n/a 96.4 May 74.2 n/a n/a 96.1 June 74.1 n/a n/a 96.0 July 76.9 n/a n/a 96.2 August 80.8 n/a n/a 96.6 September 78.0 n/a n/a 95.4 October 77.4 n/a n/a 95.2 November 78.0 n/a n/a 95.7 December 75.6 n/a n/a 94.6 January 79.1 n/a n/a 96.4 553W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 554W

Percentage of category A calls responded to within 8 and 19 minutes in the North West Ambulance Trust between April 2011 and March 2014 Percentage Of all category A calls Of all category A calls, Of all Red 1 calls, Of all Red 2 calls, resulting in an ambulance proportion responded proportion responded to proportion responded to arriving, proportion within to within 8 minutes within 8 minutes within 8 minutes 19 minutes (standard Financial year (standard 75%)1 (standard 75%)2 (standard 75%)3 95%)4

February 75.6 n/a n/a 93.9 March 75.7 n/a n/a 94.4 2011-12 Total 76.7 n/a n/a 95.5

2012-13 April 77.3 n/a n/a 95.0 May 76.3 n/a n/a 94.4 June n/a 75.8 79.5 95.8 July n/a 77.0 80.0 96.2 August n/a 75.3 78.9 96.1 September n/a 75.2 76.9 94.9 October n/a 73.7 77.1 94.9 November n/a 72.0 76.3 95.2 December n/a 70.9 72.9 94.3 January n/a 73.1 76.0 95.1 February n/a 71.4 74.4 94.6 March n/a 71.8 75.2 95.0 2012-13 Total 76.8 73.5 76.6 95.1

2013-14 April n/a 75.7 78.6 96.2 May n/a 77.8 80.8 96.8 June n/a 79.6 81.1 96.6 July n/a 75.4 77.9 95.6 August n/a 78.9 79.6 96.0 September n/a 71.9 75.5 94.8 October n/a 74.2 76.5 95.5 November n/a 74.0 74.8 94.5 December n/a 74.8 75.2 95.0 January n/a 77.1 78.2 95.8 February n/a 75.3 76.0 96.4 March n/a 75.3 75.4 96.3 2013-14 Total n/a 75.9 77.4 95.8 n/a = Not available. 1 From 1 June 2012, the reporting of ambulance category A response times to critically ill patients was split between Red 1 and Red 2. 2 Category A Red 1—where the call comes from a patient who is presenting conditions which may be life threatening, and where a response is the most time critical. 3 Category A Red 2—where the call comes from a patient who is presenting a serious condition which may be life threatening but may be less time critical thanaRed 1 call. 4 Category A19—Category A call resulting in an ambulance arriving at the scene. Source: Ambulance quality indicators, NHS England.

Arthritis In addition to this, information on the diagnosis and treatment of RA can also be accessed via the NICE Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Clinical Knowledge summaries website at: what plans he has to improve awareness of and early http://cks.nice.org.uk/rheumatoid-arthritis intervention for rheumatoid arthritis. [198171] and more general information for the public can be Norman Lamb: In 2009, the National Institute for found on the NHS Choices website at: Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published clinical guidance on the management of rheumatoid arthritis www.nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis (RA) in adults, which set outs best practice on the Through the mandate we have asked NHS England diagnosis, care, treatment and support of patients. The to make measurable progress towards making our health guidance makes clear the importance of early diagnosis service among the best in Europe at supporting people and is explicit that suspected cases should be referred as with ongoing health problems, such as RA, to live an urgent priority for specialist assessment and that healthily and independently, with much better control early initiation of treatment can prevent irreversible over the care they receive. damage to joints. 555W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 556W

Cancer: Northern Ireland Doctors: Disciplinary Proceedings

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for what recent discussions he has had with the Minister Health how many doctors have opted to retire and for Health in Northern Ireland on the establishment of remove themselves from the medical register before a cancer drugs fund; and if he will make a statement. facing an impending disciplinary hearing in each of the [197834] last three years. [198222] Norman Lamb: We have had no such discussions. Dr Poulter: The information requested is held by the Community Nurses General Medical Council (GMC), an independent body responsible for dealing firmly and fairly with doctors Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whose fitness to practise is in doubt. Departmental whether the pay of community staff nurses rises in line officials have spoken with the GMC who have advised with inflation. [198081] that, as it will take some time for them to extract the data, they will provide a response to my hon. Friend Dr Poulter: In 2012 the Chancellor announced that directly. public sector pay awards would be capped at an average of 1% in 2013-14 and at an average of up to 1% in Epidermolysis Bullose 2014-15. The national health service’s greatest asset is its staff who deserve to be properly rewarded for the hard work Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for they do in looking after patients. In the NHS, incremental Health how many people have been diagnosed with pay costs almost £1 billion. In our evidence to the Pay Epidermolysis Bullose in each of the last five years. Review Bodies we were clear that the NHS is facing the [197960] most significant financial challenge in its history and that trusts could not afford to pay all staff 1% which Jane Ellison: Information concerning the number of would cost £450 million (about £350 million for non-medical people diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullose (EB) on staff) and increments which for most staff is over 3.5% an annual basis is not collected. on average. The NHS cannot afford to employ more NHS England commissions services for patients with staff, pay them more and pay for increments. EB as part of its remit to deliver specialised services. This year, all NHS staff should receive an additional The service specification it has published for EB sets payment of 1% either through their incremental pay or out that the condition is estimated to affect one in via a pay award if they are no longer eligible to receive 17,000 live births and that there are around 5,000 people incremental pay. living with EB in the United Kingdom. In the wake of the Francis Inquiry, our first priority must be to protect and properly staff the front line so Euthanasia: Children staff are confident that they will have the right number of colleagues working alongside them in hospitals or in Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health patient’s homes. We have to make difficult decisions in (1) when his Department’s investigation into child order to protect frontline patient care. Giving all NHS euthanasia will be concluded; and if he will make a staff a 1% pay award is equivalent to employing around statement; [197923] 14,000 new nurses and could result in unsafe care. (2) how many cases of suspected child euthanasia his We know that NHS staff are disappointed that they Department is currently investigating; and if he will did not receive the pay award they were expecting. Our make a statement; [197924] door remains open to discussions with trade unions on how consolidated pay awards for all NHS staff can be (3) when he plans to publish full details of the made affordable in each of the next two years. circumstances which led to his Department’s investigation into child euthanasia; and if he will make Diseases a statement. [197925]

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State Norman Lamb: Following public allegations of child for Health how his Department will take into account euthanasia, the Department launched inquiries into NHS England’s responsibility for commitments in the them. These allegations, while serious, did not include UK Strategy for Rare Diseases in its delivery of the details of specific cases, and we continue to urge those strategy as a whole. [197755] with any relevant information to contact the police in the first instance. Jane Ellison: NHS England recently published its statement of intent showing how it will play its part in delivering the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases in England. General Practitioners A more detailed plan will be built into NHS England’s five year strategy for specialised services. Mr Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The UK Rare Disease Forum, supported by the pursuant to the answer of 6 May 2014, Official Report, Department, will monitor activity against the column 127W, if he will list the outlier practices and 51 commitments outlined in the UK Strategy for Rare the amount each is forecast to lose as a result of Diseases. It will report progress to the health ministers removing performance indicators from the Quality of the four UK countries. Outcomes Framework. [198248] 557W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 558W

Jane Ellison: The Department does not hold this of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts operated information centrally, but details of practices identified on behalf of the Secretary of State by the NHS Litigation by NHS England have been sent to area teams. Authority. As part of the changes to the General Medical Services Health Services (GMS) contract from April 2014, we have reduced the Quality and Outcomes Framework by more than a third. These changes are intended to free up space for Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State general practitioners to provide more proactive and for Health when NHS England plans to publish its personalised care for their patients which includes their report on specialised service derogations; and what new responsibility of being accountable for all of their additional steps it is taking to ensure compliance. patients aged 75 and over. [197751] These changes were part of changes to GMS contract Jane Ellison: NHS England advises that the publication negotiated with the General Practitioners Committee of date has yet to be determined. However, the report will the British Medical Association. not be published until after the pre-election period for the forthcoming local authority and European General Practitioners: Fareham Parliamentary elections is completed on 22 May 2014. NHS England continues to work with their area Mr Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health teams on ensuring that all providers have robust plans (1) what estimate his Department has made of the for delivering services that meet the service specification. average annual change in income for GP practices in Fareham and Gosport arising from the withdrawal of Hepatitis the minimum practice income guarantee; [198213] Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State (2) what estimate he has made of how many GP for Health how many people have been admitted to practices in Fareham and Gosport will lose income as a hospital with a (a) primary and (b) secondary consequence of the withdrawal of the minimum diagnosis of viral hepatitis in each year since 1997-98. practice income guarantee; and what actions his Department has put in place to mitigate the impact of [197863] any such losses on services. [198214] Jane Ellison: The Health and Social Care Information Centre collects data on the number of hospital admission Dr Poulter: Both the Government and NHS England episodes for hepatitis C. This does not reflect the actual consider Minimum Practice Income Guarantee (MPIG) number of people admitted to hospital, because the payments to be inequitable because practices serving same person may have had more than one admission very similar populations get paid very different amounts episode within the same time period. The data held by per patient. the Health and Social Care Information Centre are as As part of the general practitioner contract settlement follows: in 2013, the Department decided to phase out MPIG payments over a seven year period, starting in the Primary diagnosis Secondary diagnosis financial year 2014-15. The money released by doing this will be reinvested in the basic payments made to all 1997-98 4,045 4,738 General Medical Services (GMS) practices. 1998-99 4,204 5,963 NHS England advises that there are 16 practices in 1999-2000 4,509 6,783 Fareham and Gosport currently receiving a MPIG payment 2000-01 4,683 7,405 under GMS contracts. Practices that face particular 2001-02 4,992 8,371 difficulty are encouraged to contact their local NHS 2002-03 5,883 9,746 England Area Team to discuss any issues so that they 2003-04 6,538 11,221 can together plan to mitigate these. 2004-05 6,180 12,551 2005-06 5,878 15,414 Health Professions: Insurance 2006-07 6,273 16,661 2007-08 6,205 18,386 Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2008-09 6,222 20,799 what information his Department holds on (a) the 2009-10 6,204 23,256 number of companies that provide indemnity 2010-11 5,549 26,703 insurance for nurses and midwives and (b) the policies 2011-12 4,466 27,518 that are available for this. [198141] 2012-13 4,766 30,351

Dr Poulter: The Department does not hold information Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State on the number of companies that provide indemnity for Health what estimate he has made of the number of insurance for nurses and midwives or details on the people (a) infected and (b) diagnosed with viral policies that are available for this. In national health hepatitis in each of the last 10 years. [197865] service organisations, it is not necessary for individual employees to take out their own indemnity insurance, Jane Ellison: Hepatitis A, B, C and E are viruses that unless they also undertake private work, because their affect the liver. Where tests can differentiate acute from employing organisation is, in law, vicariously liable for chronic infections data are presented as newly acquired any negligence arising out of and in the course of their infections and where not data are presented as newly employment. All NHS trusts in England are members diagnosed cases. 559W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 560W

Cases of confirmed newly acquired hepatitis A virus Table 4: Laboratory reports of hepatitis E (newly acquired infections) , England infection are reported by laboratories to Public Health (2003-12) England. Number of hepatitis E reports Table 1: Hepatitis A laboratory reports (newly acquired infections) , England 2009 166 (2002-12) 2010 258 Number of hepatitis A reports 2011 435 2012 530 2002 1,278 2003 999 2004 610 2005 469 Incontinence 2006 374 2007 344 Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2008 344 what assessment he has made of the findings of the 2009 341 recent Global Forum on Incontinence into improving 2010 359 health and social care in incontinence. [198200] 2011 252 2012 279 Norman Lamb: No assessment has been made of the Data on acute hepatitis B infections are reported findings of the recent Global Forum on Incontinence both from laboratories and from Health Protection (GFI) into improving health and social care in incontinence. Teams to Public Health England. Reporting in this way However, we applaud the work of the GFI and the commenced in 2008. work it is doing to improve the health and social care Table 2: Reports of acute hepatitis B infections (newly acquired infections), provisions for incontinence, giving patients and care England (2008-12) givers a better quality of life. Number of hepatitis B reports Responsibility for continence services sit with NHS 2008 620 England and clinical commissioning groups (CCG). 2009 597 CCGs are responsible for commissioning high quality 2010 512 continence services based on an assessment of local 2011 589 need and performance managing their providers in the 2012 554 delivery of high quality services. The Mandate to NHS England requires it to deliver Laboratory reports of newly diagnosed cases of hepatitis continued improvements in relation to enhancing the C are reported to Public Health England. quality of life for people with long-term conditions, Table 3: Laboratory reports of hepatitis C (newly diagnosed cases) , England including those suffering incontinence, across the five (2002-12) domains of the NHS Outcomes Framework. NHS England Number of hepatitis C reports will be taking forward a major programme of work 2002 4,809 through the Primary Care Strategy; it has established a 2003 5,570 working group on continence care and will provide an 2004 6,240 update for the All Party Parliamentary Group for 2005 6,295 Continence Care on 24 June. 2006 6,961 To improve standards in continence care, the Department 2007 7,808 commissioned the National Institute for Health and 2008 8,407 Care Excellence (NICE) to develop clinical guidelines 2009 8,662 on the management of urinary incontinence in women 2010 7,882 (issued in 2006) and faecal incontinence in adults (issued 2011 9,917 in 2007), which are supported by commissioning tools 2012 10,873 to support CCGs. In February, NICE published a clinical Notes: Quality Standard on Faecal Incontinence, QS54, which 1. At present serological tests are not able to differentiate between acute and chronic cases of hepatitis C infection. Therefore, laboratory reports of hepatitis describes high-priority areas for quality improvement C contain both recently acquired infections and past infections. For this reason in this area. NHS England continues to champion the the data represent newly diagnosed cases of hepatitis C as opposed to newly use of Quality Standards with both commissioners and acquired infections. 2. Hepatitis surveillance data for 2013 will be available in August 2014. providers. Laboratory reports of confirmed cases of hepatitis E We believe all patients have the right to be treated are reported to Public Health England. Surveillance with dignity, respect and compassion. began in 2003. We recognise that continence can impact on every Table 4: Laboratory reports of hepatitis E (newly acquired infections) , England aspect of peoples’ lives and that it often requires a (2003-12) joined approach from both health and social care services. Number of hepatitis E reports That is why in April the Department published the policy paper, “Transforming Primary Care: safe proactive, 2003 122 personalised care for those who need it”, which focuses 2004 145 on improving and individualising the management of 2005 294 out of hospital care, directly supporting those with 2006 239 continence problems by creating more integrated health 2007 161 and social care services. This paper has been placed in 2008 168 the Library. 561W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 562W

Learning Disability Jane Ellison: NHS England is responsible for the overall national approach to improving clinical outcomes Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for for people with liver disease. It is adopting a broad Health (1) what proportion of the £2.7 million strategy to reduce premature mortality, including mortality announced for learning disability in the recently from liver disease. published NHS England business plan for 2014-15 will The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. be spent on the proposed premature mortality review Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), function; [197897] has not met any external organisations to discuss a (2) whether responsibility for implementing the strategy for combating liver disease since 11 May 2010. premature mortality review function for people with a The Secretary of State and current Ministers at the learning disability, announced in the NHS England Department have not met with representatives of people business plan 2014-15 will sit at a national or local living with liver disease since September 2012. level; whether all local areas in England will be NHS England and Public Health England are supporting mandated to implement the review; and how local clinical commissioning groups and local authorities to areas will be held accountable for implementing the reduce premature mortality by providing commissioners review; [197898] with a suite of tools to help them maximise the best (3) when he expects the premature mortality review possible outcomes for their local communities such as function for people with a learning disability, Local Authority Profiles. These can help local authorities announced in the NHS England business plan 2014-15, and clinical commissioning groups identify the significance to become fully operational; whether the data from that of liver disease in their local area compared with the review will be analysed at a national level; and when he rest of the country and the actions they could prioritise expects initial findings from that review to become to tackle it. available. [197899] Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State Norman Lamb: NHS England has made £1.5 million for Health how many people have been diagnosed with available in 2014-15 to undertake the work required to (a) liver disease and (b) viral hepatitis in each of the establish a national learning disability mortality review last 10 years. [197864] function by the end of March 2015. NHS England is currently undertaking work to define the detail of how the review function will operate. However, NHS England Jane Ellison: Data is not collected on new cases of is clear that the starting point will be the proposals put liver disease. Liver disease covers many individual diseases forward by the Confidential Inquiry into Premature caused by different factors, such as alcoholic liver disease, Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities team and fatty liver disease as well as hepatitis related diseases. will aim to develop proposals with input from a range The identification of new cases will take place in different of partners. settings, from general practice to hospital outpatients. The nearest proxy measure that we have is hospital Liver Diseases admissions. However, hospital admissions only reflect the most serious cases when people are admitted to Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State hospital. The number of hospital admissions for liver for Health when he discussed liver disease with his disease rose from 35,581 in 2001-02 to 57,682 in 2011-12, Department’s Chief Medical Officer in the last 12 an increase of 62%. months; what the content of those discussions was; and Hepatitis A, B, C and E are viruses that affect the if he will make a statement. [197861] liver. Where tests can differentiate acute from chronic infections, data is presented as newly acquired infections Jane Ellison: A wide variety of issues, including liver and where not, data is presented as newly diagnosed disease, are discussed at regular meetings between the cases. Hepatitis surveillance data for 2013 will be available chief medical officer and the Secretary of State for in August 2014. Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cases of confirmed newly acquired hepatitis A virus West Surrey (Mr Hunt). As these meetings are not infection are reported by laboratories to Public Health routinely minuted it is not possible to specify at which England. meetings liver disease was discussed, or the specific Table 1: Hepatitis A laboratory reports (newly acquired infections), England contents of individual meetings. There have been no (2002-2012). meetings specifically focused on liver disease between Number of hepatitis A reports the Chief Medical Officer and the Secretary of State within the last 12 months. 2002 1,278 2003 999 Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State 2004 610 for Health (1) what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers 2005 469 in his Department have had with representatives of 2006 374 people with liver disease since September 2012; [197862] 2007 344 2008 344 (2) when his Department has held meetings with 2009 341 external organisations to discuss a strategy for 2010 359 combating liver disease since 11 May 2010; if he will 2011 252 place minutes of those meetings in the Library; and if 2012 279 he will make a statement. [197866] 563W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 564W

Data on acute hepatitis B infections are reported Table 4: Laboratory reports of hepatitis E (newly acquired infections), both from laboratories and from Health Protection England (2003-2012) Teams to Public Health England. Reporting in this way Number of hepatitis E reports commenced in 2008. 2003 122 Table 2: Reports of acute hepatitis B infections (newly acquired 2004 145 infections), England (2008-2012) 2005 294 Number of hepatitis B reports 2006 239 2008 620 2007 161 2009 597 2008 168 2010 512 2009 166 2011 589 2010 258 2012 554 2011 435 2012 530

Laboratory reports of newly diagnosed cases of hepatitis Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State C are reported to Public Health England. for Health how many finished consultant episodes Table 3: Laboratory reports of hepatitis C (newly diagnosed cases), relating to liver disease there have been for patients England (2002-2012) aged (a) under and (b) over 18 years old in (i) England Number of hepatitis C reports and (ii) each parliamentary constituency in England in each year since 1997-98. [197867] 2002 4,809 2003 5,570 Jane Ellison: The information is not collected centrally 2004 6,240 in the format requested. A count of finished consultant 2005 6,295 episodes with a primary diagnosis of liver disease for 2006 6,961 patients aged 0-17 and over 18 years old, by primary 2007 7,808 care trust of residence and England in total for the 2008 8,407 years 1997-98 to 2012-13 has been placed in the Library. 2009 8,862 Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State 2010 7,882 for Health what the rate of liver disease among adults 2011 9,917 was in the most recent period for which figures are 2012 10,873 available in each clinical commissioning group area. Note: [197868] At present serological tests are not able to differentiate between acute and chronic cases of hepatitis C infection. Therefore, laboratory Jane Ellison: The following table shows finished reports of hepatitis C contain both recently acquired infections and admission episodes for liver disease in 2012-13 by clinical past infections. For this reason the data represent newly diagnosed cases of hepatitis C as opposed to newly acquired infections. commissioning group of residence, where the patient Laboratory reports of confirmed cases of hepatitis E are reported to was 18 years or older. The rate is supplied per 100,000 Public Health England. Surveillance began in 2003. of the population.

Count of finished admission episodes1 and rate per 100,000 population2 for liver disease3 where the patient was 18 years or older, by clinical commissioning group of residence4, 2012-13 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector CCG of residence CCG name FAE FAE per 100,000 residents

02N NHS Airedale, Wharfedale And Craven CCG 141 114 09C NHS Ashford CCG 99 107 10Y NHS Aylesbury Vale CCG 162 107 07L NHS Barking and Dagenham CCG 209 155 07M NHS Barnet CCG 313 112 02P NHS Barnsley CCG 302 164 99E NHS Basildon and Brentwood CCG 270 139 02Q NHS Bassetlaw CCG 137 152 11E NHS Bath and North East Somerset CCG 143 99 06F NHS Bedfordshire CCG 514 158 07N NHS Bexley CCG 208 116 13P NHS Birmingham Crosscity CCG 797 148 04X NHS Birmingham South and Central CCG 242 161 00Q NHS Blackburn with Darwen CCG 158 145 00R NHS Blackpool CCG 217 192 00T NHS Bolton CCG 423 198 10G NHS Bracknell and Ascot CCG 104 103 02W NHS Bradford City CCG 152 268 02R NHS Bradford Districts CCG 497 201 07P NHS Brent CCG 334 137 09D NHS Brighton and Hove CCG 238 105 11H NHS Bristol CCG 591 172 07Q NHS Bromley CCG 278 114 565W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 566W

Count of finished admission episodes1 and rate per 100,000 population2 for liver disease3 where the patient was 18 years or older, by clinical commissioning group of residence4, 2012-13 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector CCG of residence CCG name FAE FAE per 100,000 residents

00V NHS Bury CCG 291 202 02T NHS Calderdale CCG 222 139 06H NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG 1,249 187 07R NHS Camden CCG 290 157 04Y NHS Cannock Chase CCG 185 176 09E NHS Canterbury and Coastal CCG 244 151 99F NHS Castle Point and Rochford CCG 128 93 09A NHS Central London (Westminster) CCG 194 143 00W NHS Central Manchester CCG 262 185 10H NHS Chiltern CCG 233 95 00X NHS Chorley and South Ribble CCG 282 213 07T NHS City and Hackney CCG 255 127 09G NHS Coastal West Sussex CCG 510 132 03V NHS Corby CCG 61 127 05A NHS Coventry and Rugby CCG 515 156 09H NHS Crawley CCG 109 131 07V NHS Croydon CCG 358 129 01H NHS Cumbria CCG 659 161 00C NHS Darlington CCG 115 139 09J NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG 309 160 02X NHS Doncaster CCG 308 130 11J NHS Dorset CCG 887 145 05C NHS Dudley CCG 280 114 00D NHS Durham Dales, Easington And Sedgefield CCG 355 163 07W NHS Ealing CCG 328 125 06K NHS East and North Hertfordshire CCG 499 119 01A NHS East Lancashire CCG 588 204 03W NHS East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG 339 134 02Y NHS East Riding of Yorkshire CCG 323 127 05D NHS East Staffordshire CHS 132 136 09L NHS East Surrey CCG 181 133 09F NHS Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford CCG 186 126 01C NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG 243 155 07X NHS Enfield CCG 342 144 03X NHS Erewash CCG 136 181 10K NHS Fareham and Gosport CCG 148 95 02M NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG 186 138 00F NHS Gateshead CCG 459 287 11M NHS Gloucestershire CCG 685 143 06M NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney CCG 368 216 03A NHS Greater Huddersfield CCG 266 142 01E NHS Greater Preston CCG 367 230 08A NHS Greenwich CCG 235 119 09N NHS Guildford and Waverley CCG 128 79 01F NHS Halton CCG 108 111 03D NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG 158 127 08C NHS Hammersmith and Fulham CCG 182 124 03Y NHS Hardwick CCG 106 122 08D NHS Haringey CCG 306 152 03E NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG 180 144 08E NHS Harrow CCG 202 108 00K NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-On-Tees CCG 359 162 09P NHS Hastings and Rother CCG 222 152 08F NHS Havering CCG 250 133 05F NHS Herefordshire CCG 138 93 06N NHS Herts Valleys CCG 375 86 01D NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale CCG 508 315 99K NHS High Weald Lewes Havens CCG 112 84 08G NHS Hillingdon CCG 310 144 09X NHS Horsham and Mid Sussex CCG 165 95 07Y NHS Hounslow CCG 277 139 03F NHS Hull CCG 305 151 06L NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG 433 138 567W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 568W

Count of finished admission episodes1 and rate per 100,000 population2 for liver disease3 where the patient was 18 years or older, by clinical commissioning group of residence4, 2012-13 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector CCG of residence CCG name FAE FAE per 100,000 residents

10L NHS Isle of Wight CCG 145 129 08H NHS Islington CCG 252 145 11N NHS Kernow CCG 697 160 08J NHS Kingston CCG 127 98 01J NHS Knowsley CCG 168 148 08K NHS Lambeth CCG 274 110 01K NHS Lancashire North CCG 176 137 02V NHS Leeds North CCG 237 151 03G NHS Leeds South and East CCG 451 246 03C NHS Leeds West CCG 390 150 04C NHS Leicester City CCG 332 131 08L NHS Lewisham CCG 334 154 03T NHS Lincolnshire East CCG 309 166 04D NHS Lincolnshire West CCG 228 124 99A NHS Liverpool CCG 722 190 06P NHS Luton CCG 314 205 04E NHS Mansfield and Ashfield CCG 258 170 09W NHS Medway CCG 233 113 08R NHS Merton CCG 162 103 06Q NHS Mid Essex CCG 379 127 04F NHS Milton Keynes CCG 217 112 04G NHS Nene CCG 692 143 04H NHS Newark and Sherwood CCG 143 155 10M NHS Newbury and District CCG 65 80 00G NHS Newcastle North and East CCG 229 194 00H NHS Newcastle West CCG 228 207 08M NHS Newham CCG 413 176 10N NHS North and West Reading CCG 78 102 04J NHS North Derbyshire CCG 284 129 00J NHS North Durham CCG 325 166 06T NHS North East Essex CCG 314 125 99M NHS North East Hampshire and Farnham CCG 208 130 03H NHS North East Lincolnshire CCG 181 144 10J NHS North Hampshire CCG 175 104 03J NHS North Kirklees CCG 163 116 03K NHS North Lincolnshire CCG 198 149 01M NHS North Manchester CCG 491 377 06V NHS North Norfolk CCG 291 211 11T NHS North Somerset CCG 238 146 05G NHS North Staffordshire CCG 257 149 99C NHS North Tyneside CCG 379 235 09Y NHS North West Surrey CCG 327 124 99P NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG 1,073 153 00L NHS Northumberland CCG 488 191 06W NHS Norwich CCG 362 229 04K NHS Nottingham City CCG 514 209 04L NHS Nottingham North and East CCG 161 139 04M NHS Nottingham West CCG 154 172 00Y NHS Oldham CCG 412 244 10Q NHS Oxfordshire CCG 647 127 10R NHS Portsmouth CCG 211 128 08N NHS Redbridge CCG 324 152 05J NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG 231 164 08P NHS Richmond CCG 156 106 03L NHS Rotherham CCG 297 147 04N NHS Rushcliffe CCG 180 204 01G NHS Salford CCG 508 274 05L NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG 536 151 03M NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG 151 168 03N NHS Sheffield CCG 691 156 05N NHS Shropshire CCG 265 107 10T NHS Slough CCG 127 123 05P NHS Solihull CCG 180 111 569W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 570W

Count of finished admission episodes1 and rate per 100,000 population2 for liver disease3 where the patient was 18 years or older, by clinical commissioning group of residence4, 2012-13 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector CCG of residence CCG name FAE FAE per 100,000 residents

11X NHS Somerset CCG 533 125 01R NHS South Cheshire CCG 199 142 99Q NHS South Devon and Torbay CCG 379 170 05Q NHS South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula CCG 238 134 10V NHS South Eastern Hampshire CCG 163 98 12A NHS South Gloucestershire CCG 171 82 10A NHS South Kent Coast CCG 272 168 99D NHS South Lincolnshire CCG 148 131 01N NHS South Manchester CCG 221 173 06Y NHS South Norfolk CCG 368 197 10W NHS South Reading CCG 86 102 01T NHS South Sefton CCG 230 181 00M NHS South Tees CCG 434 202 00N NHS South Tyneside CCG 266 224 05R NHS South Warwickshire CCG 257 123 04Q NHS South West Lincolnshire CCG 164 170 05T NHS South Worcestershire CCG 413 176 10X NHS Southampton CCG 203 106 99G NHS Southend CCG 111 81 04R NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG 654 162 01V NHS Southport and Formby CCG 145 157 08Q NHS Southwark CCG 350 150 01X NHS St Helens CCG 262 188 05V NHS Stafford and Surrounds CCG 159 130 01W NHS Stockport CCG 377 169 05W NHS Stoke On Trent CCG 258 128 00P NHS Sunderland CCG 480 217 99H NHS Surrey Downs CCG 236 107 10C NHS Surrey Heath CCG 126 171 08T NHS Sutton CCG 186 124 10D NHS Swale CCG 84 101 12D NHS Swindon CCG 159 94 01Y NHS Tameside and Glossop CCG 346 175 05X NHS Telford and Wrekin CCG 183 142 10E NHS Thanet CCG 198 186 07G NHS Thurrock CCG 143 119 08V NHS Tower Hamlets CCG 285 139 02A NHS Trafford CCG 298 169 03Q NHS Vale of York CCG 349 124 02D NHS Vale Royal CCG 100 125 03R NHS Wakefield CCG 296 114 05Y NHS Walsall CCG 267 129 08W NHS Waltham Forest CCG 226 113 08X NHS Wandsworth CCG 229 91 02E NHS Warrington CCG 187 117 05H NHS Warwickshire North CCG 182 123 02F NHS West Cheshire CCG 224 122 07H NHS West Essex CCG 311 138 11A NHS West Hampshire CCG 508 117 99J NHS West Kent CCG 333 93 02G NHS West Lancashire CCG 134 152 04V NHS West Leicestershire CCG 328 110 08Y NHS West London CCG 237 132 07J NHS West Norfolk CCG 250 180 07K NHS West Suffolk CCG 380 217 02H NHS Wigan Borough CCG 544 217 99N NHS Wiltshire CCG 347 93 11C NHS Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead CCG 146 134 12F NHS Wirral CCG 527 209 11D NHS Wokingham CCG 129 107 06A NHS Wolverhampton CCG 290 149 06D NHS Wyre Forest CCG 115 145 England resident total 61,841 147 571W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 572W

Count of finished admission episodes1 and rate per 100,000 population2 for liver disease3 where the patient was 18 years or older, by clinical commissioning group of residence4, 2012-13 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector CCG of residence CCG name FAE FAE per 100,000 residents

Unknown/not England resident 837 n/a Total 62,678 n/a 1 Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period. 2 ONS population estimates Population estimates—mid-2012 population estimates from the Office of National Statistics have been used. The estimated resident population of an area includes all people who usually live there, whatever their nationality. People arriving into an area from outside the United Kingdom are only included in the population estimates if their total stay in the UK is 12 months or more. Visitors and short-term migrants (those who enter the UK for three to 12 months for certain purposes) are not included. Similarly, people who leave the UK are only excluded from the population estimates if they remain outside the UK for 12 months or more. This is consistent with the United Nations recommended definition of an international long-term migrant. Members of UK and non-UK armed forces stationed in the UK are included in the population and UK forces stationed outside the UK are excluded. Students are taken tobe resident at their term time address. 3 Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. The following ICD10 codes have been used to identify ’Liver Disease’: K70—Alcoholic liver disease K71—Toxic liver disease K72—Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified K73—Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified K74—Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver K75—Other inflammatory liver diseases K76—Other diseases of liver K77—*Liver disorders in diseases classified elsewhere (note that this code may appear in the first secondary diagnosis position) Q44—Cystic disease of liver B15—Acute hepatitis B16—Acute hepatitis B17—Other viral hepatitis B18—Chronic viral hepatitis B19—Unspecified viral hepatitis C22.0—Liver cell carcinoma C22.1—Intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma C22.2—Hepatoblastoma C22.3—Angiosarcoma of liver C22.4—Other sarcomas of liver C22.7—Other specified carcinomas of liver C22.9—Malignant neoplasm of liver, unspecified D13.4—Benign neoplasm of liver I81.X—Portal vein thrombosis I82.0—Budd-Chiari syndrome K83—Other diseases of biliary tract T86—Liver transplant failure and rejection 4 CCG of residence The clinical commissioning group (CCG) containing the patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another area for treatment. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State Medical Records: Databases for Health with reference to page 54 of the Chief Medical Officer’s 2011 annual report, if he will place in Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the Library the figures underpinning the statement that pursuant to the answer of 7 April 2014, Official Report, liver disease mortality is increasing in England at the column 43W, on medical records: databases, whether time when the average of our closest counterparts, EU his Department plans any procurement in connection members that joined pre-2004 is decreasing; if he will with care.data. [198271] update those figures to include the latest available data; Dr Poulter: NHS England is currently planning to and if he will make a statement. [197926] procure an agency to conduct research with the public and stakeholder groups to inform communications and Jane Ellison: All of the datasets supporting statements engagement activity with those audiences for the care.data and images in the ‘Annual Report of the Chief Medical programme. Officer Volume One 2011, On the State of the Public’s Should a contract be let which is in relation to, or in Health’, may be downloaded by following the link at: support of, care.data the procurement of those goods and/or services will be compliant with the Public Contracts www.gov.uk/government/news/cmo-annual-report-2011- Regulations 2006, as amended. Any procurement would volume-one-data-available be aligned with applicable government policies and The datasets are not available in a hard copy format shall ensure best practice is followed, including a robust from the Department. It is anticipated that the figures evaluation of bidders against objective criteria. will be updated later in the financial year. Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health In our mandate to the national health service, we set pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2014, Official out the ambition to make England one of the most Report, column 355W, on medical records: databases, if successful countries in Europe at preventing premature he will bar ATOS from having any involvement with deaths from illnesses such as liver disease. care.data. [198272] 573W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 574W

Dr Poulter: The Public Contracts Regulations 2006, of the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, which will be as amended, allow for suppliers to be classed as ineligible launched in the summer. Underpinning the new national to bid for contracts in circumstances where the supplier standard is a series of workplace health topic guides. or its representative has been convicted of criminal Among the first series of guides to be launched in the offences relating to conspiracy, corruption, bribery or autumn are guides on improving healthy eating and fraud. Where this is not the case, suppliers must be increasing physical activity in the office. treated equally and track record would be assessed in Many NHS organisations are already taking part in line with Government policy as part of any tendering the Workplace Wellbeing Charter schemes and accessing process. the weight management, physical activity and healthy Mental Health Services eating support available locally. PHE has also commissioned an e-learning module on Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for obesity and weight management through the Royal Health pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2014, Official College of General Practice and this will be launched in Report, column 714, on physical and mental health the summer. (parity of esteem), if he will collect and publish mental PHE is working with the Department and NHS health spending data for (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and Employers to encourage NHS trusts to use the Government (c) future years. [198290] Food Buying Standards as a key component of their work to support obese staff by creating a healthier and Norman Lamb: NHS England currently collects and supportive work environment. publishes information about mental health spending via its Programme Budgeting Data collection and published Nurses: Recruitment expenditure data for 2012-13 on 21 February 2014. This is available on its website at: Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health www.england.nhs.uk/resources/resources-for-ccgs/prog- what assessment he has made the effect of recent NHS budgeting pay policy on the ability of the NHS to recruit and We are working with NHS England to support its retain nursing staff. [198270] plans to develop the Programme Budgeting Dataset for 2013-14 to provide a more meaningful analysis of Dr Poulter: The aim of the Government’s pay policy expenditure on mental health conditions. is to fairly reward nurses and other staff while ensuring that pay is affordable and that front-line patient services NHS: Insolvency are protected. Our assessment of this policy is that it has been effective in recruiting, retaining and motivating Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the nursing workforce. There are now more nurses than Health pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2014, at any time under the previous Government. Official Report, column 461W, on NHS: insolvency, when he plans to place in the Library the minutes of Pancreatic Cancer the meeting on 2 April 2014. [198242] Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Jane Ellison: We plan to place a final copy of the Health if he will create a national audit of pancreatic minutes of the meeting on 2 April in the Library in due cancer services. [197941] course, once the terms of reference for the Committee have been finalised. Jane Ellison: There are currently no plans for an audit of pancreatic cancer services as part of the National NHS: Obesity Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme. However, in response to a recommendation from the Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pancreatic Cancer, Health what steps his Department is taking to tackle NHS England has recently asked the National Institute obesity in the NHS staff. [198166] for Health and Care Excellence to develop a Clinical Guideline and Quality Standard on pancreatic cancer. Jane Ellison: National health service organisations When completed, these could provide the standards are encouraged to lead the way in supporting staff to against which a future national clinical audit could be address their own weight and health issues, in addition developed. to helping patients do the same. NHS England has committed to supporting the NHS Sports and Activity Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Challenge which aims to support the importance of Health what steps he is taking to ensure that treatments staff wellbeing, as well as the opportunities which it proven to show benefit to pancreatic cancer patients offers to deliver the very best care we can to patients, will be made available on the NHS as quickly as carers and the public more generally. possible. [197943] The Public Health Responsibility Deal health at work pledges include one on Healthier Staff Restaurants Jane Ellison: It is important that patients are able to which makes it easier for people to choose and maintain access those treatments proven to show benefit and that a healthier diet while at work. Already 21 NHS trusts their clinicians think are right for them. In September have signed up to the Healthier Staff Restaurants pledge. 2013, NHS England launched a new £16.9 million Public Health England (PHE) has commissioned Commissioning through Evaluation programme which Liverpool city council and the Health and Work Centre will widen access to innovative treatments to patients to produce national standards to support local delivery where there are real prospects for benefit. Commissioning 575W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 576W through Evaluation, which was originally developed Jane Ellison: Figures showing the number of finished with clinicians treating heart conditions, will enable admission episodes with primary and secondary (but treatments and service to be funded within defined not primary) diagnosis of prostate cancer by admission parameters, in a small number of participating centres, method for 2005-06 to 2012-13 by primary care trust and within an explicit evaluation programme. These (PCT) of responsibility and for England in total have treatments have all been identified by clinicians and been placed in the Library. patient representatives as showing significant ‘promise’ as potential treatment options for the future. Respite Care Through the Early Access to Medicines scheme, launched in March 2014, the Medicines and Healthcare products Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Regulatory Agency will provide a scientific opinion on Health which organisations have received how much promising new, unlicensed or off-label medicines to funding from his Department aimed at supporting treat, diagnose or prevent life threatening or seriously access to short breaks and respite provision for debilitating conditions which do not have adequate children, young people and their families experiencing treatment options. The hope is that the scheme, which all types of disadvantage in each of the last five will operate within the current regulatory structure, financial years. [197823] could give patients with these conditions access much sooner to medicines that represent a significant advance Norman Lamb: From 2008-09, the Department made in their area of unmet need. £340 million available (for three years), for palliative The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence care and end-of-life services, short breaks, community (NICE) has issued technology appraisal guidance which equipment and wheelchair services for disabled children recommends gemcitabine (Gemzar) as an option for and young people. treating patients with advanced or metastatic In each of the last five years, we have made an annual adenocarcinoma of the pancreas who meet certain clinical grant of £10 million to 40 children’s hospice services. criteria. NICE is currently appraising a number of new An additional £721,000 was made available from 2012-13 drugs, including nimotuzumab (Theraloc), masitinib for seven new children’s hospices not in receipt of the (Masiviera) and paclitaxel formulated as albumin-bound original grant. In addition to the annual grant, we also nanoparticles (Abraxane) for pancreatic cancer. made available a one-off grant of £19 million in 2010-11 to support local children’s palliative services and over National health service commissioners are legally £7.5 million in 2013-14 in capital grants for children’s required to fund those treatments recommended by hospices and hospices at home. NICE in its technology appraisal guidance. Where a cancer drug is not routinely funded by the NHS, patients We have also provided £400 million to the national in England may be able to access it via the Cancer health service over four years from 2011 for family Drugs Fund. carers to have breaks from their caring responsibilities. In the 2013 spending review, we announced the £3.8 billion Better Care Fund, which includes £130 million funding Potatoes for carers’ breaks for 2015-16.

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists what recent steps his Department has taken to promote potatoes as part of a healthy diet. [198227] Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will discuss with the Royal College of Jane Ellison: The Government recommends eating Obstetricians and Gynaecologists the decision of its plenty of starchy foods, including potatoes, as part of a faculty of sexual and reproductive health not to allow healthy balanced diet, as depicted in the ‘eatwell plate’. doctors and nurses who have a conscientious objection This provides a visual representation of the types and to supplying contraceptive drugs or devices which act proportions of the foods needed for a healthy, balanced after fertilisation to receive its diploma in sexual and diet and advises that starchy foods, such as potatoes, reproductive health. [198176] breads, cereals, rice and pasta should make up about a third of our diet. Jane Ellison: The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive The Government utilises the eatwell plate alongside Healthcare is responsible for decisions on the syllabus other mechanisms to promote the consumption of starchy of its diploma, the requirements for entry to the diploma foods, such as potatoes. This includes providing tips on course, and the award of a diploma qualification. healthy eating through the Live Well pages of the NHS Choices website and recipes through Public Health Royal Preston Hospital England’s social marketing campaign, Change4Life. Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Prostate Cancer Health if he will investigate reports that the Neurology department at Royal Preston Hospital is allocating appointments to patients and then instructing them not Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for to attend on the date and time given as the Health how many (a) elective and (b) emergency appointment is only made for consultants to view the admissions to hospital with a (i) primary and (ii) patient’s referral letter; whether (a) his Department for secondary diagnosis of prostate cancer there have been (b) NHS England issues guidance on the allocation of in each year since 2005, (A) in England and (B) by appointments which patients are instructed not to commissioning area of responsibility. [197888] attend; and if he will make a statement. [198218] 577W Written Answers13 MAY 2014 Written Answers 578W

Jane Ellison: The allocation of appointments is a The study included consideration of the cost-effectiveness local matter for the national health service and the hon. of different patterns of service provision for patients Member should contact the chief executive of Lancashire who have had a TIA. Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for further information. We understand the Trust has already Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health investigated this issue and posted an explanation on its what recent discussions he has had on ways of website: improving awareness of transient ischaemic attacks on www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/neurology-non- the part of (a) GPs, (b) staff in A&E departments and appointment-letters (c) other health staff. [198241]

Strokes Jane Ellison: NHS England is responsible for improving awareness of transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) among Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health front-line health staff. In addition, both the recent Act what research he has commissioned on the effect of FAST campaign conducted by Public Health England patients receiving urgent investigations and treatment and the Stroke Association campaign launched last following a transient ischaemic attack on reducing (a) week will improve awareness of TIAs among professionals the risk of future strokes and (b) the cost to the NHS and the public alike. of treating strokes; and if he will make a statement. The provision of timely access to TIA clinics has [198240] greatly improved over recent years and more patients are having carotid surgery in a timely fashion than ever Dr Poulter: Funding from the Department’s National before. However, we recognise that there are still Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has supported improvements to be made and part of the work of the EXPRESS (Early use of eXisting PREventive Strategies reorganising and modernising stroke services involves for Stroke) study led by the stroke prevention research ensuring that TIA care is of the highest quality. unit at John Radcliffe hospital, Oxford. The aim of the study was to measure the effect of more rapid treatment Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke how many specialist transient ischaemic attack clinics in patients who were not admitted directly to hospital. are currently operating in each NHS trust in each Findings have been published in the journals “Lancet” region of England. [198253] and “Lancet Neurology”. These include findings on the effect of urgent treatment for TIA and minor stroke on Jane Ellison: Information from the latest Sentinel early recurrent stroke, and on disability and hospital Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) organisational costs. audit published in 2012, found that 99% of acute trusts An NIHR-funded project commissioned by the former in England, Wales and Northern Ireland had a Service Delivery and Organisation programme studied neurovascular (transient ischaemic attack) clinic with a the optimum model of service delivery for TIA. A median of 20 clinics held in each four week period. report of the study is available in the NIHR journals More information can be found on page 64 of the 2012 library at: SSNAP audit report at the following link: www.nets.nihr.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/64505/FR- www.rcplondon.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/ssnap- 08-1504-112.pdf acute-organisational-audit_2012-public-report.pdf

ORAL ANSWERS

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 567 DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER—continued Abortion ...... 569 Devolution of Powers ...... 553 Contempt of Court...... 573 Electoral Register...... 559 Female Genital Mutilation...... 574 Local Enterprise Partnerships (Devolution)...... 555 Human Trafficking ...... 567 Local Enterprise Partnerships (Devolution)...... 557 Justice Systems: Developing Countries ...... 570 Regional Ministers...... 555 Serious Fraud Office ...... 572 Topical Questions ...... 560 Trade Union Funding ...... 556 DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 553 Decentralisation...... 558 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE...... 17WS JUSTICE...... 21WS Handling Member’s Correspondence...... 17WS Prison Service Pay Review Body (Triennial Review) ...... 21WS DEFENCE...... 19WS National Strategy for Maritime Security...... 19WS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 20WS TRANSPORT ...... 22WS Foreign Affairs Council for Development ...... 20WS Ministerial Correction ...... 22WS PETITION

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Col. No. TRANSPORT ...... 9P North Corner Quay and Landing Stage, Devonport ...... 9P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 433W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Crime: Nature Conservation...... 433W continued Social Security Benefits: Fraud ...... 433W Housing: Construction...... 537W Leasehold Advisory Service ...... 541W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 508W Local Government ...... 541W Apprentices: Pay ...... 508W Local Government and Local Enterprise Business: Cumbria ...... 509W Partnerships...... 542W Business: Registration ...... 509W Local Government: Pay ...... 543W Construction...... 510W Local Government: Publications...... 544W Direct Selling ...... 510W Planning Permission ...... 544W Respite Care...... 511W Private Rented Housing ...... 544W Solar Power: Planning Permission...... 544W CABINET OFFICE...... 518W Temporary Accommodation: Essex ...... 545W Public Appointments ...... 518W Urban Areas: Land Drainage ...... 545W Publications ...... 518W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 519W Respite Care...... 518W Broadband ...... 519W Universal Credit...... 518W Equality and Human Rights Commission...... 519W Giro d’Italia ...... 520W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 535W Radio Frequencies ...... 520W Burglary...... 535W Respite Care...... 520W Derelict Land: Recreation Spaces...... 536W Empty Property: Bristol...... 536W DEFENCE...... 443W Housing ...... 537W Al-Sweady Inquiry ...... 443W Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE—continued HEALTH—continued Employment Tribunals Service...... 444W General Practitioners: Fareham ...... 557W European Fighter Aircraft ...... 444W Health Professions: Insurance...... 557W Legal Costs ...... 444W Health Services ...... 558W Public Expenditure...... 447W Hepatitis ...... 558W Radioactive Waste: Fife ...... 449W Incontinence ...... 560W Learning Disability ...... 561W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 440W Liver Diseases ...... 561W Business Growth: Basildon and Thurrock...... 440W Medical Records: Databases ...... 572W Electoral Register...... 441W Mental Health Services ...... 573W Members of Parliament: Recall...... 441W NHS: Insolvency...... 573W Political and Constitutional Reform ...... 441W NHS: Obesity...... 573W Referendums ...... 442W Nurses: Recruitment ...... 574W Respite Care...... 442W Pancreatic Cancer ...... 574W Potatoes ...... 575W EDUCATION...... 522W Prostate Cancer...... 575W Children: Protection...... 522W Respite Care...... 576W Free Schools...... 522W Royal College of Obstetricians and GCSE ...... 522W Gynaecologists...... 576W Members: Correspondence ...... 523W Royal Preston Hospital ...... 576W School Meals ...... 523W Strokes ...... 577W Schools: Admissions ...... 524W Schools: Inspections...... 524W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 450W Sixth Form Education...... 525W Airguns ...... 450W Asylum: Deportation ...... 450W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 546W Asylum: Syria ...... 450W Electoral Register...... 546W Deportation ...... 451W Electorate: Visual Impairment ...... 546W Deportation: Offenders...... 451W Deportation: Somalia...... 452W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 534W Domestic Violence ...... 452W Electricity...... 534W Emergency Services: Telecommunications...... 452W Solar Power...... 534W Entry Clearances...... 452W Solar PV Strategy Group ...... 534W Human Trafficking ...... 453W Illegal Immigrants: Olympic Games 2012 ...... 456W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Immigration Controls ...... 456W AFFAIRS...... 511W Immigration: Telephone Services ...... 456W Agriculture: Herefordshire ...... 511W Licensing Laws: Wales ...... 456W Birds ...... 511W Members: Correspondence ...... 457W Common Agricultural Policy ...... 512W Metals: Licensing...... 458W Deer...... 512W Offenders: Deportation...... 458W Forests ...... 512W Official Visits: Uganda...... 462W Mangoes: India...... 512W Private Investigators...... 462W Mink...... 513W Proceeds of Crime...... 462W Roads: Lighting ...... 464W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 435W Theft: Metals ...... 464W Bangladesh...... 435W UK Visas and Immigration Directorate ...... 465W Brunei ...... 435W Burma...... 435W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 547W Commonwealth ...... 436W Developing Countries: Education ...... 547W Egypt ...... 436W Developing Countries: Health Services ...... 547W Iran...... 437W Developing Countries: Unemployment...... 548W Morocco ...... 437W Developing Countries: Urban Areas ...... 548W Nigeria...... 437W Nigeria...... 548W Nuclear Disarmament...... 438W Palestinians ...... 550W Official Visits ...... 438W Pakistan ...... 439W JUSTICE...... 465W Swaziland...... 439W Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse...... 465W Syria...... 440W Arrest Warrants ...... 465W Western Sahara ...... 440W Bail ...... 466W Brighton...... 466W HEALTH...... 550W Burglary...... 466W Abortion ...... 550W CAFCASS ...... 467W Ambulance Services ...... 550W Compensation...... 467W Arthritis ...... 553W Criminal Injuries Compensation ...... 467W Cancer: Northern Ireland ...... 555W Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority...... 467W Community Nurses...... 555W Criminal Proceedings ...... 469W Diseases ...... 555W Data Protection...... 469W Doctors: Disciplinary Proceedings ...... 556W Electronic Government ...... 470W Epidermolysis Bullose...... 556W Family Courts ...... 470W Euthanasia: Children ...... 556W Ford Prison...... 471W General Practitioners ...... 556W Fraud: Social Security Benefits ...... 472W Col. No. Col. No. JUSTICE—continued TRANSPORT—continued Health: Research...... 473W Railways...... 516W Magistrates’ Courts...... 475W Roads: Hampshire ...... 516W Northern Ireland...... 475W Offences Against Children ...... 475W TREASURY ...... 528W Open Prisons...... 477W Air Passenger Duty ...... 528W Police Cautions: Copeland...... 479W Debts: Developing Countries ...... 529W Prerogative of Mercy ...... 480W Housing ...... 529W Prison Accommodation ...... 480W Income Tax ...... 530W Prison Service ...... 480W Mapeley ...... 530W Prisoners ...... 483W Minimum Wage ...... 530W Prisoners: China...... 489W Money Laundering: EU Action ...... 531W Prisoners: Per Capita Costs...... 491W National Insurance Contributions: New Prisons: Crimes of Violence ...... 491W Businesses ...... 531W Prisons: Mobile Phones...... 492W PAYE...... 532W Prisons: Seized Articles ...... 498W Revenue and Customs...... 532W Probation ...... 501W Tonnage Tax ...... 533W Procurement...... 502W UK Asset Resolution ...... 533W Prosecutions...... 503W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 534W Remand in Custody ...... 503W Reoffenders...... 503W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 433W Sentencing: West Yorkshire...... 506W Equality and Human Rights Commission...... 433W Victim Support ...... 507W Gender...... 434W Youth Courts ...... 507W LGBT People...... 434W Women’s Business Council...... 434W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 521W Northern Ireland Government...... 521W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 525W Praxis...... 521W Carrington Wire...... 525W Prerogative of Mercy ...... 521W Employment Schemes: Young People...... 525W Jobcentre Plus ...... 526W TRANSPORT ...... 513W Jobseeker’s Allowance ...... 526W Bus Services: Disability ...... 513W Mortgages: Government Assistance...... 527W Cycling: Northern Ireland...... 515W Occupational Pensions...... 527W Driving: Licensing...... 515W Universal Credit...... 528W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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CONTENTS

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 553] [see index inside back page] Deputy Prime Minister Attorney-General

Ukraine [Col. 575] Statement—(Mr Hague)

Prohibition of Unpaid Internships [Col. 593] Motion for leave to bring in Bill—(Alec Shelbrooke)—on a Division, agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Consumer Rights [Col. 599] Programme motion (No. 2)—(Jenny Willott)—agreed to As amended, considered

All-party Parliamentary Groups [Col. 709] Motion—(Kevin Barron)—agreed to

Intelligence and Security Committee [Col. 720] Motion—(Tom Brake)—agreed to

Hull Official Receiver’s Office [Col. 725] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Political and Human Rights (African Great Lakes) [Col. 181WH] Park Homes [Col. 204WH] Human Rights (North Korea) [Col. 212WH] Local Plans [Col. 238WH] GP Services (Tower Hamlets) [Col. 245WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 17WS]

Petition [Col. 9P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 433W] [see index inside back page]