Monday Volume 564 10 June 2013 No. 14

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday 10 June 2013

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

MEMBERS OF THE CABINET

(FORMED BY THE RT HON.,MP,MAY 2010) PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt Hon. David Cameron, MP DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt Hon. Nick Clegg, MP FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon. William Hague, MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. George Osborne, MP CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY—The Rt Hon. Danny Alexander, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE—The Rt Hon. Philip Hammond, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,INNOVATION AND SKILLS—The Rt Hon. Vince Cable, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS—The Rt Hon. Iain Duncan Smith, MP LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE—The Rt Hon. Chris Grayling, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION—The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT—The Rt Hon. Eric Pickles, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH—The Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT,FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon. Owen Paterson, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—The Rt Hon. Justine Greening, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND—The Rt Hon. Michael Moore, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—The Rt Hon. Edward Davey, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT—The Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE,MEDIA AND SPORT AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. Maria Miller, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND—The Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES—The Rt Hon. David Jones, MP LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER—The Rt Hon. Lord Hill of Oareford, CBE

DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND MINISTERS Business, Innovation and Skills— SECRETARY OF STATE AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE—The Rt Hon. Vince Cable, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. David Willetts, MP (Minister for Universities and Science) The Rt Hon. Michael Fallon, MP § Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint (Minister for Trade and Investment) § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Jo Swinson, MP § Matthew Hancock, MP § (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills) Viscount Younger of Leckie Cabinet Office— MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE AND PAYMASTER GENERAL—The Rt Hon. Francis Maude, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Oliver Letwin, MP (Minister for Government Policy) The Rt Hon. David Laws, MP § PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES— , MP Chloe Smith, MP Joseph Johnson, MP § Communities and Local Government— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Eric Pickles, MP SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Baroness Warsi § MINISTER OF STATE—Mark Prisk, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Nick Boles, MP The Rt Hon. Don Foster, MP , MP Baroness Hanham, CBE ii HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.

Culture, Media and Sport— SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE,MEDIA AND SPORT AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. Maria Miller, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Hugh Robertson, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE— Edward Vaizey, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES Helen Grant, MP § Jo Swinson, MP § Defence— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Philip Hammond, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Andrew Robathan, MP The Rt Hon. Mark Francois, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Dr Andrew Murrison, MP Philip Dunne, MP Lord Astor of Hever, DL Duchy of Lancaster— LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER—The Rt Hon. Lord Hill of Oareford Education— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP MINISTER OF STATE— The Rt Hon. David Laws, MP § (Minister for Schools) PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Matthew Hancock, MP § (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills) Edward Timpson, MP Elizabeth Truss, MP Lord Nash Energy and Climate Change— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Edward Davey, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Gregory Barker, MP The Rt Hon. Michael Fallon, MP § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Baroness Verma Environment, Food and Rural Affairs— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Owen Paterson, MP MINISTER OF STATE— David Heath, CBE, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Richard Benyon, MP Lord de Mauley Foreign and Commonwealth Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. William Hague, MP SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Baroness Warsi § MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. David Lidington, MP (Minister for Europe) The Rt Hon. Hugo Swire, MP Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Mark Simmonds, MP Alistair Burt, MP Health— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt, MP MINISTER OF STATE— Norman Lamb, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Anna Soubry, MP Daniel Poulter, MP The Rt Hon. Earl Howe HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont. iii

Home Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Theresa May, MP § MINISTERS OF STATE— Mark Harper, MP (Minister for Immigration) The Rt Hon. , MP (Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice) § Jeremy Browne PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— James Brokenshire, MP Lord Taylor of Holbeach, CBE International Development— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Justine Greening, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Alan Duncan, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Lynne Featherstone, MP Justice— LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Chris Grayling, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Lord McNally The Rt Hon. Damian Green, MP (Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice) § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Helen Grant, MP § Jeremy Wright, MP Law Officers— ATTORNEY-GENERAL—The Rt Hon. Dominic Grieve, QC, MP SOLICITOR-GENERAL—Oliver Heald, QC, MP ADVOCATE-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND—The Rt Hon. Lord Wallace of Tankerness, QC Leader of the House of Commons— LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND LORD PRIVY SEAL—The Rt Hon. Andrew Lansley, MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Tom Brake, MP Northern Ireland— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers, MP MINISTER OF STATE—, MP Privy Council Office— DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt Hon. Nick Clegg, MP Scotland Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Michael Moore, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. David Mundell, MP Transport— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Simon Burns, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Norman Baker, MP Stephen Hammond, MP Treasury— PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt Hon. David Cameron, MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. George Osborne, MP CHIEF SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Danny Alexander, MP FINANCIAL SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Greg Clark, MP EXCHEQUER SECRETARY—David Gauke, MP ECONOMIC SECRETARY—Sajid Javid, MP COMMERCIAL SECRETARY—Lord Deighton, KBE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Sir George Young, MP LORDS COMMISSIONERS— The Rt Hon. Desmond Swayne, MP Anne Milton, MP David Evennett, MP Stephen Crabb, MP § Robert Goodwill, MP Mark Lancaster, MP iv HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.

ASSISTANT WHIPS— Greg Hands, MP Karen Bradley, MP Joseph Johnson, MP Nicky Morgan, MP Robert Syms, MP Mark Hunter, MP Jenny Willott, MP Wales Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. David Jones, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Stephen Crabb, MP § Baroness Randerson Work and Pensions— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Iain Duncan Smith, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Mark Hoban, MP Steve Webb, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Lord Freud Esther McVey, MP Ministers without Portfolio— The Rt Hon. Kenneth Clarke, QC, MP The Rt Hon. Grant Shapps, MP The Rt Hon. John Hayes, MP Her Majesty’s Household— LORD CHAMBERLAIN—The Rt Hon. Earl Peel, GCVO, DL LORD STEWARD—The Earl of Dalhousie MASTER OF THE HORSE—Lord Vestey, KCVO TREASURER—The Rt Hon. John Randall, MP COMPTROLLER—The Rt Hon. Alistair Carmichael, MP VICE-CHAMBERLAIN—The Rt Hon. Greg Knight, MP CAPTAIN OF THE HONOURABLE CORPS OF GENTLEMEN-AT-ARMS—The Rt Hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns, DBE CAPTAIN OF THE QUEEN’S BODYGUARD OF THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD—Lord Newby, OBE BARONESSES IN WAITING—Baroness Garden of Frognal, Baroness Northover, Baroness Stowell of Beeston, LORDS IN WAITING—Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Earl Attlee, Lord Gardiner of Kimble, The Rt Hon. Lord Wallace of Saltaire, Lord Popat § Members of the Government listed under more than one Department

SECOND CHURCH ESTATES COMMISSIONER, REPRESENTING CHURCH COMMISSIONERS—Sir Tony Baldry, MP HOUSE OF COMMONS THE SPEAKER—The Rt Hon. John Bercow, MP CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—The Rt Hon. Lindsay Hoyle, MP FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—Nigel Evans, MP SECOND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—The Rt Hon. Dawn Primarolo, MP PANEL OF CHAIRS Mr David Amess, MP, Hugh Bayley, MP, Mr Joe Benton, MP, Mr Clive Betts, MP, Mr Peter Bone, MP, Mr Graham Brady, MP, Annette Brooke, MP, Martin Caton, MP, Mr Christopher Chope, MP, Katy Clark, MP, Mr David Crausby, MP, Philip Davies, MP, Jim Dobbin, MP, Nadine Dorries, MP, Sir Roger Gale, MP, Mr James Gray, MP, Mr Mike Hancock, MP, Mr Dai Havard, MP, Mr Philip Hollobone, MP, Mr Jim Hood, MP, The Rt Hon. George Howarth, MP, Mr Edward Leigh, MP, Dr William McCrea, MP, Miss Anne McIntosh, MP, Mrs Anne Main, MP, Sir Alan Meale, MP, Sandra Osborne, MP, Albert Owen, MP, Mark Pritchard, MP, Mrs Linda Riordan, MP, John Robertson, MP, Andrew Rosindell, MP, Jim Sheridan, MP, Mr , MP, Mr Andrew Turner, MP, Mr Charles Walker, MP, Mr Mike Weir, MP, Hywel Williams, MP SECRETARY—Simon Patrick HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION The Rt Hon. The Speaker (Chairman), Sir Paul Beresford, MP, Mr Frank Doran, MP, Ms Angela Eagle, MP, The Rt Hon. Andrew Lansley, MP, John Thurso, MP SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION—Robert Twigger ASSISTANT SECRETARY—Joanna Dodd ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATE AUDIT COMMITTEE Alex Jablonowski (Chairman), Ms Angela Eagle, MP, The Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP, John Thurso, MP, Stephen Brooker, Barbara Scott SECRETARY OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE—Ben Williams LIAISON COMMITTEE The Rt Hon. Sir Alan Beith, MP (Chair), Mr Graham Allen, MP, The Rt Hon. James Arbuthnot, MP, Mr Adrian Bailey, MP, The Rt Hon. Kevin Barron, MP, Dame Anne Begg, MP, Mr Clive Betts, MP, The Rt Hon. Sir Malcolm Bruce, MP, Mr William Cash, MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP, Mr Ian Davidson, MP, DavidTCDavies, MP, The Rt Hon. Stephen Dorrell, MP, James Duddridge, MP, Mrs Louise Ellman, MP, Natascha Engel, MP, Dr Hywel Francis, MP, The Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP, The Rt Hon. Margaret Hodge, MP, Mr Bernard Jenkin, MP, Miss Anne McIntosh, MP, Andrew Miller, MP, Mr George Mudie, MP, Richard Ottaway, MP, Mr Laurence Robertson, MP, Mr Graham Stuart, MP, John Thurso, MP, Mr Andrew Tyrie, MP, The Rt Hon. Keith Vaz, MP, Mr Charles Walker, MP, Joan Walley, MP, Mr John Whittingdale, MP, Mr Tim Yeo, MP CLERKS—Andrew Kennon, Philippa Helme MANAGEMENT BOARD Sir Robert Rogers, KCB (Clerk of the House and Chief Executive), David Natzler (Clerk Assistant and Director General, Chamber and Committee Services), John Pullinger (Director General, Information Services), Andrew Walker (Director General, HR and Change), John Borley, CB (Director General, Facilities), Myfanwy Barrett (Director of Finance), Joan Miller (Director of Parliamentary ICT) (External Member), Alex Jablonowski (External Member), Barbara Scott (External Member) SECRETARY OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD—Matthew Hamlyn SPEAKER’S SECRETARY—Peter Barratt SPEAKER’S COUNSEL—Michael Carpenter SPEAKER’S CHAPLAIN—Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR STANDARDS—Kathryn Hudson PARLIAMENTARY SECURITY DIRECTOR—Paul Martin

10 June 2013

THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT

IN THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND [WHICH OPENED 18 MAY 2010]

SIXTY-SECOND YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

SIXTH SERIES VOLUME 564 SECOND VOLUME OF SESSION 2013-2014

Mr Harper: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that. House of Commons Of course this House thought that that is exactly what it had done, as it sent a very clear message to judges about Monday 10 June 2013 the balance that this House, on behalf of society, had struck to put the rights of the innocent first. Judges have not got the message, which is why we will legislate The House met at half-past Two o’clock to make sure that it is reflected in the law.

PRAYERS Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): Given what the Minister has just said, why on earth was the number of foreign criminals deported in 2011 just 4,522, whereas in the [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] last year of the Labour Government it was 5,528? The Government are failing on this, and it is little to do with what he has said. Given that one of the best ways of Oral Answers to Questions making sure that suspected criminals are deported from this country is the European arrest warrant, which extradites them elsewhere, why on earth are the Government HOME DEPARTMENT thinking of withdrawing from it?

The Secretary of State was asked— Mr Harper: The hon. Gentleman should know that Foreign Criminals (Removal) this is about exactly the reason I set out; he will know, if he has done his research, that between 2011 and 2012 2. Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): there was a significant increase, of more than 1,000, in What steps she is taking to prevent abuse of article 8 of the number of appeals made by criminals to prevent the European convention on human rights in respect of their deportation. That is exactly why we need to take the removal of foreign criminals. [158490] action, and it is another area we will deal with in the Immigration Bill. The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper): Last July, we changed the immigration rules to ensure Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): May I that, under article 8, the rights of society are properly congratulate my hon. Friend and the balanced against the individual rights of foreign national on the determination with which they have pursued this offenders. The rules received the unanimous support of matter? I invite my hon. Friend to recall the remarks this House. Unfortunately, some judges are not applying made by the Prime Minister last week in answer to me, the rules as Parliament intended, and our Immigration when he expressed great concern about the European Bill will give the full force of primary legislation to Court of Human Rights, which has been subverted them. from its original intention. Are the Government still Andrea Leadsom: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for prepared that the United Kingdom should secede, because his answer. What more can he do to try to ensure that the British people are absolutely fed up with this Court? judges strike the proper balance between the rights of the individual and the rights of society, which are Mr Harper: My hon. Friend will know that the sometimes under threat from them? Can he persuade Government have laid out our position clearly. I suspect judges to listen to the will of Parliament? that the issue he mentions—what happens to the Human 3 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 4

Rights Act and with this country’s relationship with the NHS Foundation Trust. Does the Secretary of State European Court—will be dealt with in debate at the agree that migrant access to the NHS needs to be better general election. regulated?

Benefit Tourism Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for his question, particularly as, like him, I have constituents who use that trust. We have a national health service, not an 4. Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): What steps international health service. The rules governing migrant she is taking to reduce benefit tourism. [158492] access to the NHS are too generous and ineffectively applied, meaning that they are open to abuse. That is The Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Government propose reforming the residence (Mrs Theresa May): The will tighten test that governs free NHS access, and are proposing regulations to time-limit the right of unemployed European options under which temporary migrants would make economic area nationals to reside and claim benefits to a contribution before they used our health service— six months, unless they can prove they are looking for a either through an up-front NHS access fee, or through job and have a genuine chance of getting one. The comprehensive health insurance. We also intend to end Department for Work and Pensions is also taking steps free unrestricted access to general practitioners by visitors to tighten further its rules on access to benefits. and illegal migrants, and to introduce measures better to identify patients who must be charged. Glyn Davies: The Minister recently visited Wales to see at first hand the work that enforcement officers are Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): The impact doing to stop illegal workers. Will the Secretary of State of the migration rules on the benefits bill can cut two use the forthcoming Immigration Bill to tackle illegal ways. This afternoon, the all-party group on migration, immigrants who are accessing services to which they are of which I am a member, published a report showing not entitled? that some British families have been forced to claim benefits because a spouse who could support them Mrs May: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his cannot be admitted to this country. Will the Home question. My hon. Friend the Minister for Immigration Secretary consider the report of the all-party group was pleased to be able to visit Wales to see this at first carefully, especially the impact of the family migration hand. We will indeed use the Immigration Bill better to rules on benefits claims? regulate migrant access to benefits and public services. We will: get tougher on employers of illegal workers; Mrs May: I can assure the hon. Lady that the prevent illegal migrants from obtaining driving licences; Government look carefully at all-party group reports and require private landlords to make checks on prospective on areas that relate to, or affect, the Home Office. On tenants. We will also further restrict access to social the changes that we propose to access to public services, housing and restrict migrant access to benefits by tightening and on the whole issue of people coming to join families, the habitual residence test and closing the loophole that there is a principle, which is about being able to ensure currently allows migrants without a right to work here that where people are accessing public services, they are to access contributory benefits. With our European services that they have contributed to. This is a great partners, we will also tackle free movement abuse and concern for many members of the public, and it is right its impact on social welfare and public services, and we for the Government to tighten it up. welcome the commitment by EU Ministers at last Friday’s meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council to Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): I welcome finding EU-wide solutions to this problem. everything that my right hon. Friend is doing in this area. May I urge her, in the context of the all-party group, to carry out a realistic assessment of how much David Wright (Telford) (Lab): The Home Secretary it costs to support a family, especially in southern mentioned access to housing, which is clearly an important , and of whether the limit of around £18,500 is point in relation to people coming into this country. high enough? What work has she done with the Department for Communities and Local Government on this issue, Mrs May: When we set the limit we did not just pluck particularly in relation to private landlords? How can a figure from thin air; we asked the independent Migration we do this if we do not have a statutory register? Advisory Committee to propose a figure. It proposed a range of numbers, from £18,600 to a higher figure. The Mrs May: Nice try, but the answers on the statutory Government chose to go with £18,600; we felt that was register are the same as the Government have been the appropriate figure to use, although, of course, the giving the Opposition for some months now. I have had amount is higher for those who have children in the a number of discussions with the Secretary of State for family. When there is one child, it goes up to £22,400, Communities and Local Government, as has my hon. and it goes up for each further child thereafter. I assure Friend the Immigration Minister. I am pleased to say my hon. Friend that the work was done independently that we have proposals that will ensure that we can by the Migration Advisory Committee. indeed tighten access to housing for illegal migrants. Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): I was left 23. [158511] Dr Phillip Lee (Bracknell) (Con): The unclear about the Secretary of State’s earlier answer good people of Bracknell want their local health services about private landlords. If we do not know where to be used appropriately. Apparently, there is more than landlords and private lets are—we will not know that £500,000 outstanding on invoices to overseas patients, without a statutory register—how exactly will we make just from Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals the system work? 5 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 6

Mrs May: I have to say to the hon. Lady that the Damian Green: I will, as ever, listen carefully to my Opposition have been calling for a statutory register of right hon. Friend’s suggestions, but I emphasise the landlords for weeks, if not months, but it is something important distinction, which I know that he as much as that, in 13 years in government, they did not bother to anyone would recognise, between actions that should be introduce. taken by Ministers and actions that need to be taken by operationally independent police forces. Operation Alice Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): After a terribly bruising encounter at the hands of the media, 5. Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): What the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell) progress is being made on Operation Alice; and if she attempted to clear his name in the press. It now seems will make a statement. [158493] apparent that he was the victim of media spin at the highest level of the Metropolitan police. Does the Minister The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Damian understand that this case is particularly important not Green): The Metropolitan police are conducting an because the wronged party was a Member of Parliament investigation under the supervision of the Independent but because it could happen to any one of our constituents Police Complaints Commission. My hon. Friend will who do not have the vehicle to put things right? understand that there is nothing that I can add to that in Parliament without straying into the territory of a Damian Green: I absolutely understand the importance criminal IPCC investigation. and the very many lessons that may well be drawn from that case. What I should not and will not do is draw any Richard Ottaway: We have a situation where police conclusions in the middle of the investigation. from the Met appear to have fabricated evidence against a Cabinet Minister; the Met Commissioner is put in Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): The Channel 4 charge of the investigation and admits to discussing the “Dispatches” programme took 10 days to establish that case with journalists; in breach of his own rules, he fails the video record was completely at odds with the police to keep a note of the discussion; and, six months later, account of events. Since the police have now interviewed we do not even have a report. Does my right hon. 800 officers, spent £144,000 and taken eight months Friend agree that the Commissioner has a lot of questions apparently to go nowhere, might it not be an idea to to answer? invite Channel 4’s “Dispatches” to be put in charge of the investigation, as it appears to be more effective and Damian Green: I am as eager as my hon. Friend is would certainly be more independent? to see justice done at the end of this episode, but I am sure that he will understand that the service of justice Damian Green: I am, as ever, grateful for my hon. would not be improved by my providing a running Friend’s suggestions, which I am sure will be heard in commentary, from the Dispatch Box, on an ongoing the appropriate quarters. criminal investigation. TPIMs Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): The Commissioner promised a ruthless search for the truth when he established 6. Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Operation Alice, but, as the hon. Member for Croydon How many people made subject to a terrorism prevention South (Richard Ottaway) said, this has taken eight and investigation measure order have subsequently been months, involved 30 investigating police officers and charged and prosecuted since the inception of the TPIM cost the taxpayer £144,000 for an incident in Downing regime. [158494] street that lasted 45 seconds. We are not asking for a running commentary; we are just asking the Minister 10. Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): How when we can have a timetable so that this and other many prosecutions have been brought against those investigations currently costing £23 million in terms of subject to a terrorism prevention and investigation past errors by the police are investigated thoroughly but measure regime was introduced. [158498] quickly? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Damian Green: This is an investigation done partly by Department (James Brokenshire): Prosecution is always the Metropolitan police, who are operationally independent, our preferred option to deal with terror suspects. TPIMs and by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, are used to protect the public from individuals whom so it is not for Ministers to set timetables. Indeed, I urge we cannot currently prosecute or deport. The police will the House to recognise that to ask Ministers to intervene seek a prosecution if new admissible evidence comes to closely and in detail in the work of operationally light. As of 28 February, the end of the last reporting independent police forces or the IPCC would be the period, four charges had been brought in relation to wrong way to go. TPIM subjects, with one prosecution.

Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con): Steve McCabe: Given that the Minister sought to In view of the revelations of the past week, will the make more prosecutions a central feature of his argument policing Minister put in place a strict disciplinary code for replacing control orders with the TPIM regime, and that requires all police officers of all ranks to keep a that there has been very little progress in prosecution— comprehensive and accurate record of all contacts they I think there were three failed prosecutions for those have with the press? who had breached their TPIM order—does the hon. 7 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 8

Gentleman regret making such proud boasts in the The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Damian House that have proved so ridiculously optimistic, if Green): My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I not downright wrong? regularly meet the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to discuss policing in London. James Brokenshire: As I indicated, prosecution remains The Mayor and Commissioner are responsible for ensuring the primary objective in relation to terrorism offences. I that their officers are accessible. Following extensive hope the hon. Gentleman would, for example, congratulate consultation with the public, led by the Mayor’s office, the work of the police, the Security Service and prosecutors the Met will add 2,600 officers to neighbourhood policing in successfully securing lengthy prison sentences today teams, and there will now be around 200 safer in respect of six individuals for planning a terrorist neighbourhood bases to enhance this access. incident in Dewsbury last year. The focus certainly remains on investigating TPIM subjects, and I would Mr Slaughter: West London has lost 400 police officers have hoped that he recognises the package of TPIMs in the last three years, 44 in Hammersmith and Fulham. plus the additional resources that have been made available Half of all police community support officers have to the police and the security services for that purpose. gone and now my local police station, Shepherd’s Bush, is closed to the public. When my constituents cannot Heidi Alexander: The independent reviewer of terrorism, find an officer or a police station, does the Minister David Anderson QC, has recommended that the seriously expect them to report serious crimes such as Government release the regional location of individuals rape and sexual abuse in their post office or in Tesco? who are subject to a TPIM. This information would let my constituents know whether potential terrorism suspects Damian Green: I hope that the hon. Gentleman and had returned to London. Why did the Minister refuse his constituents welcome the fact that crime in this perfectly reasonable request? Hammersmith and Fulham has gone down by more than 4.5% in the past year. I am glad that he brought up James Brokenshire: I congratulate the independent the Shepherd’s Bush front counter because the latest reviewer, David Anderson, on his work. He has underlined data show that the number of visitors each day to that the fact that the TPIM regime continues to provide a counter was fewer than six. If he thinks that that is a high degree of protection against those subjects who good use of police resources, frankly, he is not fit to run cannot be prosecuted or deported. We considered carefully the proverbial whelk stall. his specific recommendation on the location of TPIM subjects. We believe that such disclosure might make it Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): Wandsworth came harder to manage TPIM subjects and add to community pretty much the lowest in a reform think tank league tensions, but we will certainly keep his recommendations table of visits to London front desks, with only 1.2 visitors under review. an hour. My local police inspector has confirmed that as a result of shutting a front desk, he can put more Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): resources on the front line. Does the Minister agree that One individual currently on a TPIM is AM, who was that is a good use of the police’s time? originally detained for being involved in a plot to bomb an aircraft. He was described by Mr Justice Wilkie in Damian Green: I do agree. My hon. Friend makes the High Court as “highly intelligent” and exactly the right point. The way to cut crime is to have “prepared to be a martyr in an attack designed to take many police officers deployed correctly, not to have buildings lives”. open that in many cases very few people ever visited. Under the coalition’s TPIM regime, he has been allowed back to London. As his TPIM has already been renewed Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab): In addition once, it cannot be renewed again. Will the Minister to losing more than 200 police officers, in Westminster, confirm that once AM’s TPIM expires next year, Ministers three out of the four police stations north of Oxford will have no power to supervise him or restrict his street are closing. This is not just a question of access movements? for reporting crime, although that can be important, but of community bases from where safer neighbourhood James Brokenshire: For TPIM subjects, the time period teams can operate. Does the Minister agree that the is a maximum of two years, as the hon. Lady highlights. Mayor’s consultation proposal of surgeries of one hour At the end of that period, a number of alternatives may a week to replace those police stations represents a be available. If there is sufficient evidence, it may be possible massive reduction in police accessibility? to bring a prosecution. At the end of that period, if there is evidence of new terrorist-related activity, it is Damian Green: No, I do not. The hon. Lady says that possible to secure a further TPIM. The Security Service front counters are important for reporting crime, but and police robustly enforce the TPIM regime and manage only one in eight crimes are reported that way, so they subjects in the community, and I have every confidence are not as important as they used to be. She needs to in their ability to do so. accept that a more flexible approach to making the police accessible—for example, by making them available at regular times of the week in places where people are Front-line Policing (London) anyway—is much better than having them sitting in police stations that we know many people will never visit. 7. Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): What assessment she has made of the ability of the public to Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op): On policing access front-line police services through the provision resources in London, following the strong words of the of local police stations in London boroughs. [158495] Metropolitan Police Commissioner, will the Minister 9 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 10 join the Opposition in condemning the recent attacks Mrs May: I hope that the hon. Gentleman welcomes on Islamic institutions, which put many lives at risk and the fact that crime in London has fallen by 3% over the sought to spread fear among our communities, and will past year or so, which I think reflects the work that has he ensure that all our religious institutions are properly been done by police offices and others. We all want to protected from those who wish to spread hatred, division see crime continue to fall, because that means better and terror? protection for our constitutions, whether in Harrow or anywhere else. Damian Green: I am very happy to share the hon. Lady’s sentiment. I am sure that everyone in the House Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): When the will abhor and reject in the strongest possible terms the Home Secretary next meets the Police Federation, will attacks on religious institutions that we have seen since she highlight the success in Northamptonshire, where the terrible event in Woolwich. I commend the Metropolitan crime is falling and the new police and crime commissioner, police for ensuring that the protection available is greater Adam Simmonds, and the chief constable, Adrian Lee, than normal, because that is very important. are not moaning about their lot or about budgetary restraints but getting on with providing an effective Policing three-point policing plan that involves a crackdown on criminals, prevention rather than cure and maintaining 8. Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/ police numbers and visibility at 1,220 full-time equivalent Co-op): When she next expects to discuss policing with officers? the Police Federation. [158496] Mrs May: I wholeheartedly endorse my hon. Friend’s comments. I think that that is a good example of how The Secretary of State for the Home Department chief constables and police and crime commissioners— (Mrs Theresa May): Both the policing Minister and I Adam Simmonds is doing a first-class job as PCC in regularly meet representatives of the Police Federation Northamptonshire—can work together to ensure that and other policing partners to discuss a wide range of they deliver what the public want, which is policing issues, and we greatly value those meetings. We will that reduces crime, which has gone down by 4% in continue to engage with police officers and staff to Northamptonshire, and confidence in the security of ensure that their opinions help to shape the future of their neighbourhoods. policing. Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): Further Jonathan Reynolds: Is the Home Secretary reviewing to discussions that the Home Secretary might have with the use of community resolutions, which were used the Police Federation, what recent discussions have 10,000 times for serious violent crimes last year, and been held between the Police Service of Northern Ireland which the Police Federation has said are connected to and the police service on the mainland on the secondment the police having to do more with less? of police officers to police the G8 conference in Enniskillen?

Mrs May: We are looking in general at the whole Mrs May: There has been considerable contact on question of out-of-court disposals to ensure that they this matter. My right hon. Friend the policing Minister are being treated proportionately but also consistently met representatives of the Police Federation of England across the country, but the whole question of community and Wales to discuss any issues that they wished to raise resolutions and restorative justice plays an important about the secondment of officers to work alongside the part in resolving crime, and victims often welcome such PSNI to police the G8 conference. I am pleased to say resolutions, but of course we keep that under review. that I have met a small number of police officers who will be giving mutual aid to Northern Ireland and who Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Did the Police were very complimentary about the training course they Federation persuade the Home Secretary that any of have undergone to do that work. the proposals in either of the Winsor reports were unreasonable or unfair? Visas

Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I 9. Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab): am pleased that the recommendations of the Winsor What assessment she has made of increases in waiting report on important reforms to police pay and conditions times for visa decisions. [158497] are, in the main, being put into place. There are one or two aspects that the police arbitration tribunal decided The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper): to refer back or not to progress at this stage, and on The Home Office’s performance in granting visa both occasions I accepted its response, but I must say applications overseas has been excellent and remains so, that I was not persuaded by the Police Federation’s with average waiting times decreasing rather than increasing. argument that we should abandon the Winsor proposals. As I have acknowledged myself at the Dispatch Box, there have been problems with our in-country performance 24. [158512] Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/ in the past financial year, but since the abolition of the Co-op): When the Home Secretary next meets the UK Border Agency and the creation of UK Visa and Police Federation, will she discuss police numbers in Immigration we have got that on the right path, with Harrow, where we have seen a reduction in the number waiting times decreasing too. of PCs, PCSOs and other police staff from 516 in March 2010 to just over 400 three years later, a 22% Richard Burden: We are probably all aware from our drop and part of the loss of over 4,000 PCs and PCSOs own casework of the real problems that visa delays in London since the general election? cause for our constituents. Given that the average waiting 11 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 12 time for a skilled worker—somebody whom the British Mr Harper: I very much hope so. I was encouraged economy needs—has gone up from 36 days in 2010 to by my visit to Cambridge with my hon. Friend, where I 56 days in 2012, does the Minister really think that listened, yes, to some of the concerns that people had, measures of the kind he mentions are going to crack the but also to an acknowledgement by the university, for problem, and if so, when are we going to see the results? example, that it had seen recent improvement. The new interim director general of UK Visa and Immigration, Mr Harper: I acknowledged openly and honestly that Sarah Rapson, has a great commitment to creating such there had been a problem in the past financial year, and a culture. I think that the decision taken by my right that is what the figures quoted by the hon. Gentleman hon. Friend the Home Secretary to end the UK Border reflect. However, as I said, in the past quarter the Agency and set up the new approach will be successful. figures have improved, so when they are published in the instalment of that information that we give to the Crime Levels Home Affairs Committee, he will see that we are getting things back on track. There is an open session with Members of Parliament this Wednesday, and I hope he 11. Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con): What assessment will attend to listen to the steps we are taking to she has made of the contribution of police measures to improve performance. falling crime levels. [158499]

Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): Will the 14. Chris White (Warwick and Leamington) (Con): Minister pay particular attention to the business community What assessment she has made of the contribution of in China, where there is evidence that people are being police measures to falling crime levels. [158502] disincentivised from coming to the UK because it is easier to get elsewhere in the EU and because of the The Secretary of State for the Home Department time taken? Surely there is an argument for having a (Mrs Theresa May): Recorded crime is down by more fast-track procedure for bona fide business visitors from than 10% under this Government. The latest figures China so that they can come to Britain to help our show that this downward trend is replicated across economy. every police force in England and Wales. Our reforms are working. Mr Harper: I am grateful for that question because it gives me an opportunity to set out the excellent performance Karen Lumley: In my own area of West Mercia, crime we deliver on visas applied for from China. We grant fell by a huge 11% last year. This is due in large part to 96% of visa applications and deliver 95% of those the dedication of people such as Inspector Ian Joseph within 15 days; for business visitors, we deliver the vast and his team in Redditch. Will the Secretary of State majority within five days. We are increasingly rolling out join me in congratulating West Mercia police on the premium services, with an ongoing increasing performance excellent work they do in Redditch and the wider region? level, for the very reasons that my hon. Friend sets out. Mrs May: I am very happy to join my hon. Friend in Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab): The congratulating West Mercia police on the 11% fall in recent report on family migration by the all-party migration crime shown by the most recent figures and, in particular, group—I am vice-chair of the inquiry committee—shows Inspector Ian Joseph and his team in Redditch. Dedicated that the processing time for non-European economic police officers across the country are working to keep area partner applications has significantly increased our streets safe and to protect members of the public. over the past 18 years. What is the Minister doing to keep families united rather than dividing them? Chris White: According to the latest figures, crime in Warwickshire has decreased by 12.4%, meaning that Mr Harper: My response to the hon. Gentleman, 80 fewer crimes a day are being committed across the who takes a very close interest in these matters, is county. This reflects the excellent work of the officers of similar to the one that I gave to the hon. Member for the Warwickshire police force and I am delighted that Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden). He is right: its chief constable, Andy Parker, has been reappointed in the past financial year, those processing times increased. for another two years. Will the Home Secretary join me We have split family applications for spouses from, so to in congratulating Warwickshire police force and commit speak, straightforward applications, and we are making to supporting forces such as Warwickshire in reducing decisions on them much more quickly. They had been crime through strong neighbourhood policing? grouped with applications that were taking a great deal of time. The hon. Gentleman will see in the latest Mrs May: Once again, I am happy to join my hon. figures that we have made a great improvement, and I Friend in congratulating all the officers of Warwickshire hope to see more of that in future. police force on the work they are doing and, indeed, Chief Constable Andy Parker on his reappointment. Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): The Minister clearly has a personal commitment to getting waiting Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The times down—I thank him for his recent visit to Cambridge Home Secretary will know that one of the most expensive to see some of problems there—but will he be able to crimes to investigate is child sexual exploitation. She change the culture within the new borders agency? will also know of this morning’s excellent report by the After all, the permanent secretary, Mark Sedwill, said: Home Affairs Committee. When I started a campaign “Most of us will still be doing the same job in the same place about these gangs five years ago, the police told me on with the same colleagues for the same boss.” occasion after occasion that the reason why they were We want the Minister to succeed, but will he be able to? so slow to respond to the total scandal of the exploitation 13 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 14 of children was that it was expensive and the resource spiral out of control and that had no grip on the system. implications were immense. Do they have the resources It is this Government who are getting a grip and who now? have seen net migration fall by more than a third. Mrs May: We will of course look very carefully at the Legal Highs Home Affairs Committee report. I am aware that a number of Members remain concerned about ensuring 13. Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): What that the police response to cases of child sexual exploitation assessment she has made of the potential effects of is appropriate. As well as the hon. Gentleman, my hon. incorporating legal highs in the scope of the Misuse of Friend the Member for Oxford West and Abingdon Drugs Act 1971. [158501] (Nicola Blackwood) has taken a particular interest in the issue. Across Government we have pulled together a The Minister of State, Home Department (Mr Jeremy cross-departmental piece of work to look at the lessons Browne): The Government have banned a significant we need to learn from recent and, indeed, historic cases number of so-called legal highs following expert advice, of sexual exploitation. I am pleased to say that my right including two groups of drugs from today. That sends a hon. Friend the Minister for Policing and Criminal clear message about their harms and gives law enforcement Justice will lead that work at ministerial level, asking bodies more powers to take action. We continue closely questions about the police response and ensuring that it to monitor new drugs through our early warning systems is appropriate. to inform our response. Gloria De Piero (Ashfield) (Lab): It is vital to use police time properly, but Ministers are taking police Stephen Mosley: I welcome my hon. Friend’s response, officers off the beat for 152,000 hours in order to train especially given that my local council has spent two them in things such as changing the name of a litter years prosecuting the sellers of an illegal high called clearing notice to a community protection notice and of Gogaine, which left a 17-year-old student in hospital a crack house closure order to a closure order. That is suffering convulsions. The prosecution fell mainly because not the best use of police time, is it? the product was labelled as harmful and not fit for human consumption. Will my hon. Friend commit regularly Mrs May: I am pleased to say that the figures show to review the list of legal highs to ensure that as new that the percentage of police officers who will be involved legal highs come on to the market, they can be banned on the front line is going up under this Government. immediately? Moreover, through the action we have taken to reduce bureaucracy and red tape—something the previous Mr Browne: I am aware of the extremely serious case Government did not do—this Government have cut the in my hon. Friend’s constituency and we have received number of hours taken on bureaucracy by 4.5 million representations about it. I pay tribute to him for raising man hours. that harrowing example in the House. We actively monitor new substances and already control hundreds. We act Illegal Labour rapidly to respond to new threats and continue to keep our response under review. 12. Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab): What change there has been in the number of businesses fined for Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): Several constituents employing illegal labour since 2010. [158500] have approached me about the serious consequences of taking legal highs, including the famous Black Mamba. The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper): There seems to be no help or redress, and the Government Dealing with illegal working is a priority for the do not seem to be helping the victims to prevent legal Government. As has been mentioned, I attended an highs from getting into the hands of their friends or illegal working operation in Cardiff about a week ago anybody else. and saw a number of successful arrests of people who were working illegally. We want to do more of this. Mr Browne: The hon. Gentleman touches on an Recent figures have not been as encouraging as one important point. When people talk about legal highs, would have hoped. This year, with the creation of the there is a tendency to believe that just because a substance command, I am determined is legal, it cannot be harmful. That is certainly not the to see an increased focus on the issue in order to deliver case, as we heard from my hon. Friend the Member for the results we expect. City of Chester (Stephen Mosley). That was a severe Ian Austin: Despite all that, the Minister has not had warning. The Government try to protect the public much success, has he? In 2010, 2,092 companies were through appropriate changes to the law, including the fined for employing illegal labour, but by 2012 that two that I have mentioned, which take effect from today. figure had almost halved to 1,215. Will he work with Child Sexual Exploitation other Departments, not just to get a grip of illegal employment, but to tackle the abuse of zero-hours contracts and of the minimum wage, so that British 15. Ann Coffey (Stockport) (Lab): What training is workers are no longer undercut by cheap, illegal labour undertaken by police forces in respect of child sexual from abroad? exploitation cases. [158503] Mr Harper: I do not think that the hon. Gentleman The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Damian listened to my answer. I acknowledged that the statistics Green): All front-line police officers receive training in had not been as good as we had hoped. I will take no protecting and safeguarding children. Dedicated child lectures from somebody in the party that let immigration protection police officers also receive specialist training 15 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 16 in investigating child abuse cases, and the College of Friend the Secretary of State will use the forthcoming Policing is delivering additional training for front-line immigration Bill to clamp down on the many rights of staff so that they can recognise, protect and refer children appeal. at risk of child sexual exploitation. Mr Harper: I am pleased to be able to tell my hon. Ann Coffey: Children who are being sexually exploited and learned Friend that that is exactly what we are are sometimes involved in antisocial behaviour, theft going to do. The immigration Bill plans to reduce the and other criminal offences. Often, the underlying problem number of decisions it takes to remove someone who is missed because the child is perceived to be an offender has no right to be in the country. Reducing the number rather than a victim. Does the Minister agree that the of appeals will make the process easier and swifter. training for all police officers should include an understanding of the behaviour associated with child Scottish Independence sexual exploitation, including criminal behaviour, so that sexually exploited children are identified at an early 17. Mr Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Strathaven age and police resources are used as effectively as possible? and Lesmahagow) (Lab): Whether Scots would be able to retain UK citizenship if Scotland became an Damian Green: The hon. Lady’s point about training independent country. [158505] is right and I mentioned training in my answer. I am sure she will welcome the fact that the College of The Secretary of State for the Home Department Policing and Prosecution Service will shortly (Mrs Theresa May): Decisions on UK citizenship are consult on a fundamental review of investigative guidance for the UK Government. Any decisions on the retention on child sex offences, precisely so that we can develop of UK citizenship by Scottish citizens after independence greater expertise and sensitivity throughout the system. would be affected by future Scottish Government policy decisions. To date, the current Scottish Government Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): have not set out what their proposed policies would be In the course of the inquiry by the Home Affairs in these areas. Committee into grooming, one excuse that we heard for areas failing to tackle child sexual exploitation was that Mr McCann: I am grateful for the Secretary of State’s prosecution was difficult. Does the Minister agree that response, which will be noted by my constituent Colin with forces in Lancashire and Oxford demonstrating White. Does she wish to take the opportunity to debunk that innovative investigative methods can be used the myth peddled only last week by high-profile Scottish successfully to back up witness testimony, there is no National party supporter Jim McColl? He said that a excuse for any police force failing to protect victims or vote for independence would mean that Scotland would to prosecute these depraved criminals? remain a part of the United Kingdom.

Damian Green: I agree completely with my hon. Mrs May: I am happy to help the hon. Gentleman Friend. I commend her and the rest of the Select and debunk that myth. To be absolutely clear: a vote for Committee on the report that they produced today. She independence is a vote for a Scotland that will be is right that one improvement, which needs to be extended, outside the United Kingdom. The referendum offers a is in the capacity of the police to investigate and of fundamental choice between staying in the UK or leaving prosecutors successfully to prosecute those who commit it and forming a new independent Scottish state. That is these disgusting crimes. A number of trials around the the legal reality of independence. As the Prime Minister country have led to multiple convictions and I know said in Stirling on Friday: that many more such cases are in the pipeline. I hope “There is simply no challenge we face today where breaking up that sends a clear signal that this crime is absolutely Britain is the right answer.” unacceptable and that the police are getting better at The United Kingdom is stronger together and better rooting out those who commit it. together.

Asylum Seekers: Deportation Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): We just wish that the Prime Minister would come to 16. Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) Scotland much more often, because it increases support (Con): What plans she has to speed up the deportation for independence. The right hon. Lady will know that of those refused asylum in the UK. [158504] after independence it will be possible to keep a UK passport. The real question is why, with a new dynamic The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper): We Scotland in charge of its own resources and making want to continue to deport those who have no right to its own peaceful contribution to the world, anybody be in the United Kingdom, whether they are failed would want anything other than a Scottish passport in asylum seekers or foreign national offenders. Increased Scotland. use of detained fast track and our national removals centre will reduce the risk of absconding, as well as Mrs May: I suggest to the hon. Gentleman that he being more successful in deporting people. thinks very carefully about what he has said, and perhaps looks at the Hansard record of it. As I made clear in Stephen Phillips: One of the frustrations felt by all answer to the hon. Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven our constituents about the asylum and wider immigration and Lesmahagow (Mr McCann), decisions about UK system is the seemingly endless ways in which failed citizenship rest with the United Kingdom Government. asylum seekers and immigrants are able to keep on However, if there is a vote in the referendum for separation, appealing. I hope that the Minister and my right hon. Scotland will become a separate state and not be part of 17 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 18 the United Kingdom. That is a very simple fact and welcome her comments about the importance of protecting I suggest the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire all our citizens and communities from hatred and of (Pete Wishart) recognises it. supporting hope instead. The Home Secretary will agree that the intelligence Topical Questions we get from abroad is vital to our national security and to protecting people against terrorism, but that it needs to be gathered under a clear legal framework with T1. [158514] Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): If she will make a statement on her departmental proper safeguards, checks and balances in place in responsibilities. order to maintain public confidence. In addition to the Foreign Secretary’s forthcoming statement, will she therefore respond on the issue of the legal framework operating The Secretary of State for the Home Department for the Home Office? Will she tell us whether all Home (Mrs Theresa May): This is my first opportunity to Office, police and security service requests for intercept address the House on the dreadful events that took information from the internet, whether secured from place on the streets of Woolwich on 22 May, and to UK agencies or from abroad, are governed by the offer in this House my deepest sympathies to the family Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and covered and friends of Drummer Lee Rigby. This shocking and by ministerial warrants and the oversight of the intercept barbaric crime has been rightly condemned by all commissioner? communities in our country. I would like to pay tribute to those brave civilians, police officers and medical staff Mrs May: As the right hon. Lady said, my right hon. involved in dealing with the incident; they represent the Friend the Foreign Secretary will make a statement best of this nation. As I said at the time, this was not shortly on this issue. She will also understand that it is a just an attack on an individual soldier, but an attack on long-standing principle that the Government do not everyone in this country—people of all faiths and of comment on intelligence matters, but I want to make it none. absolutely clear, as my right hon. Friend has also made Sadly, in the aftermath of this horrific incident we clear, that at all times GCHQ has operated fully within have seen an increased number of attacks on mosques a legal framework. I recognise that Parliament has a and Islamic centres. These are deplorable, disgusting legitimate interest in these matters, which is why the acts. British Muslims make a valuable contribution to Intelligence and Security Committee has a remit to look our society. The murder of Drummer Rigby was no at such issues, and my right hon. and learned Friend the more in their name than it was in mine or in the name of Member for Kensington (Sir Malcolm Rifkind) has anybody in this Chamber. I welcome the extra steps indicated that his Committee will indeed be conducting taken by the Metropolitan police and others to counter an urgent inquiry. this threat to them. Alongside the increased tensions, however, we have also seen some actions that give great Yvette Cooper: I welcome the Home Secretary’s response, cause for hope. We have seen leaders from all faiths and clearly the House will listen to the Foreign Secretary’s condemn the attack. We have seen far-right supporters statement shortly too. I understand that she cannot invited into a mosque to enjoy cups of tea and football. answer publicly about the content and detail of intelligence We have seen religious leaders from different faiths procurement, but will she set out very clearly what the openly embracing each other in a show of unity. This legal framework is that governs Home Office and Home House, like the whole country, stands united against Office-related access to intercept and intelligence, and violence, extremism and terror. will she write to me setting out her understanding of the current legal framework? It would be very helpful. Will Andrew Bridgen: What steps is my right hon. Friend she also confirm that the ISC will have the full support taking to prevent the abuse of free movement rights of the Home Office and herself in accessing all the within the EU? information it needs to pursue this issue? She will know that because intelligence is so important for our future Mrs May: I have consistently raised the problem of and our national security, public confidence in it must the abuse of free movement at meetings of the Justice be maintained. and Home Affairs Council, and we are working with other EU member states to curb that abuse. Free movement Mrs May: As the right hon. Lady is aware, intercept of persons is a long-standing principle of the EU, but warranty is covered by RIPA, and as I said, my right those rights are not unlimited, and the Government hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will shortly make a take a robust approach against those who come to the statement about the legal framework under which the UK not intending to work, but simply to rely on benefits. agencies operate. I suggest that she waits for that statement. Abuse of free movement is not just a UK problem; it I am clear that the ISC will have available to it the will take the joint efforts of all our EU partners to evidence it needs to conduct the inquiry, and it is right tackle it. We have been raising concerns for the past and proper that it does that. Of course, it has a new three years at meetings of EU Ministers, and I am status in terms of its relationship with Parliament. I pleased to say that last Friday it was decided that the think people will want the Committee to conduct that European Commission and Ministers would take the inquiry, as my right hon. and learned Friend the Member issue forward. for Kensington, who chairs it, has indicated it will.

Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) T2. [158515] Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South (Lab): I welcome the Home Secretary’s condemnation Pembrokeshire) (Con): What plans do the Government of the vile attack on Drummer Lee Rigby and of the have to regulate covert surveillance by private recent attacks on Islamic religious institutions. I also investigators? 19 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 20

The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Damian Communities and Local Government. We will be bringing Green): We are looking into the compulsory regulation those steps forward, and I am confident they will be of private investigators, which would apply to private sensible, proportionate and effective. investigators involved in covert surveillance. I hope that my hon. Friend will welcome the fact that we expect to T6. [158519] Sarah Teather (Brent Central) (LD): Have be in a position to make an announcement shortly. Ministers checked whether the family migration rules are compliant with our obligations under the United T5. [158518] Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton) Nations convention on the rights of the child? (Lab): Last year, the number of inspections to enforce the minimum wage fell to half what it was in the final Mr Harper: Yes, we are confident that they are. Last year of the last Government. Why? week I met the chair of the all-party group on migration, the noble Baroness Hamwee, to discuss the report. The The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper): Government will consider the recommendations in that That is really a matter for the Treasury, but I think I report, but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary know where—[Interruption.] Let me just answer the has set out clearly the objective of the family migration question. I think I know where the hon. Gentleman is rules: to ensure that those who want to make their going with this. I have checked these matters carefully. family life in the United Kingdom are able to support If we compare the whole period of the last Labour their families, rather than expecting the taxpayer to Government, from when the national minimum wage do so. was introduced, with the whole period of this Government, we can see that this Government have been prosecuting T9. [158522] John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): Reductions at a slightly faster rate. However, we are not doing it fast in overdose deaths; reductions in in-patient A and E enough. We have set up a number of taskforces, including admissions for drug addicts; reductions in house burglary; one in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member increases in employment of drug addicts in treatment—on for North East (Stephen Barclay), which all these indicators, Bassetlaw is outperforming the rest is taking significant action on these matters and will of the country. Why? continue to do so. The Minister of State, Home Department (Mr Jeremy T4. [158517] Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): Browne): It must be because Bassetlaw has an outstandingly Despite the 30% reduction in net migration since this talented local MP, I assume. The hon. Gentleman is Government came to power, people across North Wiltshire right to draw the House’s attention to the three strands are extremely concerned about the whole issue of of the Government’s strategy: reducing demand, restricting immigration, particularly with regard to Bulgaria and supply and building recovery. Great progress is being Romania later this year. What steps will the Minister made on all three in Bassetlaw and elsewhere. take to ensure that people from Bulgaria and Romania in particular are not tempted here by the ability to avoid T10. [158523] Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North our tax system or, even worse, the ability to benefit from Hykeham) (Con): My constituents are fed up with our benefits system? extremists and hate preachers such as Anjem Choudary receiving thousands of pounds of benefits. Will my Mr Harper: On Bulgaria and Romania, my hon. right hon. Friend look at limiting those benefits? Friend will know that in the immigration Bill and elsewhere we have set out a number of changes that we Mrs May: It would not be appropriate for me to are making to ensure that only people who are here comment on the benefit position of an individual, but exercising treaty rights—who are here working—can I regularly meet the Secretary of State for Work and access the benefits system. My right hon. Friend the Pensions to discuss policy proposals on a range of Home Secretary set out some of those earlier. I hope my issues. As the Prime Minister said to the House last hon. Friend will see that tough and firm action continue. week, we should do all we can to challenge poisonous ideologies. It is right that we look at all options, including T8. [158521] Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): I whether it is possible to limit the right of individuals of would like to press the Secretary of State a little further concern to access straight benefits. We robustly challenge on the question of a landlord register. Does she agree behaviours and views that run counter to our shared that it might assist her in some of her other duties, such values, such as democracy, the rule of law, individual as in relation to antisocial behaviour? If she wants to liberty and mutual respect, and the tolerance of different see how a landlord register can be done as a self-financing faiths and beliefs. When appropriate, we will use the full system—and one that has worked very well—she should force of the law to challenge extremist activity. look no further than north of the border, where one was introduced by the Labour-Lib Dem coalition. Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): The issue of legal highs is difficult, because if we just ban them, Mr Harper: I thought I would have a go this time. My another substance quickly springs up. Have the Government right hon. Friend the Secretary of State answered very given any consideration to following the example of well before, but I thought I would take a different tack, New Zealand and legislating to put the onus on the because it gives me an opportunity to say, as my right sellers of legal highs to prove they are safe? hon. Friend did, that we will bring forward proposals to ensure that landlords have to check the immigration Mr Browne: Those who study these matters closely, status of tenants. I have had some good discussions such as the hon. Gentleman and myself, will be familiar with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for with the New Zealand model. It raises some interesting 21 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 22 questions, which we are considering as part of our why this is happening. What is the Home Secretary international case study. It is not without practical going to do to ensure that cautions are used only in problems, however, and I do not think that it would appropriate circumstances? provide an instant solution to our woes, but it is worthy of further consideration. Mrs May: I have not given any flippant response. What I said was that the Government were reviewing Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): Returning to the issue. The Ministry of Justice has launched a Operation Alice, restoring public trust in the police and consultation on the whole question of the issue of maintaining public trust in senior police officers is vital. cautions, and it is absolutely right that we should look Does the Minister therefore agree that there should be not only at the numbers but at the evidence behind the full disclosure of all the meetings between the Metropolitan way in which the cautions are being used and at the Police Commissioner and the press relating to the operation? circumstances in which they are being used. That is what the review is about. Damian Green: As my hon. Friend might know, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has just responded Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): Will to a freedom of information request on this matter. I my right hon. Friend confirm that, while net immigration can only repeat what I said before, which was that the quadrupled during the first 11 years of the previous course of justice is not served by my giving the House Government, it has been brought down by 72,000 in just a running commentary on an ongoing criminal two years under this Government, despite the fact that investigation. the Opposition have fought us every step of the way?

Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): The Mrs May: I can absolutely confirm that. I am pleased Home Secretary’s earlier response to my hon. Friend to say that net migration has gone down by more than a the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Jonathan Reynolds) third since this Government came into power. That is showed that she was completely oblivious to the steep a result of our relentless work to deal with the lack of increase in the use of community resolutions for ever control in the immigration system under Labour, and it more serious crimes, including domestic violence and is a great pity that Labour Members have not been knife crime. Does she not understand that the overuse willing to support any of the measures that we have of this simplistic measure gives rise to an issue of justice taken to ensure that immigration can come down. for the victims? Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab): Following today’s report from the Home Affairs Mrs May: What I said to the hon. Member for Committee on child sexual exploitation and the response Stalybridge and Hyde (Jonathan Reynolds), and what I to localised grooming, will the Minister for Policing and say to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Criminal Justice set out what joint working will take Gwynne), is that we are looking at the use of community place with colleagues in the Department for Education resolutions of various sorts to ensure that their use is to ensure that we can prevent other young women from proportionate and that there is consistency across the suffering the same horrific ordeal? country. We are discussing the use of cautions with the police, and the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, in his capacity as a Minister in the Ministry of Justice, Damian Green: Yes; I have already read the report. It has launched a review of their use. makes a number of important recommendations, which we will respond to fully in due course; and yes, joint working is happening between the Home Office and the Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con): Department for Education, the Department of Health Will the Minister meet the Attorney-General to discuss and the Department for Communities and Local the issuing of strict instructions on the extent to which Government, as there are clearly a number of problems senior police officers may discuss active cases with that need to be solved and they cross the governmental journalists, so as to prevent prejudicial outcomes? spectrum. We need to solve all of them before we can get a full grip on this issue. Damian Green: I am happy to confirm to my hon. Friend that I meet the Attorney-General on a regular Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): The fee for a firearms or basis to discuss a number of matters. I will of course shotgun certificate for a new applicant is £50. That has continue to do so. not changed in 12 years, since 2001, but research shows that the cost to the taxpayer of granting such a licence is Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the Minister for completing £189. Does the Minister agree that there is absolutely the mop-up on question 5. no case for subsidising those who wish to obtain those licences for recreation and leisure purposes, and that Jenny Chapman (Darlington) (Lab): On 6,000 occasions those individuals should be charged more? in the last year, the Met police used cautions for serious violent and sexual offences, including seven cases of Damian Green: I am conscious that the Association rape. A caution obviously involves an admission of of Chief Police Officers has made representations about guilt, and there is huge concern about this. I have to say the cost of gun licences, and the Government are looking that the Secretary of State’s answer to my hon. Friend at the issue very carefully. the Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Gwynne) seemed slightly flippant. She did not seem to understand Mr Speaker: Last but not least, I call Grahame M. the seriousness of the concerns. No one seems to understand Morris. 23 Oral Answers10 JUNE 2013 Oral Answers 24

Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): I welcome Damian Green: I am sure they do. As the hon. Gentleman reports that the Government intend to introduce stronger will know, I have met his constituent, Bobby Turnbull, and clearer guidance on how the police should issue and will do so again shortly. As the hon. Gentleman firearms licences, but may I point out to the Minister says, apart from the issue of the cost of licences, we are that following the multiple fatal shootings in my issuing completely new guidance, which we will do by constituency on new year’s day 2010, ACPO, the coroner the end of this year. and the Independent Police Complaints Commission found that the police had not looked at the guidance? 25 10 JUNE 2013 Bilderberg Conference 26

Bilderberg Conference makers from the banks, the multinational companies, the European Commission—[Interruption.] I am coming to the politicians. It also involves representatives of the 3.35 pm World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton) Fund and the World Bank, and, of course, leading (Lab) (Urgent Question): To ask the Chancellor of the politicians from the United States, Canada, the eurozone Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Bilderberg and the United Kingdom. Given that those people were conference, which he attended. clearly discussing some of the biggest issues confronting the western economies at this time, why have we heard The Minister without Portfolio (Mr Kenneth Clarke): no statement from the Prime Minister, the Chancellor This is a first occasion for me, as I have never previously or, indeed, the Minister without Portfolio, all of whom answered a question in the House of Commons on attended in an official capacity? Why did none of them behalf of a private organisation for which the Government offer a statement, although decisions of this kind may have no responsibility. I have been a member of the well have a significant effect on UK Government policy steering committee of Bilderberg for many years now— or the livelihood of future UK citizens? about 10 years, I think—and by chance this will be my It is said by some, including the right hon. and last year, as we have a rule against being on the committee learned Gentleman, that Bilderberg is a conspiracy. Of for too long, so I am on the point of stepping down. course it is not a conspiracy. Nevertheless, 130 of the [Interruption.] Other roles are timeless, with no rules at world’s top decision makers do not travel thousands of all, but in this role I have now reached the end of my miles simply for a cosy chat. Those people came here in allotted span. order to concert their plans to deal with a particularly The Bilderberg organisation exists for the purpose of awkward stage in western capitalism, and in view of holding meetings once a year in various countries; it that we, the public, are entitled to ask some questions exists for no other purpose. This year, the meeting was and to hold them to account. The Prime Minister said held at a large hotel near Watford in Hertfordshire. I did in 2010: not receive adequate notice of the right hon. Gentleman’s “For too long those in power made decisions behind closed question—because I was not found in time—to put to doors…and denied people the power to hold them to account. This coalition is driving a wrecking ball through that culture—and hand the list of those who participated and the agenda it’s called transparency.” we discussed. We always circulate those before the meeting, and they are readily available. I can certainly put any In the same year, the Chancellor himself announced his hon. Member in touch with a source of the list of those commitment to who took part. “the most radical transparency agenda that the country has ever seen.”—[Official Report, 8 June 2010; Vol. 511, c. 206.] Each year, we invite something over 100 people—it So why is there no transparency about a very crucial was about 140 this year—drawn from both sides of the meeting that could affect us all? Atlantic; from Europe including Turkey, and from the United States and Canada. The people who attend are Finally, can the right hon. and learned Gentleman drawn from the worlds of government, politics, academia, explain how at the start of last week the Prime Minister defence and journalism. The people who attend change could announce a crackdown on corruption and lack of slightly each year. There is a core of those who attend transparency among lobbyists, and by the end of the regularly; different people come—[Interruption.] Well, week he and the Chancellor could be insisting that the I am trying to guess why on earth a parliamentary largest and most powerful lobbyists’ group in the western question has been asked about this and in what people hemisphere—an anti-democratic cabal if ever there was are interested. one—should operate in conditions of utter blackout and complete secrecy? All the people who attend do so as individuals; we invite people as individuals. Nobody attends representing Mr Clarke: The Bilderberg meeting does not make any particular organisation to which they might belong. any decisions. It does not have any resolutions. We A very interesting two or three days take place in which could not possibly reach decisions, because of the range we have discussions on matters of public affairs. A very of opinions represented there. It is purely a Chatham wide range of experience and a very wide range of House rules discussion between the people to whom the political opinion is represented. I always find that it right hon. Gentleman referred. The shadow Chancellor greatly adds to the depth of my understanding of what was there, Peter Mandelson was there, the Prime Minister is being talked about and contemplated in many parts was there, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was there, of the United States and in Europe as well. It is one of and most of us said things during the discussion that the many political gatherings I attend from time to time would not have come as a surprise to any of us, because as part of the background to my activities. we knew what our opinions were. We go there for the If the right hon. Member for Oldham West and chance of having an off-the-record, informal discussion Royton (Mr Meacher) finds something deeply disturbing with the range of people described by the right hon. in all this, I can advise only that he finds different Gentleman, who are indeed distinguished, but who are people on the internet with whom to exchange tweets, not remotely interested in getting together to decide or and perhaps the House might be allowed to return to organise anything. some matter of rather more real public interest in which If the right hon. Gentleman would like an invitation—if this House of Commons has a role to play. that is what really lies behind his question—I will take his own distinguished claims to participation in the Mr Meacher: I thank the right hon. and learned group carefully into account, although I will of course Gentleman for that filibuster. The Bilderberg conference consult the shadow Chancellor before taking that a step involves about 130 of the western world’s top decision further. 27 Bilderberg Conference10 JUNE 2013 Bilderberg Conference 28

[Mr Kenneth Clarke] middle east” are vital issues which every Government and Opposition must grapple with for the benefit of all Let me say with the greatest respect that this is total, citizens? utter nonsense. I would normally regard the right hon. We fully understand that it is because the Minister Gentleman as not the sort of person to be taken in by without Portfolio is a member of the Bilderberg steering this sort of rubbish. We all take part in lots of political group that he is well qualified today to answer the and other discussions as private individuals, under Chatham urgent question that was addressed to the Chancellor; House rules, and we do not expect everyone to go out he is not doing so because of his economic expertise. If giving a version of what we have just said. No one alters on the other hand the Minister without Portfolio were their opinions when we are there. As for transparency, to stand in at the next Treasury questions, we and all this Government are by a street the most transparent conspiracy theorists would rightly be concerned. Government I have ever been in, but we can only be transparent in regard to things for which the Government Mr Clarke: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman have responsibility, and for what we are doing as a for perhaps addressing the question more straightforwardly Government. than I did. He is obviously feeling a little defensive. He is dealing with it a little more seriously and probably Mr Speaker: Order. The Minister without Portfolio much more wisely than I did. Everything he said is said, rather prosaically I thought, that Peter Mandelson entirely right. I have attended Bilderberg meetings for was there. I assume he was referring to no less a figure many years. The only reason I attend is that my own than Lord Mandelson of Foy. I think that is the person understanding of political and economic problems in he had in mind. various parts of the world is improved by the opportunity to have an informal weekend with the kind of people Mr Clarke: No, we all attend extremely informally; who go to the conference. Discussing things with, among we are not there in any capacity. others, the shadow Chancellor in a completely informal way, off the record, is also of considerable value. I am Mr Speaker: Order. The Minister can resume his seat. sure that he agrees that we derive a great deal from the No one in the House has a better sense of humour than meeting and we hope that it improves our contribution the Minister, but I thought that he realised that I was to debates here, too. gently teasing him. Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (Con): Our Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Is it not rather hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border cruel to oblige the Prime Minister to spend a weekend (Rory Stewart) was invited to a previous Bilderberg with Lord Mandelson of Foy and the shadow Chancellor? conference, and I wonder whether the Minister, as a Did anyone at the Bilderberg conference go away any member of the steering committee, could tell us why he the wiser as to how the Labour party, if it were to win has been dropped. Has he done something wrong? the next general election, would square the circle and manage to tackle the deficit? Mr Clarke: Every year, about half those participating have never been before. Quite a lot of people come only for one meeting. The number of people who come every Mr Clarke: I can only hope that some people did, but year is comparatively small—there is a kind of core and Chatham House rules prevent me from offering any for some extraordinary reason I have been a part of that further opinion on that question. core over the past decade. My hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Rory Stewart) made a most Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): The distinguished contribution but he should not be idea of Lord Mandelson attending any meeting informally disappointed that he was not invited again. The British is not something I have ever experienced. committee was trying to bring in a rising star of a As one of the British parliamentarians who attended younger generation, because we do not want the whole the weekend meeting in Watford, alongside the Prime thing to become an ageing establishment of people who Minister, the Chancellor, Lord Mandelson, Baroness used to be something important in government. I have Williams and the Minister without Portfolio himself, no doubt that one day my hon. Friend will be implored may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether to attend again, but I cannot guarantee when that he agrees that it is important that Ministers and shadow will be. Ministers meet regularly to discuss important issues with fellow Ministers and Opposition politicians, academics, Mr Speaker: I call Mr Dennis Skinner. journalists and business leaders from around the world? Can he confirm that over the past 60 years the annual Hon. Members: Have you been there, Dennis? Bilderberg meeting has properly been attended by Prime Ministers, Chancellors and shadow Ministers from all Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): I wouldn’t be parties, including Lord Healey, Lord Ashdown and the seen dead with them. late John Smith? How come when all those media moguls, the bankers Does the Minister without Portfolio agree that it is and politicians have been meeting together since 1954, welcome that the Bilderberg group now publishes a list not one of them was able to spot the recession coming—or of all those who attend the meeting and the topics that maybe they caused it? are discussed? Does he agree that the list of topics on this weekend’s agenda, including “Can the US and Mr Clarke: We have had trade unions there sometimes, Europe grow faster and create jobs?”, “Africa’schallenges”, and there are plenty of social democrats. I do not think “Trends in medical research” and “Developments in the anybody as left wing as the hon. Gentleman has ever 29 Bilderberg Conference10 JUNE 2013 Bilderberg Conference 30 attended, but if I scratch my memory I will probably that I had completely forgotten that it was set up on remember somebody. Obviously, the hon. Gentleman that basis, long before the rules were established. The forecast with absolute precision the collapse of capitalism trustees have never met as trustees. All I actually do is in 2007. In that respect, I agree that his foresight was sit as a member of a committee and play my part in rather better than that of most pundits. We continue to helping with the organisation of a meeting, and that is meet, in the hope that next time we will see it coming all I have ever done. with slightly more clarity. Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): We have Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): As many had a bit of fun today—indeed, who would want to UKIP voters fear that the Bilderberg group is a plot to spend a weekend of irredeemable tedium discussing promote more unaccountable European government, world economics with a bunch of establishment toffs? can my right hon. and learned Friend give them any Surely the serious point is this, however: why on earth reassurance or suggest why they might be wrong in that does the House of Commons think it is necessary to thought? discuss what was said in a private meeting? Mr Clarke: Perhaps my hon. Friend was not here Mr Clarke: Nowadays we get accused of plots to when I started answering this question and said that establish a Government of the world, to poison the this is the first time I have ever risen in the House of local watercourses, and to plan an invasion of the Commons to answer questions on behalf of a private United States of America. Ten years ago, I was told I organisation for which the British Government have was attending a plot to hand over Britain to Brussels absolutely no responsibility. and to subordinate us to a “United States of Europe”, and the next instalment of the plot will come later. I cite Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): I know I cannot be that example in order to point out that a fellow member described as a rising star, so should I not presume that of the steering committee was Mr Conrad Black, and in my invitation was lost in the post? Can the Minister say private, as in public, Mr Conrad Black was not in whether or not, either formally or informally, he took favour of handing anything over to Brussels and was the opportunity while at the conference to discuss his not in any way furthering that cause. I regret to say that campaign to keep the UK within the European Union, Mr Black is, as I recall, the only member who ever and which members of the EU were there? attended who has since had the misfortune to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, whereupon he withdrew Mr Clarke: My hon. Friend will not be surprised to from the Bilderberg meetings. learn that I do not think I am being too indiscreet when Seriously, however, I assure my right hon. Friend that I say that the subject of the future of the European the full range of opinion from left to right from across Union and Britain’s participation in it did come up western Europe is pretty well represented at Bilderberg. from time to time over the weekend. People from many That in itself shows that the idea that we are furthering countries have quite a strong interest in that subject, so any kind of agenda is absolute nonsense. If I were plotting it was discussed, but under Chatham House rules, and to do anything, I would not assemble that particular I can assure him that no conclusions of any kind were group of people, because we would never agree on an reached. objective. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Is my right Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): Can hon. and learned Friend the only British citizen on the the Minister confirm that he declared his trusteeship of steering committee, and who does he think his replacement the body that funds the conference to his permanent will be? secretary when he was appointed by the Prime Minister? Mr Clarke: The other members at the moment are John Kerr and Marcus Agius, and I do not know who Mr Clarke: I congratulate the hon. Gentleman. I am my successor will be. We are slightly overrepresented on looking that up, because I had forgotten. Actually, the steering committee, which is probably a reflection of I am a member of the steering committee. When we the quality of debate in this place and elsewhere in the were hosting at Watford, I discovered that I am, among United Kingdom. other things, a trustee of the British steering group, so I am checking, with the aid of my constituency office, Mr Speaker: Order. I think the matters have been whether I ever put that in. I assure the hon. Gentleman fairly fully explored. 31 10 JUNE 2013 GCHQ 32

GCHQ Secondly, the ISC’s work is one part of the strong framework of democratic accountability and oversight that governs the use of secret intelligence in the United 3.55 pm Kingdom, which successive Governments have worked The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth to strengthen. At its heart are two Acts of Parliament: Affairs (Mr William Hague): With permission, Mr Speaker, the Intelligence Services Act 1994 and the Regulation of I shall make a statement on the work of the Government Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Communications Headquarters—GCHQ—its legal The Acts require GCHQ and the other agencies to framework and recent publicity about it. As Foreign seek authorisation for their operations from a Secretary Secretary, I am responsible for the work of GCHQ and of State, normally the Foreign Secretary or Home Secretary. the Secret Intelligence Service—MI6—under the overall As Foreign Secretary, I receive hundreds of operational authority of the Prime Minister. My right hon. Friend proposals from the SIS and GCHQ every year. The the Home Secretary is responsible for the work of the proposals are detailed: they set out the planned operation, Security Service, MI5. the potential risks and the intended benefits of the Over the past few days, there have been a series of intelligence. They include comprehensive legal advice media disclosures of classified US documents relating describing the basis for the operation, and comments to the collection of intelligence by US agencies, and from senior Foreign Office officials and lawyers. To questions about the role of GCHQ. The US Administration intercept the content of any individual’s communications have begun a review into the circumstances of these in the UK requires a warrant signed personally by me, leaks in conjunction with the Justice Department and the Home Secretary, or by another Secretary of State. the US intelligence community. President Obama has This is no casual process. Every decision is based on been clear that US work in this area is fully overseen extensive legal and policy advice. Warrants are legally and authorised by Congress and relevant judicial bodies, required to be necessary, proportionate and carefully and that his Administration are committed to respecting targeted, and we judge them on that basis. the civil liberties and privacy of their citizens. Considerations of privacy are also at the forefront of The Government deplore the leaking of any classified our minds, as I believe they will have been in the minds information, wherever it occurs. Such leaks can make of our predecessors. We take great care to balance the work of maintaining the security of our own country individual privacy with our duty to safeguard the public and that of our allies more difficult, and by providing a and the UK’s national security. These are often difficult partial and potentially misleading picture they give rise and finely judged decisions, and we do not approve to public concerns. It has been the policy of successive every proposal put before us by the agencies. All the British Governments not to comment on the detail of authorisations that the Home Secretary and I give are intelligence operations. The House will therefore understand subject to independent review by an Intelligence Services that I will not be drawn into confirming or denying any Commissioner and an Interception of Communications aspect of leaked information. I will be as informative as Commissioner, both of whom must have held high possible, to give reassurance to the public and Parliament. judicial office and report directly to the Prime Minister. We want the British people to have confidence in the They review the way these decisions are made to ensure work of our intelligence agencies, and in their adherence that they are fully compliant with the law. They have full to the law and democratic values, but I also wish to be access to all the information that they need to carry out very clear that I will take great care in this statement their responsibilities, and their reports are publicly available. and in answering questions to say nothing that gives It is vital that we have that framework of democratic any clue or comfort to terrorists, criminals and foreign accountability and scrutiny. intelligence services as they seek to do harm to this I have nothing but praise for the professionalism, country and its people. dedication and integrity of the men and women of Three issues have arisen in recent days which I wish GCHQ. I know from my work with them how seriously to address. First, I will describe the action that the they take their obligations under UK and international Government are taking in response to recent events. law. Indeed, in his most recent report, the Interception Secondly, I will set out how our intelligence agencies of Communications Commissioner said: work in accordance with UK law and subject to democratic “it is my belief…that GCHQ staff conduct themselves with the oversight. Thirdly, I will describe how the law is upheld highest levels of integrity and legal compliance.” with respect to intelligence co-operation with the United This combination of needing a warrant from one of States, and deal with specific questions that have been the most senior members of the Government, decided raised about the work of GCHQ. on the basis of detailed legal advice, and such decisions First, in respect of the action we have taken, the being reviewed by independent commissioners and Intelligence and Security Committee has already received implemented by agencies with strong legal and ethical some information from GCHQ and will receive a full frameworks, with the addition of parliamentary scrutiny report tomorrow. My right hon. and learned Friend the by the ISC, whose powers are being increased, provides Member for Kensington (Sir Malcolm Rifkind), who one of the strongest systems of checks and balances chairs the Intelligence and Security Committee, is travelling and democratic accountability for secret intelligence to the United States on a long-planned visit with the anywhere in the world. rest of the Committee. As he has said, the Committee Thirdly, I want to set out how UK law is upheld in will be free to decide what, if any, further action it respect of information received from the United States, should take in the light of that report. The Government and to address the specific questions about the role of and the agencies will co-operate fully with the Committee, GCHQ. Since the 1940s, GCHQ and its American and I pay tribute to its members and their predecessors equivalents—now the National Security Agency—have from all parties. had a relationship that is unique in the world. This 33 GCHQ10 JUNE 2013 GCHQ 34 relationship has been and remains essential to the security We should never forget that threats are launched at us of both nations, has stopped many terrorist and espionage secretly, new weapons systems and tactics are developed plots against this country, and has saved many lives. secretly, and countries or terrorist groups that plan The basic principles by which that co-operation operates attacks or operations against us do so in secrecy. So the have not changed over time. Indeed, I wish to emphasise methods we use to combat these threats must be secret, to the House that although we have experienced an just as they must always be lawful. If the citizens of this extremely busy period in intelligence and diplomacy in country could see the time and care taken in making the past three years, the arrangements for oversight, these decisions, the carefully targeted nature of all our and the general framework for exchanging information interventions, and the strict controls in place to ensure with the United States, are the same as under previous that the law and our democratic values are upheld, Governments. The growing and diffuse nature of threats and if they could witness, as I do, the integrity and from terrorists, criminals or espionage has only increased professionalism of the men and women of our intelligence the importance of our intelligence relationship with the agencies, who are among our nation’s very finest public United States. That was particularly the case in the servants, I believe they would be reassured by how we run-up to the Olympics. The House will not be surprised go about this essential work. to hear that our activity to counter terrorism intensified The British people can be confident in the way our and rose to a peak in the summer of last year. agencies work to keep them safe. Would-be terrorists, It has been suggested that GCHQ uses our partnership those seeking to spy against this country or those who with the United States to get around UK law, obtaining are the centre of organised crime should be aware that information that it cannot legally obtain in the United this country has the capability and partnerships to Kingdom. I wish to be absolutely clear that that accusation protect its citizens against the full range of threats in the is baseless. Any data obtained by us from the United 21st century, and that we will always do so in accordance States involving UK nationals are subject to proper UK with our laws and values, but with constant resolve and statutory controls and safeguards, including the relevant determination. sections of the Intelligence Services Act, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Regulation of Investigatory 4.7 pm Powers Act. Our intelligence-sharing work with the United States Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire is subject to ministerial and independent oversight, and South) (Lab): I thank the Foreign Secretary for his to scrutiny by the Intelligence and Security Committee. statement and for advance sight of it this afternoon. Our agencies practise and uphold UK law at all times, The House will be aware that on Saturday the Opposition, even when dealing with information from outside the along with other Members of this House, called for the United Kingdom. The combination of a robust legal Foreign Secretary to address Parliament today, and we framework, ministerial responsibility, scrutiny by the welcome his decision to do so in recognition of the intelligence services commissioners, and parliamentary depth of public concern that has arisen in recent days. accountability through the Intelligence and Security I begin my remarks by echoing the words of the Committee should give a high level of confidence that Foreign Secretary and put on record the support and the system works as intended. admiration of the whole House for the important—indeed, That does not mean that we do not have to work to vital—work that is done by our country’s intelligence strengthen public confidence whenever we can, while and security services. Theirs is some of the most important maintaining the secrecy necessary to intelligence work. but inevitably least recognised work undertaken to protect We have strengthened the role of the ISC through the the security of our nation, and it is right that we take Justice and Security Act 2013, to include oversight the opportunity to offer our thanks and praise for their of the agencies’ operations as well as their policy, efforts. Our intelligence agencies’ work would be made administration and finances. We have introduced more difficult if levels of concern about the framework the National Security Council so that intelligence is under which they operate were to compromise the active weighed and assessed alongside all other sources of support of the public for their efforts. In light of that, information available to the Government, including I shall quote back to the Foreign Secretary his words in diplomatic reporting and the insights of other Government a BBC interview yesterday: Departments, and all that information is judged “if you are a law abiding citizen of this country going about your carefully in deciding the Government’s overall strategy business and your personal life, you have nothing to fear—nothing and objectives. to fear about the British state or intelligence agencies listening to There is no doubt that secret intelligence, including the contents of your phone calls or anything like that.” the work of GCHQ, is vital to our country. It enables us This assertion, however, assumes that the state is either to detect threats against our country ranging from incapable of error or incapable of advertent or inadvertent nuclear proliferation to cyber attack. Our agencies work wrongdoing. to prevent serious and organised crime, and to protect Surely, on reflection, the Foreign Secretary will accept our economy against those trying to steal our intellectual that law-abiding citizens of this country also want to property. They disrupt complex plots against our country, know and be assured of the fact that the agencies of such as when individuals travel abroad to gain terrorist government are themselves law-abiding. Back in 2011, training and prepare attacks. They support the work of the Foreign Secretary seemed to recognise the importance our armed forces overseas and help to protect the lives of this point when in a speech on the role of the of our men and women in uniform, and they work Security Services he said: to help other countries lawfully to build the capacity “the need for secrecy places additional importance on the Foreign and willingness to investigate and disrupt terrorists in Secretary’s accountability to Parliament for GCHQ and SIS. This their countries, before threats reach us in the United is one of the indispensable foundations of public confidence, and Kingdom. one that I will personally strive to strengthen.” 35 GCHQ10 JUNE 2013 GCHQ 36

[Mr Douglas Alexander] out in part I of RIPA? Secondly, will he address the specific issue of when a request is made by the UK to an Today presents him with a clear opportunity to deliver intelligence agency of an international ally, not to seek on that pledge, and I hope that in his answers to my intercept, but instead to search existing data held by specific questions he will be able to do so. that agency on the contents of private communications, The Foreign Secretary is right to assume that lawyers, and, in particular, the legal process that will be adopted some law-makers and the members of the ISC may be in such an instance? In that circumstance, will he confirm very familiar with the framework of legality and whether this process is also governed by individual accountability, but the general public, for understandable warrants signed by the relevant Secretary of State and reasons, are not. In light of that, will he take the approved by the intercept commissioner as set out in opportunity of his response to remind the House of the part I of RIPA? steps we in Parliament have taken to preserve privacy, Will the Foreign Secretary confirm that, with respect and set out whether all steps taken by our agencies are, to intelligence sharing with allies, the UK Government to the best of his knowledge, compliant with those laws? operate on the basis of the assumption that information It is in this spirit, not of condemnation but of concern, held by, for example, the US Government, has been that I would like to ask the Foreign Secretary some obtained in accordance with the law of that country? If questions about the recent allegations first revealed by that is the case, what steps he has he taken, or will take, on Friday of last week about the existence to confirm that any processes currently in use by the and operation of the so-called Prism programme NSA continue to adhere to this legal safeguard? administered by the NSA. Let me first make it clear that the Opposition support Mr Speaker: Order. The shadow Foreign Secretary the principle of information sharing across international has now exceeded his allotted time, so I feel sure that he borders with allies. Indeed, the people who want to do is in his last sentence. harm to the UK work across international borders, and those people working to keep us safe have to be able to Mr Alexander: Thank you, Mr Speaker. work with allies across international borders if they are To conclude, all of us in this House have an interest to tackle these threats effectively. But that needs to be in sustaining public confidence in the work of the within that established framework of both law and intelligence agencies. Those agencies, each and every accountability. The Foreign Secretary is right to say that day, do outstanding work on behalf of and for the sake full disclosure on this issue is not possible nor appropriate, of us all. That is why Ministers and the ISC now have a so let me focus my questions not on the specific operational heavy burden of responsibility to oversee and scrutinise aspect of the allegations, but on the broader legal and their work, so as to reassure the public. policy frameworks that would apply in these circumstances. Earlier this morning, the Chair of the Intelligence Mr Hague: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman and Security Committee, the right hon. and learned and pleased that he began his remarks by expressing the Member for Kensington (Sir Malcolm Rifkind), gave support and admiration across the House for the work his account of the legal framework that would govern of the intelligence agencies. Many former Ministers British intelligence agencies’ use of intercept data. He from the previous Government—indeed, there are some said: specific ones here today—know that well. He was right “If the British intelligence agencies are seeking to know the to say that the work of those agencies is among the content of emails about people living in the UK then they most important and least recognised that goes into actually have to get lawful authority.Normally that means ministerial authority. That applies equally whether they are going to do the protecting this country, so there is strong common intercept themselves or whether they are going to ask somebody ground across the House on that. else to do it on their behalf.” The right hon. Gentleman said that we should be Will the Foreign Secretary confirm whether that account able, now and in future, to give people assurances about of the current legal framework is both complete and the law-abiding nature of the work of the agencies, accurate? which of course is a large part of the purpose of what I In his statement, the Foreign Secretary has just have just explained to the House. I am not saying that stated: “Any data obtained by us from the United States the agencies, anyone who works in them or, indeed, involving UK nationals are subject to proper UK statutory Ministers are incapable of error—that can happen in controls and safeguards, including the relevant sections any organisation—but I am arguing that there is a of the Intelligence Services Act 1994, the Human Rights strong system of checks and balances. A combination Act 1998 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers of ministerial oversight, independent scrutiny, parliamentary Act 2000.” Will he now set out the relevant sections of oversight, the legal framework and the strong ethical those Acts, and confirm whether this explanation means framework of the agencies themselves minimises the that any data obtained by us from the US, involving chance of errors happening in any sinister way. UK nationals, are authorised by ministerial warrants Sometimes people can get the impression, when reading and overseen by the intercept commissioner, as set out discussions in the media about this, that there is a by RIPA? danger of a “deep state” that is in some way out of Specifically, what legal framework applies in the following control. There is not that danger in the United Kingdom. two cases? First, when a request is made by the UK to Of course everyone is capable of error, but the protection an intelligence agency of an international ally for the of this country’s citizens from such error is very strong interception of the content of private communications, indeed. I must stress that there will always be ways of will he confirm whether this process is governed by improving procedures—many improvements have been individual warrants signed by the relevant Secretary of made in recent years, under successive Administrations— State and approved by the intercept commissioner as set and there are always new situations that arise in intelligence 37 GCHQ10 JUNE 2013 GCHQ 38 gathering that require additions to or the refinement of data supplied from other countries. While I cannot give the legal basis of what we do and the practices and my right hon. Friend a specific answer about specific procedures by which we do that work. I do not argue at discussions, of course we regularly discuss with the all that everything is definitely perfect, and certainly not United States the framework for these things to make for all time, with regard to whether in future there could sure, as best we can, that our values and our legal be any improvements in procedures in some areas, frameworks are upheld and that the strong emphasis on because I am sure that there could be. The Intelligence the privacy of the citizen is always there. As he will have and Security Committee will be able to look at that and seen in the statements of President Obama, the United make recommendations if it so wishes, and of course States is very, very tough about that as well. When the within the Government that is something that is constantly UK and US both work together, each with a strong looked at and subject to change. legal framework, the combined effect is a very strong The right hon. Gentleman is right that there is no and protective one. reason why the general public would be familiar with the framework I have set out for the House. I was the Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): Does the Secretary first Foreign Secretary to make a speech, in November of State accept that many of our allies, leaving aside the 2011—it might have been widely unnoticed in the House— United States, are astonished by the degree of control about the role of secret intelligence in foreign policy, in and supervision of our system of ministerial oversight, which I set out for the public what the guarantees are oversight by judicially qualified commissioners and oversight and what the legal framework is. This, in a way, is an by the ISC, which surpasses that of most other western opportunity to set that out clearly to the country. democracies? The right hon. Gentleman was right to say that he Does Secretary of State also accept that those in the supports information sharing with our allies. The position agencies face an impossible dilemma? When things are on the legal framework is exactly as I set out in my relatively calm, suspicions, fantasies and sometimes paranoia statement: any data obtained by us from the United can take off about the so-called secret state, but the States about UK nationals are subject to the full range moment there is a serious threat or actual terrorist of Acts, including section 3 of the Intelligence Services outrage, often the very same people and newspapers Act 1994 and the RIPA provisions, set out in sections 15 turn on a sixpence and demand to know not whether and 16, which regulate that information gathering must the safeguards were operated but why there has been a be necessary and proportionate and regulate how the failure by the agencies to track, through intelligence of agencies must handle information when they obtain it. all kinds, the miscreants involved. On the right hon. Gentleman’s further questions about how authority is given, I cannot give him, for reasons Mr Hague: The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely that I cannot explain in public, as detailed an answer as right; as a former Foreign Secretary he is very experienced he would like. I would love to give him what could in these matters. I argued in my statement that, as he actually be a very helpful answer, but because circumstances knows very well, the system of checks and balances and and procedures vary according to the situation, I do not scrutiny that we have is among the strongest in the want to give a categorical answer—in a small respect world; it could be the strongest in the world. Yes, he is circumstances might differ occasionally. But I can say right that the agencies easily come in for criticism when that ministerial oversight and independent scrutiny anything goes wrong and yet have to ensure at all times is there, and there is scrutiny of the ISC in all these that they are gathering all the information they ought to situations, so, again, the idea that operations are carried be obtaining. They undertake a task for which they are out without ministerial oversight, somehow getting around not thanked and recognised often enough. They have UK law, is mistaken. I am afraid that I cannot be more achieved a great deal in frustrating attacks on this specific than that. country, including, in recent years, planned terrorist attacks on this country, some of which we cannot talk Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con): about as they are not known to the public. It is therefore Nobody in this House, and certainly not me, would difficult to give them the recognition that they deserve. dispute the value of well-targeted intelligence. Central That is the scale and the importance of this crucial work. to this issue are the US FISA—Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act—laws, which distinguish between Martin Horwood () (LD): I declare a strong American citizens, who receive rigorous protection of constituency interest. their privacy, and all other foreigners, including British citizens, who receive, in essence, no protection. When Veterans of Bletchley park, like my own parents, were the Americans are concerned about assaults on their and are widely described as heroes for the secret victories citizens, they pursue this with an aggression that would that we can now talk about, they having kept their make Lord Palmerston proud, most obviously through secrets for many decades. Does the Foreign Secretary the extradition arrangements, for example. Has the agree that GCHQ, as Bletchley’s successor, does equally Foreign Secretary made any representations to the American vital but equally secret work, and that hon. Members authorities about the protection of innocent British might have to exercise just a fraction of that kind of citizens’ privacy under their FISA laws? self-restraint in allowing some of the perfectly legitimate questions about Prism to be answered in private to Mr Hague: We apply our own laws. The United elected members of the Intelligence and Security Committee, States decides its own laws and applies its own laws in which we have set up for precisely this purpose? the United States. We do so in the United Kingdom as well. That is the central point that I am making about Mr Hague: My hon. Friend has spoken well about this. All the Acts that we have passed in this Parliament GCHQ and the work of his constituents, which he relating to the gathering of intelligence are applied to and I both greatly admire. Of course, the Intelligence 39 GCHQ10 JUNE 2013 GCHQ 40

[Mr Hague] Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): One of the key motivations for the reform of the and Security Committee is able to look at any aspects, Intelligence and Security Committee was to help with including secret and top secret ones, of this discussion. transparency and to engage with the public and give The ISC, for those outside the House who may not be confidence. Can the Foreign Secretary say whether any aware of it, is a cross-party Committee of Members ISC report on Prism will be published, containing redactions who are already very familiar with so many of the issues that are as limited as possible? surrounding secret intelligence. That is the proper place for these issues to be gone into in detail. I am sure this Mr Hague: I cannot give an assurance that reports on House will show the necessary restraint in its questions these issues will be public because, as I argued in my and comments, and that they will be fitting for today’s statement, there is an important role for secret intelligence. discussion about secret intelligence. Our deliberations about that must therefore be secret. Mr David Blunkett (Sheffield, Brightside and The ISC makes a variety of reports, some of which are Hillsborough) (Lab): May I reinforce what my right published and redacted, as the hon. Lady says. The ISC hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) has will have to consider the format of its report, but I said and confirm from my own experience what the cannot guarantee that its findings will be public. Foreign Secretary has said about the legal and ethical framework and the safeguards? I know that to be true, Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): I congratulate and it is from that background that I ask this simple my right hon. Friend on an excellent statement to the question. Yes, we need to dampen down fear and reinforce House in which the British people should have every the fact that we are engaging with international cyber-attack confidence. Does he agree that, notwithstanding the and the dangers of international global terrorism; but, reservations of my right hon. Friend the Member for in reassuring people about how we handle their data, Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis), the protection of could we take a closer look at how other agencies, the British people relies hugely on co-operation between including the NSA and our friends and colleagues in the United Kingdom and the United States? Both countries the United States, use material gathered from network face threats from China. In that regard, I wonder whether and service providers and offer it, rather than having it my right hon. Friend has any comments to make to the sought from them, in a way that makes authorisation House about the illuminating report by the Intelligence extremely difficult? and Security Committee last week? Mr Hague: Like the right hon. Member for Blackburn, Mr Hague: I am largely grateful to my hon. Friend the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside and for his question and for his strong support for the Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett) speaks from his own experience Government’s position. He is right to underline the of the highly professional work of the agencies. The extreme importance to our national security of our point he raises reinforces the importance of our agencies close and unique co-operation with the United States. It applying and upholding the laws of the United Kingdom has been my general approach, as he knows, not to regarding the data they obtain from other intelligence publicly point fingers or fling accusations at other countries agencies around the world. As I said earlier to the about intelligence activities. Despite his tempting invitation, shadow Foreign Secretary, the right hon. Member for I will not do so today. Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander), there may well be occasions over the coming years when we will need to update and improve those procedures, to Paul Murphy (Torfaen) (Lab): As a former chair of take account of changes in technology. I do not exclude the ISC, I have nothing but admiration for the work that at all, but it re-emphasises the importance of applying of GCHQ. The Foreign Secretary agrees that the ISC our law in our country, which the agencies can be relied should investigate the allegations. Will he encourage on to do. the ISC to report swiftly to the Prime Minister, as is its custom, and then, if it is possible within the constraints Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex) (Con): People will of national security, to report to the House of Commons? have great confidence in hearing what my right hon. Friend has said about requests for intercept and operations Mr Hague: The ISC should of course report to the in this country having to be so very rigorous. Does he Prime Minister. I do not want to pre-empt any decision also agree that the highly complex nature of modern that the Committee or the Prime Minister may make communications inevitably means that, from time to about the nature of any reporting to the public or to time, privacy may have to be breached in the interests of Parliament. I reiterate the cautionary words that I issued the security of our country and its people? a moment ago. I am sure that the Committee will want Mr Hague: Yes, of course: a would-be terrorist cannot to undertake its work swiftly, but only as swiftly as rely on their privacy and nor can someone at the centre proper consideration of all the issues allows. We all of organised crime. It is these decisions that my right want it to consider such questions thoroughly. That is hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I and, sometimes, the most important requirement. other colleagues have to make. We take extra steps and extra care on privacy. The law explicitly requires us to Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): I make sure that our actions are necessary, proportionate very much welcome the statement by the Foreign Secretary. and targeted, but we go beyond those requirements in On the sharing of intelligence by GCHQ, will he clarify assessing the impact on the privacy of individuals in whether the United Kingdom provides location intelligence order to try to make sure that it is only when absolutely to the United States in relation to drone strikes in necessary that we invade that privacy. Afghanistan and Pakistan? 41 GCHQ10 JUNE 2013 GCHQ 42

Mr Hague: As I explained in my statement, successive constant need to update what we are able to do, without Governments have not commented on the details of being diverted from the basic principle of ensuring how we use intelligence information. My statement was that our intelligence gathering is on what is necessary, about the legal framework that governs such matters and that it is proportionate, targeted and always legal. and the values that we uphold. I cannot and will not Our laws do not provide for indiscriminate trawling comment on what intelligence we share with other countries. for information through the contents of people’s communications. We do not need to change those basic Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): Given the rather principles, but we sometimes need to change aspects different approaches to privacy and data protection in of the legal framework and where we are able to get Europe and the United States, what assessment has the information from. That work must go on in the coming Foreign Secretary made of the potential for this controversy years. to impact on the successful outcome of the EU-America free trade deal, and what are the Government doing to Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): Considering prevent it from having such an impact? all the dangers for the individual concerned, why should we believe that the American whistleblower is telling a Mr Hague: I have no evidence of any such impact. pack of lies? If a lot of what he is saying is true, then Over the coming days, the Government and our European surely law-abiding citizens who are a million miles from partners will be putting great effort into ensuring that any threat involved with terrorism should indeed be rapid progress is made on a transatlantic trade and fearful. investment partnership. I see no reason why the questions raised in the media over the past few days should have a significant impact on that. Mr Hague: As you will have noticed, Mr Speaker, I have not commented on the individual concerned. I am not going to get into a running commentary on this or Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): The Foreign any other leak. It is not possible for any Government to Secretary was right to say that in democracies, it is do that while respecting the need to maintain the secrecy important that some things are kept secret. However, it of our intelligence work. I do not want to get into that is equally important that Members of this House are now, but I stress again the very strong legal framework free to have discussions without fear of interception by in this country. I believe people can have confidence in the Government. Will the Foreign Secretary confirm that. that no Member is having his phone tapped or his e-mails intercepted? Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con): Mr Hague: There is a long-standing convention, named All our constituents should be grateful for the work of after a former Labour Prime Minister, which has always the Security Services, and some will owe their lives to been upheld, so my hon. Friend and Mrs Bone can be their professionalism. Can the Foreign Secretary confirm assured of that. that one of the biggest threats to our national security is stolen identities? Surely GCHQ has to be ever more Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): Can the innovative to stay one step in front. Foreign Secretary assure the House that the Security Services have all the necessary tools to keep our citizens Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is right to draw attention safe, even though at times that may mean the sacrifice to that. Part of the work of GCHQ is to make it easier of personal freedoms? for us to combat serious and organised crime. In many ways, the privacy of the citizens of this country benefits Mr Hague: They do have the tools. I said earlier that substantially from the work of our agencies, because of those tools need updating over time. I did not refer in what they are doing to protect the country. There is a my statement to the discussions on a communications strong argument to be made about that, rather than data Bill, but there is a strong case for updating the that their privacy is invaded. So that is a growing threat, tools we have at our disposal. Means of communication and in many cases it is up to the private sector, working are changing more rapidly than at any time in the with GCHQ, to ensure that we are well equipped to history of the world, which means that the range and defeat it. nature of threats change. We must be careful to do that work, and the whole House should give fair consideration Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): As one who continues to such proposals. to campaign for the young US-British soldier Bradley Manning, and exchanges e-mails and telephone calls John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): My right hon. Friend with his defence counsel, can I assume that I am free has confirmed that the Government and the intelligence from any surveillance, either from the United States or services have no interest in random snooping into the Britain? private affairs of British citizens, but can he confirm to the House that, when well-founded security risks are Mr Hague: I can only reiterate what I said to my hon. identified, sufficient powers and freedoms are in place Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) to undertake the investigations that may be necessary, about doctrine, and I believe that the right or is it his opinion that enhanced freedoms and powers hon. Lady can be confident in that. are now required?

Mr Hague: In my experience, we are well-equipped to Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD) rose— conduct necessary investigations, but I return to the answer I gave to the previous question. There will be a Mr Speaker: Time for a dose from the doctor. 43 GCHQ10 JUNE 2013 GCHQ 44

Dr Huppert: Many British people use the online tools in a great deal of trouble with the intercept commissioner affected by Prism and many British companies will have and the ISC. The hon. Gentleman can be reassured commercially sensitive data on there—many people in about that. government as well. The Americans are partly protected, but what rules are there on the collection of British data Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): Does my by the NSA or the uses that those data can be put to right hon. Friend agree that our relationship with the after they have been collected? US is a cornerstone of our national security infrastructure; that the exchange of material works both ways, aiding Mr Hague: The House will understand that I cannot the US as well as the UK; that those who work on the speculate about the content of any leak or what has paranoid assumption that this or some other programme been argued in newspapers over the past few days, but is there to spy on UK and US citizens are wrong; and we do have our own clear legal framework—the Regulation that a large proportion of the data collected is against of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, the Intelligence Services third-party citizens in third-party countries? Act 1994 and the Human Rights Act 1998, all of which apply to data obtained by this country through co-operation Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is absolutely right, including with the US, just as they apply to any data we obtain about the importance of the relationship and about ourselves. I think that people can be confident about how inevitably the vast majority of work done together that. by the UK and US intelligence agencies is to guard against threats from elsewhere in the world. Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): Given that EU data protection laws currently offer no protection Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Following on against backdoor US surveillance of this sort, will the from what my hon. Friend the Member for Blyth Valley Foreign Secretary commit to pushing for stronger measures (Mr Campbell) said, and the fact that GCHQ has been in the current EU proposals, or does he agree with the involved in trade union disputes for a long time, can the Justice Secretary, who is reported to have said that plans Foreign Secretary give me an assurance? He will not to strengthen protections for UK citizens and businesses explain precisely how this interception takes place on from such unwarranted spying are “mad”? the advice of a Minister; but surely, if the Prime Minister of the day in 1984 said that the miners and the NUM Mr Hague: I think that the hon. Lady might be were the “enemy within”, would that not give the green quoting the Justice Secretary slightly out of context, in light to GCHQ to intervene in every single coalfield? that he will have been referring to other aspects of the Because that is what we believed. proposals. I cannot give her any guarantee that these controversies make it easier to agree proposals for EU Mr Hague: We are in a different century now—we are directives, but I will go with my right hon. Friend the 13 years into the 21st century. The challenges are different Justice Secretary on these matters. and the focus of the intelligence agencies is different from decades in the past and very different, of course, Mr Ben Wallace (Wyre and Preston North) (Con): from during the . It is important for Opposition Could the Guardian’s non-story be summed up as: foreign Members below the Gangway to start to move with the Government monitor international terrorists and share times. intelligence with their allies? Will the Foreign Secretary join me in paying tribute to our allies, who share intelligence (Arundel and South Downs) (Con): so that British citizens remain safe, both here and Has not our national security relied for centuries on the abroad? effective intercept of communications? The Spanish armada was said to have been averted as much by the Mr Hague: I absolutely join in the tributes to our pen of Francis Walsingham as by the Royal Navy. Surely allies. We depend on the United States a great deal for what has changed is the nature of those communications. our national security, particularly in intelligence matters, The threat to the public comes not from the intelligence and they also depend on us. This is an important agencies, which have no interest at all in the communications two-way relationship, greatly assisting the security of of members of the public; but they will not be able to both nations, and reaffirms what an indispensible intercept communications if those data are not retained relationship this is for the UK. by providers.

Mr Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley) (Lab): I think Mr Hague: Since I refused to go back into the miners’ that 99% of the British public would agree that this strike, I am reluctant to go into the Spanish armada, is not about gathering information on terrorists. It is but the wider point that my right hon. Friend makes about the little fella—the fella who might be organising is of course absolutely correct. Two cross-party a demonstration against a rotten Government policy, or Committees in this House have looked at proposals for a trade unionist such as Len McCluskey or even Bob a communications data Bill, for instance, and said that Crow organising a strike. I was involved in the 1984 changes are necessary, and he is adding to that point. miners’ strike, mind, and there was some funny intelligence work done then. Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): Can the Secretary of State spell out to the House the precise Mr Hague: I can only speak about the legal framework difference between the legal framework applicable to operating now on the basis of two Acts of Parliament, the obtaining of intercept data by our intelligence services in 1994 and 2000, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman and that which applies to the use by our intelligence that if the Home Secretary and I were signing off services of information obtained by their counterparts interception warrants on political grounds, we would be overseas? 45 GCHQ10 JUNE 2013 GCHQ 46

Mr Hague: The legal framework is the one I have set increasing threat in many different areas of government out. The Acts that I have referred to, passed by Parliament, and of life in general. That is why the Government apply to all the intelligence gathered by the agencies. decided, in the strategic defence and security review The hon. Gentleman will know that, for instance, section 3 three years ago, to invest an additional £650 million in of the Intelligence Services Act 1994 confers particular our cyber-capabilities over a four-year period. The United powers and roles on GCHQ, so these things are governed Kingdom is one of the world leaders in cyber-defence by the same Acts of Parliament. Procedures differ, of and cyber-capabilities, and we are determined that we course, in many different situations. It is because I will remain in that position. cannot describe all those situations in public that I cannot go into exactly what that means for procedures Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): For in every case. I therefore cannot go as far in reassuring clarity, will the Foreign Secretary tell us whether he was the hon. Gentleman or the shadow Foreign Secretary as told how the NSA collects this information, and on they would like, but if they could see the full details of what date he was made aware of the Prism project? what happens, I think they would take an enormous measure of reassurance from it. Mr Hague: I go back to what I have said about being unable to confirm or deny leaked information. I am not Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Given the comments commenting at all on information that has appeared in of the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) the newspapers. There might be leaks in the future from and other former Cabinet Ministers on the Opposition who knows what agency, and I would take the same Benches, can the House reasonably infer that there has view in such circumstances. We cannot conduct ourselves been no change in policy with regard to GCHQ and in these matters by commenting on every leak that takes information sharing from the last Government—in other place. The Intelligence and Security Committee will be words, that the system that prevails at present is identical able to look at these questions, but I cannot tell the hon. to that which persisted and pertained when Labour was Gentleman in public the answers to the questions that in government? he is raising.

Mr Hague: The challenges of gathering intelligence Rory Stewart (Penrith and The Border) (Con): Because change over time, so I would not want to give the House this type of secret operation involves not just a legal the impression that all practices and techniques are problem but a difficult balancing of security and liberty, exactly the same or used in the same way. I can say, as I we should do more to explain what we are doing. An said in my statement, that the general framework remains American citizen would have the right to an answer to the same—the principles of our intelligence sharing the question that my hon. Friend the Member for with the United States and the general framework for Gillingham and Rainham (Rehman Chishti) asked about it certainly remain the same. The values on which it location information being offered for American drone is based also remain the same, as under successive strikes. Unless we begin to explain more to the public, Governments. secret operations will not be sustainable in the long term. The public must understand and, through understanding, Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): consent. We know that the Foreign Secretary, the Home Secretary and all his right hon. Friends in the Conservative party Mr Hague: I go a certain way with my hon. Friend on Cabinet want the retention of large swathes of personal this. There is a need to explain to the public in this data, and he is prepared to compromise our civil liberties country more than we have done for decades about the to obtain that, but does this episode not demonstrate role of secret intelligence, its purpose and what it achieves. what could go wrong if we had a home-grown snooper’s However, I do not think that will mean that we are able charter? to describe in detail how our co-operation with other countries works on operational matters, for many obvious Mr Hague: I think the hon. Gentleman is referring reasons. It would make it more difficult for us to protect to the draft Communications Data Bill, which I have this country if other people knew the exact techniques already mentioned in earlier answers. Two parliamentary that we used. Also, other countries would be less willing Committees have considered the draft Bill and concluded to share their intelligence with the UK if they thought that there is a need for legislation in this area, and the that we were not good at keeping it to ourselves. But we Government are committed to bringing forward proposals certainly need to raise public awareness of the need for on that in the near future. what we do, and I started to do that in my speech on this subject in 2011. Perhaps today’s statement will also have Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): We are actually that effect. at cyber-war at the moment. Since the year 2000, the cyber-attacks on this country have multiplied some Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): The Cathy Massiter twentyfold. The Chinese held an exercise last week that case proved that, 50 years after the last war, intensive they called a digital technology exercise at divisional surveillance of peace activists, trade unionists and left-wing level, involving men in uniform who are designed specifically parties had failed to turn up a single spy, but it was to attack the west. Hacking can be far more deadly than discovered that in that same period, more than 20 members a gun. May I encourage the Foreign Secretary and all of the Secret Intelligence Service were spying for the his colleagues to ensure that GCHQ is as close to the Soviet Union. Since then, we have had untruths on National Security Agency as possible in the future? weapons of mass destruction and a Government cover-up to this House on the handing over of prisoners to Mr Hague: As I have said, GCHQ has a unique oppressive regimes to be tortured. Is the Foreign Secretary relationship with the National Security Agency. My telling us today that the only people now under surveillance hon. Friend is right to say that cyber-attack is an are the guilty? How does he manage that? 47 GCHQ10 JUNE 2013 GCHQ 48

Mr Hague: I am telling the hon. Gentleman and the Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): I am so sorry, House about the many checks and balances and the Mr Speaker, but I was just getting up to leave the strong legal framework. On all the controversies that he Chamber. lists about the past—and they are controversies rather than necessarily facts—it would be fair to point out that Mr Speaker: We are sorry the hon. Lady is taking her there has been a constant process under successive leave, but we will hear from her on other occasions. Governments of improving how the intelligence agencies [Interruption.] She has nothing for which to apologise. work. After the controversies over the use of intelligence I mistakenly thought she was trying to contribute. She in the Iraq war, for instance, we saw the Butler report, should take her leave; we will give her a cheer [HON. which has substantially changed the way intelligence is MEMBERS: “Hurray.]We will hear from her again soon. presented to Ministers and the way that Ministers decide. She is a very regular contributor. I referred in my statement to the creation of the National Security Council and to intelligence being given its due Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): May I commend but proper weight alongside other information and my right hon. Friend for his statement, for his personal considered in the round. The hon. Gentleman should grip and command over this issue and for the work that take heart from the fact that such improvements take the security services do? I imagine that from the nature place. of the work they do and the people they are, our security services people are reticent about talking of Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): It is good to their successes. At a time of heightened tension over know that our legal framework is not lost on the Foreign international and domestic terrorism, will the Foreign Secretary. He tells us that there are no grounds for Secretary encourage our security services wherever possible suggesting that GCHQ obtained information from the to put into the public domain the success stories in United States that it could not obtain legally in the UK. countering threats to our national security? Is it also the case that there are standard procedures in place sufficient to prevent that from happening? Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is right to suggest that we Mr Hague: What I have argued is that the idea of should be able to celebrate the successes of our security GCHQ setting out to circumvent UK law by co-operation services. Unfortunately, however, we shall have to continue with other countries is baseless. UK law is applied to to celebrate those successes in fairly general terms. As the data it receives, even if it is received from the United my hon. Friend will understand, if we proclaimed some States, because ministerial oversight and independent of our most successful intelligence operations in public, oversight is all there. Part of the purpose of that oversight it would be very difficult to repeat them. Unfortunately, is to ensure that the misuse of the powers and the role of we have to protect this country against the same type of GCHQ does not take place. threat again and again, and from terrorism in particular. I therefore cannot, at the moment, offer a more specific Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) statement about what the security services have succeeded (SNP): The term is always used that the intelligence in doing, but my hon. Friend can take it from me that services always operate within a “legal framework”. Is there is much that is not known in relation to the the Foreign Secretary certain that “legal framework” protection of this country from terrorism in particular, always means ethically and within the law, and that but also from organised crime, that the country would peaceful democratically elected political parties in the truly celebrate if it knew about it. UK are not involved? Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): I join the Foreign Mr Hague: Well, yes it does mean those things. It Secretary in praising the professionalism and dedication means that the legal framework is properly applied and of the staff of both the SIS and GCHQ. Edward what the agencies do has to be targeted, necessary, Snowden, the CIA official who leaked the information, proportionate and authorised. It also has to be for the said that had he leaked it because he wanted to stand up purposes set out in the relevant Acts of Parliament in against oppression and stand up for liberty. Is there not the interests of national security, the country’s economic a perverse paradox that that gentleman made those well-being or the prevention of serious crime and the claims not from Washington or London, but from the protection of the country from it. These are the purposes People’s Republic of China? of our intelligence agencies—and they stick to them. Mr Hague: Having earlier set myself the rule of not Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): Is the Foreign attacking the conduct of other nations, I am not going Secretary absolutely confident that, if a member of staff to break that rule now, but other people will be able to working at GCHQ had real concerns about wrongdoing comment on this particular individual and his role. It is, among colleagues, the channels exist for that member of of course, important for everyone who works for the staff to have their concerns heard without needing to go agencies to remember that part of their responsibility is to the media? to uphold the laws of their country, and that in the case of the United States and the United Kingdom, those Mr Hague: Yes, absolutely. In such a case, concerns laws are designed to protect the lives and liberty of the can be raised through the management structure. There citizens of those countries. That seems to have been too is also the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, to which easily forgotten over the last few days. members of the intelligence services can take complaints or concerns without having to do so in public. Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): NATO suffered Several hon. Members rose— a suspected 2,500 cyber-attacks on its network last year. Can my right hon. Friend tell us whether there is a Mr Speaker: I call Margot James. similar level of suspected cyber-attacks on GCHQ ? 49 GCHQ 10 JUNE 2013 50

Mr Hague: There are undoubtedly cyber-attacks against Better Defence Acquisition all western intelligence agencies, including GCHQ, but GCHQ is particularly well adapted to defend itself 5.4 pm against such attacks, and to have some idea of where The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): they are coming from and when they are coming. I will The defence of UK national interests is a priority for not go into any more detail than that, but people would this Government. To secure that defence, we must provide be quite fortunate to mount a successful cyber-attack our armed forces with the equipment and capabilities against GCHQ itself. they need to operate in a rapidly changing security environment. Without the right equipment, delivered Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): As we have on time, properly maintained and available for use, our heard, the rigour, quality and sheer scale of American armed forces cannot function effectively and our national intelligence is second to none. Given the threats that the interests are put at risk. Effective procurement and UK currently faces, may I urge the Foreign Secretary support of defence equipment is therefore not just to continue his robust public defence of the UK-US desirable, but an essential part of maintaining flexible intelligence relationship? and effective armed forces. Mr Hague: I feel suitably earthed by my hon. Friend, For decades, there has been an acknowledgement and by many other Members. It is always worth reminding that defence acquisition in this country can, and should, ourselves again of the indispensable nature of that be done better. Despite numerous reviews and relationship, although we cannot give many of the reorganisations, successive Governments have failed to details about it. It is a fundamental part—a cornerstone, embed the systemic changes necessary to achieve that as one of our hon. Friends said earlier—of maintaining objective. We owe it to the men and women of our the security of this country. armed forces, and to the long-suffering taxpayer, to do better. Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): I welcome Two separate independent studies carried out for the the reassurances given by the Foreign Secretary. I merely Ministry of Defence have suggested that the costs arising seek clarification of one point. If the UK is intercepting from inefficiency in the procurement process are between e-mails of British citizens, it requires a warrant from the £1.3 billion and £2.2 billion per annum. Waste on that Secretary of State, but that vital check is not in place scale is unacceptable at any time; more so at a time of when communications are received under Prism. Does acute pressure on the public finances. I am determined the Foreign Secretary accept that Prism can be used to drive a step change in the way we do our defence quite legally to sidestep the level of safeguards that procurement business. apply to UK-sourced intercept? How do we mitigate In April, I announced to the House that we had that risk? launched the assessment phase for the Department’s matériel strategy programme, considering two options Mr Hague: Again, I do not want anything that I say for the future of the Defence Equipment and Support to be taken as a comment on information that has been organisation: the first, a public sector benchmark, which leaked over the last few days, but the Intelligence and we call “DE&S+”; and the second a Government-owned, Security Committee will be able to study the issues contractor-operated entity, a “GoCo”. raised by it, including the issues raised by my hon. Today, I am publishing a White Paper that sets out Friend. That is the proper forum. I have already stressed the matériel strategy proposals in more detail, and the way in which ministerial and independent oversight provides more information about our intention to create applies to our relations with other intelligence agencies, a new statutory framework to drive better value in including those in the United States, and my hon. single-source procurement contracts, protecting the taxpayer Friend should therefore not jump to any conclusions in this significant area of MOD business. We believe about the absence of such oversight and authority. that a GoCo-operating model is the solution that is most likely effectively to embed and sustain the significant Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): Does my change that is required to reform defence acquisition, right hon. Friend agree that the concerns raised by but the decision will be based on an objective value-for- some Members of this House demonstrate the limitations money comparison between the GoCo and DE&S+ of the current RIPA system, which has failed to keep up options. The assessment phase is designed to deliver specific, with modern technological trends, and that there is a costed, contract-quality proposals from GoCo bidders need for new measures, such as the draft Communications and test them against the DE&S+ benchmark. Data Bill, as amended by a Joint Committee of the There has been considerable speculation in the media Lords and the Commons, to ensure that our legislation and elsewhere about the scope of a GoCo. At the most is up to date, has parliamentary oversight and covers all extreme, I have seen it suggested that the proposal is the concerns raised? simply to hand over £15 billion a year of taxpayers’ money to a private company and leave it to decide what Mr Hague: The case for the draft Communications kit to buy for our armed forces. Let me reassure the Data Bill rests on its own merits. My hon. Friend refers House that that is emphatically not the proposition. If to some of those merits and the Government will bring GoCo is the selected option, the GoCo partner will forward proposals in the near future on that subject. manage DE&S on behalf of the Secretary of State. It will act as his agent. All contracts will continue to be entered into in the name of the Secretary of State. Strategic direction will be provided by a governance function that will remain within the MOD. The GoCo’s customers will be the front-line commands and the 51 Better Defence Acquisition10 JUNE 2013 Better Defence Acquisition 52

[Mr Philip Hammond] There is a clear risk to defence and the taxpayer, and ensuring that we get good value for money in single-source MOD itself. The DE&S work force will be transferred procurement is a key part of my programme to reform to the GoCo-operating company under standard TUPE defence acquisition. arrangements and we will expect the GoCo partner to The MOD currently uses a framework for single-source inject a small number of senior managers, and possibly procurement which has remained largely unchanged for some key technical staff. the last 45 years, despite the far-reaching changes to the Crucially, the GoCo is assumed to be able to recruit industrial landscape and to commercial procurement and reward its staff at market rates—a critical freedom practices that have occurred in that time. Under this in a business that is required to deal with the private system, the profit contractors can earn is fixed, but commercial sector on a daily basis. The proposal set out there are few incentives for them to reduce costs. Such a in the White Paper is for a phased transfer of DE&S system does not serve the best interests either of defence to a GoCo, with checks and break points to allow us to or of a competitive, export-focused defence industry. halt the process if it is not delivering the results we In 2011, the MOD commissioned Lord Currie of require. The legislation and the contract will include a Marylebone to undertake an independent review of our transfer regime that will allow the Secretary of State to existing approach and to make recommendations. He transfer the business to another contractor, or back to recommended a new framework: one that is based on the MOD, in extremis. If, at the end of the assessment transparency of contractor cost data, with much stronger phase, a GoCo operating model is selected, we will need supplier efficiency incentives, underpinned by stronger to be able to move quickly to conclude a contract with governance arrangements. Based on his recommendations the successful bidder. The Government therefore intend and extensive consultations with our major single-source to provide in the Defence Reform Bill the necessary suppliers, we have developed the new framework I am authorities to let a GoCo contract in 2014, together proposing, details of which are set out in the White with measures required to allow a GoCo to operate Paper. At its heart is the principle that industry gets a effectively. fair profit in exchange for providing the MOD with the There are finely balanced arguments about whether transparency and protections we need to assure value primary legislation is strictly required to allow the for money. establishment of a GoCo. The Government have, however, A statutory basis will ensure widespread coverage decided that it is right that we should legislate in this across our single-source suppliers and application of instance because of the importance of DE&S+ to our the regime throughout the single-source supply chain. armed forces and in order to ensure that Members of The system will be policed by a stronger, independent, both Houses, many of whom take a keen interest in single source regulations office to monitor adherence defence matters, have a proper opportunity to explore and to ensure the regime is kept up to date. These and debate the issues. changes will incentivise efficiency in operating costs The White Paper sets out the proposed model for a and minimisation of overheads, supporting UK defence GoCo, its key features and our expectations with regard sector competitiveness both at home and in export to the control that the Department will continue to markets. exercise and the freedoms that the GoCo will enjoy. Its The proposals set out in this White Paper will deliver purpose is to set in context the legislation that we are the real reform our acquisition system needs to provide bringing forward in the Defence Reform Bill, including the support our front-line forces deserve, to maximise provisions to ensure that the Ministry of Defence police the benefit of our £160 billion 10-year defence equipment have the appropriate jurisdiction to be able to operate programme, and to deliver value for money for the within the GoCo environment, to extend certain statutory taxpayer. I commend this statement to the House. immunities and exemptions enjoyed by the Crown—for example, in relation to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Nuclear Installations Act 1965—to 5.14 pm the new body, and to allow the transfer of shares in the Mr Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire) (Lab): I start by operating company and/or property, rights and liabilities thanking the Secretary of State for his statement and in the operating company or contracting entity at the for advance sight of it. Reform of defence procurement direction of the Secretary of State. is one of the major challenges facing UK defence. The White Paper also sets out reforms to how the Those on both sides of the House will want to see MOD undertakes single-source procurement of defence reforms that deal with overspends and overruns, and equipment. Open competition is our preferred approach ensure that world-class equipment is delivered when to getting value for money, but sometimes there is only and where our forces need it. For too long, the good a single provider of a capability we require, and the intentions of successive Administrations have not delivered need to maintain critical national industrial capabilities sufficient reform in defence procurement. However, just or sovereign control of the intellectual property in as some of the responsibility can be shared, our resolve equipment programmes sometimes requires us to place to learn the right lessons and deliver far-reaching reform contracts with UK companies without a competitive must also be collective. We therefore welcome much of process. today’s statement. Single-source procurement accounts for about 45% Future procurement systems must provide value for of the total the MOD spends on defence equipment and money within financial constraints. Better performance support, or about £6 billion per year, and is likely to will come from greater professional project management, remain at those levels for the next decade or so. Without faster decision making, fuller accountability for outcomes competition, suppliers can price and perform without and a more considered use of military expertise. Labour being constrained by the disciplines of the marketplace. supports reforms—the Bernard Gray report, on which 53 Better Defence Acquisition10 JUNE 2013 Better Defence Acquisition 54 today’s White Paper is based, was commissioned by the noted in the National Audit Office’s “Major Projects previous Government. We have proposed a new budgetary Report 2012” would have rested with the taxpayer or discipline, whereby deferred decisions that increase cost the GoCo, had it been established? are accounted for within a rolling 10-year cycle, and On the single source regulations office, we welcome increased certainty for industry over sovereign and off- the proposal in principle and will examine it closely. It the-shelf capabilities. is essential to drive down cost where possible in single Labour Members are open-minded about how that is sourcing, as the Secretary of State said. Will he say a achieved, but I wish to be clear that welcoming this little more about who would appoint the members, and process today is not the same thing as supporting a whether regulations would be subject to the one-in, GoCo in principle. There needs to be rigorous examination one-out rule? of all the possible options and a robust comparison In conclusion, we will support what we hope is a between the two options of a GoCo model and DE&S+. genuine competition. We will scrutinise the processes That comparison should rest on the principles of ensuring carefully, because efficient and effective defence procurement value for money within programmes; industry adhering is essential, not just for the Ministry of Defence bottom to new targets on time and cost; maintaining parliamentary line, but for the remarkable men and women of our accountability; enhancing a culture of consequence for armed forces, whom we place in harm’s way to serve on decision makers; and military involvement being based the front line. on tri-service working, not on single-service rivalry. So reform must extend across the Ministry of Defence. Too often, scope creep has led to systems exceeding identified Mr Hammond: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman need, and major decisions have been pushed to the right for his welcome of this announcement. Of course I to save in the short term at the expense of longer-term completely accept that the Opposition’s willingness to budgetary bow wave. Today’s challenge for Ministers is look at the issues with an open mind is not the same as not just to determine a management model, but to an uncritical endorsement of the GoCo concept, and demonstrate that decades-long entrenched behaviours just in case I did not make this clear in my opening are being corrected. remarks, we have not yet accepted the GoCo concept as Let me deal with the specifics of today’s announcement. the chosen outcome; we are conducting an assessment. On the assessment phase, will the Secretary of State However, I think we agree across the House—Opposition pledge to publish the findings of the two value-for-money Members who have, in office, experienced the challenge studies and allow for a consideration by this House of trying to make the defence budget add up will prior to a final decision being taken in the legislation? It certainly agree—on the need for change. The intentions is essential that Parliament, industry and our armed are very clear. forces have full confidence that strategic affordability is The process that we are talking about was kicked off the determining factor in this process. On costs, will the by the Gray report, published in 2009. I note that the Secretary of State say whether the new management then Secretary of State has strongly endorsed the GoCo team of either model would re-cost the baseline of the model, which he feels is the way forward. We are examining core equipment programme, or would the figures published the case for GoCo against the baseline of DE&S+. We earlier this year remain? Furthermore, in light of the have two separate teams, working with Chinese walls National Audit Office’s observation that the MOD’s between them, that are equally resourced. One is trying assessment of risk is “not statistically viable”, would to build the maximum fully-public-sector case that it the new management be able to reform the current can, taking advantage of all freedoms and flexibilities method of risk assessment? On staffing, the MOD has available. The other is working with potential GoCo said that current reductions will not affect outputs. bidders to look at the value that they can deliver. At the Would either management model be able to make decisions end of the process, we will make a comparison. over staffing independently from the Secretary of State? The right hon. Gentleman talked about the cost Will he confirm that trade unions will be consulted drivers from past scope creep. One of the clear advantages throughout the assessment phase? of changing the way that DE&S works is creating a It is essential to maximise military expertise, so will harder boundary between the customer and the company the Secretary of State say whether he considers it preferable supplying the requirements, making it less easy for to change the current ratio of military to civilian numbers scope to creep without a proper change process and in procurement within the MOD? Specifically on the proper recognition of the costs involved. He asked me GoCo, will he pledge that senior officials currently whether the baseline would be re-costed. We do not working on this process within the MOD will not be anticipate a re-costing of the programme baseline. If we able to work for the GoCo consortium without a prolonged go down the GoCo route, we will negotiate with GoCo period of purdah? Many in the country will have a bidders for an incentivised fee structure, based on the concern about the extent of a private entity’s potential existing costed programme. He will know that an reach over public policy. So, under these plans would a independent cost advisory service sits alongside DE&S, GoCo model cover the whole equipment programme, and will play a continuing role in independently assessing including the nuclear deterrent? What is the time scale the costs of projects and the appropriate level of risk to for the implementation of a GoCo? That will enable us be attached to them. to judge when efficiencies may begin to accrue. Unsurprisingly, the right hon. Gentleman asked me One of the biggest uncertainties around GoCo has to about staffing levels in a post-GoCo DE&S, if GoCo is do with the ownership of risk and whether contractors the selected solution. The staffing transfer would be could generate private profit while financial risk remained made under the TUPE regulations. We anticipate about in public hands. For example, can the Secretary of State 8,000 of DE&S’s projected 14,500 2015 staff numbers say whether liability for the £468 million cost overrun transferring to the new entity, with the remainder—in 55 Better Defence Acquisition10 JUNE 2013 Better Defence Acquisition 56

[Mr Philip Hammond] that will be agreed with the partner during the negotiation process. That will be designed to align the GoCo partner’s naval dockyards, logistics, communications, and information incentives with the interests and priorities of the services—remaining in other parts of Government, or Department. That is where a great deal of our time and being outsourced. energy is being invested at present. There is no reason to suppose that the GoCo route is more likely to deliver further staffing reductions than Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire) (Con): any other route. Clearly, the new management team, What discussions has my right hon. Friend had with whether it is a GoCo or DE&S+, will seek to run the key allies, notably the United States and France, about business efficiently, and to use the freedoms and flexibilities this proposal and what has been their response? available to it to deliver outputs as effectively as possible. The right hon. Gentleman asked me about the ratio Mr Hammond: I thank my right hon. Friend for a of military to civilian personnel in DE&S. At present very important question. We have had discussions with about 25% of the personnel in DE&S are military. We key allies, notably the United States and France. The expect the military role, which will be performed by United States, contrary to some media reporting, is secondees in the future, to focus on providing specifically relaxed about this process. It recognises that there will military advice to the DE&S organisation, rather than be some technical issues that we need to resolve, but I filling line management and project management roles, am glad to be able to tell him that the Chief of Defence so I do not expect the military proportion of staff to Matériel received this morning, by coincidence, a letter increase, and it may decrease under a future model. from his counterpart, the Under-Secretary for defence procurement, in the Pentagon confirming that the United The right hon. Gentleman asked me a question, the States is confident that it will be possible to make these motivation for which I entirely understand, about senior arrangements work. We have set up a joint working officials. Nobody wants to see such exercises becoming group to work through the issues that will need to be a gilded exit route for senior officials, and I am pleased addressed before a decision is made. to be able to tell him that the Chief of Defence Matériel, the most senior official in DE&S, will transfer to the MOD side—the customer side—of the equation and Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): What powers will be responsible for designing and managing the will Defence Ministers and Select Committees have to customer side. I cannot, as the right hon. Gentleman intervene and examine contracts, negotiations and knows, give him an absolute assurance that other officials procurements if the GoCo goes ahead? What powers of in the Department, should they choose to leave the oversight will Parliament retain? Department, would not at some point in the future be able to join a GoCo, but of course there are rules and Mr Hammond: As I said earlier, the procurement restrictions in place—a Cabinet Office regime which contracts will still be entered into in the name of the has been reinforced following revelations in The Sunday Secretary of State. The Secretary of State and Ministers Times last year—and we will make sure that nobody is will remain accountable to Parliament and to the Select able to abuse this process. Committee. The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence will remain accountable to the Public Accounts The right hon. Gentleman asked me whether the Committee, and access to and scrutiny and oversight of GoCo would cover the nuclear deterrent. It will certainly those contracts will be exactly the same as they are now. cover the procurement of Vanguard replacement submarines. The management of our nuclear warheads Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Will the proposed is carried out by the Atomic Weapons Establishment, GoCo have the power to negotiate independently of the itself already a GoCo. We have not yet finally decided Ministry of Defence to try to get a really good deal out whether the new GoCo, if there is one, will be responsible of a foreign defence contractor in, for example, in the for managing the MOD’s relationship with AWE or United States? whether that will be managed directly. That will be one of the issues dealt with in negotiation with potential Mr Hammond: If doing so was within the remit given GoCo bidders. it by the Secretary of State, it would have that power. I On timescale, I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that need to be very clear about this. The point of hiring a we expect to reach a decision in the summer of next commercial partner is to deploy its commercial expertise. year, with a view to the new arrangements, whether There is no point hiring it and then constraining it so GoCo or DE&S, being stood up before the end of 2014. tightly that we do not get any benefit from it. On the Finally, I turn to the question of risk ownership. This other hand, it will be very clear, and I am very clear, that is an important point which has been somewhat it will always operate within the framework of strategic misunderstood by some commentators. Clearly, it would direction that has been given by the Secretary of State, be very attractive to think that we could transfer the and the Secretary of State will retain a power to intervene programme risk in the defence equipment programme— and specifically direct it on a specific point within its £160 billion of it—to somebody in the private sector, management of a programme if necessary. but the reality is that there is nobody who has a balance sheet big enough, probably anywhere in the world, and Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): I thank the Secretary the taxpayer would not be prepared to accept the price of State for advance sight of his statement. Will he for taking on that risk, so the risk ownership in the clarify that should one go down the GoCo route he has programme will remain with the Government and the no objection in principle to the winner of a GoCo taxpayer. What the private sector partner will be at risk contract, should that be the preferred outcome, being for is his fee, which will be structured in such a way as to headquartered in the United States, Europe or further incentivise the delivery of the key performance indicators afield? 57 Better Defence Acquisition10 JUNE 2013 Better Defence Acquisition 58

Mr Hammond: The hon. Gentleman and the House Mr Hammond: I hear my hon. Friend’s point but, to might be interested to know that of the 21 expressions be blunt, I think that we have to be realistic about this of interest that we have received in response to the issue and acknowledge that military personnel are not necessarily of the pre-qualification questionnaire, a third have been trained to be best equipped to deal with world-class UK- headquartered companies, but it is likely that the industrial project managers employed on eye-wateringly winner of a competition for a GoCo will be a consortium large salaries by the defence contractors we have to and it is highly likely that some members of that consortium negotiate with. It is to try to allow DE&S to engage will be non-UK companies. In fact, to be frank, it is with those multinational corporations and world-class highly likely that it will include US-headquartered project managers on a level playing field that we are companies, but the entity with which we contract will considering these changes. There will be a role for the be UK-registered and domiciled, and will pay its tax in military in this organisation, but it will not generally be the UK. as lead project mangers. On my hon. Friend’s other point, I am grateful to him Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): I for drawing the House’s attention to the fact that the congratulate the ministerial team on its progress on this majority of the US nuclear programme is in the hands important matter. DE&S covers Her Majesty’s Navy of non-public sector organisations—federally funded bases. Will the Secretary of State reassure me that his research and development corporations—which look announcement today will not affect the proposal to very much like GoCos. transfer them to the Royal Navy? John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op): Mr Hammond: I can assure my hon. Friend that the The strategic defence and security review in October plan to transfer the Royal Navy dockyards out of DE&S, 2010 resulted in a four-year delay to the in-service date along with the plan to transfer the logistics and commodities for the Vanguard class replacement submarines. It was supply service out of DE&S to an outsource contractor, by no means the first project that has been shifted to will continue on track. That is why there is a gap the right with increased costs, but it caused particular between the projected 2015 total numbers of DE&S on disappointment because it was done by an Administration a steady state basis, and the 8,000 that we are expecting who, when in opposition, criticised the former to transfer under a TUPE transfer if we go down this Administration for doing similar things. If a GoCo is in route. place when such decisions are considered in future, on submarines or anything else, will it be taken out of Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): How much does Ministers’ hands? the Secretary of State think that the new arrangement will save each year? Will those savings be used to buy Mr Hammond: As I have already said, Ministers will additional equipment for our armed forces, or simply retain the ability to provide strategic direction. If the returned to the Treasury, leaving our servicemen with less? hon. Gentleman does not mind, I will take no lectures from the Opposition on shifting projects to the right at huge cost, because the previous Government shifted Mr Hammond: The latter part of the hon. Gentleman’s the carrier project two years to the right at a cost of question is clearly one that I cannot answer on a unilateral £1.6 billion. What was actually done in 2010, in relation basis, but I suspect that, in the way that generally to the submarine enterprise, was a reconfiguration of happens, there is a potential win-win situation here—a the programme between the Astute class submarines win for the taxpayer in terms of lower public expenditure and work on the Vanguard class replacement submarines, and a win for the armed forces in terms of greater which resulted in a delay to the introduction into service capabilities being able to be purchased. I think I included of the Vanguard class, but within the overall constraint these figures in my statement, but the independent that we have in this country of needing to sustain a estimates are that somewhere between £1.3 billion and submarine yard at Barrow, and the minimum level at £2.2 billion of frictional costs generated by inefficiencies which we can sustain a submarine yard is building one in the procurement system are incurred every year. It submarine at a time. However we configure them— would be a very rash man who suggested that we can Vanguard class first or Astute class first—we have to squeeze out every last pound of those, but I would provide that work flow if we are to keep that sovereign expect us to be able to achieve net gains after taking capability. That is the kind of single-source procurement account of the cost of the arrangements—the GoCo fee that we are targeting in the announcement I made today and the cost of the governance function on the MOD on the single-source procurement rules. side—in the hundreds of millions of pounds. Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): I commend the Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): I welcome my Secretary of State for getting to grips with defence right hon. Friend’s thoughtful statement. Will he confirm procurement, which is long overdue, but does he recognise not only that Aldermaston is a GoCo, but that in fact that there is nervousness in some quarters about the most of the American nuclear programme has historically complexity of the emerging process, which will involve been run by university-led GoCos? I urge him to look the MOD, the armed forces, NATO, the private supplier, carefully at the issue of military project managers and the GoCo and the independent cost advisory service? at the experience from abroad. In land systems, in Can he give the House any reassurance that new particular, we can end up with a project manager and an inefficiencies will not creep into the system as a result of expensive military adviser, rather than one uniformed that complexity? officer driving it forward. It is worth looking at the Swedish experience, for example, which is of a very Mr Hammond: I will be very frank with the hon. effective and tight ship with mostly military project Gentleman: one of the things I have learnt over the past managers. three years is that new inefficiencies creep in all the time 59 Better Defence Acquisition10 JUNE 2013 Better Defence Acquisition 60

[Mr Philip Hammond] a “critical” freedom in the potential move to a GoCo. In that phased transfer, would any increased remuneration if one is not continually vigilant. That, incidentally, is in bonus packages still come from the MOD baseline? why, however much one thinks one has squeezed out all the inefficiencies, when one goes back around the loop Mr Hammond: That depends. We would expect a and looks again one finds more that were not noticed GoCo contractor to inject a certain number of senior the last time or that have crept in since. He is absolutely staff who would be part of its package and who would right to say that it is a complex enterprise, but within be remunerated through its incentivised fee. Within the the overall portfolio of defence transformation—we are overall DE&S work force, getting the right skills in the carrying out many hugely complex projects simultaneously right places will be part of the task for the management —it is just one of many, and I am confident that we can contractor. In some cases, that will mean recruiting at manage it. market rates, because at the moment we are haemorrhaging talent. The Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): Will the hon. Friend the Member for Ludlow (Mr Dunne), has Secretary of State assure the House that the interests of just given me an example where we had nine applicants national security and the safety of our armed forces, to for 70 commercial posts that have recently been advertised. whom we owe a great debt of gratitude, as well as value We have to address the haemorrhage of talent from for taxpayers’ money, will be at the heart of the changes DE&S by offering market rates if we are to support our in defence procurement? Will he also assure us that all armed forces as we need to. essential defence equipment will be made available to our front-line forces in the defence of the nation? Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire) (Con): The Secretary of State will understand how pleased I am that he has Mr Hammond: I can of course give the hon. Gentleman announced the implementation of the major elements that assurance. We are trying to do two things: to ensure of the report that I commissioned from Lord Currie on that the £160 billion defence equipment and support single-source pricing regulations—a highly technical programme is delivered effectively to our armed forces but really important subject. On DE&S, does he share and that it is delivered efficiently and in a value-for-money my concern that there may be forces even in his own way to the taxpayer. In the end, this allows us better, more Department, and certainly elsewhere in Government, reliably and more sustainably to support our armed that may wish to frustrate the progress towards a GoCo? forces while ensuring that this is done in an appropriate May I encourage him to reassure me that he will work way during a period of public financial austerity. enthusiastically and energetically, notwithstanding his caution, to overcome unreasonable, opportunistic or Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): I was a fan of bureaucratic obstacles put in his way on the path to a Mr Bernard Gray’s report in 2009 when I was shadow GoCo? defence procurement Minister, but I was a bit nervous about his proposals for a GoCo, so I welcome my right hon. Friend’s caution; he has taken the right attitude. Mr Hammond: I am grateful to my hon. Friend and Will he set out the mechanism by which he hopes to be happy to acknowledge the crucial part that he has able to maintain the crucial industrial capabilities that played in the process that has led us to this announcement. this nation needs, because that is an extremely important I can safely say that yes, there will always be forces that part of his statement? Will he also set out how the new resist any change that I look to make. We have to carry proposals might avoid the mistakes of the £800 million the case by making the argument, building it during the cost overrun on the disastrous Nimrod programme? assessment phase and then presenting the value-for money case for the Go-Co against the DE&S+ benchmark Mr Hammond: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He comparator. I am absolutely clear that we have to make knows me and he knows that I am a cautious person. that case: there is no pre-judgment that a GoCo is the This is a big and complicated project, and we are route we will follow. We have to prove that it provides approaching it carefully. We are weighing up the options value for money, and do so to some of the institutionally and taking the appropriate length of time to make the most sceptical forces—no names, no pack drill—in decisions, and I am confident that they will deliver the Government. result that we require. He asks about our national sovereign capabilities. We have set out our approach to Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Has the Secretary the defence industry in the White Paper “National of State noticed the extraordinarily high number of Security Through Technology”. We have also set out former Ministers, civil servants, admirals and generals today, in this White Paper, the proposed changes to who awarded contracts to companies when in office and single-source pricing regulation and how we expect to then ended up working for the self same companies in drive greater efficiency into the single-source part of the retirement? Would not it be a good idea to ban these defence industry that delivers about half our requirements. senior people from working in companies to which they Only by making those in that sector focus on reducing have awarded contracts, in order to ensure that contracts costs, which they currently have very little incentive to are awarded in office on the basis of the needs of the do, will we make them not only efficient providers to us public purse and not on people’s hopes to gain a hacienda but efficient and competitive players in the international in Spain from their retirement earnings? defence export market. That is in the interests of the industry, the UK’s armed forces and UK plc. Mr Hammond: The hon. Gentleman is being a little harsh: most if not all of the elected and appointed Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ people with whom I have come into contact do their Co-op): The Secretary of State referred to the freedom very best to deliver in the public interest. We have a to recruit and reward staff with market rates as, I think, rigorous set of rules in place to deal with the cross-boundary 61 Better Defence Acquisition10 JUNE 2013 Better Defence Acquisition 62 issues between the public and private sectors. We must would drive genuine efficiencies into the process. At never get into a situation where we prevent or discourage that level, we know that the companies will welcome all transfer between the public and private sectors. That this announcement. Secondly, on single-source procurement, would be a disaster. We need that flow of lifeblood I am confident that over time by incentivising cost-efficiency between the two, but we need it to be done properly: it we will increase the exportability of British defence has to be properly regulated and transparent. products, which are an incredibly important part of our To answer the hon. Gentleman’s specific question, high-tech manufacturing industries and help us to sustain when The Sunday Times published revelations last year jobs at the very top of the curve. about people who had gone from senior military roles into defence industries, I asked the same question as he Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): These has and the advice I received was that it would not be are early days and final decisions are yet to be made, but lawful to issue an unlimited ban preventing people from what indication can the Secretary of State give about taking up one career once they had left another. the impact of this announcement on jobs at MOD Abbey Wood? Will he ensure that suitable provisions Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (Con): For decades, are in place for the employees who may be affected? much of the defence budget has been spent in the interests of defence contractors: by constraining the Mr Hammond: As my hon. Friend knows, the TUPE range of suppliers, the seller gets to set the terms of transfer of an enterprise does not imply any reduction trade. How will these reforms ensure more choice and in job numbers at the outset. It is true that a private competition in defence procurement? sector partner taking on a work force of this nature will, over time, look to reconfigure the shape of the work Mr Hammond: I am sorry to say that where there is a force to make the business as efficient as possible. single supplier or a national security reason for our However, it will have to do that within the constraints of having to procure in the UK, we cannot magic up a the TUPE regulations, normal employment law and the competitive marketplace. What we can do in such arrangements that are in place for negotiation with the circumstances is control the pricing of those contracts. trade unions. At the moment, under the current regime, profit is clearly controlled but costs are not, and there is no Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): incentive for contractors to control and manage their I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement and for costs. What we are proposing is a regime where, as now, the White Paper, which will be of great interest to the profit is controlled but where there are clear financial Public Administration Committee because it is conducting incentives for contractors to control their costs and get an inquiry into procurement across Government, including them down. By working in this way—by aligning the defence procurement. I remain to be convinced that a interests of defence with those of the contractors—we GoCo is the right idea. If, as he says, the objective is to will drive out cost and increase the amount of deliverable be able to recruit and reward staff at market rates, why military capability to our armed forces. can we not legislate to do that in the Ministry of Defence, instead of contracting it out? After all, is not Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): What the acquisition of defence matériel and equipment a implications will this announcement have on complex core function of the Ministry of Defence? We must have weapons systems and in particular on establishments those skills in-house, because we cannot expect to manage such as Defence Munitions Beith in my own constituency, them in some arm’s length contractor. which houses and services such weapons systems? Mr Hammond: My hon. Friend says that he remains Mr Hammond: In terms of our procurement of weapons to be convinced; I am glad to confirm that I remain to systems and of contractor support for weapons systems, be convinced. It is exactly the point of the assessment the DE&S will work as the agent of the Secretary of phase to convince us collectively that this is the right State. I am not sure that I can put my finger on the way to go. This proposal is about being able to employ precise function of the establishment mentioned by the staff at market rates, but that is only a small part of the hon. Lady, but we have a separate programme to outsource total challenge. There are many other cultural and some of the defence logistics and commodity procurement behavioural changes that need to be delivered to make it activities, which I mentioned earlier. None of theses work. He is right that defence procurement is a core plans will be changed by whether DE&S is run in future function. That is why we will maintain a competent as a GoCo or as a fully public sector DE&S+ model. customer function in the MOD, led by the Chief of Defence Matériel and supported by an external private Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): Several thousands of sector consultant to build the intelligent customer function, my constituents are employed at BAE Systems in Warton, to ensure that we are in a robust position to manage the which is involved in advanced manufacturing of military GoCo contractor, if that is the route that we choose, not aircraft. What benefits are they likely to see as a result just now but through future evolutions of the GoCo of today’s announcement? and future appointments of GoCo contractors.

Mr Hammond: They will see benefits at two levels Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): I thank my right and a healthier BAES as a result of this announcement. hon. Friend for his statement and for the grip that he First, large defence contractors, perhaps counter-intuitively, has on his Department’s budget. Clearly, the first priority do not relish the lack of a capable interlocutor in their of defence procurement is value for money for the trading partners. They would welcome our beefing up taxpayer, but does the procurement system also take our capability and having higher-skilled, better-paid into account the export potential of UK-based companies project managers on our side of the table, because that when making its assessments? 63 Better Defence Acquisition10 JUNE 2013 Better Defence Acquisition 64

Mr Hammond: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. be a two-stage process towards the full GoCo-isation—if Export potential is an important consideration and one I may use that term—of DE&S. We would expect of the Department’s stated priorities. As I have said, I savings and efficiencies to be generated from the very believe that what we are doing, particularly with regard beginning, and from the second year of operation we to the single-source procurement regulations, will drive would expect there to be cashable benefits. export competitiveness into defence contractors. If a GoCo is appointed, one of its required tasks will be the Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I congratulate support of UK defence exports, which is a UKTI lead. my right hon. Friend on his statement. Were he to save the full £1.3 billion to £2.2 billion of waste that he has Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): What identified, he would be able to buy an extra one or two implications, if any, will these long overdue reforms Type 45 destroyers a year and to start to rebuild the have for small and medium-sized enterprises in my Royal Navy back to its proper size. Will he confirm that constituency that are already employed in the defence this is the biggest waste black hole in the MOD budget procurement supply chain? and that no other hole in the budget has a bigger annual cost? Mr Hammond: We have an active policy of encouraging the engagement of SMEs in the defence supply chain and it includes many thousands of SMEs. The single-source Mr Hammond: It is certainly our assessment that the pricing regulations will apply throughout the supply frictional costs of inefficiencies within defence procurement chain, but will have a price threshold. We expect almost are the biggest single challenge that we face and our all SMEs not to be directly affected because their level biggest single opportunity. I was at Portsmouth the of transactions with the MOD will fall below the price week before last and talked to the commander of the threshold. The threshold is yet to be determined, but it dockyard. He told me that once the Queen Elizabeth is likely to be about £5 million. carriers are berthed there, he will be making provision for some 200,000 tonnes of fighting ships to be tied up Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I thank the in the harbour. That will be largest tonnage that he or excellent Secretary of State for coming to the House his predecessors have had to make provision for since and making this statement. One problem that I have the 1960s. seen with defence procurement is not the way in which equipment has been procured, but the decision by the Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): I understood from Ministry of Defence at the beginning of the process to my right hon. Friend’s thoughtful statement that the have something more than the standard package. There organisational merits underpinning the GoCo would be was the nonsense with the Chinook aircraft, which were cultural change and skills enhancements to deliver bought but never flew because the Department wanted efficiencies. Will he tell the House in more detail what to add to them. Will there be more emphasis on buying missing skills he hopes to attract? Will he also reassure standard packages? us by saying what steps he will take in the incentives scheme for the management company of the GoCo to Mr Hammond: That depends on what we are buying. avoid the perverse incentives that led to so many financial Clearly, there are things that we can buy off the shelf or messes in public-private contracting under the last from competitive international providers. We recently Government? ordered the new fleet of MARS—military afloat reach and sustainability—refuelling tankers from a South Korean Mr Hammond: My hon. Friend is right in setting out shipyard. That decision did not go down well with the changes that are required. One he did not mention, everybody, but it was sensible procurement. At the same but which is important, is creating a hard boundary time, we have to maintain important capabilities that between the customer and the provider organisation. At are essential to our national sovereignty here in the UK. the moment, responsibilities across that boundary are In those cases, we have to support the indigenous industry. not as clear cut as they should be, and that allows One purpose of the changes is to make transparent the specification scope to drift on occasions. Let me give costs that are driven into a project by the specification him a couple of examples. We currently spend in DE&S of bespoke requirements and to force the customers to £400 million a year on external technical support because recognise those costs. we cannot hire the people we need. Being unable to hire somebody at £50,000 a year means that we are paying a James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): contractor £1,000 a day to do the work. We expect the I welcome the statement, but will the Secretary of State GoCo contractor, if we go down that route, to make say more about the timescale over which he expects the substantial early savings by hiring key technical capabilities reforms to deliver tangible savings to the taxpayer? into the organisation, rather than by bringing them in as technical contractors. He is absolutely right about Mr Hammond: As I said to the shadow Secretary of perverse incentives. Our big challenge now in the assessment State, if we went down this route, we would expect to phase is to negotiate a set of key performance indicators award a contract next year and for it to be effective by and incentive payment structures that align a GoCo the last quarter of 2014. We would then expect there to contractor with the priorities of the Ministry of Defence. 65 10 JUNE 2013 66

Points of Order Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill 6pm [Relevant documents: Twelfth Report of the Home Affairs Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): On a Committee, Session 2012-13, The draft Anti-social Behaviour point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I seek your advice Bill: pre-legislative scrutiny, HC 836, and the Government on a matter that is of concern to the whole House. On response, Cm 8607; Seventh Report of the Environment, Friday, an e-mail was sent to all MPs by the chief Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Session 2012-13, executive officer of Enterprise Inns, Mr Ted Tuppen. Dog Control and Welfare, HC 575, and the Government He opposes plans, announced by the Department for response, HC 1092; First Report of the Environment, Business, Innovation and Skills, to introduce the statutory Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Draft Dangerous Dogs code of practice. In the e-mail, he included something (Amendment) Bill, HC 95.] entirely false: he claimed that living accommodation is Second Reading free to its lessees when in reality, as he knows, a tribunal ruled last year that his company has been invoicing separate amounts for residential accommodation for 6.2 pm 20 years in the proportion of 90% commercial, 10% The Secretary of State for the Home Department residential. Mr Tuppen has history: in 2008-09, he (Mrs Theresa May): I beg to move, That the Bill be now misled the Business and Enterprise Committee. How do read a Second time. we deal with false and misleading information that is In three years, the Government have made significant sent to all MPs in an attempt to block legislation? strides in cutting crime and reforming the police. Since 2010, crime has fallen by more than 10%. This is in no Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): I have certainly small measure down to the professionalism and dedication got the message. It is not a point of order, but it is on the of police officers and police staff working day in, day record so that everybody can be aware of it. Everybody out to keep our neighbourhoods safe. The reduction in received the e-mail. As somebody who was a member crime has been achieved against the backdrop of a of the Select Committee at that time, I am well aware of difficult financial climate for the police, as for other the particular individual. Ultimately, it is not a point for public services. We have taken the decisions necessary the Chair, but at least others can pick up on it. to restore this country’s long-term economic well-being. We have been able to mitigate the impact of diminished John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op): resources because we have allowed officers to focus on On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I seek your their core task of cutting crime. We have thrown off advice on whether it is in order for the hon. Member for the straitjacket of national targets and freed up the Moray (Angus Robertson) to have received advance front line from pointless form-filling and needless notice of the Defence Secretary’s statement. bureaucracy. Through the introduction of police and crime commissioners, we have revolutionised the Mr Deputy Speaker: That is up to the Government, accountability of police forces, and they are now far and the hon. Member for Moray represents his party. If more responsive to local needs and priorities. the hon. Member for Barrow and Furness (John Woodcock) were to do the audit trail, he will find that that is where In the last Session, we legislated to set up the National it has come from. Crime Agency which will, from the autumn, lead the fight against serious, organised and complex crime. The College of Policing is already firmly established and is leading the way in ensuring that the police operate to the highest professional standards. We are giving the Independent Police Complaints Commission the capacity it needs to investigate all serious allegations of misconduct. We cannot, however, afford to ease up on our reform programme. We cannot rest while the crime survey shows that there were 8.9 million crimes against adults last year. We cannot rest while businesses were the victims of more than 9 million crimes, or rest when the police recorded approximately 2.3 million incidents of antisocial behaviour, with many more going unreported.

Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): I, and the Home Affairs Committee, support what the right hon. Lady is doing on the new landscape of policing. She listed a number of the organisations and described how they would fit into the new landscape. Has she made a decision on whether counter-terrorism is to remain with the Metropolitan police, or will it be placed with the new National Crime Agency?

Mrs May: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his early remarks, and for the work of the Home Affairs Committee in its consideration of the Bill. We value its work. The answer to his question is no. It is still a 67 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 68 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Mrs May] agencies to work effectively together to address local problems before they get out of hand. In many cases, matter for decision. I was clear, at an early stage, that it informal, non-statutory remedies can be used to nip a would not be right to make a decision on where counter- problem in the bud. There is clearly a need, however, for terrorism should sit before the Olympics or before the more formal powers. They need to be fit for purpose, National Crime Agency was properly up and running. quick and easy to use, effective at changing behaviours The legislation has now passed and we are working and capable of addressing the full spectrum of problems towards the formal and final launch of the NCA later that can afflict communities. That does not describe the this year. powers available under Labour’s legislation. The Bill marks the next stage of our reform programme to deal with the challenges we face. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Will my right hon. Friend explain that this is the first Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): Before my right hon. opportunity the House has had seriously to consider Friend moves on, will she take this opportunity to revising the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which was good congratulate the retiring chief constable of Bedfordshire, legislation but has required some revision? For what Alfred Hitchcock, who manages one of the smallest reason have her Department and the Department for forces in the country? Crime rates are down, detection Environment, Food and Rural Affairs drawn back rates are up and our budget has been reduced in line from the full consolidation of the legislation, as possibly with Government expectations. As he rightly said: initially considered? “instead of an 82-page business plan we have a card that explains what we do and why.” Mrs May: Many comments are made about the dangerous dogs legislation and its impact. It is right that Mrs May: I am grateful—[Interruption.] I suspect we have looked simply at the area where we feel that there might be one or two more sedentary interventions; more legislation is required. This is already a lengthy it was an interesting moment when I was told that Bill covering several issues. Rather than trying to consolidate Alfred Hitchcock was in my office at the Home Office the existing legislation in this Bill, the important issue is waiting to see me. I congratulate retiring Chief Constable filling in the gaps by addressing the powers that still Alf Hitchcock on the work he has done in Bedfordshire. need to be available to people. I congratulate all police staff who work in Bedfordshire The previous antisocial behaviour legislation provided on the impact of their work in ensuring that crime has a veritable alphabet soup of powers: the ASBI—antisocial gone down. We now see a much clearer focus for members behaviour injunction; the DBO—drinking banning order; of the public on what the police are doing and how they the ISO—individual support orders; the DPPO—designated are delivering for my hon. Friend’s constituents and others. public places order; and of course the ASBO and many more. I am sure that each of the nine major pieces of Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I cannot top antisocial behaviour law passed by the previous Alfred Hitchcock, but will the Home Secretary join me Administration was enacted with the best of intentions, in congratulating another eminent campaigner who has but that piecemeal approach, with each new Bill responding welcomed many aspects of the Bill that relate to dog law to the latest manifestation of antisocial behaviour, has reform—Mr Dave Joyce of the Communication Workers left practitioners with 19 separate powers. The result Union? However, does she share his frustration that it has been not effectiveness but confusion about which of has taken three years since the consultation closed in those powers should and could be used in any particular May 2010? In that time, 9,000 of his postal worker case. colleagues have been attacked by dogs. When will we see the measures in the Bill implemented? Alok Sharma (Reading West) (Con): I think that the Home Secretary has started to make this point already, Mrs May: I note the hon. Gentleman’s remarks, and I but does she agree that what victims of antisocial behaviour also note the efforts of the CWU on this matter. Sadly, want is not a complicated smorgasbord of options open in recent years we have seen a number of serious injuries to agencies, but a quick and effective remedy that can from dogs, not just to postal workers but to other make real changes in their local area, which is exactly individuals. That is why I am pleased that the Bill what the Bill will give us? contains measures on dangerous dogs. The first stage is for the Bill to be supported in its progress through this Mrs May: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his House and the other place. remarks. I will come on to explain the various new Parts 1 to 5 will ensure that the police, local authorities powers in the Bill, the whole point of which is to and others have a comprehensive set of fast, flexible provide a remedy that is effective, easier and quicker, and responsive powers to tackle the scourge of antisocial enabling us to remedy the problems of antisocial behaviour behaviour. We should not forget that much of what is from which too many of our constituents suffer. labelled antisocial behaviour is in fact crime. Even low-level The Bill sweeps away the existing powers and replaces public order offences or criminal damage can be frightening them with a streamlined, flexible framework: just six and upsetting for victims, and can blight the appearance powers that will equip practitioners with the tools they of a neighbourhood. If left unchecked, the cumulative need to keep their communities safe. The criminal behaviour impact of even a small number of repeat instances can order and the injunction to prevent nuisance and annoyance have devastating consequences. will stop antisocial behaviour by individuals and address I would be the first to accept that legislation by and the underlying causes of their actions. The dispersal of itself is not the answer to antisocial behaviour. What power will enable the police to move on groups or is needed is for the police, councils, landlords and other individuals causing problems at particular locations. 69 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 70 Policing Bill Policing Bill The community protection notice, the public spaces Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): The Home protection order and the new closure power will deal Secretary is right that ASBOs did not have the desired with environmental problems or disorderly conduct at effect, but I am concerned about clause 17 on naming particular localities or premises. and shaming children and young people involved in such behaviour. Will she confirm that the Government’s intention is that young people should be named—in Huw Irranca-Davies: Will the Home Secretary give breach of the normal principles—only where absolutely way? necessary and that it will not become a routine step?

Mrs May: I shall indulge the hon. Gentleman. Mrs May: We think it is right that the power should be available, but of course we would expect it to be used Huw Irranca-Davies: The right hon. Lady is indeed proportionately. We would expect the courts to adopt indulging me with her generosity. How will she seek to such an approach. balance the public spaces protection order against the Part 6 provides for the community remedy and legitimate interest of users of public spaces and rights community trigger, which will put victims at the heart of way, including the Ramblers Association, which, for of the response to low-level crime and antisocial behaviour. understandable reasons, is concerned that it could lead The community remedy will give victims a powerful to the blocking off of areas that people have sought voice in determining the appropriate punishment to be access to, legitimately, for many years? attached to an out-of-court disposal. The community trigger will ensure an effective power to compel local agencies to review their response to repeated instances Mrs May: I do not see that being a problem as a of antisocial behaviour. The public have a right to expect result either of the public spaces protection order when an appropriate and proportionate response to each dealing with environmental problems in public spaces reported incident. or of the collection of orders when dealing with people who behave inappropriately in public spaces. This is about ensuring that public spaces are available to people; Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) that they feel able to use those public spaces; and that (Lab): Will the Home Secretary confirm that in the antisocial behaviour or environmental problems do not areas where the community trigger was piloted there prevent it. were 44,000 incidents of antisocial behaviour, but that the trigger was successfully activated only 13 times? Part 5 will strengthen the powers of landlords to evict Does she regard that as a success for the pilots? individuals who blight the lives of their neighbours. These provisions have had the benefit of pre-legislative Mrs May: The whole point about our approach is scrutiny by the Home Affairs Select Committee—as I that we expect the police and other relevant agencies to said earlier, I am grateful to the right hon. Member for act when an instance of antisocial behaviour is reported Leicester East (Keith Vaz) and his colleagues for their to them. As I am sure hon. Members across the House thorough examination of the draft Bill. The evidence will have experienced, all too often several instances will they heard reinforces our view that the existing powers be reported without any action appearing to be taken. are often slow, difficult to deploy and in need of The community trigger will ensure that a community rationalisation. There are those in the Opposition who can get a response. I would hope and expect that the seek to characterise the provisions in the Bill as a community trigger was not necessary in many instances, weakening of the powers to tackle antisocial behaviour. because the police and other agencies had reacted to the Perhaps that is from a sense of parental loyalty to the first report, rather than waiting for several. ASBO, but it is certainly not the result of credible analysis of the reforms we propose. Yvette Cooper: If the Home Secretary is right that the On examination, it can be seen that in recent years trigger will guarantee a more rapid response, why does there has been a significant decline in the use of the the Bill say it will happen only when there have been at ASBO. That is essentially because it can take months to least three complaints, which means that there could secure an order and because, once obtained, over half be five, 10 or as many as the local police and crime of all orders are breached. For some, the ASBO became commissioner and council decide? a badge of honour rather than an instrument for changing behaviour, which does not suggest it was an unalloyed Mrs May: The reason is simple: the Government success. In contrast, the criminal behaviour order and believe in local discretion in some areas. There is a the new injunction may contain, as well as restrictions, fundamental difference between the Government and positive requirements to address offending behaviour. the Opposition over the ability of local areas and police As a purely civil order, a part 1 injunction may be and crime commissioners to be involved in determining granted by a court on the basis of evidence judged to what is right for their circumstances and local area. As the civil standard of proof, thereby significantly speeding the right hon. Lady says, we have put a figure in the Bill up and simplifying the application process. to indicate when we think a trigger would be appropriate, Moreover, in the event that either the order or the but it would then be down to the local area to determine. injunction is breached, both will attract tough penalties—up For some time, the Opposition have been saying that the to and including a custodial sentence. Far from weakening fact that there have not been many instances of community the current powers, we are replacing them with powers triggers is somehow a failure. Actually, we want antisocial that will be speedier to obtain, have a wider reach and, behaviour dealt with on the first report, rather than crucially, be more effective in addressing the underlying people waiting and feeling that they have to use the problems. community trigger. 71 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 72 Policing Bill Policing Bill Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con): Does my right Miss McIntosh: When we were in opposition there hon. Friend accept that in some instances severe antisocial was a clear understanding that antisocial behaviour behaviour leads almost to a fear of reporting incidents, orders were not up to the job, as my right hon. Friend and will she therefore welcome the idea that councillors, has said. So that the House can have a clear understanding, MPs and third parties may implement the trigger under can she explain the difference between dog control those circumstances? notices, which seem to operate so effectively in Scotland, and the notices that form part of this Bill? Mrs May: I understand the point my hon. Friend is making. The point about the community trigger is that Mrs May: What I am trying to explain to the House it is not just about the individual on the receiving end of is that the new orders and powers we are introducing in antisocial behaviour. It is called the community trigger this legislation will make it possible to take the sort of precisely because others in the community may be able effective action that can be taken under a dog control to exercise it, as opposed to the individual who has been notice, albeit without having to introduce something subjected to such behaviour. that is specifically called a dog control notice, with Where local agencies respond effectively, few victims limits around that. The flexibility will be there because would need to resort to using the trigger, so it was not we are introducing wider powers, but they can be used surprising that the recent pilots showed relatively few to address the specific issue of dangerous dogs and their people taking advantage of it. When agencies fail to act, behaviour. it should be possible for persistent antisocial behaviour to be dealt with and for a response to be required from Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): the relevant agencies. That is real empowerment for I thank the Home Secretary for kindly giving way. I victims and contrasts with the Labour party’s proposal share the sentiment expressed by many Members, including of a 24-hour guarantee, which in practice may amount the Chair of the Select Committee on Environment, to no more than an e-mail acknowledging a complaint. Food and Rural Affairs, that the proposals in the Bill The arrival of an e-mail telling someone that their are woefully inadequate. On prevention, can the Home complaint has been logged is of little comfort, and still Secretary share with the House why the police do not less use to anyone suffering from a failure to do anything support the proposals in the Bill? about the antisocial behaviour that is blighting their lives. For many, owning a dog will be a source of Mrs May: I do not believe that the proposal to extend companionship and, in the case of working dogs, valued the offence of having a dog that is dangerously out of support and assistance. However, where owners do not control from public spaces to all places, so that it covers take responsibility for their dogs—by failing to clear up private places as well, or that ensuring that it is possible after them or to ensure they are properly trained and under the new flexible powers for preventive action to socialised—those dogs can become a menace, spoiling be taken—I have given some examples—is, as the hon. local amenities and putting people at risk of harm. The Lady describes, “woefully inadequate”. What we are Bill tackles irresponsible dog owners in two ways. First, doing in this Bill is setting out a set of clear, flexible it strengthens the provisions in the Dangerous Dogs Act arrangements that can be used to ensure the sort of 1991, to which hon. Members have referred. In particular, control of dogs that, I am sure, not just she, but other we are extending the offence of having a dog that is Members of this House wish to see. dangerously out of control in a public place to cover all places. That will mean that the police can take action Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): I thank the Home when a person is attacked by a dog in the home. The Bill Secretary for giving way yet again. My question is about also provides that an attack on an assistance dog is an resourcing for such orders. If the control of dogs is aggravated offence under the 1991 Act. simply subsumed into a raft of antisocial behaviour Secondly, through the new flexible powers to tackle issues, how will she ensure that it has the priority it antisocial behaviour, the police and local authorities needs, with 210,000 or more attacks taking place each will be able to take preventive measures to tackle specific year? local issues. My hon. Friends the Members for Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh) and for Ealing Central Mrs May: I realise that the hon. Lady had a very sad and Acton (Angie Bray), as well as other hon. Members, case in her constituency in relation to dogs acting in a have argued for a bespoke “dog control notice”, but private place, and there have sadly been a number of such an approach would once again lead us down the other such cases. The Government have responded by road of having a plethora of narrowly focused, inflexible introducing this new power, but dealing with the issue powers to deal with particular problems. Although the will come down to decisions that will be taken at a local provisions in parts 1 to 4 of the Bill do not provide for level. Decisions will be taken by the police, local authorities dog control notices in name, they provide for them in and the agencies working together when the problem of substance. For example, it would be open to the police a dangerous dog has been identified. The point about or local council to issue a community protection notice these powers is that they are sufficiently flexible to enable against the owner of an aggressive dog. Such a notice people to take a decision about what will work and what could include a requirement to attend training classes, action needs to be taken in a particular circumstance. and keep the dog muzzled and on a lead in a public The fact that we have not attached the words “dog place. Alternatively, a public spaces protection order control” to the powers in the Bill does not mean that could prohibit all dogs from a particular locality, such they will not be there. I believe they will be. as a children’s play area. Given the ability to use such Part 8 targets the middlemen responsible for supplying powers to target specific dog-related issues, I hope the illegal firearms to street gangs and organised crime House will accept that there is simply no need for a groups. Thankfully, firearms offences are relatively rare, separate dog control notice. but the police still recorded more than 5,000 of them 73 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 74 Policing Bill Policing Bill in 2012. We need to target those who, through their development they need to undertake as they progress callous disregard for the lives of others, hire out guns as through the ranks and acquire the necessary skills. It if they were just another tool. The Bill will accordingly will be for the college to look carefully at the balance introduce a new offence of possession of a firearm for that will need to be struck to ensure that people can sale or transfer. That offence, together with the existing undertake that training and not be put off doing so. I offences dealing with illegal importation, exportation believe that the College of Policing represents an important and manufacture, will be subject to a maximum sentence development in the policing landscape. As well as setting of life imprisonment. The Select Committee on Home standards for training, development and skills, it will be Affairs has addressed this issue in the past. Under the a body in which best practice can be shared between arrangements we are introducing in the Bill, those who police forces. That will have an impact on the ability of supply illegal weapons will be dealt with. Morally, they the police to fight crime. are every bit as culpable as those who pull the trigger, On police reform, this part of the Bill will further and they should therefore face the same penalties. strengthen the capability of the Independent Police Part 9 deals with one of the manifestations of modern- Complaints Commission. I have already mentioned that day slavery: forced marriage. This country is a world we will build up the commission’s capacity by transferring leader in tackling this horrendous practice, including resources from forces’ professional standards departments, through the exemplary work of the forced marriage unit but we also need to ensure that the IPCC has the and a number of charities working in this field. The appropriate remit and powers to operate effectively. introduction of the civil forced marriage protection Critically, the Bill will ensure that the IPCC has oversight order has afforded some protection to victims and of complaints made against those who are contracted potential victims, but people who seek to consign their to provide front-line services on behalf of the police. victims to a life of miserable servitude should face the full rigour of the criminal law. The new offences of Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): forced marriage and of breach of a protection order I very much welcome the extension of the IPCC’s will act as a deterrent and ensure that those found guilty powers to include private contractors. That will become of such practices face fitting punishment. increasingly important, but will that increase in powers include an ability to interview such contractors under Alok Sharma: Does my right hon. Friend agree that it caution? is incredibly important for the wider public—and, indeed, everyone in this House—to understand that there is a Mrs May: I will need to come back to my hon. Friend clear difference between an arranged marriage, where on that point. I do not think that we go into quite that there is consent on the part of both parties, and a forced issue in the Bill. The Bill will give the IPCC the powers, marriage, which is wrong on every level? It is absolutely but there will obviously be subsidiary ways of operating right that the Bill includes proposals to deal with that. in relation to this. I will look into the point for her. That is me standing here at the Front Bench and being honest! Mrs May: My hon. Friend makes an important and This part of the Bill will also require forces, police and valid point. All of us who talk about this issue should crime commissioners and others to respond promptly be clear about the difference and careful in the language and publicly to IPCC recommendations. Also, as we use. As he says, there is a real difference between an recommended by Tom Winsor, we shall replace the arranged marriage, where there has been consent, and a existing cumbersome and ineffective police negotiating forced marriage, where there has not. machinery. The new police remuneration review body Part 10 contains a number of important policing will help to ensure that we can deliver pay and conditions reforms. First, it transfers to the College of Policing key that are fair to police officers and to the taxpayer. statutory functions that are commensurate with, and We are also building on the role of police and crime appropriate to, its role in setting standards in policing. commissioners as local victims’ champions by conferring It will fall to the college to determine such matters as on them new powers to commission victims’ services. the qualifications for the appointment and promotion PCCs are best placed to determine the needs of victims of police officers, and to issue codes of practice. In the in their communities, and they should be empowered to longer term, we are continuing to explore how best to provide the appropriate support. Finally in this part of enshrine the college’s independence in law. This is properly the Bill, we will continue the work that we started in the a matter for debate in the context of the Bill, and I have Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to ensure that counter- no doubt it will be the subject of further discussion in terrorism powers protect the public, but that they do so Committee. in a fair and proportionate manner. As David Anderson, the independent reviewer of terrorist legislation, has Keith Vaz: I am most grateful to the Home Secretary reaffirmed, the port and border security powers in the for giving way a second time. Is she as concerned as I Terrorism Act 2000 are am that the cost of a certificate in knowledge of policing “an essential tool in the protection of the inhabitants of this will be £1,000? Does she think that will have an impact country from terrorism”. on her desire, and that of the whole House, to increase Reducing the maximum period of detention from nine diversity in policing? to six hours and providing for persons detained at ports to have access to legal advice will ensure that these Mrs May: The right hon. Gentleman has cited a powers can continue to be exercised proportionately. figure concerning the work being done by the College of We have long needed to make changes to the Extradition Policing, but it is for the college to determine what Act 2003 in order to make it operate in a fairer and requirements it will put in place for individuals regarding more efficient fashion. Part 11 of the Bill introduces their initial ability to operate as a police officer, and the a number of such changes. They are in line with 75 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 76 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Mrs May] bit of crime, a bit of judicial reform, a bit of extradition and a bit of drugs. This year’s has a bit on police recommendations made in Sir Scott Baker’s independent standards, a bit on guns and a bit on dogs, but in none review of our extradition arrangements and build on of those areas does it go far enough. The Christmas tree the introduction of a forum bar to extradition, which decorations cannot hide the fact that the Bill is weak on we enacted in the last Session. Among other things, the tackling antisocial behaviour, at a time when the Office Bill addresses the current unfairness that can arise from for National Statistics shows concern among the public the strict operation of the time limits for serving an that antisocial behaviour is going up. appeal against extradition. There are areas of the Bill that we will support, as The Baker review also confirmed that some of the well as areas in which we want the Government to go concerns that have been expressed, including by a number further. We called for the Independent Police Complaints of my Hon. Friends, about the proportionality of the Commission to cover private companies, and we are European arrest warrant were well founded. As the glad that those provisions are in the Bill. We support the House will know, this is one of the pre-Lisbon policing measures relating to the College of Policing, too, although and criminal justice measures that we are examining to we believe that the Government should go further on determine whether it is in the best interests of the British police standards. We agree with the Home Affairs Select people to continue to be a party to the current arrangements. Committee that new firearms offences are needed for I hope to make a statement to the House soon about the possession of firearms with intent to supply, and we are conclusions of that review and the 2014 decision. glad that they are in the Bill. On forced marriage, we agree that it should never Yvette Cooper: Will the Home Secretary confirm that be tolerated. It is a terrible violation and can destroy about 900 suspected foreign criminals were deported people’s lives. The law should be strengthened to build under the European arrest warrant last year? Does she on the work done to stop forced marriage, although the not think that quite a good thing? Government need to work with experts to get the detail right and also to ensure that cuts to refuges or to legal Mrs May: It is important that we have the powers aid do not undermine the support that victims need in that we need to deal with criminality. I am on record as practice. saying that we need to see the deportation and extradition of foreign criminals, but it is also right for the Government The central claim for the Bill, as we can see from its —and, in due course, this House—to look at whether title, is that it will tackle antisocial behaviour, and here the current arrangements are appropriate. Concerns there are many false promises. Three years ago, the have been raised, not only by Members of Parliament Home Secretary said that she was determined to take but by Sir Scott Baker, about a number of issues relating action on antisocial behaviour, yet the figures from the to the European arrest warrant, and it is absolutely Office for National Statistics show that eight out of right that the Government should look at them. 10 people say antisocial behaviour is going up, that nearly half say it is going up a lot, and that only one in Finally, I want to draw the House’s attention to a 10 say it is going down in their area. couple of the provisions in part 12 of the Bill. One way in which we can free up resources is by increasing the So what have the Government done to help? They number of police-led prosecutions. Having to pass low-level have cut the community safety funding by nearly two offences to the Crown Prosecution Service wastes police thirds, even though those are the funds that help time. The police already deal with more than 500,000 cases communities to pay for extra police community support a year in which people plead guilty. Under the provisions officers, for youth activities, for action against gangs, in this part, up to a further 50,000 prosecutions for for extra street lighting and for CCTV. This is the crime low-level shoplifting offences will be able to be handled prevention investment that helps to save money and by the police, empowering front-line officers and bringing police time later on, yet the Government have cut it swifter justice for retailers. severely. They have cut it not just by 20% in line with In this part of the Bill, we have also clarified the test police cuts, or even by 23% in line with the Home Office for determining eligibility for compensation when someone budget, but by over 60%. has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. The This is all happening at a time when the Government absence of a clear statutory definition of what amounts are cutting 15,000 police officers, including more than to a miscarriage of justice for these purposes has led to 7,000 from the most visible units of all. The Home repeated legal challenges and shifting case law. As well Secretary claimed earlier, in Home Office questions, as providing greater certainty, the new statutory test that a higher proportion of police officers were now on will ensure that compensation is paid only to those who the front line. However, a slightly higher proportion of are clearly innocent. a much lower number still means fewer police officers, Since the day I was appointed Home Secretary, I have and the proportion who are visible has gone down from had one simple priority for the police: to cut crime. The 12.3% to 11.8%. The Government are not just cutting Bill will help to ensure that the police, working in police numbers; they are making things harder for partnership with others and focusing on the rights of them, too. victims and communities, can continue to do precisely that. I commend the Bill to the House. Alok Sharma: I thank the right hon. Lady for giving way, but I really wish she would not keep undermining the police force, which is doing a fantastic job. In the 6.36 pm Thames valley, we have had crime down and detection Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) rates up year after year. Why can she not just acknowledge (Lab): We have another parliamentary Session and another that we have police forces that are doing a great job in Home Office Christmas tree Bill. Last year’s Bill had a some difficult circumstances? 77 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 78 Policing Bill Policing Bill Yvette Cooper: Police officers certainly are working on the November police and crime commissioner elections extremely hard in very difficult circumstances. Many of now wants to waste up to £30 million making it harder, them are finding themselves stretched in very different not easier, to get CCTV.The Home Secretary welcomed directions. Chief constables are also working immensely extra CCTV in her own constituency three years ago; hard to keep their area safe and to reduce crime. However, she should stop making it harder for everyone else we need to recognise that at the same time as 15,000 police to get it. officers are being cut from the force, we are seeing 30,000 fewer crimes being solved and a big increase in Luciana Berger: Does my right hon. Friend share my the use of community resolutions for serious and violent pride in the fact that City Watch in Liverpool does such crimes. I have to tell the hon. Gentleman that I find that a formidable job with its extensive CCTV network, to be a matter of serious concern. It is important to get which is visited by people not only from other cities justice for victims and that is being put at risk by the across the UK, but from across Europe because it is so Government’s approach. advanced? It has managed to prosecute people successfully for the crimes that they have committed. Would it not Dr Huppert: It is always very tempting to offer to be a shame if other cities and places across the UK spend more money to fix all sorts of problems. Is the could not benefit in the same way as the people of right hon. Lady making a commitment that the Labour Liverpool have, making ours one of the safest cities in party would spend a huge amount more money on the the country? police and where would that cash come from?

Yvette Cooper: We have said very clearly that we Yvette Cooper: My hon. Friend is right. We have seen would have reduced the policing budget by around 12% the impact in a whole series of areas—as I said, during rather than 20% over the course of the current spending the London riots, for example. In fact, at the time of the review. That would not have led to the reduction of riots, the Prime Minister said of CCTV: 15,000 police officers over the course of this Parliament. “We are making technology work for us…And as I said I would also say to the hon. Gentleman that he promised yesterday, no phoney human rights concerns about publishing to increase the number of police officers by 3,000—it photographs will get in the way of bringing these criminals to was in his party’s manifesto. That is what he called for, justice.” and he has done the absolute opposite. Government It would seem, however, that the Home Secretary is Members have not only reduced police officers on the tying herself up in exactly those so-called “phoney street; they are making it more difficult for them to fight human rights concerns” that she has pledged to abolish. crime. This Bill will not make it easier to tackle antisocial behaviour. The Government are indeed making changes Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): On that to powers: antisocial behaviour injunctions will be replaced point, when I talk to police officers in Stoke-on-Trent, with crime prevention injunctions; public space orders who are doing a fine job in extremely difficult circumstances will be replaced with public space protection orders; because of all the cuts, and not just to their positions— acceptable behaviour agreements will be replaced with [Interruption.] I wish the Minister of State, Home acceptable behaviour contracts; premises closure notices Department, the hon. Member for Taunton Deane will be replaced by closure notices; and noise abatement (Mr Browne) would stop chuntering while I am trying notices will be replaced by community protection notices. to ask a question. Police officers already find themselves No set of powers will be perfect, and everyone wants to in difficult circumstances, yet they also tell me that the make sure that the system is as swift and easy to use as toolkit of the various powers available to them is being possible. The trouble is that the Bill will not achieve reduced at the same time. How can that help? that. There is a lot of changing of names and a lot of tinkering at the margins. Some changes may help and Yvette Cooper: My hon. Friend makes an important make it simpler; others may make it harder while agencies point. Looked at across the board—whether it be what work out how the new processes are supposed to work. is happening with DNA or CCTV—Government Members are making it harder for the police to do their job. Housing associations, for example, have warned that After the London riots, CCTV helped to secure huge it will take five years to develop the case law for the new numbers of convictions. We all know from our powers to work. The Government’s own figures admit constituencies of communities and estates that have that it will require at least 150,000 hours of police worked hard to get CCTV and how it has helped to training to use these powers, even though many of them provide security in those areas, cutting down on antisocial are remarkably similar to the old powers they replaced. behaviour and abuse. Yet the freedom of information The fact is that communities, councils, housing associations, requests put in by my hon. Friend the Member for the police and the courts need a wide range of tools Ashfield (Gloria De Piero) have shown that one in five to deal with very different problems. The risk for the councils is now cutting CCTV under a Home Secretary Home Secretary is that, by trying to squeeze a wide who is wrapping CCTV in a whole load of new red tape. range of problems into a narrow number of powers, she There are already safeguards for residents’ privacy, but may make it harder to achieve that. the Home Secretary wants a whole load of extra checks, On the one hand, many organisations have written to rules and administration just to make sure. The impact The Times today to say that they fear this will mean too assessment produced by the Home Office has found heavy-handed treatment for the lowest level of antisocial that these new regulations will cost the police and councils behaviour or nuisance, while on the other hand police £14 million to comply with—and it could be as much as officers have raised with me their concern that the £30 million at a time when resources are so stretched. powers will not be strong enough to deal with the worst The Home Secretary, who has already wasted £100 million problems. The one-size-fits-all approach has risks. 79 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 80 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Yvette Cooper] There are many cases in which ASBOs are not appropriate, but it must also be said that in some of the We need early intervention. We do not want to see most serious examples of repeated abuse, they have young people unnecessarily criminalised or dragged made a significant difference. For example, an aggressive through the courts for low-level problems when it can thug who had repeatedly intimidated residents and be sorted out on the spot. We do want to know that shopkeepers in a town centre, had repeatedly ignored persistent, aggressive antisocial behaviour that can terrorise warnings from the police and the courts, and had breached neighbours or residents will be dealt with properly, his ASBO was taken to the criminal courts and given a including by criminal sanctions where needed. Yes, we custodial sentence, but under the new system, he would should have community resolutions and remedies for only be served with an injunction. The council would antisocial behaviour, but they must not be abused. have to pursue expensive civil action to enforce the We know that community resolutions are now being injunction, and there would be no criminal offence. used for serious and violent crimes, including for domestic Nor will the community trigger solve the problem. violence. Last year, community resolutions were used The Home Secretary has made the grand promise that for 33,000 serious and violent crimes, including in 2,500 domestic violence cases, where the Association of Chief “The trigger will give victims and communities the right to demand that agencies who had ignored a problem must take Police Officers was clear that they should not be used. action.” Alok Sharma: The right hon. Lady is talking about However, the trigger is not strong enough to help. For a the views of the police, so let me quote what ACPO start—as I pointed out to the Home Secretary earlier— said: although the Bill specifies that there must have been “at “In broad terms the proposals contained within the draft bill least three…complaints”, the number could be far higher. are practical, positive, reasonable and balanced.” Police and crime commissioners could decide on five, 10 or 20. The Home Secretary said that it would be a What is there not to like? matter for local discretion, but that local discretion already exists. If it were simply a matter for local Yvette Cooper: I have to tell the hon. Gentleman that discretion, she would allow people to choose to set up ACPO, like chief constables across the country, will community triggers, and she would not be legislating. make the best of the approach put to them, but many Either she thinks that this is a matter for local discretion practitioners across the country have raised the concern and it is up to those people to decide, or she thinks that that, with changing case law, it will take some time to be there should be minimum standards, but something as able to use the powers as effectively as the previous weak and wishy-washy as “at least three…complaints” powers were used. is not really a minimum standard at all. This is a con. The Bill does nothing to make sure that community Even if the magic threshold is passed, what are residents remedies and resolutions are focused on low-level crime. entitled to? A review. How reassuring. It does nothing to ensure that proper restorative justice, putting victims at the heart of the process, will be pursued In the five areas that have piloted the community or guaranteed. Instead, it risks creating loopholes to let trigger, where there have been 44,000 incidents of antisocial offenders off because overstretched councils and police behaviour, the trigger has been successfully activated have not had the resources to sort the problem out. 13 times—in response to not just less than 1% of complaints, not just less than 0.1%, but 0.03%. This measure will not have a big impact on the antisocial Robert Flello: Does it not send a worrying message to behaviour problems that persist in communities throughout the families of the, on average, two women who die the country. every single week as a result of domestic homicide when 2,500 cases of domestic violence will be treated in this When the Home Secretary made her speech on antisocial way? Does that not somehow suggest that their loved behaviour three years ago, she said: ones do not count? What sort of message does that send? “The solution to your community’s problems will not come from officials sitting in the Home Office working on the latest Yvette Cooper: My hon. Friend makes an important national action plan.” point. Community resolutions and the purpose of the That is certainly true. If the Bill is the nearest that the restorative justice approach, which can be valuable in Home Office gets to its latest national action plan, it dealing with antisocial behaviour, are about getting will make it harder, not easier, to solve community offenders to say sorry to the victims and make it up problems. to them. Yet that is exactly what we do not want in domestic violence cases. We do not want a police-sanctioned There are two respects in which the Bill has missed process of the perpetrator somehow apologising and the opportunity to deal with some serious problems, making it up to the victim, who will then be expected to and I urge Ministers to look at those again. The first is accept and go along with the apology, as if that makes it the problem of dangerous dogs, a subject on which a all right. Community resolutions should not be used series of interventions were made on the Home Secretary’s for domestic violence cases. It is still a serious matter of speech. We support the measures that will extend the concern that they continue to be used, despite ACPO’s law to private property, but that is not enough. As the guidance to the contrary. This is an area where the Home Secretary will know, the number of attacks has Home Office needs to step in and make sure that been rising, and there have been tragic fatal attacks. In stronger guidance is sent out to chief constables and the last two years, we have seen killings such as those of police forces across the country to make it very clear 18-month-old Zumer Ahmed and 71-year-old Gloria that community resolutions should not be used for Knowles, who was mauled by dogs. Last week I met the domestic violence. family of 14-year-old Jade Anderson, who was tragically 81 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 82 Policing Bill Policing Bill killed in an attack by dangerous dogs. I pay tribute to It is important to separate that issue from the issue of Jade’s family, who are campaigning for the strengthening arranged marriages, a process in which people should of the law. be supported. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Today, as Members will know, the Home Affairs a number of charities, and the families of victims killed Committee published a report on the sexual exploitation in dangerous dog attacks want dog control notices to be of children, including street grooming. The Committee’s introduced. I listened carefully to what the Home Secretary Chairman, the right hon. Member for Leicester East said, but the problem is that experts have not been (Keith Vaz), said, in what I consider to have been very convinced by her argument that wider powers can be carefully chosen words, used, and that it will not take long to build up case law “Children only have one chance at childhood, once that childhood and make it easy for those powers to be applied. Of is stolen by the horrific crime of sexual exploitation, it cannot course dog control notices will not stop every attack, be returned. Protection of these vulnerable children must be our but they could make it easier for earlier preventive first priority.” action to be taken. They are working in Scotland, and I I am extremely grateful for that timely report, because urge the Home Secretary to consider the issue again it puts into context an issue that I believe the Bill can during the Bill’s passage. begin to address. I hope that the Home Secretary will think again In March this year, Shazad Rehman and Bilal Hussain about firearms as well. As she will know, last year Susan were imprisoned for a total of 36 years for drugging and McGoldrick, her sister Alison Turnbull and her niece raping schoolgirls whom they had picked up on the Tanya were murdered by Susan’s partner, Michael Atherton, streets of Keighley. The two men committed some of with a shotgun that he was licensed to own. Michael their hideous offences, unchallenged, in local hotels. Atherton had a history of violence and abuse towards More recently, in May, seven men were found guilty at Susan McGoldrick, and he should never have been the Old Bailey of 43 charges relating to six victims aged allowed to own a gun. Alison’s son, Bobby Tumbull, is between 11 and 15. The men plied their victims with campaigning for a change in the law. drink and class A drugs, took them to guesthouses and bed-and-breakfast establishments, and—again, unchallenged The Home Office has rightly strengthened the guidance —raped and tortured those children. for gun applications, but it does not go far enough. It relies on interviews with family members who may still Nicola Blackwood: As my hon. Friend will know, be living in fear of abuse. Why should anyone with a during the grooming inquiry the Home Affairs Committee history of domestic violence be allowed to own a gun? has heard some harrowing evidence of incidents such as Why should that guidance not be underpinned by those that he has described. In Oxford, we have found it legislation? We cannot legislate in Parliament to prevent very difficult to come to terms with the fact that such every tragedy or every terrible crime, but we can seek to horrific crimes can happen in our own community. learn lessons when tragedies happen. We can listen to Does my hon. Friend agree that it is time for every area victims and their families, and we can work with them in the United Kingdom to accept that it is not immune to make things safer in future. from child sexual exploitation, and to ensure that it We will not vote against the Bill’s Second Reading, protects vulnerable children and prosecutes any criminals but we think that it needs to be stronger. People want who seek to target those young children? stronger action against antisocial behaviour, rather than the watering down of powers. They want more protection Kris Hopkins: I entirely agree. I know from my hon. for victims, not just delayed reviews and loopholes for Friend’s work on the Committee, and from the terrible offenders if police resources are tight. They want more issues that she has had to face in her constituency, that action against domestic violence, and more action against she understands the situation that confronts many dangerous dogs. That requires more action from the communities. Home Office, and more action from the Home Secretary. The investigation to which I referred, and the Keighley They need to do more to support communities, and conviction, mirrored investigations in Rochdale, Derby they should do so in this Bill. and Telford, in that hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishments enabled the crime to be committed. rose— Several hon. Members Since the briefing given to me by police officers in Keighley, Detective Chief Inspector Darren Minton Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. May from the Bradford safeguarding unit has contacted the I suggest that Back Benchers speak for about 12 minutes? police forces of North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, the I do not intend to enforce that limit, but I am sure that Met police, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Thames we can manage between us. Valley. All have, or have had, numerous or significant numbers of child sexual exploitation cases in which hotels, 6.55 pm bed and breakfasts and guest houses have been used. With the support of my local police officers, who are Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con): I welcome the Bill, on the front line trying to tackle these criminals and and congratulate the Home Secretary on her introduction attempting to protect these children, I am asking the of it. Home Office to consider introducing in the Bill, first, a Let me begin by making a comment about the issue new police power to require specific hotels or B and Bs of forced marriage, which was raised by my hon. Friend to collect the details of identity and proof of relationship the Member for Reading West (Alok Sharma). My of any persons under the age of 18 who book into the constituency contains a large Kashmiri Muslim community, accommodation. Secondly, that information should and I believe that we should not tolerate forced marriages. be immediately passed on to the police. The premises 83 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 84 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Kris Hopkins] I am glad that the Select Committee had the opportunity to scrutinise the draft Anti-social Behaviour Bill in a would be identified by past intelligence or conviction, number of sessions. That happened not only because or present intelligence or investigation. Authorisation that was the decision of the Select Committee but would be given by a county court judge in chambers. It because of the case of Fiona Pilkington, who committed would not be a blanket request—it would be about suicide in October 2007 with her daughter after suffering specific accommodation based on knowledge. years of abuse from local youths. The Independent Police Complaints Commission found in May 2011 that Nicola Blackwood: My hon. Friend is being incredibly she had contacted the police 33 times in seven years. generous in giving way again. I strongly endorse his They failed to act accordingly and, as a result, she proposals. He will be aware that the Home Affairs committed suicide with her daughter. I am glad that the Committee report found that there was one particular new Leicester chief constable has changed things. Simon problem which meant that victims fell through the Cole has made this one of his priorities and we have cracks: the failure to share data. The proposal to ensure, accepted his assurance that that kind of situation will wherever we can, that data are shared effectively so that never happen again. Obviously, if we pass the Bill, that victims do not fall through the cracks should be considered assurance will be even stronger. and implemented as soon as possible. Sadly, however, even though we had the case of Fiona Pilkington, four years later we had the inquest Kris Hopkins: I thank my hon. Friend for her comments. into the death of Dr Suzanne Dow, a lecturer in French I have asked my local police officers whether there are at Nottingham university, who killed herself in 2011 any laws or measures in place that could be used to do after suffering antisocial behaviour from the crack house what I have proposed. They do not believe that there are next door to her. The council ignored her pleas for over such powers in place. However, I am willing to be— a year. Mrs May: My hon. Friend is making a powerful In January, the Select Committee recommended that contribution. Certainly I am happy for the Home Office there should be a national backstop of three complaints to take away his proposal and consider it seriously. We to set off the community trigger. We believe that that will come back to him on the matter, but he has made would guard against people like Fiona Pilkington slipping an important point about the relevance of those places through the net. Of course the Home Secretary is right: to what is happening in terms of child sexual exploitation. we also have to have a degree of local accountability. We are happy to look at his proposal. That has been one of the great features of her term as Home Secretary: she sets guidelines and a vision, and Kris Hopkins: To that end, I am grateful for the then she leaves it very much up to local people to opportunity to speak and I look forward to working complete the vision. She has done that with police and with the Home Office on the issue. crime commissioners, to which I will come later. However, we believe strongly that, unless we have a national backstop, a figure that everyone could sign up to, there 7.2 pm is a risk that locally people could make their own Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): It is a pleasure to decisions, and we would end up with the trigger not follow the hon. Member for Keighley (Kris Hopkins) in being as great in Devon and Cornwall as it was in this important debate. I thank him for his kind comments Somerset, Leicestershire and Derbyshire. That is why about the Home Affairs Committee’s report on child we felt that the trigger was important. I hope that, as it grooming, which was published this morning. I pay scrutinises the Bill, the Committee will look seriously at tribute to all members of the Committee, who have the Select Committee’s proposals. I am convinced that worked so hard on the report, especially the hon. Member they will strengthen the Bill. That was the unanimous for Oxford West and Abingdon (Nicola Blackwood), view of the Select Committee. who originally suggested that the Committee conduct We should also, in looking at the Bill, express our the inquiry and who has been so assiduous in helping us concern about the cuts to youth services. It is right that to determine which witnesses should give evidence and we should be wary of young people who are involved in in preparing the final report. It would not have been as antisocial behaviour, but it is also important that we powerful or important had it not been for what she should not stigmatise them. A letter in The Times today has done. was signed by practically everybody who is anybody in I, too, am very interested in the hon. Gentleman’s the voluntary sector that deals with these issues. It said proposals. He is right that this is one of the areas we that an injunction to prevent nuisance and annoyance have looked at. At the moment, the anecdotal evidence could be used differently in different hands. and the evidence of people who see with their own eyes The annoyance and nuisance I feel would be different that there is a problem are not sufficient to catch the from that felt by someone else. I am 57 years of age this terrible perpetrators of these horrific crimes. If we had year—[Interruption.] Yes, it is true; just checking whether legislation, that would help the situation enormously. the House was still awake. The annoyance I feel in my I am glad that there is agreement between the Front- office in Norman Shaw North may be different from Bench teams that there will be no vote on this measure. that felt by younger Government Members with offices I agree that it is an important measure, but I also agree in Norman Shaw North who have just been elected. with the shadow Home Secretary that there are ways They may find the nuisance and annoyance not as great we can improve the Bill. It is important when we have as I would because of my age. The same could be said such Bills that we use the Committee stage to do that. for my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall North That will help to make it an even stronger and more (Mr Winnick), who has an office next to mine. His powerful Bill. threshold may be different even from mine. We should 85 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 86 Policing Bill Policing Bill look at the matter because the thresholds are different. her new landscape for policing. However, she ought to It is important to read what those who signed the letter have ensured that the chair of the college appointed the say. At the end they say: members of the board or had a part to play in that, “The coalition and opposition should listen to the call by the rather than appointing all the members of the board cross-party Home Affairs Committee to ‘end the arms race’ and then appointing the chair. I know she had problems against Anti-social Behaviour by setting reasonable limits on the filling that post but they have been resolved, and she has behaviour covered by the new powers.” now appointed an excellent chair. In order to give the I have not quoted that just because they praise the chair greater importance, the chair could perhaps be Committee, but because we must look at this. On 7 January allowed to work with board members to co-opt additional this year at 4 o’clock my constituent Rajesh Devaliya people on to the board, which is not doing very well in was ambushed by four young people in St Mark’s in terms of diversity. Leicester, where he lives with his elderly father. The I was there for the Emily Wilding Davison centenary police said the young perpetrators of this crime had celebrations with the Home Secretary and you, Mr Speaker, nothing else to do. The police were not condoning the and I heard what the Home Secretary said about diversity. crime, of course; they were talking about the cuts to In fact, I think I may even have got one of the T-shirts local services in St Mark’s that were on offer. Diversity is not an apparent feature I warmly welcome what the Home Secretary is proposing of the College of Policing board, however. Moreover, in clauses 100 and 101. Clause 100 introduces the new I find it extraordinary that the Metropolitan Police offence of possessing prohibited firearms with intent to Commissioner, who represents so many police officers, supply, and clause 101 increases the penalty for unlawful does not sit on the board, whereas the Association of importation of prohibited firearms from 10 years to life. Chief Police Officers does. I have nothing against that That is the right thing to do, of course. It was recommended organisation sitting on the board, but the commissioner by the Committee, and we are happy to support it, as it should, too. will serve to bring to book those who are supplying as The Home Secretary still has not told us who will well as those who are using. hold the integrity register for chief constables. She However, we looked at firearms two-and-a-half years rightly announced that chief constables ought to have a ago, and we are concerned that two-and-a-half years register of gifts they receive and jobs they do, but after on from our report the Home Secretary has not taken all these months she has still not told us where that the opportunity this Bill presents to bring together the register is going to sit. In her new landscape, she has so 34 separate pieces of legislation covering UK gun law. many new organisations to choose from, and one of President Obama, in his bid to try to control firearms in them—perhaps the College of Policing, perhaps Her the United States, is looking closely at what our country Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary—needs to hold is doing as we have a better record than the United the register in order to give it credibility. Although the States of America, but it is important that we look at Home Secretary did not like the idea of a register for codifying and bringing all this legislation together. police and crime commissioners, the Select Committee published one. PCCs were very upset, but the fact is we On 17 May the Select Committee recommended just published what they put on their websites or what criminalising forced marriage. We take the point that it they told us to put in. If we have registers for MPs, peers is quite different from arranged marriage. However, I and chief constables, we should have one for PCCs. We must tell the Home Secretary that I am worried about must not leave that until the next election. the allegations database that she set up, which we will look at very closely in our next report. I have many The Home Secretary seemed a little puzzled about constituents who complain that they are being abused the cost of the certificate of knowledge in policing, or by their spouses and have been tricked into getting perhaps she was saying that is up to the College of married. They make their complaint to the Home Office Policing. We should, however, look carefully at the cost and nothing happens. They are not informed because of of a certificate, which is £1,000. the bizarre belief that they are third parties. I do not On the Independent Police Complaints Commission, believe that someone who goes off to a foreign country the Home Secretary has done everything we could have and marries somebody there, and then brings them to asked her to do in respect of our last report on that this country so that they are only here because they organisation. She did not quite deal with the point brought them in, and who then complains that their made by the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon spouse has abused the system and tricked them, is a (Nicola Blackwood), however. third party. Of course they need to know whether the Home Office has removed them. We have had 28,000 Mrs May: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman allegations since the Prime Minister’s famous speech in for mentioning the IPCC, because it enables me, if he London two years ago, when he asked people to report will indulge me in this, to deal with the point raised by these issues, and 500 arrests have been made, but still my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford West and the Home Office cannot tell us how many people have Abingdon (Nicola Blackwood). I have checked, and in been removed. cases of suspected criminality the extension of the I have three final points, and I shall begin with the IPCC oversight of private sector contractors will allow College of Policing. I know that the Home Secretary is them to be interviewed under caution. I am grateful for not interested in legacy stuff, because I am sure she will the opportunity to put that on the record. be in post for a long time, but when her legacy is written up, the creation of the College of Policing—which I Keith Vaz: I am delighted that the Home Secretary hope will be called the “Royal College of Policing”, as has got that on the record, and I know that the hon. that will give an impetus and dignity to those we train as Member for Oxford West and Abingdon will also be police officers—will be seen as an important feature of very pleased. 87 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 88 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Keith Vaz] are surely absolutely right. The simplification of the toolkit used to remedy antisocial behaviour, which can The Committee said that the IPCC was woefully blight lives, even at a relatively low level, is welcome. It under-equipped and hamstrung by a lack of powers will produce a quicker and more coherent response, and resources. The Home Secretary has not given it all empowering police, local authorities and other agencies, the powers we would have wanted, but she has certainly so that they can deal with the problems far more effectively given it a lot of them. She does need to deal with the and efficiently. This issue is serious: there were 2.3 million issue or resources, however. People tend to refer conduct reports of antisocial behaviour in 2012, although I issues to the IPCC. It is dealing with thousands of cases suspect the vast majority of such incidents are never as a result of Hillsborough. It has an excellent new actually reported. We need a simple scheme to deal chair in Dame Anne Owers, and it has shown a real with that. commitment to do good work in this area, but it cannot I am also pleased to see the direction of travel and the do that work unless it has the necessary resources to move away from the automatic criminalisation of breaches, finish the job. We thank the Home Secretary for giving which in many cases gave ASBOs a poor reputation. We these powers, but we also say, “Let’s have the resources are moving a lot further and I am pleased also to see the to go with them.” introduction of positive requirements to try to help Finally, on extradition, we again have what the Select people out of the problem—we have argued for that Committee recommended in our report on the subject. for a long time and it has cross-party support. The The forum bar has been enacted, and this will take it Home Affairs Committee highlighted that the positive further. We need to stop having cases such as those requirements involving Gary McKinnon and Richard O’Dwyer, which “can help to achieve an outcome that satisfies victims and helps to I know took up a huge amount of the Home Secretary’s mend the ways of perpetrators without exposing them to the time and the time of this House. I still think it should be criminal justice system.” up to the Home Secretary to make that decision, rather That has to be what we all want. It was the aim of the than give it to judges, because I think there are other acceptable behaviour contracts, and it is the right direction considerations to take into account. I do not think that in which to be travelling. It also fits in well with the she or her successor if Labour wins the next election, Government’s general approach to the criminal justice the current shadow Home Secretary, are very keen to system, with a focus on rehabilitation. Rather than have the power to stop people’s extradition, but she is focusing on how we punish people, there is a focus on the Home Secretary and she should be making these how we can prevent problems from happening in the decisions, not a judge. That question is for another day, first place. I am very pleased about all that. I could talk however. at great length about how excellent some of the provisions In the end, we have a Bill that enacts a lot of what the are, but the Home Secretary has done that, as have Select Committee has recommended over the years. others. I think we need to improve parts of it, as the shadow Further improvements could still be made in a couple Home Secretary has said, but I am glad we are not of areas, and there are particular concerns about how pressing the House to a Division on this important the system will deal with young people. In looking at measure this evening. antisocial behaviour the focus has always ended up on young people; it is many people’s first encounter with 7.18 pm the criminal justice system. Some 40% of ASBOs were Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): I suspect that issued to 10 to 17-year-olds, who comprise only 13% of the Home Secretary has recently become used to me the population, and a very large proportion of those standing here criticising things she has done and highlighting people have mental health problems and learning difficulties, where we have disagreed; I am delighted that today will which is a serious concern. not be another of those days. I am able to support much That situation was acknowledged in the antisocial of what is in the Bill, and it is a great pleasure to follow behaviour White Paper, which stated: the Chair of the Select Committee, the right hon. Member “There are strong links between anti-social or criminal behaviour for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), and to agree with him and certain health needs.” that it is excellent that it does not appear that there will However, the Bill does not yet contain enough to strengthen be a Division on Second Reading, and that we can early intervention or ensure that a full health and social therefore proceed. assessment is made to go with any of the orders that are There are good things in the Bill, such as the changes available. I accept that that is not all about legislation; I to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, hope that in Committee, or through comments from the bringing in private providers, which the Liberal Democrats Home Secretary, progress will be made to strengthen have wanted for some time; stronger control sanctions the arrangements, because we want to help people with against forced marriage; controls on firearms; the mental health problems or learning difficulties, rather introduction of the College of Policing, which will be than putting them through an inappropriate route. important for evidence-based policing; controls on As I mentioned when I intervened on the Home dangerous dogs; and particularly protections for guide Secretary, I remain concerned about the naming and dogs, which I shall talk about later. shaming of young people. Clause 17 would disapply At the core of the Bill, however, are the antisocial section 49 of the Children and YoungPersons Act 1933, behaviour provisions. It is particularly welcome that the which restricts reports on proceedings in which young Bill underwent pre-legislative scrutiny by the Select people are concerned, in respect of injunctions to prevent Committee. I thank the Home Secretary for taking on nuisance and annoyance and criminal behaviour orders. board some of the suggestions that it made, although That goes against the presumption of anonymity for she did not take on board all of them. The principles children in criminal proceedings and is likely to hinder 89 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 90 Policing Bill Policing Bill their successful rehabilitation, particularly in this age Police Officers that that lower threshold could unnecessarily where people can say things online which can stay with stigmatise and criminalise young people in particular. It people for ever. We want a chance for a young person is a broad definition. I dare say that I have occasionally who made an error at 14 to be able to have that removed done things that are “capable” of annoying other people very quickly. Article 40 of the United Nations convention in this Chamber; I am sure we all have. [Interruption.] I on the rights of the child clearly requires that a child am delighted to have the support of the Chair of the accused of, or recognised as having infringed the law, Select Committee. I would hope that the definition is must not intended to cover such things; there has to be some “have his or her privacy fully respected at all stages of the sort of stronger level involved. I am pleased to see the proceedings.” move away from criminalisation, although some criminal Both the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child sanctions will still be available, but I remain concerned and the Human Rights Committee have expressed grave about that definition. concerns about the privacy of children subject to ASBOs, The safeguards in the Bill about criminalisation go a and I am concerned about what may happen. bit further. A court has to consider an injunction to be I know the Government’s intention, as they have been “just and convenient”, but there is nothing about clear in their response to the Home Affairs Committee proportionality or the need to demonstrate necessity. and I am grateful for that. The intention is not simply a The Committee concluded: blanket naming and shaming of young people, and I “For the IPNA, the threshold of ‘conduct capable of causing pleased to be reassured about that. However, I want the nuisance or annoyance’ is far too broad and could be applied even right clarification to be given to judges. The Minister of if there were no actual nuisance or annoyance whatsoever. A State, Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member proportionality test and a requirement that either ‘intent or for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne) made the point well recklessness’ be demonstrated should be attached to the IPNA, as well as the requirement ‘that such an injunction is necessary to when he gave evidence to us, but there may well be some protect relevant persons from further anti-social acts by the special cases where it is simply unreasonable to prevent respondent’.” a child from being able to do something if we cannot tell anybody that we have prevented them from doing it. That was agreed unanimously by the Committee, and I I accept that there are such cases, but they should be hope that the Home Secretary will examine the case for seen as the exception. I want to develop the point that more carefully and consider whether we could have implied by the Home Secretary that judges should use some clarity. None of us wants these provisions to be such an approach rarely and sparingly, where there is a used to deal with trivial behaviour. I have known good case for doing so. We want a constituents who do not like the fact that young people sit on a bench, but I hope that we would not want to “short, focused nudge for young people to set them on the right introduce controls to deal with that if those young track, not a millstone that will weigh around their necks for years to come.” people are doing nothing else. We have to ensure that the right guidance is in place, so I also have a few concerns about the provisions at the that the provisions are used only when they have to be. beginning of part 5, which would give landlords the Fitting in with the positive requirements will help with power to evict a tenant when the tenant or a member of some of that. their household had been convicted of a serious offence nearby or of various other provisions. No flexibility is Many of the organisations we spoke to welcomed the given for the judge to decide on that; it is an obligatory general direction towards positive requirements but were process. My concern is about the effects on the rest of concerned about the extra monitoring and the burdens a family when one of its members, be it a child or an of that. The Chair of the Select Committee was right to adult, does something that we all agree is unacceptable. express concerns about the funding available. This is the In particular, children may be made homeless as a result best direction in which to go, but we need clarity on the of the actions of other people that they could not funding. The Local Government Association, of which control. Such concerns have been expressed by the I have the great honour to be vice-president, has said: Children’s Commissioner, and I hope that the Home “Clarity is needed from the Home Office on the cost of Secretary will consider clarifying the arrangements, by imposing ‘positive requirements’” changing where the grounds would be listed, to ensure If they are not available, that could lead to breaches and that judges at least have the discretion to say, “In this to the whole system falling into the sort of disrepute case, it does not seem appropriate.” The LGA has that we saw with ASBOs. That is particularly so for highlighted that these powers could children, where parental support may not be sufficient “result in displacement of the problem rather than solution”— in many cases. On one issue there has been an arms race, with every none of us would want to leave children homeless. Government trying to change the antisocial regime, I hope that the Government will examine that. lowering the standard of proof and widening the definitions. To conclude, I wish to talk about the issues relating to The Home Affairs Committee unanimously concluded; dangerous dogs. I want to emphasise how good it is that “This arms race must end.” we are making progress, particularly on the serious issue of guide dogs. There were about 240 dog attacks The current definition of antisocial behaviour is behaviour on guide dogs between March 2011 to February 2013, that which is about 10 a month. Last year, I met some of my “caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress”. visually impaired constituents and found out what it Clause 1 requires only that the conduct appears to be was like to have a guide dog: I was blindfolded and had “capable” of causing nuisance or annoyance to any to follow a dog around Cambridge. I spoke to my person, as the Chair of the Select Committee pointed constituents about some of their cases. The big problem out. I share the concerns of the Association of Chief is that guide dogs are trained not to fight back or 91 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 92 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Dr Julian Huppert] process; no Government have a monopoly on virtue or effectiveness. However, I want to emphasise that the defend themselves; they are trained not to run away, but Labour Government made significant strides in combating to get their owner away safely. My constituents told me antisocial behaviour, and in putting victims at the heart about some brutal cases where the dog had been savaged of the justice system; I recall the surprise at that in more in awful ways—their guts were hanging out, and so conservative legal circles in the early days of that on—but had still tried to lead its owner away. Such Administration. Mercifully, we have moved on since attacks were also devastating for the owner, because it then. takes a long time to get used to a dog and they cannot I should particularly mention the controls put in simply be replaced; the emotional cost is huge, too. Five place for statutory partnerships under the Crime and of the dogs attacked had to be withdrawn, costing the Disorder Act 1998. Those have been enormously important Guide Dogs charity £170,000—money which it simply to us in Blackpool, where partnerships between the does not have. I am really pleased that the first clause in police, local authorities and others to tackle crime and part 7 makes it clear that attacks on guide dogs will be disorder have worked extremely successfully. I want to considered aggravated attacks, but we need to go much make a point that is specific to my constituents and to further. the town: like many seaside and coastal towns, and There are other bits of the Bill that I could talk about many inland towns with a high degree of transience, in at great length, but some of them have already been touched Blackpool, issues associated with houses in multiple on, and I am sure that they will be considered in occupation and the problems faced by a minority of Committee. This is a good Bill, but it could be tweaked rogue landlords and rogue tenants have been very much slightly further to make it an excellent Bill. I am sure to the fore. As the House of Commons research paper that that will be looked at in Committee. makes clear, antisocial behaviour injunctions have been valued by social landlords; they have been used successfully Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): I visited Glastonbury post against tenants in attempts to tackle vandalism, violence, office, which has been doing some fairly visionary work noise, harassment, and threatening and un-neighbourly on what happens to post office staff when they are behaviour. making deliveries. They made two points. First, being As my right hon. Friend the shadow Home Secretary attacked by a dog in the communal area of a block of made clear, none of this can be done without resources. flats is not covered by the Bill. Secondly, there may be That is why it was very important that more than no remedy for those who are bitten while putting a 12,000 extra police, and more than 16,000 police community letter or packet through a letterbox; if someone trespasses support officers, were introduced under the Labour with their fingers, effectively, they may not be covered. I Government, including in Lancashire, which has particularly wonder whether my hon. Friend agrees that the Secretary benefited from the beefed-up powers that were provided. of State might take this opportunity to remedy that What are the issues that any antisocial behaviour Bill drafting problem and make sure that the issue is sorted should at least touch on and try to address for my out. constituents in Blackpool? First, there is the question of disorder, particularly in the centre of the town. As Dr Huppert: I thank my hon. Friend for that comment; many people know, we have millions of visitors every I am sure that the Home Secretary heard it. What my year. Most of them are a delight, but a small proportion hon. Friend says seems sensible; we want to protect are not. The same is true of residents. Problems such as postal workers when they are posting leaflets. I have not alcohol, petty crime, drugs and general threatening checked the wording of the Bill, but if it is a problem, I behaviour have always loomed large. Secondly, the issue hope that that can be addressed. The same would apply of houses in multiple occupation is really important. I to those of us delivering leaflets. I have yet to be bitten praise the work done over a long period by the public by a dog, but I know that it happens to many of us too protection department of Blackpool council, ably headed often. I hope that the Home Secretary will look at those by Tim Coglan, all who have worked with him, and the suggestions to see whether we can sharpen up the cabinet member with responsibility for housing, Councillor provisions and make it an excellent Bill that we can be Gillian Campbell. proud of for many years to come. I should like to quote from a couple of letters that I received recently that underline some of our problems. 7.30 pm A hotelier—bear in mind that there are some 600 hotels Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): It is and guesthouses in my constituency—said: a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Cambridge “I run a hotel with my partner situated…in South Shore. We (Dr Huppert). I should like to associate myself with his unfortunately have a HMO adjoining us…and one opposite…Both concluding remarks about guide dogs, and to commend properties have drug and alcohol problems and are situated with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association for the spirited ourselves in the ‘Holiday Zone’. campaign it has led on the subject. We persistently suffer ‘users’ calling up at the flats for drugs, the police are constantly parking outside our hotel to visit our It is a great pleasure to speak on a subject of obvious neighbours. The flat adjoining our hotel on the first floor have concern to everybody in the country. Like my right hon. dogs, who are rarely taken out of the flat.” Friend the Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), the The good news in this story is that Blackpool council, Chair of the Select Committee on Home Affairs, who together with other organisations, is working on this. spoke earlier, I have been in the House since 1997, and I I quote the letter I received from the council: can genuinely say that antisocial behaviour has been at “Officers of the Housing Enforcement Team have been tackling the centre of my casework, both in terms of concerns issues...one of the problem tenants has already been evicted and that people have raised, and of the relief and respite the managing agents…are in the process of re-housing the tenants that has been brought about. This is a continuing with the dogs.” 93 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 94 Policing Bill Policing Bill Another letter from another part of the town mentions with blade” in public or on school premises, but the the importance of alley gates, which have been a particularly Prime Minister told MPs in recent months that the effective way of dealing with antisocial behaviour in Justice Secretary was reviewing the powers available to Blackpool. the courts to deal with knife possession, and the Lord Chancellor has said he is revisiting the whole topic of Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) (Con): knife crime. As my right hon. Friend the shadow Home On HMOs and antisocial behaviour, including in alleyways, Secretary rightly said, this is a Christmas tree Bill. It is are there not already powers available to councils? The unfortunate that the outcome of those reviews has not issue is whether councils are using the powers they informed the detail of the Bill. already have, rather than whether new powers are required The topic of firearms has been touched on. I entirely under the Bill. associate myself with the comments that have been made about the dangers presented by people with a Mr Marsden: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman history of domestic violence. We know that only too and I do not disagree with him on the powers, which are well in Blackpool from the Justice for Jane campaign, already there. What is important is enforcement by which concerned the case of a young woman who was councils, and the resources that are available to them. tragically murdered by her partner, who had a history Sadly, Blackpool council’s ability to do the stuff it would of domestic threatening and violence. Such ticking like to on alley gates has been severely hindered over the time bombs need monitoring, and the Government past couple of years by substantial cuts in funding from should be monitoring some of them far more carefully the Department for Communities and Local Government. and providing the legislation that would make that I want to talk about the importance of police and possible. community support officers, who are crucial, particularly Lastly, I return to the subject of dangerous dogs. I now, when we have problems not just with houses in have not been convinced by what the Home Secretary multiple occupation, but with houses that are bought at said. Many other organisations—not just the RSPCA, low prices when owner-occupiers move out, and landlords Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Blue Cross and the rent them out to problem families. I have many examples Select Committee—feel that the proposals, rather like of that. I pay tribute to the activities undertaken in our my 15-year-old Jack Russell-Chihuahua cross, are somewhat town by the police and the community together. I am toothless. Dangerous dogs are a real problem and they thinking of a group, ably chaired by Mr Dave Blacker, need a special and specific remedy. I know that only too who are concerned about their PCSOs. Issues of funding well from my former colleague in the House, Joan and what might be available from Government have Humble, who almost lost the tip of her finger when come to the fore. canvassing in Blackpool in 2012. These Government Other really important issues are vandalism—Stanley measures, as has been said, are simply too weak. Instead park and other parts of the town have been badly of these piecemeal proposals, the introduction of dog affected by it recently—metal theft, the protection of war control notices would be wide ranging and enforceable memorials and dumping. Those are all issues on which in the sorts of areas that have been discussed. PCSOs can make an important contribution. That is why we need to look critically at what the Government Robert Flello: I am enjoying my hon. Friend’s speech are doing in the Bill. The crime prevention injunction—the immensely. Does he agree that there is a need for a much proposed replacement for an antisocial behaviour order—is wider look at issues such as dog breeding? A raft of significantly weaker. A breach of the new injunction is related issues needs to be addressed properly. Does he not a criminal offence and will not result in a criminal agree that taking all the dog-related measures out of record. Other proposed measures against antisocial this Christmas tree Bill and consolidating them in a behaviour also appear weak. The Government’s proposed single piece of legislation would be a better way forward? community trigger has seemed weak in the areas in which it has been trialled, as my right hon. Friend the Mr Marsden: I hear what my hon. Friend says. In an shadow Home Secretary made clear earlier. As her ideal world he would be correct, but unfortunately we colleague, my hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield heard from the Home Secretary this evening her extreme (Gloria De Piero) said, breach of ASBOs was a criminal reluctance to admit that anything other than the general offence; breach of injunctions to prevent nuisance and and mixed powers presented in the Bill would do the annoyance is not. Nor does the Bill guarantee a response business. I hope that in Committee and on Report, from the police or the council. It guarantees a review. In some of the issues can be addressed far more forcefully my region, the north-west, police in Manchester recorded than they were by the Home Secretary this evening. In nearly 26,000 cases of antisocial behaviour in 2012-13, particular, the public spaces protection orders are too but the trigger was activated a mere four times. sweeping and vague in many respects to deal with what When it comes to tackling antisocial behaviour, the is proposed. The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home briefing elephant in the room is the way the Government have makes these points far more eloquently than I can. It cut the police budget. Police community support officers, also makes the point that dogs that pose no danger to who are so often at the forefront in tackling day-to-day public safety should remain with an owner of good antisocial behaviour, have been hit particularly hard. character while an application to the court for an exemption That has led to Lancashire losing 9% of our front-line takes place. officers in the first two years of this Tory-led Government, About 5,000 postal workers every year are attacked and 500 police officers. by dogs. Seventeen people, including children, have I shall touch briefly on knife crime, which has been a been killed in dog attacks since 2005, including one in key issue in Blackpool. The Government have, to be Blackpool in 2009. I welcome, as do Members in all fair, introduced a new crime of “threatening with article parts of the House, the Government’s proposal to extend 95 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 96 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Mr Marsden] unable to seek prompt resolution. At the end of the day, our constituents want to know that something is being prosecution and to extend responsibility to private property, done and action is being taken. but given what has been said in the House this evening, I want to highlight some recent cases in my constituency. I wish the Government would take the opportunity to Families using the park in Maldon road in Witham have think more carefully and substantially about the broader been alarmed by groups of young men using the children’s range of dog control measures I have mentioned. They play space inappropriately. It is summer and parents might also consider what many people see as a good—or cannot let their children play because men are drinking should I say poor?—example of what happens when we and behaving in an abusive, intimidating and frightening legislate in haste: the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. way in the park. One constituent was so shocked by I mentioned my dog earlier. Sadly, her partner died what happened that she reported to me that the men earlier this year. She was a Staffie-Collie cross, and I am had been calling over to girls, had tried to involve them sure she would have agreed, as I do, with what the in conversation, and had offered them alcohol. We have Communication Workers Union said: that we should had recent cases of inappropriate behaviour involving be legislating for deed and not for breed. I hope the alcohol and persuasion by men in the wrong way. What Government will take the opportunity to remedy that, if was worrying for my constituent was the response by not in the Bill, then at some point. the police. They were pretty ineffective, remarking that because these individuals were foreign, they did not 7.46 pm understand that it was inappropriate behaviour, and (Witham) (Con): I am delighted to contribute that they were in the park as there was no designated to this Second Reading debate, primarily because, as a area for them to drink in. That is simply not appropriate. number of speakers have highlighted, antisocial behaviour Rather than taking action and making the area safe, the blights the lives of our communities and our constituencies. authorities were reluctant to act. Many of us here are One of the things that strikes me when dealing with parents, and I was disgusted by these events. I am constituency matters relating to antisocial behaviour is pursuing the case with the local authority and the police that it prevents blameless and innocent victims—citizens— because I have been left in no doubt that action should from feeling safe not just in their own homes and their be taken. own streets, but in their own communities, which is why Another constituent let me know of a further incident I welcome the broad thrust of the Bill and wholeheartedly where at 10 pm one evening they called the police as endorse the Government’s approach to supporting victims noise from these young men in the park was causing her and preventing antisocial behaviour. and her family significant disturbance. They called again For many years under the previous Government a at 11 pm as they were being kept awake, but it was not vast number of measures were introduced, some of until 1 am that the police arrived on the scene. There are which were well-meaning, but profoundly ineffective in many other such incidents not just in my constituency tackling some of the problems that we have heard about but throughout the country. At least 2.3 million similar today. The right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith incidents are reported to the police each year. The Vaz), the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, introduction of the community trigger will help mentioned the death of Fiona Pilkington a few years communities that feel let down by the authorities to back, which shocked the nation. The horrific story and compel those authorities to take their concerns seriously her plight demonstrated how bad antisocial behaviour and to act. I would go further as a Member of Parliament could become and the distress that it caused to victims. and work with the local authority and other community That tragic case highlighted the fact that the authorities groups to encourage them to have their voices heard, let this family down and failed to do enough to bring an and the community trigger has an important role to end to the torment that the family suffered. play in that. Despite all the legislation and the introduction of My approach to crime and criminal justice matters is ASBOs, as we heard at the time and as we heard again to put the victim first. I have been particularly outspoken from the Chairman of the Select Committee, the inquest in the past about the disproportionality in the criminal into those deaths found that the calls to the police and justice system when victims unfairly have to fight to to associated bodies were not joined up and were not have their voices heard. For too long the justice system prioritised, and that there were problems in gathering has been skewed in favour of offenders, focusing on and processing information. That was among the most help and support for them while neglecting those who serious cases, with severe consequences for the victims. are most affected by their crimes. Conservative Ministers Importantly, it highlighted the wider issues of the approach deserve credit for refocusing attention on victims, and taken to antisocial behaviour and the case for wider the Bill goes some way to addressing past deficiencies in reform, which the Bill addresses. the justice system. Victims want action taken promptly The Home Secretary mentioned the community trigger. to protect them from antisocial behaviour, and they also Although I am pleased to say that my constituency is want to be involved in decisions taken about how the generally considered a safe place to live, there are certain police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts areas in the town and in the surrounding villages which, deal with criminals. I therefore welcome the duty to unsurprisingly, have been blighted by antisocial behaviour. consult victims that clauses 95 and 96 place on prosecutors These occurrences are serious and should be treated as who are minded to offer an offender a conditional such because they are distressing for those of my caution or a youth conditional caution. The requirement constituents who are affected. Equally distressing is the to attach to the conditions reasonable requests made by sense among those communities of the paralysis of the the victim is a positive step forward. It is disappointing authorities, which seem either reluctant or powerless to that this has not happened already and there is much act, or are bogged down in bureaucracy and therefore more that we can do, but this is a welcome step forward. 97 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 98 Policing Bill Policing Bill The community remedy is also a welcome way to it is possible for almost all of those caught shoplifting involve victims in the restorative justice process, so that to be dealt with outside of court. What kind of message it works for them. However, I seek an assurance from does that send out to hardworking shopkeepers and the Minister that no victim will be compelled to go people who invest in their local economy and generate through the restorative justice approach if they do not jobs and growth in their own family? wish to. Victims can be retraumatised and have to go Just as the Government are giving victims a greater through a great deal of hurt as a result of that process. say in how to deal with antisocial behaviour, so we should be empowering shopkeepers and businesses on Robert Flello: On restorative justice, the hon. Lady our high streets, in our town centres and on parades of will know from the all-party victims and witnesses of shops in our estates so that they can get the full support crime group that we co-chair that restorative justice can and protection they need from the police and councils mean different things to different people. Does she to have a say in how offenders are treated. I hope that agree that perhaps in this Bill, but certainly somewhere, the Government will look again at that clause. there should be a clear definition of restorative justice? Finally, I would like the Minister to consider using the Bill to help businesses and individuals affected by Priti Patel: There is no doubt that restorative justice Travellers staying on their land without permission, can mean a range of different things, and there should which is a form of antisocial behaviour. There have be a much wider discussion about this. Parliament is been a number of incidents in my constituency over best placed to consider this and we should make the recent bank holiday weekends—surprise, surprise—that victims groups that we work with part of this discussion. have highlighted the need to put stronger measures in I would welcome an assurance that where a crime has place. Last month a number of vehicles arrived on the been committed and there is sufficient evidence to take Eastways industrial estate in Witham. Although the the matter to court, police and prosecutors will proceed police eventually moved them on within two days, they with a prosecution if that is what the victim wants. I caused immense disruption to local businesses operating raise this because many victims are satisfied and have on the site. They left behind litter and gas bottles and closure once an offender has been brought to court and caused a lot of damage and vandalism to the site. There convicted, rather than have informal action taken against were also reports of aggressive attitudes shown towards them. business managers and nuisance behaviour. Those businesses Strong action is also needed on retail crime. Businesses, are creating jobs and growth locally. They should not be their owners and those who work in them can be subject to such awful behaviour and delays. It took two subjected to quite horrific incidents of antisocial behaviour. days to have them removed. Businesses lost thousands I say that as someone who has grown up in a family of pounds and incurred thousands of pounds in damages, business and seen at first hand how intimidating individuals and supplies and deliveries were delayed. and groups can be when they target a high street or I hope that the Minister can look at ways to use the independent shop and behave in an obscene way. Bill to strengthen the voice of businesses and communities Shopkeepers work long hours and are often under to prevent such incidents occurring not only in my considerable stress and pressure. They need to be supported, constituency, but up and down the country, and to take and the community trigger will be a useful tool for them. a firm and reasonable stance to individuals who behave in such a way. I urge the Government to look again at clause 133 on low value shoplifting. Owners of small shops in particular will be concerned about what they will see as a downgrading 8.1 pm in the way that thefts of a value of below £200 are Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): treated. Requiring that these be dealt with by magistrates I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to this courts and encouraging the use of fixed penalty notices important debate, particularly as it touches on an issue and restorative justice methods can detract from the that is incredibly close to my heart. Before coming to serious nature of the offence. As well as the stress and that point, I know that many right hon. and hon. pressure, there is also the matter of the cost to the Members have addressed, or will address, some of the business. More often than not shopkeepers install CCTV wider measures the Bill is concerned with. Although I and spend a lot of time dealing with the police and welcome some of those measures, I have a number of providing evidence. Small shopkeepers who may have concerns about the Government’s plans for tackling invested considerably in security measures are already antisocial behaviour. In particular, I am worried that disillusioned with the police responses to crime, and the Bill will make it harder, not easier, for communities theft has a serious impact on their profit margins. Shop to deal with and combat antisocial behaviour effectively. thefts account for about 83% of crime against the retail We discovered only this weekend that red tape introduced sector, and the Home Office has estimated that there in the Bill will cost police and local councils at least were approximately 4.1 million incidents of shoplifting £14 million to get CCTV.As I mentioned in an intervention in 2012 alone. on the Home Secretary—the point is worth sharing in Most of the perpetrators will be serial and repeat more detail—Liverpool’s City Watch team has used offenders, so when they are caught, victims and businesses state-of-the-art CCTV both as a deterrent and to identify should expect some of these offenders to face the full and convict those who commit crimes and antisocial force of the law, otherwise they will just carry on behaviour offences. It is a very advanced system and it offending. Less than half of the fixed penalty notices has been highly effective. As a result, Liverpool is now issued for shop theft in 2011 have been paid in full by one of the safest cities in the country, according to the offenders. Average thefts are valued at £88 and the UK Statistics Authority. We often have delegations—not majority of these thefts are of goods valued up to £25. only from across the country but from across Europe—who Introducing the £200 threshold into law will mean that visit the facility and meet the operators, who are highly 99 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 100 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Luciana Berger] The previous Government initiated a comprehensive consultation on what could be done to promote responsible trained and technical, to see what they are doing and dog ownership and combat dog attacks on people and how it might be replicated elsewhere. Given that success, other animals. It is regrettable that it has taken three I echo the sentiment I expressed before: it would be such years for the Government to respond to that consultation, a shame if other local authorities that need CCTV or which concluded in June 2010, and bring forward the want to advance their systems were unable to follow measures we are discussing today. that good example. I have every confidence that Opposition Front Benchers will address those concerns in Committee. Robert Flello: On that point, one thing that really I will focus the rest of my remarks on the measures in concerns me is that not only has it taken that time to get the Bill for tackling dangerous dogs, which are covered to this stage with the draft legislation, but in that time in part 7. Perhaps it is fate, design or just pure coincidence we have seen measures relating to the Criminal Injuries that it is 22 years to the day since the Dangerous Dogs Compensation Act 1995 introduced specifically to exclude Act 1991 received its Second Reading in this House. dog attacks. That was a very long time ago, and it has become clear since, particularly over the past 10 years, that the legislation Luciana Berger: I thank my hon. Friend for that has not been up to the job. The issue was first raised intervention. He has been working hard with the Union with me in my constituency just before I was elected of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, as have I, as a three years ago, after the tragic death of John Paul member of USDAW, to raise the profile of that issue. It Massey, who was just four years old, in the run-up to is highly regrettable that the Government have chosen the general election. His death really affected the whole to exclude people who have been attacked by dogs from community—some members of my community are still the criminal injuries compensation scheme. I hope that very much affected. I have worked closely with his they will reconsider that. mother, Angela, to raise these issues with the Government. I wish to welcome some of the measures the Government It happened on 30 November 2009. Angela has been are bringing forward. As the hon. Member for Cambridge incredibly stoic and brave in campaigning on the issue (Dr Huppert) mentioned, the fact that the Government so that no other family has to go through what her now recognise that attacks on assistance dogs should be family have gone through. Angela came with John Paul acknowledged as a very specific crime is to be welcomed. Massey’s father and representatives of many other Many organisations, including the guide dogs trust and organisations about a year ago to deliver a letter to the the Royal National Institute of Blind People, have been Prime Minister highlighting their concerns about the working tirelessly on behalf of the visually impaired legislation as it stands. I have been compelled by Angela’s community to highlight the fact that at least 10 assistance incredible bravery to take up her case and ensure that dogs are attacked every month. Most people do not no one else suffers as she has. know that a guide dog costs around £50,000 over its lifetime, and that is all charitable money because no Julie Hilling: I want to add my tribute to the family of support is received from the Government. If a guide John Paul Massey, because they have also been supporting dog is attacked, the repercussions and implications for the family of Jade Lomas-Anderson as they have been the person the dog is there to support are far reaching, going through the same thing. so I welcome the fact that the Government are addressing that in the Bill. Luciana Berger: I thank my hon. Friend for her The law is also being extended to cover attacks that intervention. I know that those words will have been take place on private property. We know that the vast heard by Angela and that they will be very welcome and majority of attacks happen in someone’s home, in a kindly received. front or back garden, so it is right that that loophole This really is an issue that transcends party politics. is being closed. We have heard from other Members I have worked with many Members on both sides of the specifically about the attacks on postal workers. About House who have campaigned on the issue. It does not 5,000 postal workers are attacked every year, and they discriminate between urban and rural areas; it affects will most certainly be thankful for this measure. I had all our constituencies. Many people have been campaigning not been aware that since 2011 4,100 working days have on the issue for far longer than I have; I was elected only been lost at Royal Mail owing to injuries incurred three years ago. It was actually the first thing I spoke through dog attacks on our postmen and women, and about in the House. Many people outside the House that has cost Royal Mail approximately £400,000. It is have worked tirelessly on the issue. My hon. Friend the not only postal workers who have been attacked on Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) mentioned private property; so have our emergency services, social Dave Joyce, of the Communication Workers Union, workers, telecomm operators and health visitors, many who works so hard to raise the issue with Members on of whom put themselves at risk every day when they both sides of the House on behalf of his members, the enter the homes of the public. I welcome the fact that postal workers who deliver our mail everyday. Claire the Government are going to do something to address Robinson of the Royal Society for the Prevention of this. Cruelty to Animals works incredibly hard on the issue. I also welcome the Government’s plans on compulsory Organisations including the Dogs Trust, the National microchipping by 2016. There is in our country a significant Dog Warden Association, the Association of Chief and growing problem with stray dogs. I meet many Police Officers, the Blue Cross and Battersea Dogs & owners who are separated from their pets, and having a Cats Home have worked collectively to raise the profile microchip helps them to be reunited. However, much of the issue with the Government and to see some more needs to be done if the horrific attacks are to be urgent action. stamped out. Officials have estimated that more than 101 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 102 Policing Bill Policing Bill 200,000 people are bitten or attacked by a dog in and I fear will be implemented after something very England every year. That is an absolutely staggering serious has happened. This approach has already been figure. Because I am involved in a campaign to raise the used in Scotland and has been endorsed by the EFRA profile of this issue, I receive an e-mail at least once a Committee. Many people, including those at the Dogs week from someone somewhere in the country who has Trust, believe it is an effective means of ensuring responsible been affected by a dog attack. I should like to mention dog ownership. We desperately need early intervention just one that has been reported today in the Liverpool and prevention, and they are what are lacking. Echo. When our predecessors debated these issues 22 years Theo Reynolds is three years old, and his life changed ago, one name that featured prominently was that of for ever just a few weeks ago after he suffered a vicious 11-year-old Kelly Lynch, who was tragically mauled to attack while out walking with his dad down a Liverpool death by two Rottweilers in 1989. Sadly, two decades street. The dog went for him and bit off his toe. Doctors on, there have been far too many more cases of families attempted to reattach it but were unfortunately unsuccessful. who have lost loved ones to similar attacks. Just two Every year, our NHS spends more than £3.5 million weeks ago another name was added to that list—that of treating injuries sustained in dog attacks like the one Clifford Clarke, a 79-year-old man who was set upon that Theo suffered. What is most harrowing is that the and mauled to death in his garden while cooking a barbecue. victims of these attacks are so often children, who go on Overall, according to research by the Communication to suffer not just the physical consequences but the Workers Union, 16 people have been killed in dangerous long-term psychological and emotional effects. I have dog attacks since 2005. Sadly, the action that we are spoken to many parents whose children are now unable debating today will come too late for them and their to go out or enter a park or a playground because of the relatives. I have come to know some of those families, impact that a dog attack has had on their life. and I know that other hon. Members have too. Those I have met have expressed just two wishes: that they Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I commend my could have their loved ones back and that no family hon. Friend for her speech. I have met a father whose should have to suffer a loss such as theirs. young child was playing on a lovely day in a park and As we consider that plea, it is only right that the found an animal running in circles round the playground names of the people who have lost their lives are recorded: time and again, completely out of control. That child Liam Eames, aged one; Cadey-Lee Deacon, aged five had their ear ripped off. Beyond the legislation, there is months; Ellie Lawrenson, aged five; Archie-Lee Hirst, an onus on the owners to take responsibility for their aged one; James Redhill, aged 78; Stephen Hudspeth, dogs. aged 33; Jaden Mack, aged three months; Andrew Walker, aged 21; John Paul Massey, aged four; Zumer Ahmed, aged 18 months; Barbara Williams, aged 52; Luciana Berger: I thank my hon. Friend for his Leslie Trotman, aged 83; Gloria Knowles, aged 71; intervention. He tells a story that I have heard too many Harry Harper, aged eight days; Jade Lomas-Anderson, times. When we talk about dog attacks, we have to talk aged 14; and Clifford Clarke, aged 79. I hope that the about responsible dog ownership. Lots of people say Government will remember those people when this Bill that they feel they may not have the skills or the is going through Parliament and consider what more expertise to best look after their pet, and that is one of can be done to prevent any other name being added to the things that the Government should seriously consider. that list. The example that my hon. Friend gave and the examples that have been cited by others illustrate why we need to Several hon. Members rose— give a range of powers to the police, local authorities and our fantastic dog wardens, who will prevent these Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. attacks from happening in the first place. I am seriously Before I call the next speaker, it might be helpful if I concerned that the Bill as it stands is far too weak. I inform Members that eight Members in the Chamber share the analysis of the Environment, Food and Rural have indicated that they want to speak. May I ask each Affairs Committee, which said that these plans are speaker to take no more than 10 minutes, which includes woefully inadequate. Where is the support for owners to interventions, because that will share out the time between provide them with the education they need to best look those still wishing to speak? after their pet? Where is there anything in this Bill that will properly prevent dog attacks, specifically, from happening in the first place? 8.17 pm I hope that the Home Secretary will listen again to Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) (Con): the many calls to include dog control notices in the Bill, The hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana because the wider, non-dog-specific community protection Berger) spoke very powerfully about emotive and clearly notices, criminal behaviour orders and crime prevention tragic cases. I am sure that all Members of the House injunctions that it will introduce do not cut it and will join her in paying tribute to the families of those take far too long to implement. A dog control notice victims. She is right that the dangerous dogs legislation would enforce muzzling a dog and keeping it on a lead introduced by a previous Government did not achieve wherever it is in a place to which the public have access, the desired outcomes; I think that most of us would and the owner and their dog having to attend and accept that. complete a training course if that is felt to be necessary. Perhaps counter-intuitively, therefore, I would like to It would ensure on-the-spot action before the behaviour pay tribute to a piece of legislation introduced by of the dog or the owner escalates. It would be a more Labour. The role of police community support officers immediate measure than the lengthy, bureaucratic processes in tackling antisocial behaviour has been much maligned that the Bill will introduce, which will take far too long over the years, and my party opposed the measure at the 103 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 104 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Stephen Barclay] Another area where significant time is being wasted and where cross-departmental work is suboptimal is time, yet when I look at the work of Aivaras Krochalev that of licensing. It may surprise the House to hear that and others PCSOs in my constituency who have done so an area such as Wisbech in my constituency has more much work, particularly with parts of the community licensed premises in the centre than a student area such where English is not the first language, it is clear that as Cambridge. Indeed, we are using existing powers on many of them have helped in freeing up officer time and the accumulated number of licensed premises in order delivering value for money on the front line rather than to try to effect change. It is clear that when the police sitting behind desks at headquarters. make representations, significant time is spent on compiling That is why I welcome the Home Secretary’s measures long reports that are then often ignored by local councils. in the Bill to strengthen some of the powers available to It would be beneficial for further work to be undertaken PCSOs. For example, it is illogical for a PCSO to be able by the Home Office and the Department for Communities to disperse a group from an area but unable to direct an and Local Government in order to look at police individual to leave it. The Bill is right to give senior representations and whether the time spent on cases officers discretion to tackle that. It is also illogical for involving licensing and antisocial behaviour in communities PCSOs to be able to fill out forms in those instances but is used as effectively as possible. not to issue them. The streamlining of some of the The Bill’s measures will be welcome only if they are powers that apply to PCSOs will free up police officer enforced. In our rush to legislate, one of the traps that time for doing the things that warrant officers should be we fall into in this place is that we suspect that just doing. introducing a Bill on antisocial behaviour will effect the change that we seek. It is clear that some of the existing Following that logic, I want to press the Minister to measures to tackle antisocial behaviour are not being consider extending PCSO powers to take on other enforced. For example, an illegal rave took place in my responsibilities. For example, a PCSO is able to seize constituency on new year’s eve. It may surprise the drugs, but not search for them. They can search for House to learn that the police were at the scene but— alcohol and tobacco, and if they happen to find drugs understandably, because of the numbers of people during the course of those searches they can confiscate present—took the view that it was not safe for them to them, but if they can smell cannabis they are not intervene at that point. However, even though the police allowed search for it; they have to divert the time of a were on site when the illegality took place, and even warranted officer instead. The feedback I receive from though the business owner took countless photos and senior officers is that that is not an effective use of the Home Secretary, no less, expressed her horror and police time. shock and desire for enforcement when I spoke to her Minor issues can also be annoying to officers. For about the case, I discovered last week, without the police example, a PCSO can issue a fixed penalty notice for having the courtesy to tell me, that after six months they cycling on a towpath—we do not have many towpaths had simply dropped the investigation. in my constituency, but I am sure that the hon. Member It is difficult for the community to understand exactly for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) finds that to be a useful what evidence the police need to tackle the crime given option—but they cannot issue one for cycling without that they were there as it happened. I welcome the Bill’s lights. There are a number of other similar areas; I cite antisocial behaviour measures, but I would be grateful if those two examples simply to illustrate my argument. If the Minister took up that issue up with the chief constable we follow the Bill’s logic and its welcome measures on, of Cambridgeshire and addressed why, in a case that for example, dispersal, we will see that PCSOs could involved more than £50,000-worth of damage on new take on more powers in tackling antisocial behaviour year’s eve and that caused concern to other business and that that would free up police officer time. owners, no enforcement action has been taken. Another issue that the Bill does not tackle is that of I am conscious of your diktat on time, Madam potential cross-departmental work to enforce antisocial Deputy Speaker, so with a minute remaining let me behaviour measures. Last year, there were an estimated finish on a positive note. Under the wonderful leadership 15,000 foreign vehicles on our roads. Once such vehicles of Inspector Sissons in Wisbech, we have launched are here for more than six months, they have to undergo Operation Pheasant, which has so far raided 80 houses an MOT and be insured and registered. It is illogical to of multiple occupation and has a number of live inquiries. assume that every single foreign vehicle on our roads It demonstrates what can be achieved when effective has complied with that requirement, yet last year there enforcement action is taken. That would not have happened was not a single prosecution of an unregistered foreign without the active support of the Home Secretary, vehicle. Part of the frustration felt by Cambridgeshire which, along with the Bill’s measures, will do much to police and others is that there seems to be intransigence tackle other cases of antisocial behaviour in the months on the part of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. and years ahead. It uses automatic registration recognition for stolen vehicles, but not in relation to the licensing of foreign 8.26 pm vehicles. That has a knock-on effect in community tension; some people feel that they have to insure and Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): It is a pleasure register their car while others do not. Clearly, discussions to follow the powerful speeches of my hon. Friend the need to be held between the Home Office and the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger) and . I would be grateful if the the hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire (Stephen Minister could write to me to confirm that he will take Barclay). on that cross-departmental work. From some of the The shadow Home Secretary, my right hon. Friend cases that I see at my constituency surgery, the issue is the Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford causing considerable annoyance. (Yvette Cooper), described the Bill as a Christmas tree 105 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 106 Policing Bill Policing Bill Bill. In keeping with the theme of Christmas, let me Finally, I turn to the horrific subject of forced marriage. start on a positive note and address one of the Bill’s The new criminal offences in the Bill are welcome. As good features—clause 134 on the new protection someone who thankfully has not encountered this issue arrangements for persons at risk. The Serious Organised through my casework and has only read about it, I fear Crime and Police Act 2005 states that specific groups of that one of the great problems is that we are dealing people, such as witnesses and jurors, are protected if with non-equal relationships and vulnerability. The work their safety is at risk from criminal conduct. The Bill of community groups, support networks and third-sector extends that further to anyone whose safety may be at groups is crucial. I worry about how justice is to be risk from another person’s possible or actual criminal obtained. Somebody who has been put in what must be conduct, meaning family members and others who will one of the most horrific situations will hardly just pick have close contact with that person. That is an extremely up the phone, dial 999 and say, “I’m sorry, I have a valuable addition. problem. I’m in a forced marriage.” Justice in this area I am rather more concerned about other aspects of will not come cheap. I fear the effect of the cuts to the Bill. The Home Secretary dismissed ASBOs a little women’s refuges, legal aid and especially legal aid too readily. She spoke of how they became a “badge of practitioners of particular ethnic and cultural backgrounds honour” to some people. I suspect that in three years’ in whom people are more likely to confide. time, we may be sitting here deliberating how CBOs and Will the staff who deal with those issues be back or CPIs have become badges of honour in certain quarters. front-office staff? At first, one thinks that they would To me, that is not the point. The point is that ASBOs have to be front-office staff. However, I asked that very worked successfully in many areas. It was only the question of the Home Office. I asked breach of them that was a criminal offence. That made “whether operators who respond to 999 emergency calls and 101 them very powerful. They were not and should not have non-emergency calls to the police are classified as front-line or been the only tool. back-office.” With the criminal behaviour order and the crime I was told by the Minister for Policing and Criminal prevention injunction, I am concerned that the police Justice: and local authorities must pay to pursue civil proceedings against the person. I worry that in these straitened times “As such, some of the activities involved in call handling and control room functions are considered to be ‘front-line’” the incentives may not be there to go ahead with the orders and injunctions in circumstances where the police but that or local authorities would otherwise have been necessitated “Some call handling and control room functions are considered to do so. in HMIC’s report as public facing ‘middle office’ roles.”—[Official There are long and large debates to be had about Report, 29 October 2012; Vol. 552, c. 72W.] CCTV, but we are living on planet Zog if we do not If we are not talking specifically about front-line police, recognise its importance in detecting crime around the I worry that the police who deal with people who are country. If CCTV is not used by the police and local reporting forced marriages may be extremely vulnerable authorities, we will see the proliferation of its use privately, to cuts. which is surely not something that we want. I am concerned This is a Christmas tree of a Bill; a Christmas tree that under the Bill it be more costly and difficult for the of suggestions. I hope, especially on the issue of gun police and local authorities to have CCTV. ownership and domestic violence, that the Minister will Thirdly, the shadow Home Secretary was right when respond. she spoke about community resolution, restorative justice and domestic violence. Although there are many instances of community resolution and restorative justice being 8.35 pm very powerful, we do not want the danger of a situation Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford) (Con): It is in which victims of domestic violence are coerced into a a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Clwyd South settlement being put in place, because time and again, (Susan Elan Jones). I recognise some of the points she that is not what happens. I urge the Government to raised, and her point about police commissioners and consider that. the so-called “independence tag” is one to which I am My right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester East rather sympathetic. (Keith Vaz) spoke of a register for police and crime commissioners. That is a very good idea, especially if it This has been a wide-ranging and interesting debate means that my police and crime commissioner registers thus far. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Liverpool, the fact that he is a Liberal Democrat, which he seemed Wavertree (Luciana Berger) for her comments on dangerous to forget to put on the ballot paper. dogs. As chairman of the Pet Advisory Committee, a More seriously, the point that the shadow Home group of companion animal welfare charities, I am Secretary made about firearms was absolutely right. sympathetic to the points she raised. I also pay tribute Although the proposals in the Bill are welcome, the to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Kris Home Secretary needs to do more to stop people with a Hopkins), who spoke powerfully on the issue of forced history of domestic violence owning a gun. I hope that marriage. the Government consider carefully who should have a It is welcome that the Opposition will not be voting gun licence. I say that as somebody who comes from against the Bill on Second Reading. I have listened to a rural constituency and who met two game shooters on their overall concerns, but it is good to take advice and Friday night and got on to this subject. Responsible gun support from one’s own police force. Kent police have ownership in rural areas is totally different from firearms supported the Bill’s broad approach, saying that the crime. We must have zero tolerance of it and the law streamlined and simplified toolkit approach to antisocial must be much stricter about the possibility of people behaviour is to be welcomed, particularly as it provides with a history of domestic violence owning a gun. a system that would enhance enforcement and make 107 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 108 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Tracey Crouch] I said we could use the Bill to come up with a compromise. By that, I meant that the injunctions in the information sharing among partners easier, so I feel it Bill could be used to impose positive requirements, as would be wrong of me to disagree with my own police well as prohibitions, on youngsters who are bullying, force. thereby providing an opportunity for professionals to I would like to concentrate on parts 1 to 5, in light of intercede and provide support, such as courses—provided comments on bullying made by the Home Secretary. by the likes of BeatBullying and others—and family She said: intervention, which is all part of the campaign around Ayden’s law. As the injunctions do not result in a “The Bill aims to diminish the extent to which honest and hard-working people are preyed on by criminals and by bullies criminal record, they give us an opportunity to state in who show no regard for the basic rules of civilised living.”—[Official the Bill that bullying could have legal consequences Report, 9 May 2013; Vol. 563, c. 168.] while still providing the opportunity for the bully to I am a signatory to the BeatBullying campaign to change their behaviour. introduce Ayden’s law. The campaign was established That would be a good compromise for those wary of by the families of 10 children who took their lives as a criminalising youngsters: people would have the opportunity result of bullying, the BeatBullying charity and The Sun to change their behaviour, but if they failed to do so, newspaper’s justice campaigner, Shy Keenan, who lost they could and should then enter the criminal justice her son Ayden to bullying. One aspect of the campaign system at a later stage. I recognise the issues associated is to try to get justice for victims through legislation. with the definition of bullying, but those could be There are other aspects, such as community protection worked through, particularly as we know that youngsters to provide support for victims and families, making sure are now being subjected to constant abuse, often over there is an interventionist approach to working with the social media. This is a real opportunity, then, and I perpetrators, providing support to local schools and would like to work with the Minister to take the matter communities to tackle bullying, and a compulsory support forward and potentially introduce amendments making programme aimed at parents who persistently bully and it clear that, as the Home Secretary said a few months intimidate others. ago in her opening remarks about the Bill, bullying is There is a concern, which I understand, about whether unacceptable in a civilised society. Ayden’s law would too quickly criminalise our youngsters. I want to make two further points. I am chair of the However, a compromise measure could be introduced all-party group on alcohol misuse, and as the Minister through some of the clauses already in the Bill. It is too will be aware, many of the representations sent to MPs easy to say that bullying should be dealt with at school, in advance of the Bill mentioned the cost of alcohol or that it is the responsibility of parents. Evidence misuse to our front-line services, particularly the time shows that the worst, most insidious cases of bullying the police spend dealing with people misusing alcohol take place not just at school, but on local transport, on our streets and in our town centres at weekends—and, social media, via text messages and in areas beyond the indeed, in domestic violence situations, as the hon. school gate. Member for Clwyd South (Susan Elan Jones) mentioned. We know that 44% of suicides committed by young The Bill is an opportunity, then, to strengthen the measures people in the UK are connected to bullying; that one and give the police the tools they need to tackle the in three of our children are victims of cyber-bullying; issue. I recognise that the Home Office is looking through that one in 13 experience persistent and intentional the alcohol strategy consultation and will, I hope, come cyber-bullying; that one in 20 have resorted to self-harm; forward with some proposals, but this Bill is potentially that 3% have reported a suicide attempt because of another opportunity for it to do so. bullying; and that 42% of children in secondary school The final issue I want to raise might sound a bit silly have been bullied. I have become interested in this issue compared with the other two, but it is something I feel because, as the House knows, I am still heavily involved passionately about. This Bill could have addressed the in girls’ football, and I speak regularly to teenage girls issue of bogus charity bags, which is a growing crime about their concerns—issues that they might not raise that we face in society. This is not just about the cost of with their parents, peers or school teachers—and one a bag of clothes; it is about giving people confidence of those is bullying in school. Sometimes they feel they that the clothes they put outside their houses for charity cannot speak to anybody about it or that, if they do, are being delivered to charity, and that they are not nothing will be done, so we should use the Bill to being taken advantage of by those intent on criminal strengthen the measures in place to tackle bullying. behaviour. Kent police has worked hard to deal with the I know that many are concerned about criminalising issue, partly because I have badgered it into submission. youngsters by introducing a new offence, but perhaps Kent police is keen to ensure that the county becomes we should look at other countries’ experiences. bogus bag-free and is using all the agencies, partly Unsurprisingly, Sweden led the way by introducing because it recognises that organised crime can lie behind legislation on bullying. It did not go as far as making it bogus charity bags, which quite often mask other criminal a criminal offence, but it made it illegal for a school not activities. The money raised goes into much more serious to act. Recently, South Africa and New Zealand have crimes. The police in my area feel that if they can nip introduced anti-bullying legislation, as too have 49 states that in the bud at an early stage, it will save them a lot in America. It is unsurprising that Sweden has led the more time and grief in the long run. way, because it has a world-renowned bullying expert That is some food for thought for the Minister. I hope whose research found that those who have been bullies he will consider adding other issues to the Bill. Bullying are 60% more likely to commit a crime by the age of 24. is a key part of that, but we also need a statement of Tackling this at a young age, then, could prevent people intent on alcohol misuse, and I would like much tougher from entering the criminal justice system later in life. action taken on bogus charity bag collectors. 109 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 110 Policing Bill Policing Bill 8.46 pm Union. They have already been introduced in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and they should be introduced Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): As you and the across the rest of the United Kingdom. Their existence House will be aware, Madam Deputy Speaker, my would provide a swift, flexible and proportionate way of constituent 14-year-old Jade Lomas Anderson was savaged dealing with irresponsible dog owners. They would act to death by four dogs on 26 March this year. She was as an early-warning system, enabling action to be taken staying overnight at her friend’s house as a special treat to promote responsible ownership rather than just for having such a glowing end-of-term report. We do prosecuting owners after a tragedy has taken place. not yet know what happened—indeed, we may never know, because Jade was the only person present—but I know from the answers given by Lord de Mauley what we do know is the current legislation is inadequate and the Home Secretary that the Government believe to deal with the aftermath of an attack on private that the measures in the Bill will have an equivalent property, or to prevent one from happening in the first effect, but I disagree. The most important measures that place. we need are early intervention mechanisms—preventive measures that can be put in place before an attack takes Jade’s mum and dad, Shirley and Michael Anderson, place. Simply to subsume the issue of dangerous dogs came to London last week to meet Lord de Mauley, a into the whole issue of antisocial behaviour will not Minister at the Department for Environment, Food and give it the priority it needs. Rural Affairs, and my right hon. Friend the shadow Home Secretary to urge them to take action to tackle This is not simply a matter of dealing with a dangerously dangerous dogs. I am sure the House will join me in out-of-control dog; it is about taking action before that commending Jade’s parents for their bravery in campaigning dog attacks. It is about looking at the warning signs, to change the law at this most difficult time. As they say, such as excessive barking or attacking other animals, Jade was a kind girl who would do anything to help and putting preventive measures in place. I cannot see other people, and she would want them to try to prevent how the Government’s proposals will trigger the appropriate any other families from suffering in the way they are professional response to such signs, allowing action to suffering. As Michael says, with 210,000 attacks each be taken to protect the community and improve the year, more than 6,000 people admitted to hospital, welfare of the dog. Michael Anderson believes that often with life-changing injuries, 12 postal workers attacked there should be a dedicated organisation in each local each day and 16 people killed since 2005, dog attacks authority area to deal with the issue of dogs, and that are reaching epidemic proportions. such a dedicated team would be able to address the issues Indeed, there have been three more attacks in Atherton of community safety and dog welfare. The Government’s in just the last week. The first one was not reported to proposals fall far short of meeting Michael’s ambitions. the police. The second involved Michael’s cousin, who I welcome the proposal to microchip all dogs, but has bruises and scratches from a Staffordshire bull many of my constituents do not believe that that goes terrier jumping up at her in an aggressive way when she far enough. They believe we should reintroduce effective was walking her dog in a park. She was lucky: her dog licences that would require owners to make a decision boyfriend was there to drive the dog away. The third about how many dogs they can own and care for. incident happened when two young men were attacked Microchipping would go part-way towards achieving in the street by another unaccompanied Staffie. Those that, but why not go the whole hog? If we do not, what attacks, like the other 400 or so that took place last penalties will there be for not microchipping a dog, or week, will not hit the national news and might not even for not registering a change of ownership or place of make their way into the local newspapers, but they residence if a dog is sold or given away when the owner illustrate the need to take holistic, robust action to moves home? protect people and other animals. I am pleased that the legislation will extend to assistance The proposal to extend the Dangerous Dogs Act dogs, but I am disappointed that it will not extend to all 1991 to cover attacks on private property is welcome, protected animals. I have already told the House about but there are fears that the Government’s proposal that the distress and expense caused to the ex-mayor of dangerous dogs be dealt with under community protection Blackrod when she lost two of her cats in a dog attack, notices will be inadequate. Indeed, the Environment, and about the ex-mayor of Westhoughton, whose dog Food and Rural Affairs Committee is still calling for dog was attacked when he was walking it on a lead. Let me control notices to be introduced. Such notices would also tell the House about a farmer who has signed my give the authorities the power to intervene if concern is petition on dangerous dogs. She heard a disturbance raised about a dog. They would be able to instruct the in one of her fields and went out to discover a dog owner to take a range of actions, which could include attacking her cattle. The dog started to come towards keeping the dog muzzled, keeping it on a lead, keeping her, when its owner came out from behind some bushes it away from children or having it castrated. The owner and called it off. She was deeply traumatised, faced a and the dog could be made to undertake training. I large vet’s bill and was unable to sleep for a week. We believe—although not everyone agrees with me—that know that some owners deliberately use other animals we should be able to order the owner to reduce the to make their dogs more vicious, but we also know that number of dogs in a household if that home is not attacks on protected animals can be a warning sign of a suitable for the number and size of dogs present. dog becoming dangerously out of control. I hope the As others have said, dog control notices are supported Government will amend the Bill to include attacks on by a wide range of organisations, including the Kennel protected animals. Club, the Dogs Trust, the Royal Society for the Prevention We also need to educate people about dogs, about the of Cruelty to Animals, the Royal College of Nursing, suitability of different breeds for their environment, the British Veterinary Association, Blue Cross, Battersea about how they behave around children and about how Dogs and Cats Home, and the Communication Workers much space and exercise they need. We need to educate 111 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 112 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Julie Hilling] Prorogation, so our views were not taken into account when clauses 98 and 99 were published. That is obviously, people not to leave any dog alone with young children, as I say, a matter of regret. no matter how small or placid it might normally be. We Like other right hon. and hon. Members, I would like need to educate children about dealing with dogs, about to take the opportunity to welcome the extension of the treating all dogs with respect and about understanding Bill to include attacks on private property, which I think their body language. We also need to educate children will address the issues raised by the hon. Members for and owners about the care and training of their pets. Bolton West and for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana We also need to deal with the issue of breeding dogs. Berger) who had two of the most tragic cases. It is Dog charities and local authorities are reporting an important to rehearse here that since 2007 nine people increase in the number of abandoned dogs, yet ordinary have died as a result of dog attacks, of which seven were people can breed five litters of puppies a year without children. The annual cost to the NHS of treating such needing a licence. The Bill does not touch on that issue, injuries is around £3 million. During my first ever but it does get rid of dog control orders, which give election campaign, I was bitten in a rather sensitive area local authorities specific powers relating to dog fouling, at the top of my thigh by a dog of immense good taste. keeping dogs on a lead or putting them on a lead when It went unreported because the dog was owned by a told to do so, excluding dogs from particular areas and Conservative supporter, and I was not going to take the limiting the number of dogs allowed in certain areas. matter any further. Some eight attacks on assistance I am told that the proposed legislation will allow for dogs and hundreds of livestock attacks happen each some of those powers, but I come back to my earlier month. As we know, a number of communications and point that subsuming dog legislation into a Bill that other workers are similarly attacked. covers antisocial behaviour, crime and policing will not We said in our previous report in February that the give the issue the priority it needs. As the Communication Government’s belated proposals for improvement were Workers Union has stated, the Government have missed woefully inadequate. The Bill’s proposals are welcome, the opportunity to consolidate all the necessary dog but we say that they are limited in scope and fall short control and welfare legislation into a specific dog control of providing a comprehensive and effective regime for Bill. tackling the increasing problem of out-of-control dogs. Many people have said that the real issue is not Strong measures to prevent attacks are conspicuously dangerous dogs but irresponsible owners. The Government absent. I shall talk in a moment about the dog control should take this opportunity to be tough on dangerous notices. dogs and tough on the causes of dangerous dogs. The What the hon. Member for Bolton West said earlier tragedy of Jade Lomas Anderson and all the other about the issue of resources must not go uncovered this victims is a testament to what happens when we do not evening. The administration of dog control notices in take an holistic approach to dog ownership and dangerous Scotland is immensely resource intensive; it is labour dogs. I urge the Government at least to amend the Bill intensive, and I think that the Government should do to include more specific clauses, and to take lessons some work on this issue in Committee before the Bill from the past and to introduce a dog control and returns to the House on Report. Other areas that are welfare Bill. resource intensive include dog control notices, the issue of stray dogs and dog welfare. 8.54 pm We welcome the extension of the provisions to deal Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): It is with attacks on private property, which was the one an honour to follow the hon. Member for Bolton West loophole that we thought should be covered. We welcome, (Julie Hilling). I congratulate her and pay tribute to her too, the extension to cover attacks on assistance dogs. for the work she has done following the tragedy of her We must recognise this evening, however, that the constituent, Jade Anderson. I was delighted to meet Government have wasted an opportunity to bring forward briefly Jade’s parents, Michael and Shirley, and I hope wider measures, giving a full and comprehensive review that this evening will bring some solace to them, as they of all the laws applying in one consolidated piece of see how widespread is the interest in the issue of legislation. irresponsible dog owners and dangerous dogs. The hon. Member for Bolton West regretted that the Our Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee legislation would not cover attacks on all protected has produced two reports that are relevant to this animals, and I would refer to livestock in that context. debate: the 7th report on “Dog Control and Welfare” Many Members will have received representations from and the Government response thereto; and, perhaps Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, which opposes breed- still more relevant, our 1st report on the “Draft Dangerous specific legislation and does not believe that clause 99 Dogs (Amendment) Bill”. I say in passing, if I may, that will offer the necessary solutions. It is also concerned it is a matter of regret to the Select Committee and to about the replacement of dog control notices with public those who submitted either oral or written evidence to spaces protection orders. our pre-legislative scrutiny that the Government published I hope that the Minister will give a little more substance the Bill, particularly clauses 98 and 99, before we were to what was said by the Home Secretary. She listed the able to publish our pre-legislative scrutiny. Normally, six powers provided by the Bill, including the public Select Committees meet at any time, including in the protection order, the community protection order and recess, but the one time when we are prohibited from the dispersal power, but I remain to be convinced that meeting is during Prorogation. I pay tribute to those any sort of order will be specific enough. The evidence who sit with me, serving on the Committee, particularly given to the Committee was very persuasive, suggesting those who helped us draft the reports and the witnesses that dog control notices are working effectively in Scotland, who were able to respect a very tight timetable. and I think that it behoves the Government to explain Unfortunately, we were unable to draft the report before to the House why they have rejected them. Control 113 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 114 Policing Bill Policing Bill notices are very specific, relating to specific dogs in It has also been a great privilege to hear some of specific areas, and I agree with the hon. Member for the contributions by hon. Members on both sides Bolton West and others that their retention might prevent of the House. I would like to mention in particular the future tragedies. If a dog appears to be out of control, contributions by my hon. Friends the Members for we need to be able to bear down on its irresponsible Bolton West (Julie Hilling) and for Liverpool, Wavertree owner. A dog will only behave as it has been taught to (Luciana Berger), who spoke with real insight and passion behave. on behalf of the people in their constituencies who have I disagree with the hon. Lady on just one issue. When tragically lost family members. There are so many such dog licences existed, only 50% of owners bothered to instances. purchase them. I fear that responsible owners will microchip May I briefly turn to a separate issue? It relates to their dogs but irresponsible owners will not, and that chapter 2, clauses 55 to 68. Although I have no pecuniary there will continue to be a drain on charities for that interest and no financial remittance whatever, I declare simple reason. that I am the chairman of Glamorgan Area Ramblers The Communication Workers Union considers part 7 and a vice-president of Ramblers Cymru. There are to be a missed opportunity, believing that many of its some concerns. The approach is well intended and workers need stronger protection. I urge the Minister to builds on what has been done to restrict gate access to be honest with the House—I am sure that he will be paths. The issue is getting the balance right. People have nothing other than honest; that was a bad word to use. I had a legitimate right to use those paths and public urge him to be fulsome in explaining to the House in areas over many years and they should be heard, too. more detail why the Government have rejected dog There is some concern, based on the track record of control notices. As I have said, we have been persuaded similar measures, that sometimes local communities that they are working well in part of the United Kingdom. have felt bypassed in that process. We must ensure that, While we accept most of the Bill’s provisions, we in tackling antisocial behaviour—it is often an issue reserve our right, as a Select Committee, to table with some of these dark, narrow alleys as sometimes the amendments on Report if, having conducted pre-legislative entrances and egresses are used for criminal behaviour— scrutiny, we remain dissatisfied. The draft Bill is welcome there is proper community consultation, including as far as it goes in extending provision to attacks made with those who may say, “Let us get to the causes of the by dangerous dogs anywhere, but we have expressed our problem, rather than deal with the symptoms and simply reservations about the extent of the “householder case”, gate off the path.” and I hope that the Minister will elaborate on that in his On dog law reform and the Bill’s measures to tackle response. We would also welcome clarification of both irresponsible owners, it has taken three years. My appeal the definition of an “assistance dog”and the new provisions to the Government, as a former Minister who took relating to “fit and proper” dog owners. great pains to work on a cross-party basis to improve Bills, is that we should please take the opportunity to We are disappointed that the Government have not get the legislation right. I refer in particular to the issue taken account of the benefits to the public of meeting of dog control notices. I have not yet heard—it is for the the expectations that the hon. Lady said had been Government to provide this—compelling reasons why raised, and the benefits to law enforcers of consolidating dog control notices are not appropriate. They are backed the myriad legislative measures on dog control and by many of the 30 organisations, including the police, breeding. There have been many newspaper reports of the Royal College of Nursing, Battersea Dogs and Cats attacks by dogs on other animals—not just other dogs Home and the Royal Society for the Prevention of but, in particular, horses—which are a real problem in Cruelty to Animals, which still maintain that a purposeful, the countryside. While we appreciate DEFRA’s concern direct and discrete measure is needed in the Bill specifically about the need to retain remedies in both statute and to deal with dog control. There are at least two reasons common law, we are not convinced that consolidation for that. The first is to do with early intervention and would lead to a diminution of the range of legal options getting, as my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton West available. I believe that the bulk of the evidence given to said, to the root of the problem before an attack takes the Committee demonstrated that a single unified Act place. That should happen when an animal displays would provide a clear and holistic set of measures for certain behavioural traits, when a social worker, postal those who are given the task of enforcing dog legislation. worker or member of the family has said, “There are The Minister has his work cut out for him, and we real issues with this animal—something should be done.” shall monitor him very closely indeed. Something could also be done early on with the owner of the animal. I am waiting to hear a strong argument 9.4 pm from the Minister as to why the Government have taken Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): As always, it is that position on dog control notices. The Secretary of a great privilege to follow the hon. Member for Thirsk State did nothing to dispel my concerns and those and Malton (Miss McIntosh), who chairs the Select of many others. Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I Already there have been two fatalities this year. There am tempted to use youth parlance and say, “What they have been 17 fatalities since 2005. My hon. Friend the said in their report” and then sit down, but it is worth Member for Liverpool, Wavertree mentioned many of recording that, although some of these measures are those tragic cases. There are nearly 250,000 attacks welcome, they are broadly described in the EFRA every year. Every local authority faces hundreds of Committee report as woefully inadequate and belated. thousands of pounds of costs to kennel the dogs. The That sums up where many of the organisations that Metropolitan police and West Midlands police face have campaigned long and hard for dog control measures millions of pounds of costs every year. Thousands of feel we have got to. They welcome the Bill being introduced work days are lost—not only for postal workers but but they feel that it is not there yet. home workers. That has financial costs, too. 115 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 116 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Huw Irranca-Davies] The Minister must think very hard about how to proceed, and I ask him to go forward with an open We support the Government’s move to extend to mind. We have heard the arguments about why we private property the ability to prosecute. Let us get the should not go forward, and they have not persuaded the balance right in terms of trespassers, but that move organisations I have mentioned, including the police. If is welcome. It is right to encompass assistance dogs there is an issue of resources and the Government are within the proposals and we support any measure to worried that the moment they say, “Dog control notice,” do that. In so doing, however, I hope we debate in there will be a carry-on of resources down to local Committee the aspects that the Chair of the EFRA authorities, charitable bodies and so forth, let us put Committee touched on relating to equines, bovines, that up front and talk about how it can be overcome. cattle and sheep in the fields. Following a freedom of However, we should not simply package this in with the information request, some fantastic analysis was done wider generic package of measures that may or may not by the Farmers Guardian. Many others have campaigned be effective, when the police and others are looking to on the issue. They have identified that there has been a deal with the myriad problems to do with antisocial rise in the number of attacks on farmyard stock: from behaviour and community safety. Our worry is that dog 691 in 2011 to 739 in 2012. Individual owners must take control and dealing with irresponsible owners will again responsibility. My family is involved in upland sheep not be the top priority, as has so often been the case in farming, and we have had to take direct action when the past. dogs have been attacking sheep on the hills. There must I urge the Minister to keep an open mind; I urge him also be some comeback on owners who leave their dogs to listen to the Committee and to be open to changing out to run wild in the fields or let them off the leash. I his mind as the Bill progresses. That is all I ask. That is hope that such a measure will feature, and measures on what makes for a good, listening Government and attacks on protected animals ought to be considered, Executive, and he has heard from both sides of the too. House tonight that that is what we are looking for. Good briefings on dog control notices have been produced by Blue Cross, the Royal Society for the 9.14 pm Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Communication Workers Union and many other organisations. They Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con): criticise the Bill because they see the four different measures It is an enormous pleasure to follow the hon. Member proposed in it as adding considerable administration for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies), who made an incredibly and bureaucracy—I wait to be disabused of that notion powerful speech. I know the Opposition Front-Bench by the Minister in his closing remarks, or perhaps in team have kindly indicated that it does not intend to Committee—as opposed to being flexible, light-touch press the House to a Division, so part of my task tonight measures that can facilitate early intervention before an is, perhaps, not to detain us all for too long. attack takes place. Crime prevention injunctions and I will speak principally about those parts of this Bill, criminal behaviour orders, for example, both require which I support, that address the question of forced court hearings if requirements are imposed, and there marriage. Before I do so, however, I want my hon. must be someone responsible for supervising compliance Friend the Minister to know that I have listened very with the requirements, evidence must be given to the carefully to many of the contributions to this debate, court, and if the person is under 18, the applicant must and he has a problem. He has a real problem with the consult the local youth offending team. measures that are supposed to deal with the difficulties When a social worker goes into a house and they have caused by dogs. We have heard incredibly powerful been told by an RSPCA officer, “The last time we were contributions from the hon. Member for Liverpool, in there, we had a bit of a problem with the dog, so Wavertree (Luciana Berger) in particular, the hon. Member watch out,” and the dog displays the same behaviour or for Bolton West (Julie Hilling) and my hon. Friend the the owner riles the dog or is clearly mistreating the dog, Member for Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh). She that is when those steps should be taken, and quickly, made it clear to the Minister—I hope he is listening—that without having to go through a lengthy bureaucratic he needs to tell the House why the Government do not procedure. What we need are bespoke dog control notices, think that the measures that have almost universal instead of a generic approach. The Environment, Food support on both sides of the House, other than from the and Rural Affairs Committee is very firm on that, as are Front Benchers, and that are in place north of the many outside organisations. The Minister will have to border should not be included in the Bill. I understand work very hard in Committee if he wants to persuade us the desire not to have a smorgasbord of measures otherwise. dealing with antisocial behaviour, but we are talking DCNs can work. There is a parallel, and it is not only about a specific problem, to which a specific solution provided by Scotland. There are provisions under the exists in Scotland and which, from the contributions I Animal Welfare Act 2006 for what are called IS87s have heard this afternoon, is effective. He will need to issued by the RSPCA, and we should look at their make it clear to the House, although not necessarily compliance rate. These are very flexible and easy to use. tonight as we are not going to divide, but certainly Last year 10,728 IS87s were issued, and the level of in Committee, and subsequently, precisely why the compliance was 93%. They do work, therefore; they Government are not in favour of introducing those offer a much lighter touch and are much more effective. measures. If we look back to previous years, we see that the As I have said, and as my hon. Friend the Member compliance rates were 97%, 94%, 96% and 97%. I for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch) said, this is therefore say to the Minister that there is an alternative a wide-ranging Bill that deals with a large number of way forward, based on the DCN approach, which we things. My hon. Friend the Member for North East can already see works under a slightly different mechanism. Cambridgeshire (Stephen Barclay) referred to the problem 117 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 118 Policing Bill Policing Bill of illegal raves in his constituency. I have to tell the responses to the Government’s consultation indicated House that my constituency is not too distant from that there might be some downsides to criminalising Cambridgeshire, despite what we feel may be frequently such behaviour, we ought to be absolutely clear that this thought in the corridors of Whitehall, and it has the is not acceptable behaviour in our society, and if it is same problem. I was speaking only last week to some of not acceptable behaviour in our society, it ought to be a my local farmers who have encountered it. Anybody crime in England and Wales, as it is in Scotland. Of who has seen the aftermath of one of these illegal raves course, other criminal offences may be committed during knows that we need to have in place the measures the course of forcing someone to contract a marriage, necessary to deal with that problem. In addition to but they may not be, or they may be so serious that dealing with the questions about dogs that have been there is a reluctance on the part of the vulnerable put to him by other hon. Members, one thing that I person affected to instigate a complaint or a prosecution. want to hear from the Minister when he winds up the The second problem with having only a civil law debate is that the measures in the Bill will deal effectively system of dealing with forced marriage is that it led to a with the problem of illegal raves. lack of awareness on the part of professionals, certainly As I said at the outset, the principal issue to which I in 2011 when the Select Committee on Home Affairs wish to address my comments is that of forced marriage reported on what precisely could be done, as a matter because I know that the forced marriage provisions in of law, when a young person found themselves in this the Bill have support from those on both sides of the position. The follow-on point is that once a forced House. However, it is important to record precisely the marriage protection order of some description had problem with which the Bill needs to grapple and for been obtained, as far as many professionals were concerned the Minister to make it clear to the House that it will do that was the end of the problem, but of course it is not that. I say that conscious, of course, that my hon. necessarily the end of the problem; it is important to see Friend the Member for Keighley (Kris Hopkins) made that the order and its provisions are enforced. an extremely powerful speech, touching on the measures The third problem was that in the absence of criminality, in part 9 of the Bill, which it would be difficult to follow. there was a lack of effective protection, or a lack of an Let me begin by identifying what the problem is, effective penalty, although of course people were put because this issue is hidden from the vast majority of into custody for breach of orders made by the courts. Members of this House and our constituents. Every The deterrent effect of having only civil law remedies, year, thousands of people—principally the young and, which were difficult to enforce and rarely enforced, was therefore, vulnerable—are affected by it. We are talking therefore lessened. about more than 1,000, based on the statistics we have It is important to get this point across: none of this is from the forced marriage unit, and I pay tribute to the to attack legitimate arranged marriages, which my hon. previous Government for supporting it when it was set Friend the Member for Reading West (Alok Sharma) up in 2005. We know from the research that has been referred to in an intervention on the Home Secretary. conducted and from anecdotal evidence that the 1,000-plus None of it has anything to do with proper arranged people who contact the unit every year are simply the marriages, or interferes with the customs or culture of tip of the iceberg. We do not know quite how many minority communities in this country. I understand that young men and women are affected, but they deserve the original decision by the previous Administration the protection of the law and they have not had it south not to criminalise forced marriage south of the border of the border in the way that Scotland has enacted it. may well have been based on a desire not to be seen to It is therefore right that we welcome the measures in target minority communities. Nobody wants to target part 9 of the Bill, which address, for the first time, the minority communities, or to attack their culture or criminal nature of forcing people to contract a marriage customs, but I have to tell the Opposition Front Benchers where one, or both, of them does not wish to do so. This that, given the problem of forced marriage, that was an intervention that the law requires to be made comes not error—an error that this Government propose to rectify, just in the context of young and vulnerable adults; in with cross-party support, in part 9 of the Bill. That is the vast majority of cases they are being forced into the very much to be welcomed, as is the entirety of the Bill, situation not only by the people they love, but by the subject to the points that I have made, which the Minister people who are supposed to be looking after them, will need to deal with, about dangerous dogs. If we were caring for them and ensuring that their transition from dividing on Second Reading, which we are not, I would childhood to adulthood proceeds smoothly and in a of course give the Bill my support. way that makes them useful, valuable and happy members of our society. 9.22 pm As I say, the measures in the Bill are to be welcomed. The difficulty with the existing law, for which the previous Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): I Administration are to be criticised, is that the system to am delighted to follow my hon. and learned Friend the protect those who find themselves confronted with this Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Stephen problem contained in the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Phillips), who gave us some very interesting information Act 2007 was simply to have in place civil law measures, about forced marriage that I was not fully aware of, so which, in effect, led to an order or series of orders I thank him for that. I realise that we are a bit short of against those who might force people into marriage. time, but I am grateful for a few short minutes— The first problem with that—a point that the previous Government failed to listen to—was that it sent out Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I completely the wrong message. Forcing someone into would not like the hon. Lady to feel that she has to marriage is not only not desirable; given the context in curtail her comments. She has approximately 10 minutes which it occurs, it ought to be a crime. Although some in which to make her speech, as did everyone else. 119 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 120 Policing Bill Policing Bill Andrea Leadsom: I am now even more grateful. Thank So much of the cost to our society of antisocial you,MadamDeputySpeaker.Ishallnotspeakat90mph, behaviour could be slashed if we focused our efforts on then. I want to take a few minutes of the Chamber’s turning around the fate of these individuals in the time, because the Bill is a superb opportunity to break perinatal period. Supporting families that are struggling generational cycles of antisocial behaviour. I am changing to form a secure bond, via parent-infant psychotherapy, the subject from forced marriage to how we can, through family-nurse partnership, better antenatal assessment early prevention measures, stop today’s babies becoming of maternal mental health, better training for health tomorrow’s ASBO kids. The Bill rightly puts victims at visitors and family workers, and more joined-up working the heart of our response to antisocial behaviour. However, by midwives, health visitors and children’s centres, would a key part of the background to bringing in this legislation all contribute to a better society. Such changes are was the Government’s clear determination to focus on cheap compared with the cost of social breakdown. long-term solutions to antisocial behaviour. Preventing just one in 10 young offenders from entering In the May 2012 White Paper it was clear that the custody would save £100 million per year. Just one adult underlying issues driving antisocial behaviour, most notably inmate costs the taxpayer around £112 a day, and a mental health issues and troubled family backgrounds, child in care costs over £300 a day. I am afraid that too should be addressed through this piece of legislation. much of this Bill attempts to sort out problems once Not only that , but during pre-legislative scrutiny early they have set in. This is the position we have got intervention was identified as a crucial part of changing ourselves into as a society. The cost of dealing with it is the route to antisocial behaviour, so I hope that the new vast, and reoffending rates are very high, so I urge the clauses I will be submitting will help the Government to Government to take the opportunity provided by the make even more progress in getting rid of the appalling Bill to overhaul the way we deal with antisocial behaviour. blight of antisocial behaviour. Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Will my hon. Friend I want to outline why getting it right in the early stage quickly outline what real, practical measures could of life could be the single biggest challenge of the be taken to help families in this situation, including, 21st century. I am aware that I have touched on this I presume, taking the child away if necessary? subject many times in the Chamber, and thankfully I feel I am beginning to convince colleagues of its merit, Andrea Leadsom: I have certainly mentioned some of but I want to touch again on what early attachment the specific measures. One of the big problems at the actually is. As babies we are only sensory beings. When moment, which the Children and Families Bill seeks to we cry, we do not know what is wrong—that we are wet, address—I was delighted to be part of its Bill Committee hot, cold, tired, hungry or bored. We just know that —is the need to speed up proceedings when children something is wrong. Babies rely on an adult caregiver to need to be taken away. All too often, when there are meet their needs, to soothe them, and ultimately to help doubts about whether a baby can stay with the birth them learn that the world is a good place. parents, social workers find it difficult to make that In the first year of life, the baby’s brain will form a final decision, so the baby is repeatedly passed into and million neural connections per second. Most of us out of care. Very often, the toddler can be three or even receive good enough care from good enough parents, so older before a final decision is taken. They can be passed our brain connections will develop into a healthy pre-frontal backwards and forwards, with profound and detrimental cortex, and we will become emotionally resilient adults, consequences for their early brain development. making a positive contribution to society. However, for That is at the very sharpest end where there are real the baby who is neglected or abused, the development doubts and concerns about that child’s ability to stay of the brain will literally be stunted. Not only that, but with their birth parents. In the less terrible cases, perhaps the constantly raised level of the stress hormone cortisol, mum has suffered desperately from post-natal depression, as a result of the baby being left to scream himself into perhaps she has had previous children taken away, exhaustion day after day, will lead to a significantly perhaps she has a violent boyfriend, husband or partner greater risk that they will suffer poor physical and at home who is causing her great difficulty in being able mental health outcomes, and crucially in relation to to form that secure bond with her baby. There, clearly, today’s debate, that they will develop a high pre-disposition we need to be providing talking therapies, not drugs. All to high risk-taking behaviour, such as violence, substance too often, when a mum presents with post-natal depression abuse and criminality. to a GP, she will be offered antidepressants, which will I want to see early intervention clauses in the Bill mean that she cannot breastfeed and she becomes because quite simply, what happens to the infant before something like a zombie, unable to form that vital the age of two has a profound effect on their later secure bond. That has profound consequences for her ability to contribute to society. Let me give three quick infant, as I have outlined. examples. First, violent criminals are shown to have a I urge the Government to take the opportunity provided high level of tolerance to their own stress levels. Secondly, by the Bill to overhaul the way we deal with antisocial there is a study of long-term prison inmates that suggests behaviour, and to put far greater emphasis on prevention. that they have attachment problems stemming back to Prevention is not only cheaper but much kinder than babyhood. Thirdly, the dramatic increase in recent years cure. of the incidence of hyperkinetic syndrome in children points to the increasing prevalence of insecure attachment. 9.31 pm A lack of secure attachment to a loving adult in babyhood will lead to a lack of social capacity in adulthood. All Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): I welcome the fact too often, unloved or neglected babies go on to have no that we have had a wide-ranging debate. There have real sense of responsibility or code of conduct, and they been some significant and moving contributions from struggle to empathise with other people. Members from both sides of the House. There has been 121 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 122 Policing Bill Policing Bill a great deal of consensus on some aspects of the Bill. We will examine the clauses on victims’ services. We As my right hon. Friend the Member for Normanton, do not want to vote against them at this stage, but we Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) and, on have concerns about their fragmentation through behalf of the Home Affairs Committee, my right hon. commissioning by police commissioners and want to Friend the Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) have know what the relationship will be with national said, there is much in the Bill that the Opposition commissioning. We will test those concerns accordingly support, which leads us not to oppose its Second Reading. in Committee, as we will for the witness protection There are many issues on which we find a good resonance measures in clause 134, which were mentioned and with the Government’s proposals, in what I accept is a supported by my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd Christmas tree Bill. It has many important aspects South (Susan Elan Jones). They seem to be sensible which will have our support. measures that deal with some wider issues. I fully support the new criminal offence for possessing A number of issues raised in the debate will be looked a firearm with intent to supply. In my last few months at closely in Committee. I was particularly impressed by as the Policing Minister, I visited the firearms centre in the remarks the hon. Member for Keighley (Kris Hopkins) the west midlands and was lobbied hard on that very made on sexual exploitation, and indeed by the Home issue. A gun can turn up in offence after offence because Secretary’s generous intervention, when she said that it is for hire. We want to consider some further issues she would look at discussing in Committee the role of concerning domestic violence and owning a firearm, hotels and guest houses. Again, we will have an opportunity but we will accept and support that measure. to test that. The points made by the hon. Member for We support provisions on the new College of Policing. Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch) on bullying Like my right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester were well made, and the cross-party discussions we have East, we want to look at governance, composition and had tonight show that there is a potential consensus on diversity, but in principle we support the power to issue really scrutinising those matters in Committee. regulations. I will also seek to scrutinise in detail the pay Early intervention, which was mentioned by the hon. and negotiation proposals, but in principle we will give Members for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) and for South them a fair wind, and test some of the issues in Committee. Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom), is extremely It will come as no surprise that we support extending important. If there are constructive suggestions, the the powers of the Independent Police Complaints Opposition will look at them, because we recognised Commission to oversight of private staff employed by when in government that early intervention is key to police forces. My right hon. Friend the shadow Secretary preventing future poor behaviour. That support can of State raised that issue before the Bill was published, be mirrored in a number of ways, and that is what we and we will want to consider constructively in Committee will do. how to respond to IPCC recommendations and its role. My hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool South The measures on forced marriage have cross-party (Mr Marsden) mentioned knife possession and the support. I was pleased to hear the hon. and learned experience in Blackpool. I had some sympathy with the Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Stephen hon. Member for Witham (Priti Patel) when she mentioned Phillips) give his voluble support to those proposals. Travellers, litter and responsibility. That has had an The law should be strengthened to build on the work impact in my constituency, which is a tourist area, and done to stop forced marriage, and we will build on we will happily look at that in Committee. positive measures by the previous Government, although There remain two main areas where there was the I accept that there are issues that can be reflected on potential for consensus, but not necessarily with now, which will help to ensure that we have fairness and Government Front Benchers. The first relates to the protection of individuals while still respecting traditions question of how we deal with legislation on dogs and in our communities. dog control issues. The RSPCA, ACPO, the CWU, We will certainly support measures giving immigration Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the Dogs Trust and the officers stop-and-search powers, which I think is reasonable, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, under particularly given the nature of terrorism that we have the chairmanship of the hon. Member for Thirsk and at the moment. We support the principle of community Malton (Miss McIntosh), have all suggested that the remedy under clause 93, but again we will want to test measures in the Bill are not sufficient for meeting the that to a good degree in Committee. We strongly believe challenges of the problem. that restorative justice and community resolutions should be used when dealing with antisocial behaviour, but we Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): The shadow Minister need greater clarity about what that means, not just a will be well aware of Northern Ireland’s dangerous dogs list of actions that authorities could take, which the Bill legislation, which is referred to as five-star because of gives at the moment. We need more definition. I hope the steps that have been taken. Does he feel that it is that we can explore those issues constructively in Committee. perhaps not too late for the Government to consider I am also pleased to look at the powers of police that legislation as the method for trying to control dogs community support officers. I pay tribute to the hon. here in England, by making the Bill more specific, Member for North East Cambridgeshire (Stephen Barclay) rather than generic, as it is now? for his constructive and helpful remarks. He—dare I say it—reached out to Opposition Members with his support Mr Hanson: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that for previous policies. For that I am grateful, because it intervention. The model in Northern Ireland could does not happen all that often. We will certainly look at certainly be considered, as it has much merit. those issues constructively and work with him, if he I think that the Minister needs to reflect on the happens to be a member of the Public Bill Committee, matter, because as the hon. and learned Member for to look at how we can form a consensus. Sleaford and North Hykeham said, he will face some 123 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 124 Policing Bill Policing Bill [Mr Hanson] Sadly, I will end on a partisan note. The weakening of the provisions on DNA, the reduction in CCTV, the challenges in Committee on those issues. The RSPCA, reduction in police numbers and the cuts in the community the CWU, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the Dogs safety budget show that this Government are not tackling Trust and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour in a way that Committee have all raised concerns and suggested that will increase confidence within our communities. we need to look at some further matters, so I think that the Minister needs to come to Committee prepared to Dr Huppert: The right hon. Gentleman listed a number deal with those concerns. I say that not least because of of things that the Labour Government introduced that the cases we have heard about today. My hon. Friend some would see as rather authoritarian. Is he really the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger) bemoaning the fact that this Government do not, for mentioned John Paul Massey and the recent case of example, intend that the DNA of innocent people should Clifford Clarke. My hon. Friend the Member for Bolton be kept? West (Julie Hilling) mentioned the death of Jade Lomas- Anderson. Last week I had the privilege of meeting her Mr Hanson: From memory, about 25,000 such people— determined parents with my right hon. Friend the Member according to Home Office modelling, not mine—could for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford. go on to commit further offences. We had a very full My hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca- debate on this issue and we lost the arguments. Ultimately, Davies), who over many months and years has given much I believe that the measures that Labour put in place in time to this issue, raised dog control notices. When the government on DNA, CCTV,antisocial behaviour orders, RSPCA says that community investment and policing helped to reduce “This is a missed opportunity and we cannot understand why crime and will continue to help to reduce it still further. the Government has ignored the majority of the public, politicians This is not a bad Bill and we will not oppose it this and organisations”, evening, but it is a weak Bill: it weakens the potential we clearly have an issue to which we should return. Not for communities to receive strong support to tackle one voice from the Government or Opposition Back antisocial behaviour and it does not do what it could Benches opposed those views during this debate. In have done on dogs. We welcome and support some of February, the EFRA Committee said that the proposals its measures, but we will test them in Committee. We were “woefully inadequate”. I am sorry that the will ensure that the Bill receives its Second Reading Government produced this Bill prior to receiving the tonight so that we can address those issues. I hope that Committee’s comments. the Minister will listen not just to the Opposition, but to During our discussions today, a powerful case has Members on his side of the House. been made for considering measures on dangerous dogs. The Bill is far too weak on this immensely serious issue. 9.45 pm For example, local authorities would be allowed to prevent dogs from entering a playground but could not The Minister of State, Home Department (Mr Jeremy ban them from streets and shopping areas. There are Browne): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the anomalies that we need to test and look at in detail. opportunity to conclude this thoughtful and extensive Dog control notices could ensure muzzling of dogs in debate. I am grateful to the right hon. Member for places which the public access, the neutering of dogs, Delyn (Mr Hanson) for his largely thoughtful speech, and the owner and dog having to attend and complete although it was slightly diminished by his failure to training courses. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home says: acknowledge that this Government are presiding over the lowest level of crime since the independent survey “We are looking for the Government to introduce Dog Control Notices which will do more to provide for early intervention and began more than 30 years ago. That is a painful truth, prevention.” but those of us who put the interests of our constituents I hope that the Government will listen to the voices before party political debating points are proud of it. across the Chamber that have asked for that. This has been a wide-ranging debate. Some contributions The other big issue is antisocial behaviour orders. centred on parts of the Bill that have not been widely Opposition Members expressed the concern—I admit commented on, and there were some constructive ideas that it was potentially more partisan—that the lack of from my hon. Friend the Member for North East criminal sanction is an error that weakens the Government’s Cambridgeshire (Stephen Barclay) about police community proposals and means that antisocial behaviour will not support officers and from my hon. Friend the Member be tackled as effectively in future. We will test that in for South Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom) about Committee and table amendments accordingly. My hon. early intervention. Friend the Member for Blackpool South and other hon. Large parts of the Bill are broadly popular across the Friends stressed that that lack of criminal sanction is House. For example, the right hon. Member for Delyn key to the effectiveness or otherwise of antisocial behaviour touched on provisions relating to the College of Policing orders. The community trigger may not be effective in and the Independent Police Complaints Commission, this context. Three complainants are needed before a and we will have an opportunity to study those in complaint will even begin to be taken seriously, and that greater detail in Committee. He also welcomed the needs further review. Coupled with that, we have cuts in proposal, which I think is popular across the House, to the community safety budget, cuts in police numbers make possession of a firearm with intent to supply a and, even after a heckle by the hon. Member for Cambridge, criminal offence. Of course, this country has some of a lack of commitment to CCTV cameras to provide the toughest controls in the world on firearm ownership, really good support to policing in our communities.. but we are considering how guidance can be strengthened That shows that there is the potential for a weakening of further to take account of some of the concerns that powers. have been raised by hon. Members. 125 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 126 Policing Bill Policing Bill I was also pleased to hear widespread support—including of the public. There are also positive requirements in from the hon. Member for Clwyd South (Susan Elan the Bill. As well as having measures to punish people Jones) and my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley and restrict their behaviour, we want to enable them (Kris Hopkins), who made a forceful, emotional and to address and correct their behaviour. We want to see articulate speech—for the Government’s new proposal how those positive requirements can be used effectively. to criminalise forced marriage. Members were right to That was touched on imaginatively by my hon. Friend draw the distinction between arranged marriage, which the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch). involves the consent of both parties, and forced marriage, We will certainly consider with her and the Department where mainly young women or girls, but sometimes—in for Education what steps can be taken in the Bill or about one in five cases—young men, are coerced into elsewhere to advance the points she raised. marital arrangements completely against their will. This The community trigger and the community remedy is a difficult and sensitive issue, because they are usually are important aspects of the Bill. The community trigger coerced by their parents or another close family member, is designed to help persistent victims of antisocial behaviour. so nobody underestimates the difficulties faced by the Often, a single incident is not devastating for an Government, the Home Office and the Foreign Office individual—although it could be—but the cumulative in bearing down on this practice. We believe that impact of incidents night after night or week after week criminalising forced marriage is the right step to take. It does have a severe impact. The community trigger will sends a powerful signal, and I think it is in tune with the ensure that there is a backstop in place so that there mood of the country. I believe there is broad consent on comes a point, sooner rather than later, when the authorities those measures across the House. are obliged to act. Ideally, we would want the authorities About 90% of the contributions over the past four to act immediately, but they will not be allowed to let a hours or so of debate have focused on antisocial behaviour, situation drag on. So that there is no misunderstanding, which is central to the Bill, and dogs. Let me talk about I should make it clear that the requirement in the Bill those two issues in turn. I am sure that every Member that at least three complaints have been made is a of the House who conducts regular surgeries for their maximum threshold, not a minimum threshold. constituents or who talks to their constituents more I am pleased with the broad welcome the measures informally about their concerns recognises the importance have received, including from the Chair of the Home that the public attach to the issue of antisocial behaviour. Affairs Committee, the right hon. Member for Leicester My constituency is by no means an inner-city area with East (Keith Vaz), and my hon. Friends the Members for high levels of crime, but antisocial behaviour is the issue Cambridge (Dr Huppert) and for Witham (Priti Patel) most often raised spontaneously when I ask my constituents and others. which of their concerns ranks highest. The shadow Home Secretary described the Bill as a Antisocial behaviour blights people’s lives and can Christmas tree Bill, and suggested some extra baubles cause profound misery.Even though some of the behaviour she wished to hang on to what she had already described does not sound of huge consequence in the grand as a cluttered Bill. It was perhaps surprising to some scheme of things—such as late-night noise, neighbours Members that Labour seems to have set itself against behaving aggressively or people ringing doorbells and having streamlined, effective, new antisocial behaviour running away late at night or early in the morning—it powers. Instead, we have the normal, lazy, endless checklist can cause great fear and unhappiness. The cumulative of unfunded spending commitments. The shadow Home effect of that behaviour can be profound. Secretary talked about more money for the police, more I say as a liberal—with both a small “l” and a big money for CCTV, more money for councils and more “L”—that people should be free from fear and persecution. money for legal aid—it went on and on. Last week’s That should be a measure of the civilisation that our rather implausible effort to recast Labour as trustworthy society has attained. Many people across the country with the national finances has failed to survive first do not live free from fear and persecution, and it is their contact with the Opposition Front Bench. We will see own neighbours and people in their community who what happens, but my fear is that her vast array of impose that appalling state of affairs upon them. There spending commitments may just become Labour’s next is an onus on us in this House to see what we can do child benefit: furious opposition, followed by meek better to protect people in those circumstances. acceptance that the Government got it right and the Opposition got it lamentably wrong. It is with that in mind that we are introducing quicker and more flexible, but still proportionate, powers. We The provisions better to protect the public from are de-cluttering and streamlining the legislation on dangerous dogs raised a lot of comment. For the avoidance antisocial behaviour that has grown incrementally, although of doubt, we do not believe that dog control notices are with good intentions. We are streamlining the current necessary because the powers already exist within the 19 measures into six easier-to-use ones, but without Bill. My hon. and learned Friend the Member for weakening or diminishing the powers of the authorities—the Sleaford and North Hykeham (Stephen Phillips) asked police, councils and others—to assist the public. Why why there were no specific dog control notices, and went would the Government or any Member of this House on to talk about illegal raves. There are no illegal rave want to weaken their ability to do that? We believe that control notices in the Bill either, because we believe that the streamlined measures can be used more flexibly and the flexible, adaptable powers can be used both for speedily, and will allow the authorities better to assist illegal raves and for dogs. the public to combat antisocial behaviour. Several hon. Members rose— There are tough sanctions. One or two Members feel nervous about them, but we believe they are necessary Mr Browne: I will give way once, but I have a couple to give the legislation force and to underpin the seriousness of concluding points I wish to make before the end of of this behaviour, which impacts on ordinary members the debate. 127 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 10 JUNE 2013 128 Policing Bill Huw Irranca-Davies: Will the Minister tell us briefly ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, CRIME AND why, after three years of repeated consultations by the POLICING BILL (MONEY) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Queen’s recommendation signified. and the Home Office, he has been unable to persuade Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing any of the outside organisations, including the police, Order No. 52(1)(a)), the Royal College of Nursing, the CWU and others, that his proposals are right? Is he telling me that he is That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Anti-social going into the Committee stage with a closed mind? If Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of: so, we might have to object. (1) amounts ordered to be paid in respect of loss incurred in consequence of prohibition of access to premises; Mr Browne: What I am telling the hon. Gentleman is that we believe the dog control notices provide the right (2) payments by the Secretary of State in respect of the Police Remuneration Review Body; and protection. This is a serious issue and there are serious proposals in the Bill to strengthen the protection for the (3) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided.—(Theresa May.) public. We are bringing forward the extension for protecting the public in private areas, as well as in public spaces. Question agreed to. It was very moving when the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger) gave a roll call of the victims ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, CRIME AND of dangerous dogs. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for POLICING BILL (WAYS AND MEANS) Bolton West (Julie Hilling) for the moving speech she Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing made on behalf of her constituent, Jade Lomas-Anderson. Order No. 52(1)(a)), We are looking better to protect people who have the potential to be victims of dangerous dogs. I am pleased That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Anti-social that the proposals for assistance dogs were widely welcomed. Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, it is expedient to authorise: (1) the charging of fees under the Act; and I look forward to debating all of these issues and more in Committee. The rights of victims should be at (2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.—(Jeremy Browne.) the heart of our deliberations. I have no doubt that the true mark of the Bill’s success will be fewer victims, Question agreed to. fewer communities blighted by antisocial behaviour, and fewer victims of gun crime and forced marriage. Business without Debate This is an important Bill and I am pleased that it has broad support across the House. I commend the Bill to the House. DELEGATED LEGISLATION Question put and agreed to. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Bill accordingly read a Second time. Order No. 118(6)),

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, CRIME AND That the draft Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 POLICING BILL (PROGRAMME) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2013, Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing which was laid before this House on 11 March, in the previous Order No. 83A(7)), Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Nicky Morgan.) That the following provisions shall apply to the Anti-social Question agreed to. Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill: Committal (1) The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee. BACKBENCH BUSINESS Proceedings in Public Bill Committee Ordered, (2) Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as That Mr David Amess, Mr David Anderson, Bob Blackman, not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Tuesday Jane Ellison, John Hemming, Mr Marcus Jones and Ian Mearns 16 July 2013. be members of the Backbench Business Committee.—(Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) (3) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets. Consideration and Third Reading COMMITTEES (4) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the Mr Speaker: With the leave of the House, I shall take moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings motions 7 to 10 inclusive. are commenced. (5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously Ordered, concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day. DEFENCE (6) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall That Sandra Osborne be discharged from the Defence Committee not apply to proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading. and Derek Twigg be added. Other proceedings (7) Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings ENVIRONMENT,FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further messages That Thomas Docherty be discharged from the Environment, from the Lords) may be programmed.—(Nicky Morgan.) Food and Rural Affairs Committee and Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck Question agreed to. be added. 129 Business without Debate 10 JUNE 2013 130

TRANSPORT Young People (Barnsley Central) That Steve Baker be discharged from the Transport Committee Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House and Jason McCartney be added. do now adjourn.—(Nicky Morgan.) WORK AND PENSIONS 10.1 pm That Mr Aidan Burley be discharged from the Work and Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab): It is a great Pension Committee and Mike Freer be added.—(Geoffrey Clifton- Brown, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) pleasure to speak in tonight’s debate on an issue that is extremely important for Barnsley and the country. In these times of austerity, there is huge pressure on my constituents, including young people. This is a tough time to be growing up. Barnsley is a great place to live and raise a family. It is an exciting place to work and a good location to set up a business. It is a place to build a life. It is a town with a proud history and what should be a bright future, and the young people of Barnsley Central are key to unlocking our town’s potential. Prospects for young people are uncertain, however, and many are concerned that we risk wasting a generation of talent. There is no shortage of talent among young people in my constituency. I see this in the Barnsley youth choir, which will perform a concert later this month alongside the world-famous Hungarian Aurin choir; at Carlton community college, where four pupils were recently awarded the prestigious Diana anti-bullying award in recognition of their commitment in tackling bullying; and at Holy Trinity school, which I visited on Friday and met some outstanding pupils. I felt privileged to meet Calum Barnes, Alex Haycock, Alexandra Ryan-Moss, Callum Mitchell, Jessica Knowles, Eleanor Coles, Lucy Towers and Tariro Munega. I came away inspired by their ambition. I know from my time in the Army that young people can and will do the most amazing things. I have seen at first hand young people demonstrating outstanding courage, professionalism, dedication and commitment, but the potential that young people possess must be encouraged, cultivated and celebrated. Developing young people’s potential ensures not only that every individual feels valued in society, but that the UK has a bright future. Young people must be given the chance to make this future a reality, however, and my concern is that the Government run the of risk letting this wealth of potential fall by the wayside by failing to put policies in place that protect young people from the worst effects of the economic crisis. Although I intend to focus this debate on young people’s education and training opportunities, it is important to understand the context of the challenges facing young people at the beginning of their lives. The beginning of a child’s life should be filled with hope and happiness. Instead, children and their parents face real financial challenges, at an already difficult time. In 2011, the Prime Minister assured the House that “The money for Sure Start is there, so centres do not have to close.”—[Official Report, 2 March 2011; Vol. 524, c. 295.] However, the budget has been cut by a third, and there are now 400 fewer centres nationally compared with May 2011. In my constituency there has been a significant reduction in funding, with a cut of £6.9 million since 2010. The Prime Minister also promised “a major step forward” on child care in the recent Budget. In reality, many families are set to lose up to £1,560 a year, at a time when wages are stagnating. Recently I visited Darton college, a brand new Building Schools for the Future school, like all the secondary schools in Barnsley. There I met some hugely talented 131 Young People (Barnsley Central)10 JUNE 2013 Young People (Barnsley Central) 132

[Dan Jarvis] I share the concern of my hon. Friend and many others about the impact of some of the Government’s reforms students who were researching the impact of child poverty. on the delivery of education, particularly in the context Like me, they were struck by the statistics. Twenty-two of assessment and examination in special schools. I am per cent of children in Barnsley Central live in poverty—a sure the Minister would agree that we must do all that completely unacceptable figure in this day and age—so we can to support young people with disabilities and children and their parents need all the support we can additional needs. give them. By supporting them in their early years, we The educational opportunities open to young people can provide families with a stable emotional and financial in Barnsley Central include an outstanding tertiary platform from which they can get the best possible start college. In the words of the Ofsted inspectors, in life. “Barnsley College provides an inspirational resource for the I would like now to focus this debate directly on Barnsley community and a transformational one for many learners.” education and training opportunities for young people However, I believe that, in order to create a level playing in Barnsley Central. I acknowledge that some of the field for post-16 schools and colleges, we need to remove issues I will raise sit outside the Minister’s brief and are the basic funding differences. One issue that has been the responsibility of other Departments. Although I do debated by Members in this House is the fact that the not expect the Minister to respond on all these matters, entitlement to free school meals in schools and academies I would like to make it clear that they affect education does not extend to colleges. Another significant difference policy and are relevant to the debate. is that colleges have to pay VAT out of the money they Everyone deserves the best possible start in life, and receive for teaching and learning. The principal has equal access to a high quality education should provide informed me that if Barnsley college was treated the this. After all, education is the key to success. Young same as an academy for VAT, he would have around people have a range of options open to them when they £1 million a year more to spend on teaching students. reach further education, from the study of A-levels and Barnsley college also has a successful programme of BTECs to apprenticeships and other vocational courses, encouraging community groups and school-age children but the Government are making it harder, rather than to use its new building in the evenings and at weekends. easier, for young people to access further and higher The latest addition to this programme will be additional education. The decisions to abandon the education classes in English and maths, held on Saturday mornings. maintenance allowance, treble tuition fees and remove The principal has informed me, however, that he cannot the Barnsley-inspired future jobs fund have delivered a grow that valuable work any further because Her Majesty’s triple whammy for young people in Barnsley Central Revenue and Customs regards teaching children in colleges hoping to get on the career ladder. Consequently, the as a business use, and he will run the risk of receiving a number of young people in my constituency in further huge bill if he tries to grow classes or activities for the education is falling. In 2011-12, 8,600 young people community beyond their current level. from Barnsley Central started a further education course of one kind or another. This was 400 fewer than in Also, it seems reasonable that parents and politicians 2010-11 and 1,400 fewer than in 2009-10. should be able easily to compare the performance of post-16 provision in schools and colleges. To enable this Proposed reforms to the way in which A-levels are to happen, there needs to be a level playing field in the studied also threaten the future prospects of some of production of the data in the Department for Education our young people. The restructuring of exams to make league tables. We must also ensure that Ofsted applies assessment linear rather than modular is likely to affect the same standards and judgments to all post-16 providers, the provision of education and skills needed by young including the awarding of a clear separate grade at people in later life. I believe we must encourage children inspection for school and academy sixth forms. May I to develop skills in school that will enable them to adapt ask the Minister or a ministerial colleague to write to and respond to situations and opportunities they will me about these specific issues relating to Barnsley college? face in life, not simply to regurgitate remembered facts for an exam—facts that are quickly forgotten. Surely we Leaving school or college is a time of fresh challenges should be equipping our young people with a more and tough decisions for our young people. Those pupils rounded and flexible education, which will better prepare who opt to go to university will face the daunting them for the modern work place, rather than resorting prospect of high tuition fees. Those young people who to the old “exam conveyor belt” system in an attempt to feel they cannot afford to do so face missing an opportunity boost league tables. to further their study. The rise in tuition fees has also had a significant impact on the number of young people Sarah Champion (Rotherham) (Lab): Last week I applying to university. According to the latest figures visited Newman school, which is a special needs school. from UCAS, university applications are down for a I was struck by the vigour with which the school encourages second year running—[Interruption.] young people to be empowered to have a voice and take an active role in society. Does my hon. Friend agree that Mr Speaker: Order. It is a long-established convention these are also skills that children need? in this place that when someone is making a speech in an Adjournment debate, they are heard with courtesy Dan Jarvis: I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s and in silence. I ask the hon. Member for Suffolk intervention. It brings me on neatly to what I was about Coastal (Dr Coffey) to observe that convention. If she to say about the impact of some of the Government’s does not feel able to do so, she can leave the Chamber. proposed reforms on special schools, which also echoes the point she has just made. I have two such schools in Dan Jarvis: Thank you, Mr Speaker. my constituency: Greenacre and Springwell. Both are The figures for students in England show a drop of excellent, well-led schools, with hugely committed teachers. 6.5% from 2012. The coalition’s decision to raise tuition 133 Young People (Barnsley Central)10 JUNE 2013 Young People (Barnsley Central) 134 fees has made it even harder for young people, particularly one. It can make such a difference if they are able to those from less well-off backgrounds, to gain access to receive helpful and useful careers advice in tandem with higher education. other advice that they receive from schools. The focus of this debate is on young people, but it is The vast bulk of additional apprenticeship places important to reflect for a moment on the huge contribution created by the Government have come in the post-25 that teachers make to supporting them. It is a truism to age range, with an increase of some 367%, but the latest say that we never forget a good teacher. I know that figures show that 69,600 16 to 18-year-olds started an leadership in schools is hugely important, and in my apprenticeship in 2012-13 compared to 79,100 in the constituency, we have some great head teachers, including previous year—a drop of over 12%. Those in the 16-to-25 Simon Barber at Holy Trinity, Neil Hutchinson at Carlton category risk being left behind. Our country and the community college, Dave Whittaker at Springwell, Sue town I am proud to represent are clearly in need of Hayter at Greenacre, Sharon Rossedes at Darton college, fresh initiatives aimed at addressing youth unemployment, Nick Bowen at Horizon—just over the boundary in the and it is my constituency that is helping to lead the way neighbouring constituency—and Colin Booth, the principal in the fight against youth unemployment. of Barnsley college. I have also been inspired by many other teachers I have met, including Mat Wright, Phil Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): Does the hon. Evans, Kathryn Smith, Leanne Crowther, Sharon Stacey, Gentleman agree that initiatives could be used to encourage Steve Iredale, Kate Davies, Vicki Bruff, Eleanor Wright more young women to enter into apprenticeships, which and many, many more. is one of the markets waiting to be developed? However, the truth of the matter is that many, if not most, teachers feel undervalued. Many have told me Dan Jarvis: I absolutely agree, but time is running how low morale is, and many have shared with me the short, so I must mention briefly an initiative in my fact that they struggle to sleep at night because of the constituency. pressure of the job. I recently received a letter from a The Minister may recall that I have written to him maths teacher. He told me that over half his colleagues about the “Barnsley apprenticeship pledge”—a pilot had considered leaving the profession last year. He said: scheme pioneered by Barnsley college, which is working “The attacks on pay, pensions and conditions of service are in partnership with nine of Barnsley’s major public and without precedent...I feel angry. I feel undervalued, and as though private sector employers to ensure that 2.5% of their I am a scape goat for the ills of society”. work force are apprentices. Schemes such as the pledge What can the Minister say to him and the countless not only provide skills for young people, but provide thousands of others in the teaching profession who feel businesses with the opportunity to expand and tailor a like that? Will he come to Barnsley to meet teachers to work force that meets their needs. discuss these matters and education more generally? Finally, I would like to touch briefly on the issue of I want briefly to say something about apprenticeships youth unemployment. Despite the recent figures showing and other vocational routes. that overall unemployment is going down, the job market For too long, people have focused on the 50% that go for young people is still extremely difficult. Youth to university; now it is time to also focus on the other unemployment continues to climb with a growing number 50%—the forgotten 50%. For too long, politicians have of NEETs—those not in education, employment or viewed vocational and academic education in silos, training. According to the latest figures for my constituency, leading to a focus on the latter at the expense of the the number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance is, quality and status of the former. Approaching further at 7.4%, still higher than in May 2010. With 900 JSA education as a whole will allow the benefits of both claimants aged 18 to 24—a figure up from this point in forms of learning to be experienced by a greater number 2011—youth unemployment continues to remain a serious of young people, offering a broader and richer education, problem in Barnsley. better suited to the needs and the challenges of a modern The Government’s answer to youth unemployment economy because today’s apprentices face very different was to introduce the youth contract, aimed at providing challenges. training and skills. However, the youth contract has Many young people can expect to go through several been ineffective, and has failed significantly to gain career changes in their lifetimes, requiring them to employers willing to support the scheme. Fewer than possess a more flexible and adaptable skill set. These 6,000 young people have been helped into permanent new challenges demand a co-ordinated and hands-on jobs—just 3.4% of young people on the Work programme. approach from Government, as well as from figures in Those left behind are often people who are desperate the business and education sectors. for work, want to earn a living, get on the housing ladder, start families and contribute to our town—but Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Does my hon. there are simply not the jobs available. Friend agree that the downgrading of careers advice This is a tough time to be growing up. There are given to young people has contributed to some of the genuine concerns about the need to ensure that young difficulties faced by young people not always knowing people secure the right education, training, apprenticeships which is the best route for them, when they are not and academic opportunities. My concern is that we are encouraged either to stay in education or to take up running the risk that the talents of thousands of our apprenticeships. That lack of good career guidance is young people will go to waste. That is why we must talk detrimental to their future prosperity and health. up the importance of raising aspirations among young people. Research findings have shown that low aspirations Dan Jarvis: I am grateful and completely agree with are related to poor academic attainment and professional my hon. Friend. The decision young people make about achievement—and that is an all too common trend in their future career destinations is an incredibly important times of austerity. We must therefore take every single 135 Young People (Barnsley Central)10 JUNE 2013 Young People (Barnsley Central) 136

[Dan Jarvis] I also of course agree on the need to support disabled people and people with additional learning needs in opportunity to encourage, inspire, persuade and, when Barnsley and across the country. I agree strongly with necessary, cajole the young people in our constituencies the hon. Gentleman about removing funding disparities. to get on and realise their ambitions, hopes and dreams. Our funding reforms for those aged between 16 and 19, I urge the Minister and the Government to do all that which come into force this September, remove the system they can to support the young people in my constituency that was in place for 10 years or so, whereby funding and throughout our country, so that they can be given was applied per qualification. That meant that those the best possible start in life. After all, they are the who took a lot of qualifications, who tend to be the best future of the country. educated, ended up getting more funding for their education from 16 to 19, and those who did fewer qualifications 10.20 pm got less funding. People in full-time education who were doing, say, one or two BTECS, equivalent to one or two The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills A-levels, would be funded at about half the rate of a (Matthew Hancock): It is a great pleasure to respond to very bright pupil doing five A-levels. That was wrong. the debate, not least because, as the hon. Member for We have changed that so that every pupil will be funded Barnsley Central (Dan Jarvis) told us, the beginning of according to the same formula, with the same basic life is full of hope. I strongly agree with him about the rate, with adjustments so that those from disadvantaged need for and the benefits of aspiration and about the backgrounds have slightly more. There are other alterations duty that we all have to encourage and strengthen it, for those taking particularly expensive courses. However, and to support those who need nurturing as well as the fundamental point is that we fund per pupil from challenging those who are ready to rise to the challenge. 16 to 19. I hope that the hon. Gentleman supports that Indeed, I agreed with much of what he said. change. Let me now bring the hon. Gentleman up to date on The hon. Gentleman mentioned the issues of VAT some developments that he may consider to be in the and free school meals, both of which I recognise. On spirit of support for Barnsley. He can help me, and help free school meals, we need to be careful what we wish the Government, by telling his constituents about offers for. Schools have a duty to provide free school meals to that can promote the very ambitions and goals that he sixth formers, but they do not get funded for it. If has described. colleges asked for the duty and we were to be fair and Youth unemployment is undoubtedly a challenge have a level playing field, we would give them the duty throughout the country. It has been rising for far too without giving them the funding for it. I am not sure long—its slow and sclerotic rise began in 2004—but, that that is exactly what he is calling for. We give a thankfully, it is now falling, and in Barnsley 210 fewer bursary to support the most disadvantaged 16 to 19-year- people aged between 18 and 24 are unemployed than olds, including some in Barnsley, who need additional was the case a year ago. As the hon. Gentleman said, support, including for school meals. 900 are still unemployed, but that is the lowest figure What the hon. Gentleman said about Saturday morning for the last five years, and the figure is falling year on lessons in English and maths was interesting. I strongly year. Things are moving in the right direction. While agree with him that English and maths are crucial. 900 young unemployed people are obviously 900 too All the evidence shows that, as well as being academic many, make no mistake: we are focusing four square on skills, they are the two most important vocational skills. dealing with the problem, as the hon. Gentleman is I will look into what he said about Ofsted and see what urging us to do. The youth contract, which he mentioned, the circumstances were. Of course, Ofsted is independent. has helped about 6,000 people in Barnsley, and I think that, given the youth unemployment figure of 900, the I agree with the hon. Gentleman strongly on another ratio is pretty good. aspect: the importance of data, the league tables and The hon. Gentleman mentioned apprenticeships. The the need for the tables to be on a level playing field. We 75% increase in the number of apprenticeships over the need to show not only exam results in an equal way for last two years to more than 1,300 is very welcome. I pay different types of provider, but the various destinations tribute to Barnsley college, not only because, as the that people go to. Exams are important but they are a hon. Gentleman said, it is an outstanding further education means to an end. It is about what proportion of people college which does a huge amount of work for Barnsley get an apprenticeship, what proportion of people go to and for the whole community, but because its success university, how many get into work and how many go rate in apprenticeships is 96%—higher than the 74% on to further study. We are committed to bringing that national success rate. It is outstanding in terms of its richer, more detailed destination data into the public Ofsted grade, but also in terms of results. domain. I hope that he welcomes that. The town of Barnsley also benefits from being There are some areas where we do not have a represented by a strong advocate, and there are areas of disagreement of purpose, but we do have a disagreement agreement between the hon. Gentleman and me. The in terms of what the Government are doing. I agree first issue on which we agree is the need for more with the hon. Gentleman about the importance of early employer engagement in education. Young people need years and of everyone getting a good start in life. to be prepared not just for an academic future—important Indeed, the Government are bringing in the offer for though that is—but for a life in work. They need to two-year-olds and extending the age range for the most understand what work is: to understand not only its disadvantaged two-year-olds to ensure that they have benefits but how to engage in it. It is crucial for social support to help them to get a good start. mobility that we help everyone to understand what it I agree about the phrase “The forgotten 50%”, which takes to get a good job, and to hold down a job or an we hear almost as an apology from some Labour Members. apprenticeship. They have not been forgotten by us. The introduction, 137 Young People (Barnsley Central)10 JUNE 2013 Young People (Barnsley Central) 138 strengthening and development of the apprenticeship the exam and the module. Instead it is about imbuing proposal is vital in ensuring that everyone gets a good people with a deeper sense of what that knowledge start. We have made it clear that we want to see a new conveys. norm—that young people, when they leave school, go, The drive for rigour and reform in our education of their own choice, either to a university or into an system is something that progressive Members on both apprenticeship. Our job in government is to ensure that sides of this House ought to support. They ought to high-quality offers for each option are available, and support it whether there are tight budgets or not, and higher apprenticeships in particular show that, if one whatever the reasons for those tight budgets are. goes into an apprenticeship, one can progress all the I hope the hon. Gentleman will look at the answers way through. I again heard at the weekend the Labour I have given about the apprenticeship programme, the shadow Secretary of State saying he agreed with the new traineeship programme coming in in August, and 50% target for universities, but that can unwittingly the rising standards we are driving through in schools push people into the wrong choices for them. and colleges in Barnsley and across the country, and Finally, on the point about linear rather than modular will reflect to his constituents not only that things are exams, I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman about indeed tough but are getting better, but also that there is education not being just a conveyor belt of exams, but a great offer from a Government who are determined modular exams are more of a conveyor belt. We saw last to support young people and to ensure that youth summer the difficulties that a modular system can get unemployment falls every year. our education system into. Linear exams are precisely Question put and agreed to. about testing people on what they have achieved at the end of their studies, rather than constantly asking them to learn for another exam and another exam, and to 10.31 pm learn information just so long as they can get through House adjourned.

1WS Written Ministerial Statements10 JUNE 2013 Written Ministerial Statements 2WS

Some 41 billion barrels of oil and gas have already Written Ministerial been produced from the UK Continental Shelf, and 20 billion or more could still be produced. Although Statements peak production is now behind us, we must maintain our momentum and make the most of the huge opportunity that the UK Continental Shelf still Monday 10 June 2013 represents. In addition to the economic importance, maximising recovery of the UK’s indigenous supplies of oil and gas will also help maintain security of supply as we continue on our journey to a low-carbon future. TREASURY While investment levels are rising and the near-term prospects for the UK Continental Shelf are strong, it is Loan to Ireland one of the most mature offshore basins in the world, and therefore faces unprecedented challenges that require new thinking. For example declining exploration and The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Clark): production rates, ageing infrastructure and declining I would like to update the House on the loan to production efficiency, and the risk of premature Ireland. decommissioning of key infrastructure all need to be Ireland completed the ninth quarterly review of its addressed if we are to extract the maximum economic International Monetary Fund and European Union benefit for the UK. programme of financial assistance on 22 April 2013, following which, the utilisation period for the seventh Government already have an excellent working instalment of the UK bilateral loan began. relationship with the oil and gas industry through our pilot partnership, which has made significant Upon request, the Treasury disbursed the seventh contributions to addressing some of these challenges instalment of £403.37 million on 6 June 2013, with a over the last decade. However, I have come to the view maturity date of 7 December 2020. that the challenges we now face are of sufficient The interest rate charged on the loan is calculated as importance that they merit a focused, in-depth review. set out in the loan agreement as the UK’s cost of funds Such a review has not been conducted since the early plus a service fee of 18 basis points per annum, creating 1990s when the challenges faced were very different to an effective per annum interest rate on this tranche of those we face now. the loan of 2.331%. The UK more than covers its cost of funds. I have therefore invited Sir Ian Wood, recently retired chair of Wood Group, a leading UK oil services company, The Treasury will provide a further report to to lead such a review. Sir Ian will bring huge experience Parliament in relation to the bilateral loan as required to the task following a career spanning four decades of under the Loans to Ireland Act 2010 as soon as is leadership in the UK Continental Shelf. He will work practicable following the end of the next reporting with leaders across industry, Government and elsewhere period, which ends on 30 September 2013. to produce robust analysis, conclusions and The Government believe that it is in our national recommendations for improving future economic recovery interest that the Irish economy is successful and its of UK Continental Shelf oil and gas. banking system is stable. The Government continue to support Ireland’s efforts to improve its economic Since 2011 there has been a range of changes to the situation. tax regime which industry has welcomed and which has led to significant new investment. It is too soon to review the effectiveness of these changes and so this review will focus on other factors such as the licensing ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE regime, optimising use of and extending life of infrastructure, production efficiency, better collaboration UK Offshore Oil and Gas Recovery across the industry, increasing the exploration effort and maximising the use of enhanced oil recovery techniques. It will also look at the current structure, scale and The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate effectiveness of the Government stewardship regime in Change (Mr Edward Davey): The UK’s oil and gas line with the increased technical and commercial complexity industry is of national importance. It plays a vital part of the mature market. While the review will not make in our economic life and makes a substantial recommendations on taxation, its conclusions may contribution to our energy security. For decades the nevertheless be drawn upon in future tax policy oil and gas sector has been one of the UK’s major considerations by HM Treasury. industrial success stories, a key contributor to I expect emerging conclusions from the review to be growth, jobs and tax revenue. The industry supports published in the autumn and the final report and 440,000 jobs directly or indirectly and paid recommendations to be published in early 2014. £11.2 billion in direct taxes in 2011-12, almost a quarter of all corporation taxes received by the This is an exciting time for the UK’s offshore oil and Exchequer. Investment in the UK Continental Shelf gas industry and its extensive supply chain, and I look has risen substantially in recent years, and investment forward to seeing the recommendations of Sir Ian’s in 2013, up to £14 billion, will reach an all-time high. important work.

1P Petitions10 JUNE 2013 Petitions 2P

And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Keith Petitions Vaz, Official Report, 14 May 2013; Vol. 563, c. 610 .] [P001177] Monday 10 June 2013 Observations from the Secretary of State for Health, received on 7 June 2013: OBSERVATIONS The-Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS) considered the application for eculizumab (Soliris) for the treatment of atypical Haemolytic Uremic HEALTH Syndrome (aHUS) to be included as part of national Access to Eculizumab commissioning arrangements. Whilst AGNSS members were convinced of the clinical effectiveness of the drug, The Petition of Miss K Bazzichi and Miss E Woodward they noted the very high costs of the drug and the Trustee Officers of aHUSUK, increasing cost profile for the NHS, which is predicted Declares that aHUS patients should be given access to rise significantly. to Eculizumab when they need it, without delay, and In considering the recommendation from AGNSS, not be disadvantaged by the Ministers’decision not the Department took advice on AGNSS’s assessment of to implement the AGNSS recommendation ahead of a the cost impact and affordability of eculizumab. The review by NICE. Department accepted AGNSS’s advice concerning the The Petitioners therefore request that the House of clinical effectiveness of the drug, but felt further advice Commons issues instructions to the NHS CB to take was needed on its suitability for direct commissioning such action, whilst waiting for NICE’s decision. taking account of its costs, benefits and affordability. As AGNSS no longer exists as a Ministerial advisory And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Sir Nick group, the Department has asked the National Institute Harvey, Official Report, 14 May 2013; Vol. 563, c. 610 .] for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to undertake [P001176] this further work as part of its new highly specialised The Petition of Mr T Murby and Mr Finley Murby technologies programme. NICE assumed responsibility Trustee Officers of aHUSUK, for this work on 1 April 2013. NHS England is developing an interim policy to Declares that aHUS patients should be given access enable patients to receive eculizumab while NICE to Eculizumab when they need it, without delay, and undertakes its evaluation. This will mean that patients not be disadvantaged by the Ministers’ decision not to who were previously receiving eculizumab through implement the AGNSS recommendation ahead of a arrangements with their primary care trust (PCT) will review by NICE. continue to receive the drug and any newly diagnosed The Petitioners therefore request that the House of patients will also be funded. NHS England has assured Commons issues instructions to the NHS CB to take the Department that patients who are critically ill and such action, whilst waiting for NICE’s decision. who need eculizumab urgently will receive it.

1W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 2W

Where a single counsel is instructed in a murder case, Written Answers to the CCP is required to keep matters under close review to ensure that the level of representation remains Questions appropriate. Such reviews are likely to be conducted at key stages of the case, such as following the plea and case management hearing (PCMH) or upon receipt of Monday 10 June 2013 the defence case statement. Single counsel instructed in homicide cases must be member of the CPS Advocate Panel and have been assessed as having the necessary skills, ability and experience ATTORNEY-GENERAL to prosecute such cases. In addition, all cases are expected to be prosecuted in Crown Prosecution Service accordance with CPS Core Quality Standards with a sample of cases being monitored for compliance each month under a regime called Core Quality Standards Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant Monitoring (CQSM). to the answer of 20 May 2013, Official Report, column 480W, on Crown Prosecution Service, what model of Furthermore, CPS Case Management Panel Logica tablet was purchased by the Crown Prosecution arrangements introduced in March 2005 provide a Service; what the size and weight of each unit is; and framework through which senior managers retain an what feedback has been given by users. [158377] overview of serious, complex and high profile cases according to set criteria. This includes the review of The Solicitor-General: The model of Logica tablet cases both during the proceedings and after the case has purchased by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was concluded. the HP EliteBook 2760p Tablet PC. The dimensions of this device are 3.2 cm high x 29.0 cm wide x 21.2 cm Legal Costs deep and the weight of the device is 1.79 kg. The feedback received from the majority of users has Simon Hart: To ask the Attorney-General what the been positive and the tablets are now routinely used for cost to the Crown Prosecution Service has been of (a) the presentation of cases in court. In particular users wasted costs orders and (b) other costs orders in have welcomed the fact that they no longer have to favour of defendants made by (i) Crown courts and (ii) transport heavy files to court and also that they can magistrates courts in each of the last five years for download information at the courts or at home, enabling which figures are available. [157868] much more flexible working. Some users have provided the feedback that the device can be heavy to hold for The Solicitor-General: There are a range of costs long periods of time; that the battery life could be orders that can be made against the Crown Prosecution longer and that attaching the device to a mains power Service (CPS). These include costs orders under section supply can restrict the user’s ability to move around 19 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, where an when presenting. The Department has sought to address order may be made that one party pay the costs of the these issues by providing additional equipment where other party to criminal proceedings. Such an order may possible for example, additional battery packs and adjustable be made when the court is satisfied that the costs in lecterns to be used in court. question have been incurred by party A as a result of “an unnecessary or improper act or omission by or on Homicide: Prosecutions behalf of” party B. Costs can also be ordered under section 19A of the Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General same Act where an order may be made against a legal what steps the Crown Prosecution Service takes to representative that s/he pay “wasted costs”. Wasted monitor the quality of prosecutions of homicide cases costs are costs incurred as a result of improper, unreasonable where a single counsel is used in the prosecution of or negligent act or omission on the part of any representative multiple defendants. [158204] or the employee of any ¦representative. Furthermore, costs can be ordered under section 19B of the same Act The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service against third parties to pay the costs incurred by any (CPS) has a range of processes in place for monitoring other party to the proceedings. the quality of its casework. Finally, in civil proceedings, such as restraint proceedings Multiple defendant homicide cases, prosecuted by a when dealing with matters under the Proceeds of Crime single counsel, are not treated as a special category of Act 2002, inter-parties costs orders can be made which case for monitoring purposes but a number of processes follow the event, namely that costs are awarded against apply to these and similar cases of this type to ensure the losing party that quality standards are met. The CPS maintains records of the overall value of The CPS has an established process whereby decisions costs payments made but does not distinguish between to instruct a Queen’s Counsel (QC) or two counsel have the various types of costs order listed above or if the to be formally approved by a Chief Crown Prosecutor order is made in a Crown court or a magistrates court. (CCP) or by someone approved by the CCP for this To ascertain the type, value and originating court of purpose. In February 2012 the process was extended to individual costs awards made over the last five years include the instruction of a single counsel (other than a would require a review of each case and this would QC) in murder cases. incur disproportionate cost. 3W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 4W

The total value of costs awards paid by the CPS over Proceeds of Crime each of the last five years is as follows: Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what Total costs payments against the the monetary value was of the proceeds of crime confiscated CPS (£) from offenders by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in 2008-09 652,766 2012-13; and of this how much was distributed (a) to the victims of crime and (b) to the SFO as part of the 2009-10 907,061 Asset Recovery Incentive Scheme. [158300] 2010-11 1,547,874 2011-12 384,682 The Solicitor-General: Criminal finances recovered 2012-13 1,202,515 by the Serious Fraud Office during 2012-13 amounted to: £11,418,464.71. This can be broken down into the Police: Corruption following categories:

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General to £ how many current or former lawyers employed by the Crown Prosecution Service Her Majesty’s Inspector of Confiscation Orders 3,874,030.50 the Crown Prosecution Service has written inviting Civil Recovery Orders 2,026,909.21 responses on the interim findings of the inquiry into the Stand-alone Compensation Orders 5,000,000.00 collapse of the prosecution of alleged police corruption Other outcomes arising from SFO actions 517,525.00 surrounding the investigation of the murder of Lynette White. [158201] The sum distributed to victims 6,818,352.81

The Solicitor-General: On 22 May 2013, Her Majesty’s The sum received by the SFO as a result of 2,027,170.63 Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service delivered the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme to the Director of Public Prosecutions a private report on the handling of disclosure in the case of R v. A further sum of £64,417.22 has been recovered Mouncher (and others). following civil recovery action but is currently held by In advance of this, he wrote to eight CPS employees the Trustee for Civil Recovery pending the distribution (or former employees) who were involved to some extent of compensation to victims. in the conduct of the prosecution, all of whom were The term ’other outcomes arising from SFO actions’ qualified practising lawyers employed directly by the includes voluntary reparations to victims offered as CPS at the time of their involvement. They were invited part of mitigation at sentence. to comment on certain matters of factual accuracy. Sign Language HMCPSI was under no legal duty to carry out this process, and the invitation to comment should not be Simon Kirby: To ask the Attorney-General what seen as an indication that the individuals concerned steps the Law Officers’ Departments are taking to were criticised directly in the report. All who took part ensure the services they offer are accessible to British in the process did so on a confidential basis. Sign Language users. [157923] Private Prosecutions The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers’ Departments make all necessary reasonable adjustments for individuals Simon Hart: To ask the Attorney-General how many with disabilities who may need to access their services. private prosecutions have been taken over by the This includes supporting individuals during recruitment Crown Prosecution Service since 2011; and how many and at any time during their subsequent employment, in of those were (a) successfully prosecuted, (b) lost and line with their duties under the Equality Act 2010. (c) not proceeded with. [157867] The TSol Bona Vacantia Division has also used, and will continue to use, British Sign Language interpreters The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service to assist members of the public in their dealings with (CPS) maintains internal management information on the organisation. the number of private prosecutions referred to it; this In the case of the Serious Fraud Office and the information has been recorded since February 2011. Crown Prosecution Service appropriate arrangements The CPS centrally records the decision on whether or will always be made to provide support to people who not to take over a private prosecution; it will also are deaf if they are required to give evidence as a record, once the decision has been made to take over a prosecution witness, such as providing qualified British private prosecution, whether the CPS will continue with Sign Language interpreters or qualified lipspeakers. the prosecution or stop it. The CPS does not separately record the outcome of those prosecutions that have been taken over and continued, so there are no records held as to whether a prosecution resulted in a conviction DEFENCE or an acquittal. Armed Forces: Sexual Offences CPS management information shows that since February 2011 the CPS has been referred 55 private prosecution Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for cases and, of those, there are 29 cases where at least one Defence what the outcome of the inquiry into the charge has been taken over and stopped. The records alleged sexual assault and beasting of four minors at also show that the CPS continued with the prosecutions AFC Harrogate in May 2012 was; what steps have been in four of the 55 cases. 22 cases were not taken over. taken; and if he will make a statement. [158015] 5W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 6W

Mr Francois: The allegations made at Army Foundation Financial year £ billion College Harrogate were thoroughly investigated and as a result a number of junior soldiers were disciplined. 2007-08 1.504 Steps have also been taken to ensure that such behaviour 2008-09 2.623 is not allowed to recur, and the guidance issued on the 2009-10 3.821 care of soldiers aged under 18 years has been reviewed 2010-11 3.780 and updated. 2011-12 3.460 The matter was subsequently considered by the Safeguarding Children Board for North Yorkshire, who The costs for financial year 2012-13 will be published stated that no further action related to the incident was in the 2012-13 annual report and accounts later this required. year. Unmanned Air Vehicles The UK operates in Afghanistan as part of the UN-mandated 50-nation ISAF coalition and at the invitation of the Afghan Government. We investigate Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for carefully all alleged incidents involving UK forces from Defence what assessment he has made of the use of the whatever cause. The Government does not record total Black Hornet Nano unmanned air vehicle in figures for insurgent or civilian casualties in Afghanistan operations; and if he will make a statement. [158731] because of the difficulty of collecting robust data. Mr Dunne: The Black Hornet Unmanned Air System has been in UK service on Operation Herrick since May Air Force: Training 2012. Initial feedback confirms that the system is providing a valuable capability to UK forces. Afghanistan Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many RAF recruits undertook flight training in each of the last 12 months; [158525] Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the (2) when he expects the Grob 115E tutor trainer Afghan Government on the future use of UK operated aircraft to be back in service; and what the effect of its unmanned aerial vehicles in that country. [157727] grounding has been on the RAF’s ability to train new pilots. [R] [158526] Mr Robathan: The UK, and ISAF partners, have discussed the redeployment of military equipment with Mr Robathan: Babcock staff, with military involvement the Afghan Government. and oversight, are continuing test flights to confirm that the modified Grob Tutor aircraft are fit to fly in this Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for role. It will resume flying training when it is safe to do Defence with reference to the UN Mission in so. Full release for military flying is expected in the near Afghanistan’s 2012 report on the protection of future. civilians in armed conflict, whether his Department is participating in the review of criteria required to There has been minimal impact to the flying training establish positive identification and determination of pipeline and it will continue to provide its targeted status undertaken by international forces in output of trained pilots. A small number of students on Afghanistan. [157729] Elementary Flying Training (EFT) are using other aircraft types to complete a proportion of the course’s syllabus Mr Robathan: No. before progressing to Advanced Flying Training; assurance of training is being overseen by the RAF’s Central Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Flying School. There has been no impact to the front what the additional cost, beyond existing salaries and line. accommodation of military families has been to his The following table shows the number of RAF trainee Department’s budget of the deployment of UK troops pilots starting EFT and a running total of all RAF and medical auxiliaries in Afghanistan since 2001; and trainee pilots on EFT in each of the last 12 months. what his best estimate is of the number of non- combatants killed as a result of UK forces deployed in RAF Trainee Pilots Afghanistan since the invasion. [158038] starting EFT RAF Trainee Pilots Courses on EFT Courses Mr Robathan: The costs of the net additional costs of operations in Afghanistan are set out, by financial year, June 2012 0 20 1 in the following table: July 2012 —20 August 2012 0 20 1 Financial year £ billion September 2012 —20 October 2012 0 20 2001-02 0.221 November 2012 1—20 2002-03 0.311 December 2012 0 20 2003-04 0.460 January 2013 1—20 2004-05 0.670 February 2013 0 20 2005-06 0.199 March 2013 1—20 2006-07 0.738 April 2013 0 20 7W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 8W

RAF Trainee Pilots £ starting EFT RAF Trainee Pilots FY 2008-09 FY 2009-10 FY 2010-11 FY 2011-12 Courses on EFT Courses Underground 102,347 111,541 110,435 114,046 May 2013 0 20 Bus fares 93,371 95,106 81,644 70,415 1 Denotes rounded to zero. Coach 21,698 17,683 25,686 20,040 Note: fares Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, with numbers ending in Rail fares 1,123,244 1,238,964 1,092,332 995,303 ’5’ being rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic Taxi fares 2,076,853 1,082,769 786,094 695,564 bias. Armed Forces: Qualifications Armed Forces: Parachuting Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Defence what proportion of infantry soldiers had what recent assessment his Department has made of gained GCSE grades A* to C or Scottish standard the continued requirement for a conventional force grades1to3in(a) English or English language and parachute capability. [158317] (b) mathematics in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [157760] Mr Robathan [holding answer 6 June 2013]: The requirement for a parachute capability was assessed and Mr Francois: As at 3 June 2013, 22% of infantry articulated within the Strategic Defence and Security soldiers are recorded as holding GCSE grades A* to C Review (SDSR) October 2010—Securing Britain in an or Scottish standard grades 1 to 3 in English, and 15.2% Age of Uncertainty, Strategic Defence and Security of infantry soldiers are recorded as holding GCSE Review Land Forces, (page 24). Subsequent reviews of grades A* to C or Scottish standard grades 1 to 3 in the capability requirement have reaffirmed the SDSR mathematics. 2010 position, with no necessity for an interim policy Prior to 2007, when the Joint Personnel Administration review prior to SDSR 2015 identified. (JPA) system was introduced, information on qualifications was not held centrally. Any qualifications gained before that date have not therefore been recorded unless an Armed Forces: Pay individual soldier has updated their JPA record.

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Armed Forces: Suicide Defence if he will backdate the increase in pay to members of the armed forces to the start of the financial Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence year. [157895] how many suicides and open verdicts occurred among UK regular armed forces personnel in 2012. [157999] Mr Francois: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by the Secretary of State for Mr Francois: It is not possible to provide a final Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede number until verdicts from all inquests have been entered. and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 14 March 2013, As of 4 June 2013, the number of coroner-confirmed Official Report, columns 14-15WS, in response to the suicide or open-verdict deaths recorded among armed Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) 2013 report. forces personnel in 2012 was seven. The AFPRB’s recommendation of an annual pay award Detailed analysis on deaths and suicides in the UK of 1% was accepted in full and is effective from 1 April armed forces can be found in the following National 2013. A decision on the recommendation to increase Statistic publications produced by Defence Statistics at X-factor by 0.5%, which would result in costs for which the end of March each year. the Department had not budgeted, was deferred. Suicide and Open Verdict Deaths in the UK Regular Subsequently, as part of the 2013 Budget on 20 Armed Forces 1984-2012 Deaths in the UK Regular March, 2013, Official Report, columns 931-45, the Armed Forces at the following link: Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/search/ Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), announced that the index.html?newquery=suicide+armed+forces AFPRB recommendation to increase X-Factor by 0.5% would be implemented with effect from 1 May 2013. Armed Forces: Training

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Armed Forces: Public Transport Defence (1) how much his Department has spent on facilities and training under each cost heading at (a) Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, (b) Royal how much his Department spent on domestic public Military Academy, Sandhurst, (c) the Defence Academy, transport for military personnel, by mode of travel, in Shrivenham and (d) RAF Cranwell in each year since each of the last three years. [157988] 2000; [156980] (2) how much his Department plans to spend under Mr Francois: The data requested is shown in the each cost heading on facilities at (a) Britannia Royal following table. This data is derived from the Joint Naval College, Dartmouth, (b) Royal Military Academy, Personnel Administration computer system, and therefore Sandhurst, (c) the Defence Academy, Shrivenham and reflects what has been claimed by service personnel. (d) RAF Cranwell in each year until 2020; [156981] 9W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 10W

(3) what savings have been achieved by his Department Dartmouth (BRNC), Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the running cost of the (a) Defence Academy, (RMAS), the Defence Academy, Shrivenham (DA) and Shrivenham and (d) Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst RAF Cranwell where the information is available are in each year since 2000. [156983] shown in the following table:

Mr Robathan [holding answer 3 June 2013]: Costs for previous years for Britannia Royal Naval College,

£ million Establishment Personnel Infrastructure Other Total

2006-07 RMAS 26.8 8.5 10.9 46.3 DA 37.5 41.4 36.6 115.5

2007-08 BRNC 9.8 0.7 2.0 12.5 RMAS 50.7 8.9 9.9 69.5 DA 41.1 39.5 44.5 125.1

2008-09 BRNC 9.0 1.0 3.2 13.1 RMAS 52.4 6.2 4.8 63.4 DA 42.3 41.9 42.5 126.7 Cranwell 52.8 15.4 47.1 115.2

2009-10 BRNC 9.2 0.7 3.3 13.3 RMAS 44.8 4.9 5.2 54.9 DA 43.4 40.3 40.6 124.3 Cranwell 58.9 15.8 39.0 113.7

2010-11 BRNC 10.0 0.7 3.1 13.8 RMAS 30.8 11.1 6.2 48.2 DA 43.1 39.3 36.2 118.6 Cranwell 59.3 14.5 26.4 100.2

2011-12 BRNC 10.0 1.5 3.3 14.8 RMAS 31.6 10.4 4.4 46.4 DA 43.6 39.4 32.0 115.0 Cranwell 61.1 22.6 17.4 101.2

The Ministry of Defence does not publish details of Mr Robathan: The Defence Explosive Ordnance future budgets for individual parts of the Department. Disposal, Munitions and Search Training Regiment has These are adjusted by the Defence Board both in-year, been established through the amalgamation of Defence and in each annual budgeting cycle, to ensure that Explosives, Munitions and Search School (South) based resources remain aligned with outputs. in Lodge Hill, Chatham and Defence Explosives, Munitions and Search School (Kineton) under a single regimental As regards savings achieved, the Defence Academy headquarters structure. The move has not changed the has achieved total savings of £31.4 million since financial content of courses which continue to be delivered in year 2007-08. At the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, accordance with the latest Defence regulations and Service manpower is the main driver for running costs standards. External validation is also conducted, with and since the establishment has not changed the running results fed back into the training system. costs have remained fairly constant in recent years.

Armed Forces: Young People Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the standards of training being given by the newly commissioned Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Explosives Ordnance Disposal, Munitions Defence what proportion of recruits enlisting as and Search Training Regiment; and if he will make a minors joined each Army regiment or corps in each of statement. [158738] the last 10 years. [157758] 11W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 12W

Dr Murrison: The following table shows the proportion of untrained minors (soldiers under 18) entering each arm/service in the last 10 financial years:

Percentage Financial years Arm/service 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Household Cavalry 5.7 4.1 6.2 7.2 7.4 7.3 6.0 5.9 6.5 8.5 and Royal Armoured Corps Royal Regiment of 7.5 6.2 7.4 8.1 9.7 11.6 8.2 8.4 8.7 8.6 Artillery Corps of Royal 7.2 9.7 11.7 11.1 10.4 9.9 9.6 11.0 10.9 6.6 Engineers Royal Corps of 8.3 7.7 7.1 6.1 4.3 4.8 8.4 6.3 4.3 7.4 Signals Infantry 37.9 36.5 33.5 35.0 37.0 37.7 37.0 46.2 44.6 40.5 Army Air Corps 1.9 2.0 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.9 0.1 0.9 1.2 Royal Logistic Corps 14.0 17.7 16.4 13.0 12.1 10.9 12.3 13.7 12.4 12.7 Royal Army Medical 1.8 2.3 1.8 2.3 1.6 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.4 2.1 Corps Corps of Royal 13.3 12.0 12.8 13.8 13.5 12.2 14.0 5.9 8.6 10.9 Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Adjutant General’s 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 Corps (Military Provost Service and Provost Branch) Adjutant General’s 1.4 0.9 0.6 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.6 1.0 0.1 Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) Adjutant General’s — — — — 1.5 1.7 1.2 0.1 0.4 1.0 Corps (Unspecified) Royal Army 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 Veterinary Corps Royal Army Dental 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Corps Queen Alexandra’s 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Royal Army Nursing Corps Corps of Army Music 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 Intelligence Corps — — — — 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Unknown — — — — 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total Minors 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Capita bodies (which lie outside the MOD’s accounting boundary), locally by the MOD, through third parties such as Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for prime contractors or other Government Departments Defence how much his Department currently spends and in relation to collaborative projects where the payments on contracts with Capita; and how much was spent in are made through international procurement agencies or overseas governments. Payments made by Government each year since 2008. [158462] Procurement Card are also not included. Mr Dunne: Expenditure on Ministry of Defence (MOD) The significant increase in spend in FY 2012-13 contracts with Capita is shown in the following table: resulted from the commencement of a 10-year recruitment partnering contract with Capita Business Services Ltd, Financial year (FY) Expenditure (£ million) to deliver Army recruiting services including the transfer 2008-09 4.5 of this process online through the introduction of new 2009-10 13.4 information systems. This is expected to deliver benefits 2010-11 16.6 in excess of £300 million to the armed forces and will 2011-12 10.4 release military recruiters back to the front line. 2012-13 55.4 Since January 2011, central Government Departments 2013-14 (to 5 June 2013) 9.8 have been required to publish on Contracts Finder This is based on Capita’s corporate structure as at 1 information on the contracts they award: April 2013 and includes any payments made to companies www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/ which include ‘Capita’ in their company name. It does not include payments which may have been made on In addition, Departments publish details of spend in behalf of other Government Departments, by the MOD’s excess of £25,000. trading funds and executive non-departmental public 13W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 14W

Defence Infrastructure Organisation Germany

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy Defence what recent discussions he has had with his of staffing of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. German counterpart on whether intelligence supplied [158488] by the UK will be used for drone strikes by Germany. [158939]

Mr Francois: Robust analysis has been applied during Mr Robathan: Neither I or my ministerial colleagues the design of the Enhanced Operating Model of the have had any discussions with our German counterparts Defence Infrastructure Organisation. This has identified on this issue. the structure and roles to enable us to deliver the service outputs. Recruitment is currently under way to fill roles Gulf States where required and will continue until late summer 2013. Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support the Royal Air Force is providing Defence Munitions Longtown to US armed forces in the Gulf region; and what the (a) location, (b) cost and (c) purpose is of that support. [158918] Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the additional Mr Robathan: The RAF provides support to US and costs that would be incurred for transport of munitions other partner nation forces on a reciprocal basis in the if Defence Munitions Longtown were to be closed. Gulf region. This is similar to other regions of the [158977] world where UK and partner forces are co-located. It includes assistance with air transport and training or, Mr Dunne: No decision on the future of Defence where forces are based together such as in Bahrain, Munitions Longtown will be made until after the spending Qatar and the UAE, facility management. It includes review for 2015-16. Additional transport costs are estimated providing air-to-air refuelling, supporting ISAF forces to be in the region of £0.4 million to £0.9 million per in Afghanistan, and more long-standing arrangements annum. for mutual support of infrastructure. A comprehensive compendium is not held centrally and could be provided Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for only at disproportionate cost. Defence what estimate he has made of the likely clean-up costs that would be incurred if Defence Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Munitions Longtown were to be closed. [158978] what joint training missions the UK is undertaking with the US in the Gulf; and what the (a) type of Mr Dunne: In the event that Defence Munitions training, (b) cost of training and (c) number of personnel Longtown is no longer required for defence use, remediation involved is in each case. [158936] costs would be dependent on the future use of the site. Mr Robathan: UK forces routinely conduct tactical training serials and exercises in the Gulf region, both Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for with the US and with other partners. These can include Defence whether the review referred to in his letter of ships, aircraft, as well as Defence personnel, and are 25 March 2013 to Luis Eckersley at Defence Munitions aimed at improving our individual capabilities, as well Longtown will be carried out by the same team from as our ability to operate together. Additional details of his Department that carried out the initial review. the training serials (types, personnel and costs) are not [158986] held centrally. As of 6 June 2013, the UK is participating in only Mr Dunne: The review referred to in my letter of 25 one multinational exercise, Shaheen Star V,which consists March 2013 to Luis Eckersley at Defence Munitions of six RAF Typhoon aircraft operating from the UAE Longtown has been completed and I shall be assessing with the US Air Force. The RAF has exercised in the its findings in the light of the spending review for Gulf area for many years and Shaheen Star V is the 2015-16. I can confirm that the review was conducted latest in a series designed to exercise with partners in a by the same team from the Ministry of Defence that diverse and challenging environment; it involves around carried out the initial review. 150 UK personnel. The exercise concludes on 20 June 2013 and the additional cost to core expenditure is Defence: Industry estimated to be in the region of £350,000. Iraq Conflict Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were employed in the defence Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for industry in the UK in each of the last three years. Defence what assessment he has made of health problems [158855] in Iraq arising from the allied use of uranium-depleted munitions during the first and second Gulf Wars; and Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence no longer compiles what steps his Department is taking to tackle such national or regional defence industry employment statistics health issues in an effective and appropriate way. as they do not directly support policy-making or operations. [158415] 15W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 16W

Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answers Training year Movements Duration hours I gave on 18 January 2013, Official Report, column 964W and 4 February 2013, Official Report, column 2008-09 23 16 78W,to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert). 2009-10 42 26 2010-11 35 19 Lynx Helicopters 2011-12 21 17 2012-13 54 36

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for These figures include any activity by visiting aircraft, Defence what strategic advantages the use of the which are not recorded separately. Wildcat helicopter in maritime operations brings; and if he will make a statement. [158735] Military Exercises Mr Dunne: It is planned that the Lynx Wildcat helicopter will achieve Initial Operating Capability for the Army Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for variant in 2014 and for the Navy variant in 2015. Defence what assessment he has made of the recent The Royal Navy Lynx Wildcat has been procured to Joint Warrior training exercises and their effect in operate from frigates and destroyers and will, like its preparing troops for combat; and if he will make a predecessor, be earmarked for a variety of attack and statement. [158730] defensive roles—anti-ship, anti-submarine, ship protection, casualty evacuation, battlefield reconnaissance, counter Mr Robathan: The Joint Warrior tri-service and piracy, counter narcotics and general utility. From the multinational exercises prepares UK forces for contingent outset, it has been designed to operate in a maritime operations through integration of participating air, land environment. It will be fitted with the necessary sea and maritime forces, and interoperability with our allies. safety features to meet legislative requirements and its The most recent exercise saw the validation of UK’s sensors have been optimised to operate over the sea. High Readiness Brigades and of the joint forces The capability will be essential to both the deployment headquarters (the UK’s standing joint operational and sustainability of Royal Navy assets for all scales of contingent command); the preparation of UK mine maritime operations. warfare battle staff for operations in the Gulf; and the preparation of the UK Response Force Task Group for Military Aircraft the annual Cougar deployment.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Pakistan: Military Bases how many spare parts his Department has exclusively available for (a) Nimrod MR2, (b) Nimrod MR4 and Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for (c) each other type of aircraft; and if he will make a Defence when and for how long any UK armed forces statement. [157874] personnel have been stationed at Shamsi Airbase in Pakistan; and what the purpose of such personnel Mr Dunne: The information requested is not held deployed to that base was. [158779] centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr Robathan: We have no records of UK armed Following the withdrawal from service of the Nimrod forces having been stationed at Shamsi Airbase in Pakistan. MR2 and cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 in 2010 and the withdrawal from service of the Nimrod R1 in 2011, equipment and parts that could not be re-used on Research other platforms were transferred to the Disposal Services Authority. Disposal is now substantially complete and Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Net Book Value of remaining Nimrod spares is £0. Defence how much has been allocated for research and development funding in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015. Military Aircraft: Wales [158776] Mr Dunne: There is no fixed forward budget for Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for research and development. Defence how many training sorties have been flown The Department’s plans for funding research through over the Welsh Military Tactical Training area by (a) the centralised Ministry of Defence Science and Technology the Royal Air Force and (b) air force pilots from Programme, under the Department’s chief scientific overseas in each of the last five years. [158123] adviser, are £410 million for 2013-14 and £435 million for 2014-15, rounded to the nearest £5 million, which Mr Robathan: The information is not held in the meets our intention to sustain science and technology format requested. Flights within the Welsh Military investment at a minimum of 1.2% of the Defence Tactical Training Area are recorded as the number of budget. Development expenditure is applied according individual movements and hours flown. This information to the requirements of individual projects (mostly as is provided in the following table for fixed-wing aircraft part of the equipment programme) and the plans for operating below 250 feet. Figures have been rounded to funding of the development elements of these projects the nearest hour. Helicopters do not fly in this area. are not centralised. 17W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 18W

Research and Development Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter, two of the world’s most modern and capable multi-role combat aircraft. Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for We cannot comment on operational range requirements Defence how much his Department spent on research as this would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, and development funding on unmanned air vehicles in effectiveness or security of the armed forces. (a) 2011, (b) 2012 and (c) 2013. [158782] Unmanned Air Vehicles Mr Dunne: Unmanned air vehicle research and development spending for the financial years (FY) 2010-11 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for to 2012-13, rounded to the nearest £1 million, is set out Defence what assessment he has made of tactical as follows: military advantages arising from the use of remote piloted air systems; and if he will make a statement. Financial year £ million [158349] 2010-11 46 2011-12 37 Mr Robathan: Since October 2007, Reaper, the RAF’s 2012-13 49 Remotely Piloted Air System, has played a vital role supporting military operations in Afghanistan providing a persistent intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition Royal Fleet Auxiliary and reconnaissance capability.A formal tactical assessment would routinely be carried out at the end of an operation; Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for however, commanders assess and reassess tactics on a Defence what the cost was of the re-fit of RFA Fort daily basis to adapt to a changing threat. Austin; and whether three replacement solid support ships will be in service in the early 2020s under the Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for contract for the MARS vessels. [158612] Defence how many (a) Reaper and (b) Hermes 450 vehicles have crashed and subsequently been taken out Mr Dunne: The final cost of refitting Royal Fleet of service in each year since each model came into Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Austin is in the process of being operation. [158777] assessed but is expected to be around £40 million. The Fleet Solid Support element of the Military Mr Dunne: The numbers of Reaper and Hermes 450 Afloat Reach and Sustainability Programme is not covered Unmanned Air Vehicles that have been permanently by any contractual commitment at this time. The Ministry removed from service as a result of crashes is provided of Defence will decide its future plans once further in the following table: capability investigation is complete later this decade. Syria Reaper Hermes 450 2007 0 0 Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008 1 2 Defence what estimate his Department has made of the 2009 0 1 cost to the public purse of the (a) current and (b) 2010 0 2 proposed level of support for Syrian opposition forces 2011 0 3 with regard to military equipment. [158137] 2012 0 1 2013 to 1 June 0 0 Alistair Burt: I have been asked to reply on behalf of Total 1 9 the Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. No decision has been made to provide lethal military equipment to the armed opposition. In terms of non-lethal Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for assistance to the civilian opposition, the UK has so far Defence how many Watchkeeper training flights have committed over £12 million. Furthermore, on 13 May taken place; what the location was of such flights; and the Prime Minister announced that the UK would what the cost to the public purse has been to date. double its non-lethal assistance this year to £20 million. [158780] This additional assistance will be used to provide services to the Syrian people, deliver assistance to them on the Mr Dunne: Watchkeeper has made 72 training flights ground and forge links between different communities to date, all from West Wales airport, Aberporth. and opposition groups. Training flights are only one element of the wider Watchkeeper trials, evaluation and qualification programme Tornado Aircraft and it is not possible to identify separately the costs of flying activities from other costs under the programme. Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the RAF’s operational range requirement for the Unmanned Air Vehicles: Training Tornado GR4 replacement is; and if he will make a statement. [158445] Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Dunne: There is no like for like replacement Defence which other countries provide the Royal Air planned for the Tornado GR4 aircraft. We will maintain Force with Reaper conversion training; and what the the combat air requirement through a combined fleet of (a) location and (b) cost is of that training. [158919] 19W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 20W

Mr Robathan: The Royal Air Force Reaper conversion Stephen Crabb: Wales Office expenditure on external course is provided through a Foreign Military Sales legal advice is set out as follows: Agreement with the United States Air Force and is (a) Between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012—£15,251 conducted at Holloman Air Force Base, USA. (b) From 4 September 2012—£2,244 I am withholding information on the cost of training The Wales Office is yet to be invoiced for payment in pilots to fly the Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System as relation to further external legal advice it received during its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice 2012. relations between the United Kingdom and another state. Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the highest day rate paid for external legal advice by his Department since 7 May 2010 was. [158687] WALES Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office has paid its external Capita legal advisors at an hourly rate. The highest hourly rate we have paid is £220 per hour. Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department currently spends on contracts with Capita; and how much was spent in each year since 2008. [158475] ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office has had no contracts Arctic with Capita since 2008. Legal Costs Mr Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of whether the decrease in the extent of Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Arctic sea ice since reliable records began is statistically what the 20 highest amounts paid for external legal significant; and what statistical model his Department advice by his Department were in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 has used to conduct that assessment. [158206] and (c) 2012; to whom such payments were paid; and for what reasons the legal advice was sought. [158627] Gregory Barker: The Department has not commissioned any assessment of the statistical significance of long-term Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office did not seek external trends in Arctic sea-ice extent. Work undertaken under legal advice in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, the Department the Climate Programme at the Met Office Hadley Centre sought legal advice relating to the relocation of our has assessed the physical reasons for the decrease in ice Cardiff office. There were three payments made for this extent and used physically-based climate models to legal advice, and this is shown in the following table: assess its future course (’Assessment of possibility and impact of rapid climate change in the Arctic’: Supplier Amount (£) http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/p/i/HCTN_91.pdf Geldards LLP 10,242.00 We note that the downward trend in Arctic sea-ice Geldards LLP 2,509.00 extent, taking account of the seasonal cycle, is now Geldards LLP 2,500.00 well-established from satellite observations since 1979 and has been reported as being statistically significant The Department also obtained external legal advice in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. during 2012 on matters relating to the boundary of the Welsh devolution settlement. The Wales Office is yet to Capita be invoiced for payment for this advice.

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for how much his Department spent on external legal Energy and Climate Change how much his Department advice from Queen’s Counsel (a) between 7 May 2010 currently spends on contracts with Capita; and how and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012. much was spent in each year since 2008. [158464] [158652] Gregory Barker: The Department has contracted Capita Stephen Crabb: Wales Office expenditure on external Business Resources, Capita Resourcing Ltd, Capita Health legal advice from Queen’s Counsels was: and Wellbeing, Capita Symonds and Capita Business Services to carry out various roles on behalf of the (a) Between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012—£0 Department. (b) Since 4 September 2012—£2,244 The total amount spent in each financial year: The Department also obtained advice from a Queen’s Counsel during 2012 on matters relating to the boundary Financial year £ of the Welsh devolution settlement. The Wales Office is yet to be invoiced for payment for this advice. 2008-091 36,439,250 2009-10 33,294,201 Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 2010-11 7,564,880 how much his Department spent on external legal 2011-12 3,331,912 advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 2012-13 7,354,789 and (b) since 4 September 2012. [158670] 1 From October 2008. 21W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 22W

These figures include funds administered by Capita Details on the amount of support provided under on behalf of the Department as well as management FITs are also publically available and can be viewed at: fees etc. http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Pages/ MoreInformation.aspx?docid=42&refer=Sustainability/ Energy: Business Environment/fits

Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Green Deal Finance Company Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to encourage green officers in private businesses to reduce Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for energy consumption and promote green employment. Energy and Climate Change under what terms the [158547] Green Investment Bank has awarded money to the Green Deal Finance Company. [157860] Gregory Barker: DECC has recently provided £308,000 in grants for the purpose of promoting the take-up of more specialised energy efficiency training in the non- Gregory Barker: The Green Investment Bank makes domestic sector among facilities managers and production investments on a commercial basis. They have lent to line managers. In order to further develop the energy the Green Deal Finance Company within the parameters management skills of facilities managers, DECC will of the state aid decision concerning the Green Deal (ref also be working with Asset Skills, the employer-led SA.34611). The detailed commercial terms are a matter skills body for facilities managers, to ensure that energy for the bank and DECC are unable to comment on efficiency is integrated into the core modules of the them. National Occupational Standards. More generally, greater energy efficiency belongs at Green Deal Scheme the heart of a low carbon economy and our energy efficiency policies (including measures like the Green Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Deal) are spurring the development of a multi-billion Energy and Climate Change (1) how many registered pound market that is developing in technologies and Green Deal providers have (a) applied for administration supply chains. and (b) filed for bankruptcy since the establishment of the Green Deal; [158854] Energy: Finance (2) what estimate he has made of the number of people who have been made unemployed since 1 January John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2013 by Green Deal providers who have entered into Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of financial difficulty. [158917] 20 May 2013, Official Report, column 415W, on energy: subsidies, (1) whether there is a central database of all Gregory Barker: Ministers regularly receive briefings public subsidies given to energy companies; [158010] on developments in this sector, but DECC does not (2) if he will consider recording public subsidies hold statistics of the type requested. given to energy companies in the format requested; [158011] Insulation: Mobile Homes (3) in what format his Department records public subsidies given to energy companies. [158012] Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Michael Fallon: There is no central database of all Energy and Climate Change what steps the Government public subsidies given to energy companies. At this is taking to ensure access to free and subsidised insulation time, the Department has no plans to create a central schemes for people who live in park homes as part of database of such payments. the Green Deal. [158552] The Department maintains a financial system that Gregory Barker: In order to qualify for Green Deal captures all of the transactions it makes including payments finance, a home must first have a direct connection to a made to suppliers. However, there is no requirement to licensed energy supplier and be capable of having an classify payments recorded on this system as subsidies energy performance certificate (EPC) produced. In the or to classify suppliers as energy companies. Therefore, case of park homes, the methodology used to generate pursuant to answer of 20 May 2013, Official Report, EPCs does not, at present, support the full range of column 415W, on energy: subsidies, the information park home construction types (this is because it was requested could be provided only from this system at initially designed for compliance with the European disproportionate cost. energy performance of buildings directive, which does In addition, Ofgem administers the renewable obligations not apply to park homes). DECC is currently working (RO) and the feed-in tariffs (FITs) schemes, which with the industry to include a wider range of park provide market-based support for large scale and small homes in the methodology for a future update, which scale deployment of renewable energy generation. should then allow those who are directly supplied by a Ofgem publish data on the RO on the Renewables licensed energy provider to access Green Deal finance. and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Register at: Park homes are eligible for support under the energy http://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/ company obligation (ECO). While it is for the obligated The public reports available on the register provide energy companies to decide whether to provide support details of the stations accredited under the RO and to any particular home, and if so at what level, this details of the ROCs awarded to accredited stations. could include part or full subsidy of the costs of insulation. 23W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 24W

Legal Costs Wind Power: Scottish Islands

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State and Climate Change (1) what the 20 highest amounts for Energy and Climate Change what account was paid for external legal advice by his Department were taken of the potential costs to consumers of the proposed in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; to whom such measures to bridge the funding gap for Scottish islands’ sums were paid; and for what reasons the legal advice wind power in his Department’s report, Scottish Islands was sought; [158631] Renewables Project, published on 14 May 2013. [R] (2) how much his Department spent on external legal [157678] advice from Queen’s Counsel (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; Michael Fallon: The Scottish Islands Renewables Project [158638] was an independent study to assess the potential of, and barriers to, the development of renewables on the Scottish (3) how much his Department spent on external legal islands. The report shows that while there are significant advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 potential benefits to developing renewables on the Scottish and (b) since 4 September 2012. [158656] islands, there are also considerable costs that need to be overcome. The Government, with support from the Gregory Barker: This information could be provided Scottish Government, will use the report to weigh up only at disproportionate cost. the costs and benefits of renewable generation on the However, some information covering sums above £500 Scottish islands against other sources of electricity, paid for external legal advice is available on the DECC considering the impact on the local economies and website at: communities, and importantly on consumers across the https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of- whole of Britain. energy-climate-change/series/departmental-spend-over-500

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the highest day rate paid for PRIME MINISTER external legal advice by his Department since 7 May 2010 was. [158673] Developing Countries: Malnutrition

Gregory Barker: DECC generally negotiates fees for Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Prime Minister if he will legal advice at hourly rates. Therefore this information discuss with his international counterparts at next could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Moreover, month’s G8 summit in Belfast what further steps (a) its publication could adversely affect the Department’s G8 countries and (b) other countries can take to ability to negotiate the best rates for future work, and it reduce malnutrition in the developing world. [158019] is therefore commercially confidential. The Prime Minister: The UK joined Brazil and the Solar Power: British Overseas Territories Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to host a major international event on 8 June on ‘Nutrition for Growth: Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Beating Hunger through Business and Science’. Energy and Climate Change how much his Department The event set the scene for the G8 summit which will spent on investment in solar power in UK Overseas focus on freer trade, greater tax compliance and enhanced Territories in the last two years. [158344] transparency. These are essential if developing countries are to unlock resources that will enable them to tackle Gregory Barker: The Department has not made any issues that affect the poorest people, such as hunger and investments in solar power in UK Overseas Territories malnutrition. in the last two years. Eric Schmidt Telephone Services Paul Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister what matters in respect of corporate tax payment he discussed with John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Mr Eric Schmidt on 20 May 2013. [157805] and Climate Change whether his Department receives any financial or non-financial benefit from its telephone providers for telephone lines that (a) his Department The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible operate, answer I gave on 3 June 2013, Official Report, column including but not limited to (i) a share of call revenue, 1253, to the hon. Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith). (ii) a reduction in the Department’s telephone bill or tariff and (iii) telephony services for free or at a reduced Food: Retail Trade price. [157736] Mr Meacher: To ask the Prime Minister what Gregory Barker: Neither the Department of Energy meetings (a) he and (b) staff in his Office have held and Climate Change nor its agencies receive any financial with directors or staff of the top 15 food retailers in the or non-financial benefit from its telephone providers for UK in the last 12 months; and what subjects were telephone lines that they are responsible for operating. discussed at those meetings. [158412] 25W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 26W

The Prime Minister: Details of my meetings with we do not name individuals, but the following table external organisations are published on a quarterly provides the requested information. basis. Details can be accessed on the Cabinet Office website. Copies of the latest list have been placed in the Civil Grade Length of service Libraries of the House. Job title name Team name secondment grade

PPP Range E Public Private One year G7 Finance Partnerships LEADER OF THE HOUSE Specialist Policy Senior Range E Personal Two years G7 Bilderberg Group Policy Taxation Adviser Adviser Range D Office of Tax Six months HEO Mr Meacher: To ask the Leader of the House if he Simplification will ensure that Ministers attending the Bilderberg Conference at Watford on 6-9 June make a statement to Banks: Loans the House afterwards reporting on the proceedings and the implications for Government policy. [158531] David Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Lansley: The Minister without Portfolio, my right what steps his Department is taking to ensure banks hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr accurately explain the relationship between variations Clarke), updated the House today in response to the in the Bank of England base rate of interest and the hon. Member’s question relating to the proceedings at interest charged on their variable rate loans. [158769] last weekend’s Bilderberg conference in Watford. Sajid Javid: The Government has established a new Legal Costs business regulator for financial services—the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)—which will protect consumers Sadiq Khan: To ask the Leader of the House (1) what and supervise all firms to ensure that business across the 20 highest amounts paid for external legal advice by financial services and markets is conducted in a way his Office were in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; to that advances the interests of all users and participants. whom such sums were paid; and for what reasons the In relation to mortgages, the FCA is responsible for legal advice was sought; [158634] the rules lenders and intermediaries are required to (2) how much his Office spent on external legal meet in order to ensure consumers are appropriately advice from Queen’s Counsels (a) between 7 May 2010 informed when taking out a mortgage. and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; In relation to consumer credit lending, the consumer [158646] credit act (CCA) requires that consumers are informed (3) how much his Office spent on external legal about the interest rate, including information on potential advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 future changes to the interest rate. and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158664] (4) what the highest day rate paid for external legal Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer advice by his Office since 7 May 2010 was. [158681] pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 817W,on banks: loans, when he expects postcode Mr Lansley: My Office has not paid for any external level lending data from the banks to be publically legal advice in the periods set out in the questions. available; and if he will make a statement. [158798]

Greg Clark: The Government is working with industry TREASURY to ensure that banks publish postcode level lending data broken down by institution. This includes working on Accountancy the details of when and how the data will be made publically available. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the names, job titles, area of work, term of Borrowing: Scotland appointment and Civil Service equivalent grade are of personnel currently seconded to his Department from Pamela Nash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the big four accountancy firms. [159051] (1) what research his Department has undertaken into the market costs of borrowing for the Scottish Government Sajid Javid: The Treasury operates a strategic interchange under the new powers in the Scotland Act 2012; [158008] policy. The Department is fully committed both to the development of its people and to securing the benefits (2) what research his Department has undertaken brought to the Department by staff who have a greater into the market costs of borrowing for the Scottish depth and breadth of expertise and knowledge gained Government under the new powers conferred by the as a result of outside experience. This is managed Scotland Act 2012. [158916] strategically to support Treasury’s continuing capability to deliver business objectives so it serves the interests of Danny Alexander: On 13 May 2013 the Government the Treasury as well as the individual. There are currently published a summary of responses to its public consultation three individuals on secondment from the big four on Scottish Government bond issuance within the accountancy firms. For reasons of personal confidentially parameters of the Scotland Act 2012. 27W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 28W

The majority of respondents believed that bonds premises have been made in each region in the last five issued by the Scottish Government would likely translate years for which data is available. [158551] into a cost of borrowing significantly above that enjoyed by the UK Government. The factors most often cited included the perceived lower creditworthiness of the Scottish Government owing in particular to its narrower Mr Gauke: The following table shows the latest available revenue base and lack of a track record in borrowing, as statistics on proposals (appeals) received to alter the well as the lower liquidity of Scottish Government 2005 and 2010 rating lists, by region, in England and bonds compared with UK gilts. Wales, for each of the previous five financial years. Business Premises: Valuation

Ann Coffey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests for the revaluation of business

Financial year Region 2008-092 2009-102 2010-111,2 2011-122 2012-132

England and Wales 133,490 233,770 284,270 176,720 115,550 England 126,380 221,070 270,120 167,730 109,830 North East 5,660 9,510 11,190 7,390 4,750 North West 20,580 31,310 39,650 23,060 15,440 Yorkshire and the Humber 12,270 23,300 27.820 14,950 10,380 East Midlands 9,160 15,350 18,150 9,570 7,100 West Midlands 13,820 21,710 26,530 15,810 11,150 East 12,650 20,950 26,430 17,140 10,920 London 25,900 50,970 51,850 42,100 25,1.60 South East 16,560 28,700 44,080 22,730 13,750 South West 9,770 19,280 24,420 14,980 11,180 Wales 7,120 12,710 14,160 8,990 5,730 1 The 2010 rating list came into operation on the 1 April 2010 therefore there are no proposals with respect to this list for earlier financial years. 2 VOA Official Statistics, Non domestic Rates (Business Rates): Local Rating Lists: Table A1.12010: http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/NDR_TableA_All_2010.xls Table A1.1_2005: http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/NDR_TableA_All_2005.xls

Capita Climate Change Levy

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Mr Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with Exchequer how much his Department currently spends representatives of industry on the Climate Change on contracts with Capita; and how much was spent in Levy. [158982] each year since 2008. [158474] Sajid Javid: Treasury Ministers and officials have Sajid Javid: Since January 2011, central Government meetings and discussions with a wide variety of Departments have been required to publish on Contracts organisations as part of the process of policy development Finder information on the contracts they award and delivery. www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/ The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial, meetings In addition, Departments publish details of spend in with external organisations, available at: excess of £25,000. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury/ series/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas- HM treasury do not currently hold any contracts travel directly with Capita Group. However it does currently procure services from companies in Capita Group under Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the contracts arranged centrally by other government Exchequer what recent representations he has received departments, eg a Cabinet Office led contract with on the Climate Change Levy and energy-intensive Capita Business Services Ltd for Civil Service Learning. industries. [158983] HM Treasury spend with Capita Group since 2008: Sajid Javid: Treasury Ministers and officials have Financial year (£)1 meetings and discussions with a wide variety of organisations as part of the process of policy development 2008-09 283,044 and delivery. 2009-10 138,985 The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings 2010-11 53,887 with external organisations, available at: 2011-12 32,556 https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury/ 2012-13 36,993 series/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas- 1 Excluding VAT travel 29W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 30W

Corporation Tax: Scotland Council Tax

Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Simon Hart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer he will estimate the yields to the Exchequer from how many applications have been made to the Valuation corporation tax from Scotland (a) including and (b) Office requesting a reduction in council tax as a result excluding revenues from oil and gas sources in each of of properties being located next to wind farms or proposed wind farm developments in (a) 2011, (b) 2012 and (c) the last four financial years. [157872] 2013. [158151]

Mr Gauke: Latest figures for onshore (excluding North Mr Gauke: The VOA would have to conduct a manual sea companies) and North sea companies’ corporation search of all its band challenges records to produce tax (CT) net receipts, for the UK as a whole, from these statistics, which could be undertaken only at 1999-2000 to 2011-12 are available in Table 11.1A of disproportionate cost. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC’s) CT Statistics publication. This is available on the internet at: Gordon Henderson: To ask the Chancellor of the http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/ct-receipts/corporation-tax- Exchequer whether he has any plans to review the rules statistics.pdf on the revaluation for council tax purposes of domestic HMRC does not routinely produce estimates of properties that have been increased in size since their corporation tax by region and the OBR does not forecast last valuation. [158163] corporation tax split by region. Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf However, with regard to onshore CT receipts from of the Department for Communities and Local Scotland, I refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 8, 9, Government. 12 and 13 (pages 3 and 4) of the HMRC explanatory It is a long-standing feature of the council tax system note on estimating the cost of a reduction in the CT rate that material improvements to a property (such as an in Scotland, published by HM Treasury on 13 July extension) are only taken into account when the property 2011. This contains estimates of the proportion of is sold (a ’relevant transaction’). This is intentional, to onshore CT for Scotland based companies looking at avoid council tax becoming a ’home improvement tax’. the years 2004-05 to 2008-09, using the postcode of The Government has no plans to review these rules. their registered offices to identify them. Across these years, Scottish registered companies make up around In addition, the Government confirmed on 24 September 7% of total UK onshore CT accruals. This figure does 2010 that there would be no council tax revaluation in not include the activities in Scotland of companies England during the lifetime of this Parliament. The whose registered addresses are outside Scotland. Government believes a revaluation would be expensive and unnecessary and result in higher council tax levels, A link to the detailed HMRC explanatory document especially for those who have undertaken home is given here: improvements since they bought their property. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130130150421/ Indeed, it is the policy of this Government to make it http:/www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/scotlandoffice/files/ easier for hard-working families to improve their homes. HMRC%20Corporation%20tax%20paper%20july%202011.pdf

Credit Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effects on the yields to the Exchequer from corporation tax from Scotland (a) including and Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (b) excluding revenues from oil and gas sources in the what further steps he plans to take to regulate consumer current and previous financial years of the applicable credit to ensure that irresponsible firms and bad practice rate of tax being set at (i) 19, (ii) 18 and (iii) 17 per cent. will have no place in the consumer credit marketplace. [157873] [158981] Jo Swinson: I have been asked to reply on behalf of Mr Gauke: Estimates of the impact of these corporation the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. tax (CT) rate cuts in Scotland could be produced only at disproportionate cost. The Government has a clear vision for the consumer credit market. We want consumers to have confidence HM Revenue and Customs previously produced an in the system, secure in the knowledge that they can be estimate of the Exchequer impact of a decrease in the expected to be treated fairly by firms and that, if things main rate of CT to 12.5% in Scotland. This estimate do go wrong, the regulator will step in swiftly and was published by HM Treasury on 13 July 2011. Links decisively to put it right. to the news article, and the detailed analysis paper are The Government has announced that it will transfer provided here: responsibility for regulating consumer credit from the https://www.gov.uk/government/news/analysis-of- Office for Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct corporation-tax Authority (FCA) on 1 April 2014. The link from the gov.uk page to the HMRC explanatory The FCA will take a proactive approach to regulating paper is currently broken, so here is the link to the consumer credit markets and will focus its supervisory detailed analysis: efforts on those areas most likely to pose a risk to http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130130150421/ consumers. It will be able to respond more quickly and http:/www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/scotlandoffice/files/ flexibly to market changes through the power to make HMRC%20Corporation%20tax%20paper%20july%202011.pdf its own binding rules, making sure that regulation keeps 31W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 32W pace with this diverse and innovative market. It will also Beer clearance figures are published as part of the undertake tougher scrutiny of firms entering the market, HMRC tax bulletins. Figures on beer clearances (product and will have strong enforcement powers to punish released for consumption) in hectolitres are published misconduct by firms, including the power to levy unlimited for April 2012 and will be published for April 2013. fines, ban specific products and individuals and require The estimated impact of the beer duty cut at Budget firms to compensate consumers who have lost out. 2013 on beer consumption is presented in tables 1, 2 and 3 as follows. Credit Unions Table 1: Effect on consumption (% to 1d.p) Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Beer (% to 1d.p) Exchequer how many credit unions have been the 2013-14 2.2 subject of intervention by the Financial Services 2014-15 2.9 Compensation Scheme and its predecessor bodies in 2015-16 3.1 the last five years. [158907] Table 2: Effect on consumption (hectolitres) Sajid Javid: Since 2009, 36 credit unions have been Beer—quantities product referred to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. (thousand hectolitre to the nearest 50,000) This includes six in 2013. 2013-14 850 Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks 2014-15 1,100 2015-16 1,150 Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when he will publish the findings of the Table 3: Effects on consumption (pints per year) consultation on legislative measures to tackle alcohol Beer—pints (rounded to nearest 50 million) duty fraud; and if he will make a statement; [157772] (2) when he will publish the submissions to the 2013-14 150 consultation on legislative measures to tackle alcohol 2014-15 200 duty fraud; and if he will make a statement. [157773] 2015-16 200

Sajid Javid: The Government expects to publish a Excise Duties: Tobacco summary of responses and make an announcement on next steps to tackle alcohol duty fraud over the coming Mr Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer months. what estimate he has made of annual revenue lost in Any announcement will be made through the usual (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the UK as a result of channels for publishing the outcome of Government tobacco fraud. [158332] consultations. Sajid Javid: Estimates of the losses in revenue associated Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the with illicit sales of tobacco products in the UK are Exchequer when recent representations he has received published in “Measuring Tax Gaps 2012”. on alcohol duty fraud. [157774] http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-gaps/mtg-2012.pdf Sajid Javid: Treasury Ministers and officials have These estimates cannot be disaggregated by country. meetings and discussions with a wide variety of stakeholders as part of policy development and delivery. As was the Financial Services: Taxation case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer meetings and discussions. whether his Department plans to review its policy on a financial transactions tax. [159177] Excise Duties: Beer Mr Gauke: The EU Commission published its proposal Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the for implementing a financial transaction tax (FTT) Exchequer (1) how he plans to monitor the effects of under the enhanced co-operation procedure on 14 February. the reduction in beer duty on the number of pints of As set out in Explanatory Memorandum 6442/13, beer sold in the UK; [157750] dated 19 March 2013, the UK will not be joining the (2) if he will estimate the number of pints of beer enhanced co-operation FTT. The Government continues sold in the UK in (a) April 2012 and (b) April 2013; to believe that, due to the international mobility of [157751] trading, any broad-based FTT can be viable only if (3) what estimate he has made of the number of applied at a global level. additional pints of beer which will be sold in the UK as a result of the reduction in beer duty in (a) 2013-14, Housing: Valuation (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [157752] Ann Coffey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid: The Government monitors the effects of how many successful appeals have been made against changes in alcohol duties through tax receipts and existing house price valuations in each region of the alcohol clearances published in HM Revenue and Customs UK in the last five years for which data is available. (HMRC) monthly tax bulletins. [158550] 33W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 34W

Mr Gauke: The number of council tax challenges Sajid Javid: This information is not held within the that resulted in a change in each region in England and Department in the form requested, and could be provided Wales for the last five financial years is shown in the only with disproportionate cost. following table. Sadiq Khan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Total number of challenges1 that resulted in a band decrease how much his Department spent on external legal Area 2008-092 2009-103 2010-114 2011-125 2012-136 advice from Queen’s Counsel (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012. England and 33,870 23,250 20,910 19,470 18,440 Wales [158651] England 31,640 21,810 19,740 18,440 17,500 North East 1,090 600 1,040 640 400 Sajid Javid: This information is not held within the North West 5,510 3,460 3,150 3,750 3,970 Department in the form requested, as our records of Yorkshire 3,410 2,880 2,840 3,220 1,920 the Department’s legal costs are not consistently and the differentiated between legal advice and legal representation, Humber or between advice from QCs and junior members of the East 2,520 1,650 1,440 1,300 1,240 Midlands Bar. The information could be provided only with West 2,450 1,390 1,290 1,280 1,290 disproportionate cost. Midlands East 3,430 2,390 2,150 1,690 1,320 Sadiq Khan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer London 3,440 2,690 2,170 1,610 1,840 how much his Department spent on external legal South East 5,420 3,890 3,330 2,620 3,090 advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 South West 4,380 2,860 2,350 2,330 2,440 and (b) since 4 September 2012. [158669] Wales 2,240 1,440 1,170 1,020 940 1 Challenges consist of: Band Reviews, proposals and appeals. Sajid Javid: This information is not held within the 2 VOA Official Statistics, Council Tax Valuation Lists: Challenges 2008-09, Table 2.1 Department in the form requested, as our records of http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/xls/ the Department’s legal costs do not consistently differentiate 200809%20CT%20Band%20Challenges%20Table%202.1.xls between legal advice and legal representation. The 3 VOA Official Statistics, Council Tax Valuation Lists: Challenges 2009-10, Table 2.1 information could be provided only with disproportionate http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/xls/ cost. 200910%20CT%20Band%20Challenges%20Table%202.1.xls 4 VOA Official Statistics, Council Tax Valuation Lists: Challenges 2010-11, Table 2.1 Sadiq Khan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/xls/ what the highest day rate paid for external legal advice 201011%20CT%20Band%20Challenges%20Table%202.1.xls by his Department since 7 May 2010 was. [158686] 5 VOA Official Statistics, Council Tax Valuation Lists: Challenges 2011-12 Q4, Table 5 http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/xls/120503_ct_Table5.xls Sajid Javid: The information requested cannot be 6 VOA Official Statistics, Council Tax Valuation Lists: Challenges 2012-13 Q4, Table 5 derived from the Department’s accounting records. In http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/CT_Challenges_2012- order to obtain it the Treasury would be required to 13%20Q4AllTables.xls undertake a manual review and assessment of large Inflation volumes of records; this would be at a disproportionate cost to the Department. Steve McCabe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes there were in (a) the retail prices index, Loans (b) the consumer prices index, (c) fuel prices and (d) food prices in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to date. [158334] what consultation he will undertake regarding his proposal to increase the exempt threshold for the small loans Sajid Javid: The statistics are shown in the following exemption limit from £5,000 to £10,000. [157792] table. Data on changes in prices are available to download from the website of the Office for National Statistics: Mr Gauke: No consultation is necessary as this is www.ons.gov.uk solely an increase in the exemption threshold for employer provided beneficial loans. There is no other change to Annual rate, percentage the legislation. 2010 2011 2012 20131 The increase in the threshold from £5,000 to £10,000 Retail Prices Index (RPI) 4.6 5.2 3.2 3.2 will take effect from 6 April 2014. Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 3.3 4.5 2.8 2.7 Food prices (CPI) 3.0 5.0 3.1 4.4 Midland Expressway Motor fuel prices (CPI) 16.7 14.7 2.0 -0.9 1 Averagetodate. Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Chancellor of the Legal Costs Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of bringing Midland Expressway Limited into public ownership. Sadiq Khan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer [158702] what the 20 highest amounts paid for external legal advice by his Department were in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 Danny Alexander: It is not Government policy to and (c) 2012; to whom such sums were paid; and for estimate the cost of bringing privately owned companies what reasons the legal advice was sought. [158635] under public ownership. 35W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 36W

Minimum Wage PAYE

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Chancellor of the Dr Offord: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to (1) what assessment his Department has made of the enforce the minimum wage. [158723] benefit to employers of the real-time information system; [158202] Mr Gauke: HMRC enforces the national minimum (2) what assessment his Department has made of the wage (NMW) on behalf of the Department for Business, capacity of the real-time information system to deliver Innovation and Skills (BIS). BIS has responsibility for time and cost savings to employers. [158203] policy and legislation in relation to the NMW. HMRC, working with BIS, determines the compliance Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) plan for NMW.The majority of employers identified as published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) paying below the NMW will pay arrears on receipt of a on 15 March 2013 that included an updated assessment formal Notice of Underpayment. Where they do not, of the impact that PAYE real time information (RTI) HMRC will pursue recovery through the civil courts. will have on businesses. For deliberate non-compliance or obstructive behaviour, HMRC has commissioned independent research HMRC operates a policy of selective (the most serious exploring the impact of RTI on all employers in the only) and exemplary (but across the range of offences pilot. This research is looking at confidence levels, ease and sectors) criminal investigations to bolster its overall and the overall impact of RTI on the employers’ businesses. enforcement strategy. The findings will be used in conjunction with a wider evaluation of the pilot, which will include an assessment Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Chancellor of the of the impacts on HMRC. The TIIN will be updated Exchequer (1) how many inspectors employed by HM later this year using that evidence. Revenue and Customs were responsible for the investigation (a) of non-payment of the national minimum wage in Revenue and Customs 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013; [158962] (2) how many complaints have been received by HM Revenue and Customs regarding non-payment of the Bob Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer national minimum wage by domiciliary care providers what powers HM Revenue and Customs has to inspect passports. [158945] in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013; [158963] (3) how many cases HM Revenue and Customs Mr Gauke: Under powers contained in section 157A (HMRC) have investigated for the non-payment of the of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 an national minimum wage by domiciliary care providers officer of Revenue and Customs may require any person in the last three years; how many instances of entering or leaving the United Kingdom to produce the non-compliance have been discovered by HMRC person’s passport or travel documents for examination. through such investigations; and how many such cases In practice this power is exercised by officers of the related to the non-payment of travel time. [158964] Home Office who exercise revenue and customs functions at the border by virtue of sections 1 Mr Gauke: The number of compliance officers and 7 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act responsible for investigation of the minimum wage in 2009. the years requested is in the following table: In addition, under powers contained in sections 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 and Financial year (at 1 April) Number of compliance officers regulation 7 of the Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance 2010 92 (Administration) Regulations 2003, an officer of HM 2011 85 Revenue and Customs may require any person or person’s 2012 92 making a claim for tax credits or child benefit or 2013 92 guardian’s allowance to provide any information or evidence required to make or revise a decision in respect The number of complaints received by HMRC of any question arising out of a claim to tax credits, concerning non-payment of the minimum wage by child benefit or guardian’s allowance. In practice this domiciliary care providers for the years requested is in may include requiring sight of a passport as evidence the following table: that the person making the claim is who he says he is or to establish his legal status in the United Kingdom. Financial year Number of complaints received

2010-11 22 Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services 2011-12 11 2012-13 19 David Mowat: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2013-14 to date 7 what the average call waiting time was for (a) domestic and (b) international callers to HM Revenue and Customs’ In the last three years, HMRC has completed 35 tax enquiry line in each of the last five years for which investigations into employers providing domiciliary care figures are available. [158361] services, identifying 15 non-compliant employers. With regard to the issue of travel time, I would refer the hon. Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs only holds Member to my answer of 17 April 2013, Official Report, data in relation to average call waiting times to its tax column 405W. enquiry helpline from 2011 onwards: 37W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 38W

Tax Allowances: Social Enterprises Average queue of answered calls

January to March 2011 00:08:59 Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the 2011-12 00:07:06 Exchequer when he will consult on the introduction of 2012-13 00:05:03 a new tax relief to encourage investment in social 2013-14 (April to 3 June 2013) 00:05:29 enterprises. [157794]

The Department’s telephony system is unable to Mr Gauke: The social investment tax relief consultation distinguish the difference between domestic and was published on Thursday 6 June, as announced by the international callers at queue level; therefore the requested Prime Minister at the G8 Social Impact Investment breakdown cannot be provided. Conference. The consultation will run until 6 September I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave 2013. to the hon. Member for Barnsley Central (Dan Jarvis) on 22 Apr 2013, Official Report, column 678W. Tax Avoidance HMRC periodically publishes its performance statistics at: Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/bus-plan-qds.htm Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue foregone as a result of advice on tax avoidance offered by the big And now at: four accountancy firms in the latest period for which https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-plan- figures are available. [159055] indicators HMRC plans to publish the results for Quarter 4 Mr Gauke: The Government has made no such estimate. (January to March 2013) in late June 2013. Tax Evasion Royal Bank of Scotland Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Ms Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Exchequer (1) how many people were prosecuted for if he will ensure that the Financial Regulation alcohol fraud in the UK in each of the last five years Authority publishes its report into the RBS/Ulsterbank for which figures are available; [157768] computer system failure. [158827] (2) how many people were prosecuted for illegal sales, where the duty and VAT had not been paid, of Greg Clark: Investigations into the conduct of financial (a) alcohol and (b) tobacco for each of the last five services firms are a matter for the new independent years for which figures are available; [157769] financial regulators, the Financial Conduct Authority (3) how many investigations there have been into (FCA) and the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA), sales of (a) illicit alcohol and (b) illicit tobacco, where whose day-to-day operations are independent from the duty and VAT had not been paid, in retail outlets in government control and influence. each of the last five years for which figures are Following the RBS/Ulsterbank computer system failure available. [157771] in June 2012, the previous regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), commissioned an independent Sajid Javid: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) does report into the failure. The PRA and the FCA are not hold information in the form requested in these two undertaking a coordinated regulatory investigation into questions. They record the number of prosecutions for the circumstances surrounding the information technology the offence of evasion of duty and can break down the systems outages that took place. Both regulators are figures between evasion on alcohol and tobacco products. working closely together to ensure there is not unnecessary The offence can be committed upon importation, possession duplication of work and, when the investigation is or sale of the goods in question but HMRC does not complete, each will decide whether it is appropriate to record which of these applies to each case. take any enforcement action. Should either of the regulators’ The numbers of prosecutions for evasion of duty in enforcement investigation conclude that formal action the each of the last five years for which figures are is appropriate, that will be made public in the usual way available are as follows. via a press release on the relevant regulator’s website. Total number of tobacco Total number of alcohol prosecutions prosecutions Sign Language 2008-09 186 9 2009-10 124 14 Simon Kirby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2010-11 214 8 what steps his Department is taking to ensure the 2011-12 167 3 services it offers are accessible to British Sign Language 2012-13 265 28 users. [157940] The term “investigations” can cover many types of Sajid Javid: When producing videos we offer a transcript interventions undertaken by HMRC. These can range as well as subtitles to aid those who have hearing from inquiries being carried out by, for example, visiting difficulties. We are not currently able to offer sign officers to full-scale criminal investigations. The total language alternatives but are always looking for new number is not collated centrally and would therefore be ways to make our digital products more accessible. available only at disproportionate cost. 39W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 40W

Taxation (International and Other Provisions) Act 2010 VAT

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Exchequer when he will (a) consult and (b) report on when he will publish the results of consultation on VAT: the extension of s363A Taxation (International and treatment of refunds made by manufacturers. [157779] Other Provisions) Act 2010. [157782] Mr Gauke: The consultation document was published Mr Gauke: The Government will publish a consultation on 31 May 2013 and the consultation period will end on document on the extension of section 363A Taxation 31 August 2013. The Government will publish its response (International and Other Provisions) Act 2010 in July. to the views received before or alongside the publication The Government announced at Budget 2013 that changes of any draft legislation. will be made in Finance Bill 2014. All responses will be properly considered before any changes are introduced, and a draft clause will be published for consultation at VAT: Exports autumn statement. Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Taxation: Bingo when he will (a) consult and (b) report on options for redesigning the VAT Retail Export Scheme. [157778] Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent consideration he has given to Mr Gauke: At Budget 2013 it was announced that the reducing the rate of gross profit tax for bingo to 15 per Government will consult on options for re-designing cent. [158763] the Retail Export Scheme. HMRC plans to publish the consultation document in June. The consultation will Sajid Javid: The Government keeps all taxes, including run for three months. HMRC will publish a summary of bingo duty, under review. responses to the consultation in late 2013 and this will set out the next steps. Tonnage Tax: Scotland

Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer VAT: High Speed 2 Railway Line how many vessels operating from ports in Scotland were elected into the tonnage tax scheme in each year Mrs Gillan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer since 2001-02; and what the total tax relief was in each pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, year for such vessels. [157858] column 828W, on VAT High Speed 2 (HS2) railway line, when he expects HM Revenue and Customs to Sajid Javid: The information requested is not available. make a decision on whether the HS2 project will be subject to VAT. [158594] Ulster Bank Mr Gauke: In order to recover VAT incurred on the Ms Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer costs of constructing the railway, HS2 Ltd will have to what discussions he has had with his Irish counterpart register for VAT. To do so, it will have to satisfy HMRC on the sale of Ulster Bank. [158826] that it intends to make taxable supplies, as explained in paragraph 3.12 of the May 2013 National Audit Office Sajid Javid: Treasury Ministers and officials engage report. As the NAO also point out in their report, VAT with a wide variety of organisations in the public and represents an internal transfer within government rather private sectors, as part of the process of policy development than an additional cost. and delivery.As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions. Wealth: Distribution The Government’s strategy remains to return the state-owned banks to full private sector ownership when Lindsay Roy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer it is right to do so. The Government does not give a what steps he is taking to tackle inequality in income running commentary, but naturally keeps its strategy and wealth in the UK; and if he will make a statement. towards the state-owned banks under review. [158479] Urenco Sajid Javid: The Government’s tax policies during this period of consolidation have impacted on different Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Chancellor of the income groups in different ways. The Government has Exchequer what progress the Government has made on continued to support people on low and middle incomes, selling its share in Urenco. [157818] rewarding the efforts of those who choose to work by taking real steps to make the first £10,000 of income Sajid Javid: On 22 April 2013 the Government free from tax. Taken together, the personal allowance announced it will work with its international partners in increases announced by the Government will benefit the uranium enrichment company Urenco to move 25 million individuals and provide a real-terms gain of forward preparations for the sale of all or part of the £443 to most basic rate taxpayers in 2013-14. At the UK’s one-third shareholding. Any sale of the shareholding same time the Government’s actions mean that the remains contingent upon full protection of the UK’s richest pay more tax on capital gains, more stamp duty security and non-proliferation interests, and upon achieving on their homes, more tax on their pensions, and are less value for money for the taxpayer. able to avoid or evade tax. 41W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 42W

The latest distributional analysis published by the private sector are engaging and together promoting Government shows that the top 20% continue to make Northern Ireland as a first class destination to visit and the greatest contribution towards reducing the deficit, invest in. both as a percentage of their income and benefits in kind from public services and in cash terms. Heathrow Airport Universal credit will also allow people to keep more of their income as they move into work. Most of the Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern gains from universal credit accrue to low income households, Ireland what assessment she has made of the potential with those with the lowest incomes benefiting the most effect on the Northern Ireland economy of the construction on average, while relatively higher income households of a third runway at London Heathrow airport. [156956] see, on average, no change or a reduction in net income. Mrs Villiers: I have made no such assessment. The Working Tax Credit coalition agreement sets out the Government’s position on a third runway at Heathrow. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount in Invest NI working tax credits paid to (a) all non-UK nationals and (b) non-UK EEA nationals in each of the last Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for three years. [159101] Northern Ireland what discussions the Government held with the Northern Ireland Executive about the Sajid Javid: This information is not available. role of Invest NI in the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Boston. [156958]

NORTHERN IRELAND Mrs Villiers: The Government is committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive to rebalance the Accountancy Northern Ireland economy, and we have regular discussions with Executive Ministers on these issues, including the Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for contribution that Invest NI makes to promote growth Northern Ireland what the names, job titles, area of and support the creation of jobs. work, term of appointment and civil service equivalent The Northern Ireland Executive did not ask the grade are of personnel currently seconded to her Prime Minister to discuss the role of Invest NI in his Department from the big four accountancy firms. recent visit to Boston in which the Prime Minister [159048] promoted trade, investment and innovation in the UK through a series of events. These included promoting Mike Penning: There are no personnel currently seconded the GREAT campaign by travelling with HRH Prince to my Department from the big four accountancy firms. Harry in the New Bus for London, manufactured in G8: County Fermanagh Ballymena and Antrim, with Invest NI backing. Sign Language Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers and armed forces personnel from outside Northern Ireland Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for are being deployed for the duration of the G8 summit. Northern Ireland what steps her Department is taking [158908] to ensure the services it offers are accessible to British Sign Language users. [157937] Mrs Villiers: It is anticipated that there will be around 3,600 mutual aid officers from England, Wales and Mike Penning: My Department does not deliver services Scotland deployed to assist the Police Service of Northern direct to the public. Should it become necessary I would Ireland during the G8 summit. At the request of the seek to ensure that any services delivered were accessible PSNI, the MOD will be helping to provide a safe and including, where possible, to British Sign Language secure G8 summit through the provision of logistical users. support. The military involvement in the G8 summit is a routine feature of events such as this and will be similar to support provided to the 2005 Gleneagles summit. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Accountancy for Northern Ireland what opportunities will be taken before, during and after the G8 summit to maximise Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for tourism and inward investment potential for Northern Culture, Media and Sport what the names, job titles, Ireland. [158909] area of work, term of appointment and Civil Service equivalent grade are of personnel currently seconded to Mrs Villiers: My officials are working closely with the her Department from the big four accountancy firms. Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that Northern [159039] Ireland gets the best from the summit. The Executive, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Tourism Ireland, Invest Hugh Robertson: We do not have anyone on secondment NI and a range of NI bodies within the public and to DCMS from the big four accountancy firms. 43W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 44W

Aerials Mr Vaizey: Marking property without the consent of the owner is criminal damage under the Criminal Damage Act 1971. In some cases graffiti can be dealt with by a Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for fixed penalty under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2013. Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to The Government has no plans to change the law. encourage the sharing of mobile telephone mast sites between mobile network operators; and to what extent such sharing will be promoted in rural and island areas Immunity Certificates in the forthcoming review of the Electronic Communications Code. [158787] Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Mr Vaizey: The sharing of mobile telephone masts is Media and Sport when she expects to table secondary a commercial decision for the mobile network operators legislation under the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform therefore not one in which Government can intervene. Act 2013 on certificates of immunity. [157421] However there are existing infrastructure sharing agreements between Vodafone UK and Telefonica 02 UK (Cornerstone Mr Vaizey [holding answer 3 June 2013]: The Secretary Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd) and Three UK of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. and Everything Everywhere Limited (Mobile Broadband Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Maria Miller), Network Limited). The agreements have resulted in an expects the secondary legislation commencing the changes enhanced coverage of 2G and 3G services for users and to the provisions regarding certificates of immunity will enable each operator to roll out 4G mobile services from listing under the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform across the UK faster. Act 2013 to come into force on 25 June 2013 The Law Commission report to Government on the reform of the Electronics Communication Code was published in February 2013. We are now considering Museums and Galleries their recommendations carefully.The report and supporting evidence can be accessed at: Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/areas/electronic- Media and Sport what her policy is on admission communications-code.htm charges to museums containing public collections that are funded by central Government grant-in-aid; and if Broadband: Rural Areas she will make a statement. [159078]

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Vaizey: The Government is committed to the Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 3 policy of maintaining free admission to the national June 2013, Official Report, column 802W,on broadband: museums and galleries. rural areas, when the independent review is expected to report; and whether it has made interim findings available to her (a) formally and (b) informally. [158601] Offences Against Children: Internet

Mr Vaizey: The independent assurance reviewers have Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for produced a draft report of their findings and are currently Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to assess working to finalise the report for presentation to the the potential lessons to be learned for Government Department in the summer of 2013. policy on internet safety from recent court cases of child murders. [158400] Cambridgeshire Mr Vaizey [holding answer 3 June 2013]: We keep our policies and practice on tackling child sexual abuse Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for and for child internet safety under continual review. As Culture, Media and Sport what amount has been spent a result, I have called the major internet service providers, and in what categories of expenditure by her Department mobile operators, search engines and social media in North East Cambridgeshire constituency in each of companies in for a summit to discuss what more could the last five years. [158196] be done to minimise internet harm. Hugh Robertson [holding answer 6 June 2013]: The Working in partnership with law enforcement, industry Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not and charities, we have taken significant steps to remove keep records of expenditure by individual constituency illegal child sexual abuse content from the internet, and would not be able to isolate this data without block access to such material, and to take action against incurring disproportionate costs. those responsible for it. Through the UK Council for Child Internet Safety Graffiti we also work with the internet industries, parents’ and children’s charities, academics, law enforcement agencies and other experts to help keep children safe online, for Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for example by encouraging the adoption of parental controls Culture, Media and Sport if she will carry out an impact in the home and other appropriate measures to limit assessment on whether legalising graffiti art would increase children’s access to harmful material wherever and however the number of street artists in England. [155857] they access the internet. 45W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 46W

Public Libraries: Suffolk Guildford Lido K2 Crawley Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Surrey Sports Park Media and Sport if her Department will carry out an The Mountbatten Leisure Centre assessment of the performance of the Suffolk Libraries Woodgreen Leisure Centre Industrial and Provident Society. [158989] Wycombe Sports Centre Hengrove Park Leisure Centre Mr Vaizey: DCMS monitors and assesses the proposals and decisions being made about changes to library Millfield Senior School services across England. However, responsibility for the assessment of the performance of Suffolk Libraries Stratford Park Leisure Centre (site 1) Industrial and Provident Society rests with Suffolk county The Plymouth Life Centre council and will be carried out in accordance with the Tinside Lido contracts terms between the council and the charity. University of Bath Sports Training Village Science Museum Group Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre John Charles Centre for Sport Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre Media and Sport if she will give an undertaking that the Sunderland Aquatic Centre Government will provide enough public funding to the Hinksey Heated Outdoor Pool Science Museum Group in 2013-14 and each of the next Shoalstone Outdoor Swimming Pool two years to enable all the museums in the group to Parliament Hill Lido remain open. [159077] Hilsea Lido Mr Vaizey: Operational decisions, including allocations Aldershot Pools Complex to individual branches, are a matter for the Science Northcroft Leisure Centre Museum Group. The group has to address a projected Jesus Green Outdoor Pool operational deficit and is currently assessing a range of Tooting Bec Lido options to address this situation. Hampstead Bathing Pond Swimming Pools Serpentine Lido Lymington Sea Water Baths Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Jubilee Pool (Penzance) Media and Sport what information her Department holds on the location of (a) private-sector and (b) Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for public-sector Olympic-sized swimming pools in England. Culture, Media and Sport whether the location of private-sector Olympic-sized swimming pools is taken [156826] into account in taking decisions on the building of new Hugh Robertson: We do not have the data in the public-sector Olympic-sized swimming pools. [156829] format requested. Sport England have records of 53 Olympic-sized or larger swimming pools in England Hugh Robertson: Sport England take account of the and these are as follows: location of private sector Olympic-sized swimming pools when taking decisions in investing public funding and Location building new public-sector Olympic-sized swimming pools. Basildon Sporting Village Brightlingsea Open Air Swimming Pool World War I: Anniversaries Hitchin Swimming Centre and Fitness @ Archers Hitchin Inspire: Luton Sports Village Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Letchworth Outdoor Pool Culture, Media and Sport what financial and logistical Lido support she intends to offer Liverpool City Council for Sportspark the centenary anniversary of World War I. [158576] Corby East Midlands International Pool Loughborough University Hugh Robertson: The Government is leading the nation in acts of remembrance and enabling communities and Brockwell Park Lido individuals to participate in the centenary in a way Charlton Lido which is meaningful for them. The Heritage Lottery Crystal Palace National Sports Centre Fund (HLF) recently launched a £6 million small grants Gurnell Leisure Centre programme to help communities mark the Centenary of Hillingdon Sports And Leisure Complex the First World War and explore their local heritage. London Fields Lido This builds on HLF’s other programmes that, since Olympic Aquatic Centre April 2010, have awarded £13 million to First World War projects. This includes funding for a project where Park Road Leisure Centre local Black and Minority Ethnic families will be working Grand Central Pool with National Museums Liverpool to research their Liverpool Aquatics Centre family history and involvement in the war. HLF has Manchester Aquatic Centre also been working with Liverpool City Council on Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre potential applications to mark the centenary. The Imperial 47W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 48W

War Museums’ Centenary Partnership is a network of Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for over 1,000 not for profit cultural and educational International Development how many (a) Ministers organisations, including local and regional groups. This and (b) officials in her Department have visited a UK network provides access to resources, expertise, a special Overseas Territory since May 2010. [158365] logo and networking opportunities and will enable millions of people across the world to discover more about life in Mr Duncan: Ministers for the DFID have made three the First World War. visits to the Overseas Territories since 2010. DFID officials have made numerous visits to UK Overseas Territories since 2010. These visits have ensured that the INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Territories’ reasonable assistance needs continue to be met, that financial management programmes are being Africa monitored, and that options for economic growth and sustainable development are explored and, where Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for appropriate, are supported. International Development what the UK’s policy is on supporting the creation of a pan-African regulatory China licensing and approvals system, similar to the system administered by the European Medicines Agency in Europe to help increase and speed up access to HIV medicines Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State in Africa; and if she will make a statement. [158911] for International Development if she will provide advice and support to the First and Deputy First Lynne Featherstone: Weak regulatory capacity for Minister from Northern Ireland following their recent medicines is a significant obstacle for access to safe, visit to China to ascertain the viability of establishing a effective and affordable medicines in poor countries. bureau in China to help foster good relations and Where medicines regulators lack sufficient capacity to promote inward investment. [158796] perform their basic functions, as they do in many African countries, delays are caused to the registration and Mr Swire: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the availability of new medicines for HIV and other diseases. Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The risks of the circulation of poor quality and dangerous We encourage the devolved Administrations to promote medicines are also increased. inward investment from China to the UK and to develop The UK supports the long-term vision of leadership wider cultural and political links with a country of growing by well-functioning African medicines regulators, using global importance. The Foreign and Commonwealth transparent and accountable decision-making processes Office has provided support to the First and Deputy and collaborating regionally and internationally as First Minister from Northern Ireland to improve their regulators do in other regions, such as the European links with China and we will continue to do so. Union. Progress has been made in recent years. Developing countries, under the leadership of regional economic Developing Countries: Abortion blocs, have organised to develop regulatory strengthening plans and political support is growing. The UK has Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for supported a number of mechanisms which have been International Development whether her Department established in this area. These include the African Medicines provides funds to any aid agencies which provide medical Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) effort and the services to female victims of sexual violence and which World Health Organisation (WHO) Pre-Qualification also receive aid from the US and are constrained by that Programme (PQP) which provides a recognised quality government’s policy towards the provision of abortion standard that is referred to and used by developing services; and if she will make a statement. [158477] country medicines regulators as well as many international donors and procurement agencies. Lynne Featherstone: DFID does provide funding to British Overseas Territories organisations that provide sexual and reproductive health care services to women and girls, including those who Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for are victims of sexual violence. Two examples include International Development what plans her Department Programme Partnership Arrangement funding to Marie has to assist with the development of transport links to Stopes International and the International Planned encourage tourism in each of the UK Overseas Territories Parenthood Federation. Receipt of US funds by that receive assistance from her Department. [158342] organisations does not restrict their provision of safe abortion information or services using UK funds. Mr Duncan: DFID currently provides support to aided Overseas Territories to ensure safe and reliable Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for access. Technical assistance is also being provided to International Development what her policy is on the Public Works Departments in three aided Territories rights of women and girls who have been raped in for the improvement of roads and other essential situations of armed conflict and their right to medical infrastructure. These investments are essential to encourage treatment which may include access to a safe abortion. tourism to these Territories. Long-term access constraints [158586] are being addressed on St Helena through the construction of an airport. On Montserrat, options to improve sea Lynne Featherstone: It has not been possible to provide and air access are currently being explored. These the information by the named day. However, I will write investments will make St Helena and Montserrat easier to the hon. Member with the information requested and to get to, bringing benefits for tourism and business. place it in the Library of the House. 49W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 50W

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Developing Countries: Land International Development how much and what proportion of the total UK international development budget was Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for spent on abortion services in the last five years, by International Development if she will use the UK’s country. [158806] 2013 G8 presidency to promote global action to develop transparency in land acquisitions. [157697] Lynne Featherstone: The UK Statistics for International Development (SID) 2007-08 to 2011-12 were published Justine Greening: The Prime Minister has outlined an in May 2013. These are available at ambitious agenda for the UK’s G8 presidency, aimed at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department- advancing trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting for-international-development/about/statistics transparency. We will use the G8 presidency to promote SID does not disaggregate expenditure on abortion responsible and productive land-based investments through services. However, 22% of DFID’s bilateral programme greater transparency. was classified under the ’health’ sector (£929 million). International Assistance Developing Countries: Diarrhoea Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will press for the International Development what funding from the UK disaggregation of data by disability, age and gender in Aid Budget she plans to allocate to an integrated approach the framework that will replace the millennium development to confronting diarrhoeal disease incorporating oral goals. [157706] rehydration therapy, zinc treatment, rotavirus vaccines and improvements to sanitation and hygiene. [157754] Justine Greening: Disaggregating data by numerous factors, including disability, age and gender, is a priority Lynne Featherstone: DFID recognises that integration for the UK on the Post-2015 agenda. We are pleased of water, sanitation and hygiene with other strategies is that the High Level Panel, which was co-chaired by the fundamental to achieving the necessary reach and impact Prime Minister, delivered a report to the UN Secretary- on reducing diarrhoeal diseases and reducing under- General that made a strong statement on disaggregating nutrition. data and reaching those left behind. This is a core part of the data revolution that we are encouraging as part DFID’s water and sanitation programme in Sierra of the Post-2015 framework. Leone is closely linked to health programmes on reducing maternal mortality and improving infant health. In Malawi, Kenya, Nigeria and Pakistan, DFID is supporting Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for clean water supply and sanitation facilities in schools. International Development how the Government plans (a) (b) In addition, several high impact nutrition interventions, to ensure that nomadic communities, children (c) notably in Yemen, Nigeria and Zambia, include a strong with disabilities and other marginalised groups are focus on hand washing with soap and water particularly recognised in the post-2015 millennium development by child-carers at critical times. Providing zinc, along goals. [157753] with other important micro-nutrients, is an important part of DFID nutrition specific activities along with Lynne Featherstone: The Prime Minister and I have hand washing. been clear on the need for the post-2015 framework to reach the poorest and most vulnerable. The UK worked Developing Countries: Economic Growth hard to secure a recommendation in the recent High Level Panel report to ‘leave no one behind’, with goals and targets only ‘achieved’ once they are met for all Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for social groups. We will continue to emphasise the need to International Development how much of her Department’s reach everyone over the next two years of discussions budget was spent on economic growth and the private on the post-2015 development agenda. sector via bilateral programmes, by country, in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and what estimate she has Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for made of the equivalent figures for 2013. [158955] International Development what steps she plans to take to promote an intersectoral approach to issues of water, Justine Greening: Figures for bilateral aid spend on sanitation and hygiene, infectious diseases and nutrition wealth creation by country are published in DFID’s in the post-2015 millennium development goals framework. Annual Report. These figures are published on a fiscal [157755] year basis, with figures for the year 2012-13 due to be published shortly. DFID’s Annual Reports for 2010-11 Justine Greening: The High Level Panel, which was and 2011-12 can be accessed here: co-chaired by the Prime Minister, has recently published https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report- its report. This includes a set of illustrative goals and and-accounts-2011-volume-i targets, with specific goals for universal access to water https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-annual- and sanitation, to ensure food security and good nutrition report-and-accounts-2011-2012 and to ensure healthy lives. In taking forward the These figures do not include the indirect contribution recommendations of the High Level Panel, which we that the rest of the aid programme makes to economic strongly support, the Department for International growth and economic development such as support to Development (DFID) will promote and encourage state and non-state investment in health and education approaches that will tackle all three of these goals in an and strengthening governance and accountability. integrated way. 51W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 52W

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justine Greening: I am delighted with the bold and International Development pursuant to the answer of ambitious report put forward by the High Level Panel, 15 May 2013, Official Report, column 281W, on co-chaired by the Prime Minister, and with its good international assistance, what the Government’s vision reception by other countries and civil society organisations. is of a data revolution for the next development framework. The UK is working intensively with others to ensure [157831] that the report’s recommendations are reflected in ongoing discussions within the United Nations, including in the Justine Greening: A data revolution would see policy Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals makers in the private and public sectors promote open and at the Special Event on MDGs in September. access to and use of data, encouraging citizen engagement Legal Costs and participation in monitoring progress; integrate statistics into decision making; and work now to ensure a baseline for post-2015 targets is in place by January 2016. It Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for would also include disaggregating data by a range of International Development what the highest day rate factors for all targets, ensuring that the new framework paid for external legal advice by her Department since reach the poorest and most vulnerable. The proposals 7 May 2010 was. [158680] for a data revolution and a global partnership on development data are important contributions by the Mr Duncan: DFID’s central finance records do not High Level Panel. enable tracking of external legal expenditure by daily rate. It is therefore not possible to provide this information Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for without incurring disproportionate cost. International Development pursuant to the answer of Members: Correspondence 15 May 2013, Official Report, column 281W, on international assistance, by which variables the Government Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for wishes to see data disaggregated in the framework that International Development when she intends to reply will replace the millennium development goals. [157832] to the letter from the hon. Member for Bury South dated 8 May 2013 regarding her Department’s use of Justine Greening: The UK believes that it would be private sector contracts. [158820] helpful for the data for all goals and targets to be disaggregated by gender, disability, age, income (especially Justine Greening: A reply was sent on 7 June 2013. for the bottom 20%), location, and relevant social group. The relevant social groups will need to differ from Overseas Aid country to country to ensure that we reach the most marginalised; for example, caste would be relevant in Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for some but not all countries. The HLP report recommended International Development how much and what that targets should be only considered to have been proportion of her Department’s budget was spent via achieved if they are met for all of these groups. This is a (a) multilateral organisations and (b) bilateral core part of the data revolution that we are encouraging programmes in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012; what as part of the Post-2015 framework. estimate she has made of the equivalent figures for 2013; and if she will list those organisations and Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for programmes. [158947] International Development how her Department plans to take forward the recommendations in the report by Justine Greening: As detailed in the Department’s the High Level Panel on the Sustainable Development Annual Report and Accounts, the bilateral and multilateral Goals. [159097] spend for the previous two financial years is as follows:

Financial year Bilateral Bilateral (%) Multilateral (£ million) Multilateral (%) (£ million)

2010-11 actual spend 4,408 48 3,192 42 2011-12 actual spend 4,256 56 3,344 44

Details of the organisations and programmes funded Overseas Companies: Mining can be found within each of the annual reports for the relevant year, which are available on the Department’s Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for website: International Development what steps she is taking to 2010-11 Annual Report improve the transparency of UK-based extractive https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report- industries operating abroad. [158139] and-accounts-2011-volume-i Justine Greening: The UK has made transparency 2011-12 Annual Report one of its main priorities at the 2013 G8. This weekend https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-annual- the UK hosts ’Open for Growth: Transparency Revolution’ report-and-accounts-2011-to-2012 where G8 countries, partner Governments, companies The Department’s Annual Report containing details and civil society will make commitments on transparency. for 2012-13 is to be published shortly and will be The Prime Minister has announced that the UK will available on the DFID website. implement the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative 53W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 54W

(EITI) by which companies publish what they pay and South Sudan Governments what they receive from oil, gas and mining. The UK is a strong supporter of the EITI which has 39 implementing countries so far. The UK has also successfully Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for agreed strong EU rules in the accounting directive to International Development what recent assessment she ensure that UK listed and large oil, gas, mining and has made of the humanitarian situation in Jonglei forestry companies report the payments they make to State, South Sudan; and what access is being provided Governments in all countries. by the Government of South Sudan to humanitarian and other non-governmental organisations. [158754] Palestinians Lynne Featherstone: We remain extremely concerned Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for about the conflict in Jonglei and the civilian suffering it International Development (1) which projects her is causing. We have raised our concerns with the Department funds in Area C of the Occupied Government of the Republic of South Sudan. Along with our international partners, in a statement on 18 Palestinian Territory; [158755] May 2013 we stressed the need for all armed actors to (2) what support her Department is giving to ensure the protection of civilians and the provision of Palestinians living in Area C of the Occupied humanitarian space and access. We will continue to Palestinian Territory. [158757] work closely with the UN and other partners to improve the provision of humanitarian support. Mr Duncan: A number of our projects benefit those living in Area C. We support the Norwegian Refugee Council to provide free legal support and advice to St Helena vulnerable families and communities at risk of displacement. We also support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the International Committee of Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide essential services to International Development what discussions she has Palestinians living in the west bank and East Jerusalem. had with the Government of St Helena on the (a) In 2009-10, we provided £1 million to provide emergency current water supply infrastructure and (b) anticipated aid to Palestinians in the OPTs. Through our new demand following the opening of the airport and increased Palestinian Market Development Programme (PMDP) tourism; and if she will make a statement. [158692] we will aim to strengthen the competitiveness of the Palestinian private sector, including those companies Mr Duncan: DFID officials are in close contact with able to work in Area C. the St. Helena Government (SHG) on both the state of the island’s water infrastructure and anticipated demand Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for for water after the opening of the airport. They have International Development what assessment her been working with SHG to help them improve the Department has made of the relative poverty of Palestinians infrastructure to keep up with future demand and current living in (a) Area C, (b) Areas B and A and (c) East work includes projects to upgrade and improve the Jerusalem. [158756] water distribution system. Mr Duncan: The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics All SHG Directorates incorporate anticipated demand (PCBS) does not produce separate poverty data for from an increased population after the airport opens areas A, B and C in its annual reporting. However, into their planning. reports from other sources, including the World Bank, NGOs and the UN, have repeatedly highlighted that poverty and living conditions in Area C and East Jerusalem Staff are of particular concern. Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Sign Language International Development what proportion of her Department’s staff was based (a) in the UK and (b) Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for overseas in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012; and what International Development what steps her Department estimate she has made of the equivalent figures for is taking to ensure the services it offers are accessible to 2013. [158956] British Sign Language users. [157935] Justine Greening: The following table shows the Mr Duncan: DFID is predominantly engaged in proportion of DFID staff based in the UK and overseas: commissioning, managing and evaluating the delivery of projects by third parties overseas and is not involved Percentage in the provision of services directly to communities. UK Overseas

Neither British Sign Language (BSL) nor British, 2010 53.3 46.7 Australian and New Zealand Sign Language (BANZSL) 2011 52.6 47.4 are used commonly in DFID operating countries. 2012 49.4 50.6 Where practicable and appropriate DFID works to 2013 48.8 51.2 deliver on the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED Notes: Section 149 Equality Act 2010) through procurement 1. Based on full-time equivalent. and contractual relationships. 2. Data as at end of March each year. 55W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 56W

Syria Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for has undertaken an assessment of the effect of drone International Development what latest assessment she strikes on the security of (a) locally engaged and (b) has made of and what aid the UK is supplying to the other staff of her Department in the affected areas. humanitarian situation in Syria in response to that [158938] situation. [158587] Justine Greening: DFID prioritises the safety and Justine Greening: Since the start of the conflict in well-being of all of its staff. The Department maintains Syria more than 80,000 people have been killed. 6.8 an up-to-date assessment of all security risks to staff million are in need, including at least 4.25 million who and regularly reviews safety measures. have been forced to flee their homes to other areas of the country. There are a further 1.6 million refugees in Zimbabwe the region. The UK’s total funding for Syria and the region to Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State date is £171 million. UK Aid is already funding food for for International Development what recent reports she over 251,000 people a month, water for over 900,000 has received on the holding of free and fair elections in people and we have provided over 288,000 medical Zimbabwe. [158795] consultations. Our support is reaching people in all 14 governorates of Syria, as well as refugees in the Lynne Featherstone: We regularly receive and monitor neighbouring countries. The UK is already a leading reports on the current environment in Zimbabwe ahead donor in the humanitarian response, and is considering of the crucial elections from a variety of sources, including how best to respond to the second UN-led Appeals. We international NGOs, local civil society organisations, are urging the international community to step up and the media and all three political parties in Zimbabwe play their part, including fulfilling donor pledges made (for example discussions at Friends of Zimbabwe in at the conference on Syria organised by the UN and London earlier this year—including meeting the Deputy Kuwait in January 2013. Prime Minister during the Nutrition for Growth summit last weekend). Telephone Services It is vital that elections, when held, be conducted freely and fairly and without fear of violence or intimidation. John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for We do not want to see a repeat of the violence in 2008. International Development whether her Department Work still remains to be done to fully implement the receives any financial or non-financial benefit from its reforms agreed by the three political parties in the telephone providers for telephone lines that her Global Political Agreement (GPA), before elections are Department operates, including but not limited to (a) held. We welcome Southern African Development a share of call revenue, (b) a reduction in the Community’s lead role as guarantor of the GPA in its Department’s telephone bill or tariff and (c) telephony efforts to secure peace and democracy for Zimbabweans. services for free or at a reduced price. [157741]

Mr Duncan: The Department does not receive any financial or non-financial benefits from its telephone ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE providers for the lines that the Department operates. European Parliament Elections Unmanned Air Vehicles Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the hon. Member for South Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on International Development what monitoring her the Electoral Commission, what steps the Electoral Department is undertaking on the effect of drone strikes Commission intends to take to increase turn-out for on livelihood strategies in the areas affected. [158808] the 2014 European elections. [158001]

Justine Greening: DFID receives regular reports on Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me persons displaced by conflict, including countries affected that it will run a public awareness campaign ahead of by drone strikes. These are not disaggregated by specific the European Parliamentary election in 2014. The focus cause but provide sufficient information to assess and of the campaign will be on making sure people are respond to the needs of the most vulnerable. registered to vote and know how to participate in the elections. Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for The Commission’s campaign will include TV, radio, International Development what reports she has received press and online advertising. It will be particularly of the movement of people in Afghanistan and Pakistan targeted at under-registered groups, including British who have been displaced as a result of drone strikes. citizens living overseas, most of whom will be able to [158809] vote for the first time since the 2011 UK Parliamentary Voting System referendum. Justine Greening: DFID does not receive reports on As with all of its campaigns, the Commission will persons displaced by conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan carefully consider how best to ensure value for money that are disaggregated by specific cause. by using the most cost effective media channels. 57W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 58W

CABINET OFFICE not available from this source. Estimates of the number of people on zero-hours contracts are available from the Labour Force Apprentices Survey, but due to sample size are not available for areas smaller than regions. Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet National and local area estimates for many labour market Office how many apprentices are employed in 10 statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the IMOMIS website at: Downing Street. [157995] http://www.nomisweb.co.uk Mr Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office. 18 apprentices are employed Emergencies in Cabinet Office as at 4 June 2013. Mr Bain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Behavioural Insights Team what provisions he has made to ensure that the communication needs of citizens with hearing, visual Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet or multi-sensory impairments are included in civil Office what assessment he has made of the work of the contingencies planning. [157725] Behavioural Insights Team on the Department for Work and Pensions policy areas; and if he will make a Miss Chloe Smith: The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 statement. [158942] and its supporting framework, which was reviewed and revised under the Cabinet Office’s Civil Contingencies Mr Hurd: The Behavioural Insights Team has been Act Enhancement Programme in 2012, places duties on working with colleagues at the Department for Work Category 1 responders such as the emergency services and Pensions in a number of areas. Initial indications and local authorities to, among other things, maintain appear promising. A full assessment will be conducted arrangements to warn the public, provide information when this work is complete. As is common practice with and advise the public if an emergency is likely to occur the work of the Behavioural Insights Team, our aim is or has occurred. It also sets out how such responders to publish a full report on gov.uk. This report will should plan for and meet the special needs of potentially contain details of all of the work conducted including vulnerable people, including those who may have difficulty the relevant results, methods and background research. understanding warning and informing messages. Further information is provided in Identifying People Who Are Big Lottery Fund Vulnerable in a Crisis which provides support to emergency planners and responders to develop local action plans Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet for identifying groups of people who may be vulnerable Office what estimate he has made of the income of the in an emergency. Big Lottery Fund in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15; and if he will Employment make a statement. [157085]

Mr Hurd [holding answer 6 June 2013]: The income Jim Sheridan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet for the Big Lottery Fund for 2010-11 and 2011-12 is Office what the employment rate was in (a) Paisley and available in the Big Lottery Fund’s annual reports: Renfrewshire North constituency, (b) Scotland and www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/index/about-uk/ (c) the UK in each year since 2007. [158719] corporatedocs.htm Big Lottery Fund’s income for 2012-13 will be published Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the in this year’s annual report shortly. responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Their income for 2013-14 and 2014-15 is estimated at £740 million, based on forecasts from DCMS. Letter from Glen Watson, dated June 2013: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Conditions of Employment: Medway have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the employment rate was in (a) Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency, (b) Scotland Rehman Chishti: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet and (c) the UK in each year since 2007 (158719). Office how many people are working on zero hours The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment contracts in (a) Gillingham and Rainham constituency statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey and (b) Medway. [158700] (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. Statistics for Scotland and the UK have been compiled on a Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the comparable basis. responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Table 1 shows the percentage of people aged 16 to 64 resident asked the authority to reply. in the requested areas who were employed, according to survey Letter from Glen Watson, dated June 2013: responses, in the 12 month period ending in December 2012, the latest available period, and for the 12 month periods ending in As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I December from 2007 to 2011 from the APS. have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people are working on zero hours contracts in (a) As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject Gillingham and Rainham constituency and (b) Medway (158700). to a margin of uncertainty. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles labour National and local area estimates for many labour market market statistics for local areas from the Annual Population statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant Survey (APS), following International Labour Organisation (ILO) count are available on the NOMIS website at definitions. Estimates of the number of zero hour contracts are http://www.nomisweb.co.uk 59W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 60W

Table 1: Percentage of people aged 16 to 64 in employment (2) how many businesses in (a) the UK, (b) 12 months Paisley and Scotland and (c) East Ayrshire have contacted the ending Renfrewshire December North Scotland United Kingdom public procurement Mystery Shopper Scheme. [157749] 2007 73.5 73.8 72.4 Miss Chloe Smith: This information can be found in 2008 76.9 73.5 72.1 the results of Mystery Shopper investigation that are 2009 73.9 71.9 70.5 published online: 2010 70.1 71.0 70.1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mystery- 2011 71.0 70.7 70.0 shopper-results 2012 73.2 70.6 70.6 Source: Sign Language Annual Population Survey Trusted Statistics—Understanding the UK Freedom of Information Simon Kirby: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps his Department is taking to ensure Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet the services it offers are accessible to British Sign Office how his Department will implement the proposed Language users. [157924] changes to the calculation of charges attached to Freedom of Information requests. [158599] Mr Maude: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Gordon (Sir Malcolm Mr Maude: The Response to the Justice Committee’s Bruce), on 20 May 2013, Official Report, column 475W. Report, Post-legislative scrutiny of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, published last November, made Social Enterprises it clear that Government is considering options to reduce disproportionate burdens on public authorities. Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the role of Immigration women in social enterprises. [158600]

Mr Hollobone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Mr Hurd: Social enterprises contribute £55 billion to Office how many immigrants entered the UK from (a) the UK economy, and employ over 2 million people. outside and (b) inside the EU in each of the last three Women play an important role in the sector. A recent years. [158585] Cabinet Office report showed that 43% of social enterprises were either majority led by women, or women made up Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the half of the management team. responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Telephone Services Letter from Glen Watson: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics John Healey: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question Office whether his Department receives any financial or asking the Secretary of State for the Home Department how non-financial benefit from its telephone providers for many immigrants entered the UK from outside and inside the EU telephone lines that (a) his Department and (b) the in each of the last three years (158585). agencies for which he is responsible operate, including ONS produces estimates of Long-Term International Migration but not limited to (i) a share of call revenue, (ii) a (LTIM), primarily based on the International Passenger Survey reduction in the Department’s telephone bill or tariff (IPS). The IPS is a continuous voluntary sample survey conducted and (iii) telephony services for free or at a reduced by ONS and is the prime source of long-term international price. [157731] migration data for the UK providing estimates of both inflows and outflows. Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Office and its agencies do not Latest available data show that in the year to September 2012, 148,000 EU citizens and 273,000 non-EU citizens arrived in the receive any financial or non-financial benefit from their UK. These estimates do not include British citizens. 79,000 British telephone lines. citizens arrived as long-term international migrants in the same year. Unemployment: Older People Table 1 shows these figures for each of the last three years of available data. Jim Sheridan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what estimate he has made of the number of Year ending people over the age of 64 years in (a) Paisley and September EU citizens Non-EU citizens British citizens Renfrewshire North constituency, (b) Scotland and (c) 2010 182,000 326,000 92,000 the UK who were unemployed in each year since 2007; 2011 166,000 334,000 81,000 [158721] 2012 148,000 273,000 79,000 (2) what estimate he has made of the number of people between 55 and 64 years in (a) Paisley and Public Sector: Procurement Renfrewshire North constituency, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK who were unemployed in each year since Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 2007. [158722] Office (1) which (a) local authorities and (b) other public sector bodies have been contacted as a result of Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the concerns raised via the public procurement Mystery responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Shopper Scheme; [157748] asked the authority to reply. 61W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 62W

Letter from Glen Watson, dated June 2013: Deprivation, of participants in the National Citizen As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Service; and if he will make a statement. [157272] have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking for the number of people over the age of 64 years in (a) Paisley Mr Hurd: The 2011 National Citizen Service (NCS) and Renfrewshire North constituency, (b) Scotland and (c) the pilot evaluation showed that those from more deprived UK who were unemployed in each year since 2007 (158721) and socio-economic backgrounds were well represented in the number of people between 55 and 64 years in (a) Paisley and NCS, with 23% of participants being in receipt of free Renfrewshire constituency, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK who were unemployed in each year since 2007 (158722). school meals, compared with 14% per cent of the general population of 16-year-olds. Participants were also more The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey likely to be non-white and to have a disability or long-term (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. health problem. However, estimates of unemployment for the requested age bands The evaluation of NCS 2012 programmes is due for in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency are not available publication shortly. Early indications are that the success due to small sample sizes. of 2011 in ensuring a diverse intake of Young People In Table 1, I have provided the number of people who were for NCS has been repeated, with participants in both unemployed according to survey responses, for the requested age summer and autumn programmes in 2012 more diverse bands for the 12 month period ending December 2012, the latest available period, and the 12 month periods ending December than the social mix found in the general population, from 2007 to 2011 from the APS for Scotland and the UK. including recipients of free school meals. As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject NCS is available to young people in all areas of to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates England for summer and autumn 2013 and throughout is given in the tables based on survey results. 2014. National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at: http://www.nomisweb.co.uk HOME DEPARTMENT Table 1: Number of unemployed people aged 55 to 64 and 65 and over Domestic Violence Scotland United Kingdom Aged Aged 65 Aged Aged 65 55-64 and over 55-64 and over 18. Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress her Department 12 months has made on improving the detection and reporting of ending: incidents of domestic violence. [158506] December 8 125 13 2007 Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government has introduced December 9—13413 2008 new initiatives to improve the reporting of domestic December 16 — 196 19 violence. These include piloting the Domestic Violence 2009 Disclosure Scheme and Domestic Violence Protection December 16 — 194 19 Orders to provide better protection for victims. 2010 Detections are, of course, a matter for the police. December 17 — 207 23 2011 Dangerous Criminals December **18 ****— *208 ***21 20121 19. Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for ‘—’ not available. the Home Department what steps she is taking to 1 Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period target dangerous criminals who use firearms. [158507] as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality. Guide to Quality: Damian Green: The Government have introduced in The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true tougher penalties for criminals who supply illegal value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV - for example, for an firearms. estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. They are as guilty as those who pull the trigger and Key: they should also face the possibility of a life sentence. *0≤ CV <5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise Gun Laws ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are 20. Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State considered acceptable for the Home Department what assessment she has **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered [158508] too unreliable for practical purposes made of existing gun laws. Source: Annual Population Survey Damian Green: Firearms control in the UK is among the toughest in the world. This shows clearly that Voluntary Work: Young People neither this Government nor wider society will tolerate gun crime. Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet We keep these laws under review to ensure they Office what evaluation he has made of the participation remain appropriate, proportionate and properly rates, according to quintile of Index of Multiple implemented. This includes strengthening the guidance 63W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 64W to police to reflect recommendations of recent reviews primarily first time offences. They should not be used including the HASC report on Firearms Control. to divert suitable cases from court, particularly in cases of serious violence. Immigration Asylum 21. Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the immigration. [158509] Home Department how many asylum seekers have been granted permission to remain in the UK in each Mr Harper: The most recent statistics show another of the last three years. [158478] significant fall in net migration—down by more than a third since June 2010. Immigration has fallen by Mr Harper: There were 5,195 grants to main 100,000 in the last two years and is now at its lowest applicants at initial decision in 2010; 5,649 in 2011 and level since 2003. 6,065 in 2012. Grants consist of asylum, humanitarian protection, discretionary leave and indefinite leave to Our tough policies continue to bring immigration remain under private and family life rules. back under control and the latest figures mark a further step towards bringing net migration down from The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands by statistics on asylum decisions within the Immigration the end of this Parliament. Statistics release. A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics January-March 2013 is available from: Net Migration https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/ series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release 25. Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State and will be placed in the Library of the House. for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to ensure that net migration continues to fall. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for [158513] the Home Department what the results were of the cohort analysis of asylum in respect of the proportion Mr Harper: The most recent statistics show another of asylum applicants who were (a) granted asylum or significant fall in net migration—down by more than a humanitarian protection and (b) unsuccessful, third since June 2010. Immigration has fallen by including after appeal. [159100] 100,000 in the last two years and is now at its lowest level since 2003. Mr Harper: I refer my right hon. Friend to my Our tough policies continue to bring immigration answer of 16 May 2013, Official Report, columns back under control and the latest figures mark a 341-42W. further step towards bringing net migration down from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands by Asylum: Finance the end of this Parliament. Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Policing the Home Department how many people claimed section 4 support in (a) Gloucester constituency, (b) Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the the South West and (c) England in each of the last five Home Department when she next expects to discuss years. [157700] policing with the Police Federation. [158489] Mr Harper: The Home Office publishes data on Damian Green: Both I and the Secretary of State for section 4 support on a quarterly basis and annual basis. the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Table ’as_18_q’ contains figures on the total number of Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), regularly meet asylum seekers supported, as well as the total grants of representatives of the Police Federation and other section 4 support during each quarter. policing partners to discuss a wide range of issues, and Although these figures are not disaggregated by we greatly value these meetings. We will continue to constituent country down to constituency level, they do engage with police officers and staff to ensure that their provide the requested data on a national level. opinions help to shape the future of policing. The latest quarter’s publication provides quarterly data from 1 July 2005 to 31 March 2013 and can be Community Resolutions found in the Library of the House, and on the following website: Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the www.gov.uk/government/publications/tables-for-immigration- Home Department what assessment she has made of statistics-january-to-march-2013 the use of community resolutions for offences of The next release is scheduled for 29 August 2013 and serious violence. [158510] will include data covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2013. Mr Jeremy Browne: Community resolutions empower police officers to deliver swift and effective Asylum: Syria justice taking into account the needs of the victim. This Government is clear that community Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the resolutions should only be used for less serious, Home Department how many individuals of Syrian 65W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 66W nationality have been granted asylum in the UK since Mr Harper: Secure Information Exchange Network March 2011. [158480] Application (SIENA) is the Europol IT system used to exchange crime related information and intelligence Mr Harper: There have been 1,030 grants of asylum, between Europol, EU member states and third parties 27 grants of humanitarian protection, 17 grants of that have an operational agreement with Europol. discretionary leave and no grants of indefinite leave to Europol support efforts to tackle human trafficking remain under private and family life rules to main across Europe. applicants of Syrian nationality between 1 March 2011 The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, and 31 March 2013 at initial decision. whether to accept full European Court of Justice The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice statistics on asylum decisions within the Immigration measures adopted before 1 December 2009 which have Statistics release. A copy of the latest release, not been amended or replaced. Europol falls within the Immigration Statistics January to March 2013, is scope of that decision and its value to the UK is being available from: reviewed accordingly. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/ The UK must also decide by 30 July 2013 whether to series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release opt into a new proposal for a Regulation to replace the and will be placed in the Library of the House. current Europol legal base. As with all opt-in decisions In order to provide figures for the time period we will put the national interest at the heart of our requested a subset of the published quarterly National decision making, considering the impact on security, Statistics has been included for the month of March civil liberties, the integrity of the UK common law 2011. systems and control of immigration.

DNA: Databases Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to improve Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the knowledge of human trafficking amongst social workers Home Department what the cost to the public purse in (a) Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency, was of the removal of 1,136,000 DNA profiles from the (b) Scotland and (c) the UK. [158726] national DNA database. [158774] Mr Harper: Law enforcement and social services are James Brokenshire: The costs of profile destruction matters devolved in Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary cannot be disaggregated from the other costs of for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, is a member of the UK operating the National DNA Database. Government’s Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group for Human Trafficking. The Group coordinates and Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the influences anti-trafficking activities throughout the Home Department what estimate she has made of the UK. number of DNA profiles that have been removed from the national DNA database that will be put back on the In January 2013 the Home Office provided funding, database in the next three years; and what the total cost totalling £74,274, to three non-governmental organisations in England and Wales to provide awareness-raising to the public purse will be of such a process. [158775] activities for front-line professionals including social James Brokenshire: No such estimate has been made. workers, criminal justice workers, youth offending teams and local authority personnel. Firearms Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had Home Department what assessment she has made of with the Minister for Children and Young People in the the implications of 3D printers in the UK producing Scottish Government on improving knowledge of human plastic firearms. [158566] trafficking amongst social workers in (a) Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency and (b) Scotland. Damian Green: The manufacture and possession of [158727] firearms in Great Britain is subject to control under the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended). Within the Act, a Mr Harper: Law enforcement and social services are range of offences exist covering the illegal possession of matters devolved in Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary firearms. Anyone found to be in possession of a for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, is a member of the UK firearm in this country without legal authority will be Government’s Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group liable to prosecution under the Act. In terms of the 3D for Human Trafficking. The Group coordinates and printed gun, we are working closely with our partners, influences anti-trafficking activities throughout the including the police and experts, to assess other UK. implications. Human Trafficking Members: Correspondence

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of Home Department when she intends to reply to the the effectiveness of European cooperation through letters from the hon. Member for Harrow West of 3 SIENNA protocols in combating human trafficking April 2013 and 20 May 2013 to the UK Border Agency into the UK. [156450] regarding Ms Alpa Odedra of Harrow. [158588] 67W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 68W

Mr Harper: A Home Office senior official wrote to Telephone Services the hon. Member on 5 June 2013. Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what payment has been received by Home Department what target her Department sets for (a) her Department and (b) each police force in answering letters from hon. Members. [158765] England for paid-for mobile telephone calls to the emergency 111 telephone number since the inception of Mr Harper: The target for responding to letters on that service. [158432] immigration and border related issues is to answer 95% within 20 working days. Anna Soubry: I have been asked to reply on behalf of The target for all other letters is 95% within 15 the Department of Health. working days. No payment has been received by the Department of Police: Freedom of Information Health, or any police force in England for paid-for mobile telephone calls to the NHS 111 telephone number since the inception of the service. Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has received representations NHS 111 is free to the caller from landlines, mobiles from (a) West Yorkshire Police and (b) South Yorkshire and payphones. The cost of this is picked up by NHS Police that they require more resources to deal with England. freedom of information requests. [159098]

Damian Green: South Yorkshire has indicated that they are considering making an application for a ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Special Grant in relation to the work they are undertaking on the Hillsborough investigations. This Animal Welfare: Circuses work includes maintaining the archive and responding to requests for information. Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for No representations have been received from West Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Yorkshire. timetable is for the introduction of the bill to ban wild Police: Recruitment animals in circuses; and if he will make a statement. [158693]

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Heath: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave Home Department if she will collect data on police to the hon. Member for Glasgow North East (Mr recruitment levels in deprived areas. [157912] Bain) on 16 May 2013, Official Report, column 784. Damian Green: The Government has no plans to collect data on police recruitment from deprived Beaches: North East communities. To do so would put an unjustifiable additional bureaucratic burden on police forces. Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Police: Training discussions he has had with Northumbrian Water about improving water quality on (a) Saltburn beach and (b) Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the other beaches in the north east of England. [157996] Home Department what recent changes there have been to the charging policy in respect of training of Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State has had no police constable recruits in police training colleges. discussions with Northumbrian Water about the water [157898] quality of Saltburn beach or other beaches in the north east of England. The Environment Agency is working Damian Green: There have been no changes to the closely with Northumbrian Water to identify improvements charging policy in respect of training of police to be made in the next round of water company expenditure. constable recruits in police training colleges. Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 Bovine Tuberculosis

Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for the Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department what steps her Department has Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many TB taken to implement the provisions of the Public Services breakdowns there were in England in each of the last (Social Value) Act 2012. [158304] three years; how many multiple reactor breakdowns there were in each year; how many TB herd breakdowns James Brokenshire: The Home Department has there were in each county; and how many multiple implemented the provisions of the Public Services reactor breakdowns there were in each county. [157667] (Social Value) Act 2012 via the issue of the Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Information Note ‘The Mr Heath: Statistics are not routinely produced on Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012—advice for multiple reactor breakdowns. Statistics are produced on commissioners and procurers’ to its entire procurement new herd incidents, and these are recorded irrespective community. of the number of reactors. 69W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 70W

Bovine Tuberculosis: Northern Ireland Total number of new herd TB incidents in England in each of the last three years Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent 2010 3,634 discussions he has held with the Northern Ireland 2011 3,760 Executive on bovine tuberculosis. [158965] 2012 3,930 Mr Heath: The Government’s policy on bovine TB Number of new TB Incidents in the north region in each of the last three years relates to England only. The devolved Administrations 2010 2011 2012 are taking forward their own strategies to tackle bovine Cheshire 95 95 116 TB in cattle. However, we work very closely together Cleveland 0 0 1 and liaise regularly with Northern Ireland and the other Cumbria 12 13 12 UK administrations on bovine TB. Durham 3 3 0 East Yorkshire 6 3 5 Cattle: Accidents Greater 114 Manchester Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Lancashire 21 4 9 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if he will Lincolnshire 8 9 8 make it his policy to keep and publish records of the Merseyside 0 1 2 breeds of cattle involved in attacks on people; [157668] Northumberland 4 8 2 (2) if he will make it his policy to keep and publish North Yorkshire 15 16 25 records of the breeds of cattle which are involved in Nottinghamshire 3 11 6 accidents; [157669] Shropshire 294 304 355 South Yorkshire 2 2 5 (3) if he will make it his policy to keep and publish Staffordshire 267 340 310 records of the breeds of cattle involved in fatal and Tyne and Wear 0 0 0 non-fatal accidents. [157674] West Yorkshire 8 8 5 Mr Hoban: I have been asked to reply on behalf of Number of new TB incidents in the east region in each of the last three years the Department for Work and Pensions. 2010 2011 2012 The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) keeps records Bedfordshire 2 2 2 of all incidents (accidents and complaints) that are Berkshire 7 6 11 reported to it. Certain incidents (accidents) are reportable Buckinghamshire 14 11 8 under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Cambridgeshire 5 3 2 Occurrences Regulations 1995 (as amended) (RIDDOR). Derbyshire 114 133 158 There is no requirement under RIDDOR or other East Sussex 14 19 11 health and safety legislation for breeds of cattle involved Essex 8 3 8 in incidents to be reported to HSE. The breed of the Greater London 1 0 0 cattle will only be recorded by HSE where it is relevant Greater London 100to the investigation of a specific incident. (East) Hampshire 25 30 13 Common Agricultural Policy Hertford 4 2 3 Isle of Wight 3 1 2 Kent 5 7 6 Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Leicester 52 35 44 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment Norfolk 5 1 4 he has made of the potential costs for British farmers of Northamptonshire 8 9 16 the greening of the common agricultural policy; Oxfordshire 35 48 38 [156851] Suffolk 4 3 0 (2) what consideration he has given to negotiating an Surrey 4 4 1 opt-out for British farmers to the greening of the common West Sussex 10 3 2 agricultural policy; [156852]

Number of new TB incidents in the west region in each of the last three years (3) what assessment he has made of progress in 2010 2011 2012 negotiations for the greening of the common agricultural policy; and what his priorities are for British farmers in Avon 102 116 121 this respect. [156854] Cornwall 381 423 399 Devonshire 801 757 859 Mr Heath [holding answer 3 June 2013]: Common Dorset 154 161 159 agricultural policy (CAP) reform negotiations are ongoing. Gloucestershire 215 234 226 The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Hereford and 380 375 422 Rural Affairs and I have argued for the greening of Worcester Pillar 1 that delivers meaningful environmental outcomes Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 across the EU and for the strengthening of Pillar 2 Somerset 303 312 306 outcomes without bringing undue administrative burden Warwickshire 47 58 46 and cost. These remain the UK objectives and we will West Midlands 4 2 5 consider how the agreed greening provisions line up in Wiltshire 187 184 193 the final CAP reform package of measures. 71W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 72W

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Flood Control: Greater London for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has made to the European Commission Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for regarding the reform of the common agricultural policy Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding to achieve flexibility within the policy to reflect the his Department made available to (a) London boroughs, agricultural diversity of the different regions of the (b) the Mayor of London and (c) other agencies for UK. [157286] flood prevention within London in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; what funding for these purposes has been made available in 2013-14; and if he will make Mr Heath [holding answer 3 June 2013]: Securing a statement. [158427] greater clarity on the regional implementation of the common agricultural policy (CAP) has been a key Richard Benyon: The Flood and Water Management priority for the UK and the devolved Administrations Act (2010) designated local-authorities as Lead Local in discussions with other member states and the European Flood Authorities (LLFAs)with responsibility for managing Commission throughout the current round of CAP flood risk from surface water, groundwater and ordinary reform negotiations. watercourses. The London boroughs and the Environment At the EU Agriculture Council in March 2013, the Agency work together as risk management authorities UK secured a new article in the legislation to give to reduce the risk of flooding in London. The Mayor of greater clarity on the regional application of the CAP. London is not a flood risk management authority and does not receive funding. Revenue funding has been made available for local Environment Agency: North East authorities to carry out their duties under the Act, for example to investigate and address flood risk problems, maintain a public register of Flood Risk Management Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for assets and conduct routine maintenance. Funding was Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff allocated according to the flood risk in each LLFA area were employed by the Environment Agency in the and full details of the allocation for each one over this North East in each year since 2008. [157708] spending period (April 2011 to March 2015) can be found on the following website: www.gov.uk Richard Benyon: The number of staff employed by In the previous spending period, following the Pitt the Environment Agency on permanent and temporary Review of 2008, funding was also provided to London contracts in the North East region as at 31 March is as boroughs via the London Consortium for Early Actions follows: work. This funding totalled £3.286 million and was Financial year Full-time equivalent spent between August 2009 and March 2011. In 2010-11, DEFRA provided a grant to the London 2007-08 940.1 borough of Sutton for property level protection and 2008-09 967.3 resilience measures to 47 properties, costing a total of 2009-10 979.8 £221,000. 2010-11 837.1 Risk Management Authorities bid for grant capital 2011-12 813.4 funding to implement measures to reduce the risk of 2012-13 897.5 flooding. The funding (for new and improved flood risk management schemes) is allocated to individual schemes on a prioritised basis rather than by borough. The Fisheries capital funding for London boroughs and the Environment Agency in each year between 2010-11 and 2013-14 is outlined in the following table: Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he £ million has to bring forward an aid package for fishermen to cover expenses incurred by them as a result of poor 2010-11 30.5 weather conditions and recent gear requirement changes. 2011-12 18 [158828] 2012-13 16.7 2013-14 30.2 Richard Benyon: The UK Government has no plans Funding sources include Government funding (referred to provide an aid package for fishermen to cover any to as Flood Defence Grant in Aid), Local Levy (which expenses incurred as a result of poor weather conditions is raised by the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee), or to replace existing gear. and in 2012-13 and 2013-14, partnership funding As fisheries are a devolved issue it would be a decision contributions which may be raised locally. for Northern Irish Ministers whether to offer such We are on course to spend £2.3 billion on reducing incentives for Northern Irish fishermen. I understand the risk from flooding and coastal erosion over the four that the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development years to 2015. Partnership Funding has so far brought has recently announced that financial resources will be forward up to £148 million of contributions over the made available to Northern Irish fishermen under the four years to 2015. This extra funding is helping to European Fisheries Fund (EFF) should they decide to deliver better protection to more communities than was replace existing gear. previously thought possible. 73W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 74W

Floods: Insurance Mr Heath: The Government Forestry and Woodlands Policy Statement made it clear that we want more trees Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for and woodlands in and around our towns and cities, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has where they can provide important public benefits such been made in talks with the insurance industry about as access and recreation. access to insurance against flood damage for homes in The Forestry Commission has a track record of the most at-risk areas; and if he will make a statement. developing new woodlands close to where people live, [158428] for example in Thames Chase and Manchester, and is making good progress in supporting the creation of Richard Benyon: We have made significant progress in more woodland access close to the most disadvantaged discussions with the Association of British Insurers communities. Planting trees close to where people live is (ABI) on how its ’Flood Re’ proposal could be made to also a key objective of the Big Tree Plant which will work. This is a complex issue and so far no deal has provide 1 million new trees in and around our towns been reached, but we aim to conclude negotiations as and cities by 2015. soon as possible. Members of the ABI will continue to abide by the Statement of Principles (SoP) for a further The Government also continues to support the creation month, until 31 July, to allow more time for an agreement of the National Forest by the National Forest Company to be reached. which is transforming an area covering 200 square miles in the Midlands in which 200,000 people live and over 8 Please be assured that we are working hard across million trees have now been planted. Government to secure a solution in advance of the deadline, and that we will be making an announcement Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for as soon as it is possible to do so. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will Food: Industry make his decision on the future of the Forest Services. [155904] Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings Mr Heath: A review is being run jointly with the (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials Forestry Commission of the way the Government’s in his Department have held with directors or staff of forestry functions, such as providing advice to landowners the top 15 food producers in the UK in the last 15 months; and regulating the forestry sector, are carried out. The and what subjects were discussed at those meetings. review is expected to report shortly and we will announce [158414] the outcome as soon as is practical thereafter. Mr Heath: The Department does not categorise the Horses top 15 food producers. However, we do identify separately the five largest food manufacturing companies, for which Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for DEFRA has a co-ordinating role across Government in Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many managing relations at a strategic level. Ministers or thoroughbred racehorses registered with each passport senior officials have met directors or staff of these five issuing authority and previously (a) in training, (b) companies (Associated British Foods, Nestle, Unilever, out of training, (c) in breeding or (d) formerly used Diageo and Mondelez) individually and as part of for breeding were killed in UK abattoirs in each of the wider forums such as the Exports Forum. Ministers and last three years; and how many such animals entered senior officials also regularly meet trade associations the human food chain. [157334] representing food producers such as the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and others, as well as organisations Mr Heath: DEFRA does not hold the data requested, that bring together businesses from the whole food it only holds data on the total number of horses slaughtered chain such as the Institute of Grocery Distribution for human consumption. The number of horses slaughtered (IGD). in the last three full calendar years is as follows: Key issues discussed include: competiveness and the sector’s contribution to growth; export promotion; the Of which: skills needs of the sector and apprenticeships; sustainability UK total England Northern Ireland and healthy eating initiatives undertaken by the sector; 2010 8,854 7,919 935 food waste; food security; the Government’s planned 2011 9,011 8,112 899 Agri-Tech Strategy; innovation and new technology, 2012 9,405 8,426 979 including GM; reform of the Common Agricultural Policy sugar regime; changes to food labelling legislation Horses: Death and the response to the horsemeat fraud incident. In addition there will have been a significant number of routine meetings at official level with a range of trade Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State associations representing food producers and individual for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many businesses. horses died and were subsequently reported to the National Equine Database (NED) for each of the last Forests three years the NED was operational. [156604]

Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Heath: As of 2 July 2012, 114,961 horses whose Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy passports had been issued by UK Passport Issuing is on measures to increase the area of accessible Organisations had been reported as having died. It is woodland created close to towns and cities. [155659] not possible to break this total down by year. 75W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 76W

Marine Conservation Zones report to DEFRA was extended to ensure that NE and JNCC could supply the information they used in a Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for suitable format so that this could be taken into account Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the in the final report. principles of good practice, set out in the Government The first draft of the final published report was Chief Scientific Adviser’s Guidelines on the use of received on 19 February 2013. scientific and engineering advice in policy making, were applied within his Department and by his Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Department’s Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies when preparing and submitting evidence in support of Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the proposed marine conservation zones. [158039] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress Richard Benyon: DEFRA has implemented a number his Department is making in reducing nitrogen dioxide of measures to ensure the Government chief scientific pollution levels; and if he will make a statement. adviser’s principles of good practice have been applied [155927] when utilising evidence in support of marine conservation zones (MCZs). Richard Benyon: While the UK is compliant with most EU air quality standards, meeting the limits for DEFRA established independent expert groups to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in cities and towns is challenging. challenge, support and provide advice on the different This is a situation shared by most other member states. phases of the process. It also established peer review Underperformance of diesel vehicles against EU emissions processes to challenge and examine information. These standards for oxides of nitrogen is a key part of the included: problem. In 2011, the UK submitted air quality plans to The Marine Protected Areas Science Advisory Panel review of the European Commission for the zones where NO2 evidence cited by the Regional MCZ Projects and advice on the exceedances were reported. These plans set out the MCZ site recommendations; action being taken at national and local level to reduce The Independent Expert Review Group (IERG) review of nitrogen dioxide pollution. protocols and advice produced by Natural England (NE) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC); and Evidence suggests that targeted action to accelerate The external peer review of the Impact Assessment. the introduction of cleaner vehicles is the most effective way of reducing nitrogen dioxide levels in our towns Following recommendations from the Science Advisory and cities. We have therefore invested in incentives to Panel DEFRA also commissioned an independent expert improve heavy duty vehicle standards over many years review of the MCZ evidence base to deliver a comprehensive through Reduced Pollution Certificates and a Green review of the Regional MCZ Project’s evidence and any Bus fund of nearly £100 million. There has also been additional information. significant investment in incentives for ultra low emission NE and JNCC also developed their advice so as to be electric and hybrid vehicles. We continue to explore consistent with the Government chief scientific adviser’s these and other measures to achieve further reductions guidelines for preparing scientific advice, and the in air pollution. recommendations of the independent report that reviewed the evidence process for selecting marine special areas Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for of conservation. The independent review has been published Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent online. discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State NE and JNCC’s advice, following published peer for Health and (b) devolved Administrations about the reviewed protocols, used the best available evidence and consequences to human health of nitrogen dioxide was subject to internal peer review by the organisations’ pollution. [155928] non-executive boards and an independent external review by the IERG. NE and JNCC are currently preparing Richard Benyon: DEFRA and the Department of advice on the proposed MCZs post-public consultation Health have had extensive discussions to raise awareness using the same protocols and approaches described in of the health effects of air pollution, including nitrogen their previous advice, thus continuing to follow the dioxide. Air quality was included as an indicator in the Government chief scientific adviser’s guidelines. Public Health Outcomes Framework for local authorities. DEFRA, the Department of Health and Public Health Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for England also work together to keep the evidence on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his health effects of air pollution, including nitrogen dioxide, Department received the first draft of the published under review. report on the in-depth review of evidence supporting DEFRA works closely with the devolved Administrations the recommended marine conservation zones; and for on our shared air pollution evidence programme and on what reason the final report was not released earlier ensuring that health impacts from air pollution are during the marine consultation zone consultation properly reflected in the EU review of air quality policy. process which concluded on 31 March 2013. [158040]

Richard Benyon: The in-depth review undertook a Plants: EU Action complex assessment of the data used by the Regional Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) Projects, Natural Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for England (NE) and the Joint Nature Conservation Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is Committee (JNCC) for all recommended MCZs and on the European Commission’s proposal for a regulation Reference Areas. The timetable for submission of the on marketing of plant reproductive material. [155629] 77W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 78W

Mr Heath: We welcome, in principle, the European (c) the Secretary of State”. (Section 28C (2)) Commission’s aim to simplify, modernise and reduce and that notification: the costs associated with the current EU regulatory “shall specify the time (not being less than three months from framework on marketing plant reproductive material. the date of the giving of the notification) within which, and the We are considering the proposal and its potential impacts manner in which, representations or objections with respect to it with stakeholders and will be negotiating for a may be made; and Natural England shall consider any representation proportionate, flexible and simplified approach to or objection duly made.” (Sections 28C (3) and 28 (3)) legislation. Rules to mitigate biosecurity risks from If Natural England proposes to denotify an existing import and movement of plant reproductive material SSSI then the same Act requires it to notify: are in the existing EU plant health legislation and in the “(a) the local planning authority (if any) in whose area the recently published proposals which are part of a wider land mentioned in subsection (1) is situated; package covering plant health, animal heath, and controls (b) every owner and occupier of any of that land; for production of food and animal feed. (c) the Secretary of State; (d) the Environment Agency; and Sign Language (e) every relevant undertaker (within the meaning of section 4(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991) and every internal drainage Sir Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for board (within the meaning of section 61C(1) of the Land Drainage Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what specific Act 1991) whose works, operations or activities may affect the measures his Department has in place to ensure that land.” (Section 28D (2)) deaf people have the opportunity to communicate in Telephone Services British Sign Language with (a) officials of his Department and (b) the agencies and public bodies for John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for which he is responsible; [157585] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his (2) what assessment he has made of the equality of Department receives any financial or non-financial benefit access available for deaf people whose first language is from its telephone providers for telephone lines that (a) British Sign Language in communicating with (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is officials of his Department and (b) the agencies and responsible operate, including but not limited to (i) a public bodies which support his Department; and if he share of call revenue, (ii) a reduction in the Department’s will make a statement. [157409] telephone bill or tariff and (iii) telephony services for free or at a reduced price. [157737] Richard Benyon [holding answer 3 June 2013]: Core DEFRA, its Executive agencies and non-departmental Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA and its Executive public bodies (NDPBs) assess communication needs on agencies do not receive any share of call revenue or a a case by case basis, with a view to meeting individual reduction in telephone bill or tariff from its telephone requirements. This may be by providing a British Sign providers. Language interpreter or by using alternative communication formats for meetings with officials. Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Department is taking to ensure the services it offers are he has made of the effectiveness of the Welfare of accessible to British Sign Language users. [157930] Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010; and if he will make a statement. [155978] Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA assesses communication needs on a case by case basis, with a view to meeting Mr Heath: The Greyhound Regulations are due to be individual requirements. This may be by providing a reviewed in 2015. British Sign Language interpreter or by using alternative communication formats. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Sites of Special Scientific Interest Afghanistan Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what level of Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign public consultation Natural England must undertake and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been when proposing changes to a Site of Special Scientific made in assisting the Afghan Government to implement Interest; and under what statutory authority such fully the law on the elimination of violence against consultation is conducted. [158913] women. [158557]

Richard Benyon: If Natural England proposes to Alistair Burt: Tackling violence against women is enlarge an existing Site of Special Scientific Interest fundamental to upholding basic human rights and to then it is required by the Wildlife and Countryside Act support women playing a full part in the development 1981 to notify: of a stable and secure Afghanistan and we regularly “(a) the local planning authority (if any) in whose area the raise this issue with the Government of Afghanistan. land (including the SSSI) is situated; For example, during her visit to Afghanistan in March (b) every owner and occupier of any of that land (including the the Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right SSSI); and hon. Baroness Warsi discussed women’s rights with the 79W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 80W

Afghan Foreign Minister Rassoul, leading female Air Travel parliamentarians and other Government and civil society representatives. Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amount was Implementation of the Afghan Elimination of Violence spent by his Department on (a) business, (b) first and Against Women Law (EVAW) was specifically included (c) economy class airline tickets in each of the last in the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework (TMAF), three years. [158003] the partnership between the Afghan Government and the international community. We, along with our Mr Lidington: The following costs are for air travel international partners, will hold the Afghan Government bookings made through the FCO travel management to account for the commitments they have made. In company (Hogg Robinson Group plc) and do not include Kabul, the Gender Donor Coordination Group (led by bookings made through local travel agencies, which UN Women) and the Civil Society Support Group (led would be available only at disproportionate cost. by UNAMA) are considering how the TMAF recommendations should be taken forward. The UK is £ represented on both groups. April 2012 to March 2013 We also encourage the Afghan Government to monitor Business class 7,161,471 the use of the EVAW law by police and prosecutors Premium economy 1,256,129 across the country to ensure it is used in all applicable Economy 4,387,914 cases. Our £7.1 million Assistance to the Ministry of Interior includes a strong focus on developing Afghan policy on promoting human rights in the security April 2011 to March 2012 sector and protecting women from violence. We provide Business class 6,093,508 significant funding to the Afghan Independent Human Premium economy 1,088,482 Rights Commission to ensure it can act to protect Economy 3,775,779 women human rights defenders, investigate and catalogue violence against women, and support those seeking April 2010 to March 2011 justice. Business class 5,296,062 Premium economy 725,277 Through the Tawanmandi project the UK provides Economy 3,276,293 grants for Afghan women’s organisations to advocate for full implementation of EVAW law among judges, FCO policy does not allow for first class travel. The prosecutors and police; to provide support for victims only possible exception might be in cases where we are of violence; and engage with the Government of required to evacuate staff or dependants urgently (including Afghanistan and hold it to account. UK funding for in a medical emergency) and no other seats were available. this project will continue into 2016. Where possible and appropriate, we encourage secure video-conferencing around the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) network to reduce the number of flights Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign needed. However, face-to-face meetings are a vital part and Commonwealth Affairs what priority has been of diplomatic work and this necessarily involves travel. given by his Department to women’s rights in Afghanistan. [158564] Argentina Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Alistair Burt: Human rights, including women’s rights, he has had with his counterpart in Argentina on are essential to and indivisible from the UK’s foreign freedom of expression. [158364] policy priorities. Tackling violence and discrimination against women is an important part of our work in Mr Swire: I have not personally raised this issue with Afghanistan and is fundamental to upholding basic my Argentine counterpart. However, I have taken note human rights and to supporting the role of women in of the concerns expressed by a number of civil society securing a stable and prosperous future Afghanistan. groups. Freedom of expression is fundamental in any We regularly raise this issue with the Government of fully functioning democracy. Afghanistan and wider Afghan Authorities and will continue to do so. For example, during her visit to Bahrain Helmand and Kabul in March the Senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi discussed the vital role of Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign women in Afghanistan with Foreign Minister Rassoul, and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations leading female parliamentarians and other Government he has received about the case of Redha al Gasra in and civil society representatives. Bahrain; and what assessment he has made of the legal proceedings being taken against him in that country. We will continue to work closely with the Government [158540] of Afghanistan and wider Afghan authorities, international partners and local and international civil society Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office organisations to improve the status of women in has not received any representations about the case of Afghanistan, so that they can play a full role in a future, Redha al Gasra, and has had no reason to follow the peaceful Afghanistan. legal proceedings of this case. 81W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 82W

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign We continue to call on the Bangladesh Government and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to to ensure that investigations into all criminal incidents secure the release of Mahdi ’Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb in are conducted promptly, transparently, and impartially, Bahrain. [158544] irrespective of the identity of either victim or alleged perpetrator. Anyone arrested should be treated in full Alistair Burt: I raised the case of Mr Mahdi Abu accordance with due process and Bangladeshi law. Dheeb with the Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain, HH We have been clear that all citizens have a right to Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak, during a telephone hold their government to account but violence and call last month. We respect the sovereignty of the Bahraini vandalism have no place in legitimate protests. We judiciary but continue to urge the Government to ensure continue to encourage all parties to resolve their differences that due process is followed carefully and transparently through dialogue and discussion. On 25 April Baroness in all cases, and that liberties are protected—particularly Warsi raised our concerns directly with the Bangladesh where severe penalties are imposed. Foreign Minister, Dr Dipu Moni. Our high commission in Dhaka also regularly raises these issues, both bilaterally Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and with EU partners. and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the trial and detention of Mahdi ’Issa Mahdi Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Abu Dheeb in Bahrain. [158546] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his Bangladeshi counterpart Alistair Burt: Mr Mahdi Abu Dheeb had his sentence in support of the rule of law and the abolition of the reduced to five years following a civilian retrial in death penalty in that country. [158593] October. We understand that he is appealing this verdict in the Cassation Court. We will continue to monitor Alistair Burt: The Senior Minister of State, my noble this case closely—as we do with a number of other Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi, raised our support trials—including through the attendance by a member for the rule of law and our strong opposition to the of our embassy staff at hearings. death penalty with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister, Dr Dipu Moni, on 25 April. She also issued a statement on Bangladesh 13 March calling for respect for rule of law in Bangladesh. Our high commission in Dhaka also regularly raises Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign both these issues, both bilaterally and with EU partners. and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment UK Trade and Investment has made of whether the Phulbari open Burma cast coal mine project in Bangladesh is environmentally, technically, socially and financially viable. [157844] Mr Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply on behalf he has made of whether ethnic cleansing and crimes of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. against humanity have been committed against The UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) team in Dhaka Rohingya people in Burma. [158037] provides support to UK companies seeking to do business in Bangladesh. It is for individual companies to make Mr Swire: The reports from Human Rights Watch in an assessment of the viability of any potential projects. April, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation UKTI does not have the remit or resources to undertake of Human Rights in Burma following his visit to Burma an assessment for a company of whether an individual in February, contain a number of disturbing and specific project is environmentally, technically, socially or financially allegations. We continue to make clear to the Burmese viable. Government that where serious crimes have been We want to help British business succeed in a way committed, those who have perpetrated them must be that is consistent with our values. The promotion of held accountable for their actions. This should be done business and the protection of human rights should go through a clear and transparent investigative and hand in hand. The Government intends to launch an prosecutorial process that meets international standards. action plan on business and human rights—based on Further independent investigative work to fully establish the UN Guiding Principles—which will underpin business the facts would be required for an informed assessment success by helping UK companies understand and manage as to whether ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity human rights risk. have been committed. Ministers most recently met senior Burmese Ministers Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for to press them on the need for accountability, when the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend, the right he has made to the Bangladesh Government regarding hon. Baroness Warsi, on 15 April, and the Secretary of the establishment of an independent inquiry into the State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right recent violence in that country. [158590] hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), on 16 April, met the lead Minister for Alistair Burt: We are concerned following the recent Rakhine State and Minister for the President’s Office, violence and deaths in Bangladesh. The Senior Minister during their visit to London. The Minister of State for of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness International Development, my right hon. Friend the Warsi, issued a statement on 13 March which called on Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr Duncan), will the Government of Bangladesh to investigate reports of visit Burma and Rakhine State later in June to raise our deaths and use of excessive force by the police. concerns again. Officials in Rangoon continue to work 83W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 84W with other like-minded countries to lobby the Burmese (2) with reference to the answer of 24 April 2013, Government to act on the statement by President Thei’n Official Report, column 933W,on Iraq, what assessment Sein on 6 May, in which he stressed the need to ensure officials of the British embassy in Iraq made of (a) accountability for those guilty of human rights violations. Camp Ashraf and (b) Camp Liberty after their visits in September 2012; and whether further such visits have Colombia been planned; [157308]

Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign (3) with reference to the answer of 22 April 2013, and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the Official Report, column 636W,on Iraq, what the outcome strength of the evidence base for the accusations made was of his discussions with his Iraqi counterpart in by the Colombian Government that the March for Baghdad in February 2013 on humanitarian standards Peace, held across Colombia on 9 April 2013, had been at Camp Liberty; and what discussions he had on that partly organised with money from FARC; and if he will occasion on attacks carried out on (a) Camp Ashraf in make a statement on the implications for human rights April 2011 and (b) Camp Liberty in February 2013; in that country, particularly freedom of association. [157309] [158535] (4) what representations he has made to the US and UN regarding the alleged unlawful and forced relocation Mr Swire: We are aware of the Colombian Defence of residents from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty. Minister’s comments about the march that took place [157313] in Colombia on 9 April, but do not plan to carry out an assessment of the basis for these comments. We believe Alistair Burt: The Memorandum of Understanding that the attendance of President Santos and large numbers which the Government of Iraq agreed with the United of the armed forces at the event, alongside over one Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq in December 2011 million Colombians, demonstrated the Colombian allowed only for the voluntary relocation of residents Government’s belief in the legitimacy of civil society from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty. We have seen no groups and the contribution such groups can make evidence that residents were forced to relocate to Camp towards achieving a lasting peace settlement for Colombia. Liberty, and have therefore made no representations to As part of Colombia’s Universal Periodic Review in the US or UN about such allegations. The United April 2013, we strongly welcomed President Santos’s Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is responsible decision to undertake peace negotiations with the FARC. for the process of resettlement of residents to third The process has significant potential to improve respect countries. We are considering, on an exceptional and for human rights in Colombia. We support the Colombian case by case basis, the readmission of 52 residents who Government’s consultations with civil society over the have had previous residence in the UK as refugees. agenda items in the peace negotiations. We believe the biggest threat to freedom of association and expression The UN is responsible for monitoring conditions at comes from threats and violence by illegal armed groups. Camps Ashraf and Liberty. British embassy officials We have recommended that the Colombian Government therefore would not make an independent assessment, increases efforts to investigate and prosecute those though we continue to raise issues with the UN and responsible for threats or violence against human rights Government of Iraq when appropriate. We do not defenders, trade unionists, community leaders and currently have plans to visit the camps again, given the journalists. UN’s role. I raised my concerns about the 9 February 2013 attack on Camp Liberty and discussed residents’ Falkland Islands access to medical care with the Iraqi Foreign Minister when we met in February. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to increase the number of officials in his Israel Department that are based in the Falkland Islands. [158343] Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer Mr Swire: Staffing levels in all our Posts are reviewed of 17 December 2012, Official Report, column 573W, regularly. There are currently no plans to increase the on Israel, if he will direct the British ambassador to number of Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials make urgent representations to the Israeli Government based in the Falkland Islands given the broad range of regarding the Prawer Plan. [157900] responsibilities that are devolved to the Falkland Islands Government. We did, however, increase by half the size of the Falklands team in London during 2012. Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member Iraq: Iran for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), visited Khan Al Ahmar, a Bedouin community located in the ″El″ area Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State during his visit to the region on 23 to 24 May, where he for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) with reference heard from vulnerable Palestinian communities facing to the answer to Lord Maginnis of Drumglass of 18 the threat of house demolitions and forced displacement. March 2013, Official Report, House of Lords, column Our embassy is in regular contact with Bedouin WA117, on Iraq: Camp Liberty, what steps the Government leaders and activists and our ambassador to Tel Aviv is taking to support the UN’s efforts to relocate residents has discussed the Prawer Plan with the Speaker and of Camp Liberty in third countries; [157307] Deputy Speaker of the Knesset. 85W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 86W

Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Alistair Burt: Following the International Peace and and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the Cooperation Centre’s submission of detailed planning answer of 17 December 2012, Official Report, column proposals for new road networks, and new water and 573W, on Israel, what recent representations he has sanitation networks for the five planned Palestinian made to the Israeli Government to make clear the UK communities in Area C, the plans are currently awaiting Government’s concerns about forced evictions. [157901] approvals from the Israeli road and water departments. This is in preparation for the plans to be deposited for Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and the 60 day period for public objections. We understand Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member that settlement residents and settlement businesses are for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised our concerns able to make objections during this period. over evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem and the west bank with the Israeli authorities during his Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for visit to the region on 23 to 24 May. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2013, Official Report, columns 679-80W, Mexico on Palestinians, what assessment his Department has made of the risk of the Government aiding and abetting Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for breaches of international law by Israel in Area C through Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions funding of master plans which amount to de facto he has had with the Government of Mexico on participation recognition of the Wall and settlements. [158923] in the planned humanitarian effects of war conference; and if he will make a statement. [157675] Alistair Burt: The UK position on settlements and the separation barrier is clear. Settlements are illegal Alistair Burt: Officials from our embassy in Mexico under international law. If Israel wished to build the City held discussions on this subject with Mexican barrier, it should have been built on the 1967 border—and officials on 31 May 2013. We were informed that the where it is constructed on the Palestinian side of that Mexican Government planned to host a conference in border, it is illegal under international law. We do not early 2014, with a focus on the humanitarian impact of consider that supporting the development of masterplans nuclear weapons. Officials will continue to meet with for Palestinian communities constitutes de facto recognition their Mexican counterparts to discuss their plans as of either settlements or the barrier. they develop. Pakistan and Afghanistan Occupied Territories Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps has undertaken an assessment of the effects of unmanned he has taken to halt the transfer of population and aerial strikes in Pakistan and Afghanistan on (a) the demolition of Palestinian housing and infrastructure livelihoods of the affected communities and (b) the by the Israeli Government. [158190] ability of the affected communities to access education. [157728] Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member Alistair Burt: Her Majesty’s Government has not for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) raised our concerns undertaken a specific assessment of the effects of unmanned over evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem and aerial strikes in Pakistan and Afghanistan on (a) the the West Bank with the Israeli authorities during his livelihoods of the affected communities and (b) the visit to the region on 23-24 May. We will continue to ability of the affected communities to access education. press on these issues, together with key partners. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has supported opinion surveys in the Federally Administered Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Tribal Areas which in 2010 and 2011 included a question Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he related to drone strikes. I refer the hon. Member to my has received on how many Palestinian homes are currently answer of 16 May 2013, Official Report, column 392W, at risk of demolition in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid Sussex in (a) East Jerusalem, (b) Areas A and B and (c) Area (Nicholas Soames). C. [158533] Palestinians Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 862W. Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for he has had with representatives of Israel on payments Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the made to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails in the last answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, columns 12 months. [157897] 859-60W, on Occupied Territories, and with reference to the five International Peace and Cooperation Centre Alistair Burt: The Palestinian Authority (PA) makes master plans approved in December 2012, what the payments to meet the living expenses of prisoners in scope of the period for public objection is; and whether Israeli jails at the request of the Israeli authorities. objections can be made by (a) settlement residents, (b) These payments are managed by an Israeli company. settlement businesses and (c) only those legally Separately, the PA makes social assistance payments to resident under international law. [158858] families of prisoners. 87W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 88W

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Elkin raised the first use of British Sign Language (BSL) the FCO and its issue with British officials in Tel Aviv on 28 May 2013 arm’s length bodies support deaf clients to access its expressing concern as to whether payments are higher services on a case by case basis. For example: for prisoners serving longer sentences. FCO Services supply BSL interpreters, lip speakers and palentypists to assist communication, on demand and in keeping with the Qatar requestor’s wishes. However, as far as we are aware, they have not been asked to do this overseas. Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for The British Council provides assistance for deaf students both Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions to learn English and take exams, and through the use of subtitles he has had with the Qatari government about improving and local sign language interpreters at its events. The British labour standards and rights for migrant workers in Council also promotes disability equality around the world through its programmes, for example through support to the Annual Qatar. [158021] European Deaf Arts and Culture Festival and the Hong Kong International Deaf Film Festival. Alistair Burt: I have not discussed this issue with the Government of Qatar. But I welcome moves such as the Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Qatar Foundation’s recent Migrant Workers’ Welfare Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Initiative which sets out for contractors and subcontractors Department is taking to ensure the services it offers are the minimum mandatory requirements with respect to accessible to British Sign Language users. [157931] recruitment, living and working conditions, and general treatment of workers engaged in construction and other Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office projects at the Foundation. I will encourage the Qatari (FCO) and its arm’s length bodies are strongly committed authorities and other interested parties to make further to promoting equal opportunity and diversity, including progress in these areas. promoting disability equality across all aspects of our work. While there is no specific policy to promote the Sign Language use of British Sign Language (BSL) the FCO and its arm’s length bodies support deaf clients to access its Sir Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for services on a case-by-case basis. For example: Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific FCO Services supply BSL interpreters, lip speakers and palentypists measures his Department has in place to ensure that to assist communication, on demand and in keeping with the deaf people have the opportunity to communicate in requestor’s wishes. However, as far as we are aware, they have not British Sign Language with (a) British diplomatic been asked to do this overseas. posts and (b) the agencies and public bodies for which The British Council provides assistance for deaf students both he is responsible. [157368] to learn English and take exams, and through the use of subtitles and local sign language interpreters at its events. The British Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Council also promotes disability equality around the world through (FCO) and its arm’s length bodies are strongly committed its programmes, for example through support to the Annual European Deaf Arts and Culture Festival and the Hong Kong to promoting equal opportunity and diversity, including International Deaf Film Festival. promoting disability equality across all aspects of our work. While there is no specific policy to promote the Sri Lanka use of British Sign Language (BSL) the FCO and its arm’s length bodies support deaf clients to access its Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for services on a case by case basis. For example: Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions FCO Services supply BSL interpreters, lip speakers and palentypists he has had with the Commonwealth Secretariat on to assist communication, on demand and in keeping with the human rights in Sri Lanka ahead of the Commonwealth requestor’s wishes. However, as far as we are aware, they have not Heads of Government meeting. [157676] been asked to do this overseas. The British Council provides assistance for deaf students both Alistair Burt: Ministers and officials have regular to learn English and take exams, and through the use of subtitles and local sign language interpreters at its events. The British discussions with the Commonwealth Secretariat, including Council also promotes disability equality around the world through on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. its programmes, for example through support to the Annual We continue to have serious concerns about reconciliation European Deaf Arts and Culture Festival and the Hong Kong and accountability processes, as well as respect for International Deaf Film Festival. human rights in Sri Lanka. We are concerned about attacks on and intimidation of journalists, legal Sir Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for professionals, human rights defenders and others. Sri Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Lanka is listed as a ’Country of Concern’ on human he has made of the equality of access available for deaf rights in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Human people whose first language is British Sign Language in Rights Report for 2012, a copy of which is available communicating with (a) UK embassies and consulates online at and (b) the agencies and public bodies which support his Department; and if he will make a statement. http://www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk [157373] and from the House Libraries. The British Government is strongly committed to Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office strengthening our engagement with, and role within, (FCO) and its arm’s length bodies are strongly committed the Commonwealth. It is because of the importance we to promoting equal opportunity and diversity, including attach to the organisation, that the Prime Minister and promoting disability equality across all aspects of our the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth work. While there is no specific policy to promote the Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond 89W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 90W

(Yorks) (Mr Hague), have decided to attend this year’s flexibility to respond in the future if the situation continues Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to deteriorate and if the Assad regime refuses to work (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka in November 2013. We strongly towards a political solution to the conflict. support the values of the Commonwealth and it is right If we were to decide to provide lethal support to the that the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Syrian Opposition it would only be in co-ordination Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs are able to drive a with other nations, in carefully controlled circumstances, strong meeting, and take the opportunity to promote and in accordance with our obligations under national human rights and good governance. Hosting the CHOGM and international law. At the Foreign Affairs Committee will put Sri Lanka in the spotlight and will provide an on 27 May, the UK agreed safeguards to ensure that opportunity to either highlight progress and respect for support would only go to moderate groups. Commonwealth values or draw pressure and attention to the absence of such progress. We will continue to encourage Sri Lanka to uphold Commonwealth values Travel ahead of the CHOGM. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Department’s budget for ministerial travel for (a) the discussions he has had with the Government of Sri Government Car Service, (b) private hire vehicles, (c) Lanka concerning human rights and Tamil detainees. taxis, (d) rail, (e) aviation and (f) other is for (i) [157677] 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16. [157526]

Alistair Burt: The British Government regularly raises Mr Lidington: It is not possible to split the ministerial its concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka in discussions offices’ budget into detailed categories. The budget for with Ministers and officials. These include issues relating 2013-14 is £1.6 million. This includes all travel and to the ongoing detention of Tamils. associated costs for Ministers and accompanying staff. We continue to have serious concerns about reconciliation Budgets for future years have not yet been set at team and accountability processes, as well as respect for level. human rights in Sri Lanka, including freedom of expression and judicial independence. During my visit to Sri Lanka Turkey earlier this year, I took our human rights concerns directly to the Sri Lankan Government, and urged the full implementation of Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Commission’s (LLRC) report recommendations and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations wider measures on accountability. As the Deputy Prime he has made to the Turkish Government to ensure that Minister, the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (a) excessive force is not used against protestors in (Mr Clegg), stated on 15 May, too many LLRC Taksim Square and (b) democratic processes are followed recommendations have not yet been implemented. One in resolving current social and political issues in Turkey. area on which we have seen little progress is the [158949] recommendation to ensure closure for the families of missing persons through easy access to detainee lists. Mr Lidington: The British ambassador in Ankara Both during my visit, and since, the British Government issued a statement on 1 June expressing concern at the has been clear that although some progress has been violence in Turkey, urging the authorities to exercise made, much more work is needed to deliver the path to restraint, and encouraging them to respect the right to reconciliation in Sri Lanka. peaceful protest and freedom of assembly which, he In light of our concerns, the UK co-sponsored the Sri underlined, are fundamental human rights in any Lanka resolution passed in the Human Rights Council democratic society. on 21 March, and we welcome its adoption with the We welcome statements last week from the Turkish support of a majority of Council members. We urge Government apologising for the disproportionate use the Sri Lankan Government to implement the of force and recognising that some of the concerns recommendations contained in the resolution and comply raised by the protestors are legitimate. Turkey is a with their obligations under international humanitarian multi-party democracy whose Government has been and human rights law. democratically elected. We hope the issues raised by the protestors are resolved through an inclusive process of Syria constructive engagement and dialogue. We urge all parties to show restraint. Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he plans to ensure UK Trade and Investment that any arms and military equipment licensed to be sold to groups opposing the Syrian government will Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for not be diverted to terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda or Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is Islamist extremists also opposing the Syrian taking to ensure that maintaining and increasing the government in the Syrian civil conflict. [158018] strength of UK education exports is a top priority in British embassies worldwide. [157908] Alistair Burt: The United Kingdom has made no decision to send arms to the Syrian Opposition. The Mr Willetts: I have been asked to reply on behalf of lifting of the EU Arms Embargo gives the UK the the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. 91W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 92W

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has a strong The Deputy Prime Minister: As part of the Government’s programme of support for the UK’s education export transparency programme, details of ministerial meetings sector. Much of this is delivered by its network of with external organisations are published on the Cabinet Commercial officers based in embassies, consulates-general Office website at: and high commissions overseas. UKTI’s commercial https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office/ officers who deal with education are fully aware of the series/ministers-transparency-publications importance of this sector and have a deep understanding of how the UK offers matches local demand. They Lobbying work closely both with individual providers and with trade associations to promote the UK’s offer, and are Caroline Lucas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister given regular and appropriate training to ensure that with reference to the answer of 16 April 2013, Official they have an up to date knowledge of the UK’s strengths Report, column 293W, on lobbying, what period of in this field. UKTI’s overseas team deals with more time was intended to be inferred by the phrase in due inquiries about education than it does for any other course used in the answer; when he expects to bring sector, underlining the importance of educational exports forward legislative proposals for a statutory register of and its high priority in our overseas posts. lobbyists; and if he will make a statement. [158301]

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Miss Chloe Smith: The Government has repeatedly made very clear its commitment to introducing a statutory Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign register of lobbyists. and Commonwealth Affairs what support the UK has As I informed the House during Deputy Prime Minister’s offered to non-members of the Missile Technology Questions on 4 June 2013, we will introduce legislation Control Regime to prevent the proliferation of unmanned to provide for a lobbying register before the summer aerial vehicles. [158807] recess. Alistair Burt: The UK is a founder member of the Missile Technology Control Regime, and plays a full part in the regime’s activities, including supporting JUSTICE outreach work to non-member countries to promote support for the objectives of the regime. Outreach visits Animal Welfare: Sentencing help to raise awareness of the regime’s technical controls— including controls on unmanned aerial vehicles—as Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State well as promoting their effective implementation. The for Justice if he will take steps to strengthen sentences chair of the regime leads outreach visits, usually with available to courts for crimes relating to animal cruelty; support from member countries. This year the chair is and if he will make a statement. [156339] Germany. Germany has conducted outreach visits to the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan. Jeremy Wright: The Government abhors animal cruelty. The UK was represented on each of these visits. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the ″2006 Act″), it Western Sahara is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal. It is also an offence under the 2006 Act to cause, take part in, or publicise an animal fight. The Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for maximum penalty for both of these offences, as decided Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise by Parliament, is six months’ imprisonment, or a fine of with the (a) Moroccan Ambassador and (b) UN up to £20,000, or both. Secretary-General reports that the Moroccan authorities in Dakhla, Western Sahara, have banned UN personnel More generally, section 85 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 will, when from the harbour. [157692] implemented, effectively lift the monetary cap on fines Alistair Burt: We are aware of media reports of an of £5,000 and allow magistrates the discretion to impose incident of this nature. It is important that MINURSO any fine they see fit, taking into account the seriousness is able to fulfil its role in Western Sahara in accordance of the offence and the means of the offender. The with UN Security Council Resolutions. We do not plan Government is currently taking steps to implement that to raise these allegations with the Moroccan Authorities provision. or the UN Secretary-General but we understand that Badgers MINURSO will discuss this as part of their regular dialogue with the Moroccan authorities. Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions there have been for badger- baiting in the last five years for which figures are DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER available. [157569]

Food: Retail Trade Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on defendants Mr Meacher: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal what meetings (a) he and (b) staff in his Office have offences in England and Wales. Court proceedings data held with directors or staff of the top 15 food retailers held centrally for offences under the Protection of Badgers in the UK in the last 15 months; and what subjects Act 1992 are collated in an aggregated format, which were discussed at those meetings. [158413] does not allow the identification of specific badger 93W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 94W cruelty related offences proceeded against under the There are no plans to extend the Information Act. It is therefore not possible to separately identify Commissioners assessment notice powers to local councils. from this centrally held information which findings of guilt under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 in the Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice last five years related specifically to badger-baiting. whether his Department has any plans to bring into force sections 77 and 78 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 to allow for custodial sentences Conditions of Employment for breach of section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998. [156846] Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many officials in his Department are Jeremy Wright: Following Lord Justice Leveson’s employed on zero hours contracts. [156842] Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press, it is the Government’s intention to conduct a Mrs Grant: The number of people employed on public consultation on the full range of Lord Justice zero-hours contracts by the Ministry of Justice (Ministry Leveson’s data protection proposals, including on whether of Justice HQ, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, National to make an Order introducing custodial sentences under Offender Management Service and the Office of the section 77 (CJIA), and on whether to commence the Public Guardian) as at 31 March 2013 was 133. enhanced public interest defence under section 78 (CJIA), Individuals on zero-hour contracts only get paid for which will seek views on their impact and how they the hours worked. The number of hours worked can might be approached. vary according to workloads. The number of hours worked are recorded on weekly timesheets with local G4S managers reviewing and approving claims made before payment is made. Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the current level of expenditure by his Department is on contracts with G4S; and how much Crime: Victims was spent by his Department on contracts with G4S in each year since 2008. [154557] Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to ensure co-ordination between Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice has spent the police and crime commissioners and prisons for work following amounts with G4S since the start of the with victims of crime. [154182] 2008-09 financial year:

Mrs Grant: Police and crime commissioners are to Financial year Amount (excluding VAT) become responsible for commissioning local support services for victims of crime. In order to respond effectively 2012-13 282.6 to the needs of victims in their areas, PCCs will want to 2011-12 231.6 work closely with a range of partners across the criminal 2010-11 277.2 justice system and beyond. The Government is strongly 2009-10 264.3 encouraging such partnership working but believes that 2008-09 199.3 the details of the arrangements to be put in place in any 1 A number of G4S contracts did not come under the control of the particular area are best left to those on the ground so as Department until part way through 2008-09. to ensure that they are tailored to meet local needs. Judges

Data Protection Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many High Court judges were appointed in each Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice of the last three years. [157981] whether his Department has any plans to bring forward an order under section 41a of the Data Protection Act Mrs Grant: The number of High Court judges appointed 1988 to meet the recommendation of the Information in each of the last three years is as follows: Commissioner that his power to serve assessment notices be extended to NHS trusts and local councils. Number [156845] 2010 9 Mrs Grant: On 25 March 2013, the Government 2011 8 published a consultation paper proposing that the Secretary 2012 4 of State uses the order making power under section 2013 8 41A of the Data Protection Act 1998 to extend the powers of the Information Commissioner to carry out Legal Aid Scheme compulsory assessments of NHS bodies’ compliance with the data protection principles under the Act. That consultation closed on 17 May. The Ministry of Justice Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for is now considering the responses to the consultation Justice whether he has made an impact assessment of and will publish a response within three months of the the changes to legal aid on (a) access to legal aid and close of the consultation exercise. (b) quality of legal aid. [157138] 95W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 96W

Jeremy Wright: The Government has recently consulted Jeremy Wright: Convicted prisoners can be compelled on a number of proposals to reform legal aid via the to work in accordance with Prison Rule 31. Increasing ‘Transforming Legal Aid: delivering a more credible numbers of prisoners are working. Statistics published and efficient system’ consultation which closed on 4 in June 2012 show that in 2010-11 public sector prisons June 2013. We have been clear we must continue to bear delivered around 10.6 million prisoner working hours down on the cost of legal aid, including the £1 billion of which increased to over 11.4 million hours in 2011-12. taxpayers’ money spent on criminal legal aid a year, to Convicted prisoners who refuse to work do not receive ensure we are getting the best deal for the taxpayer. any pay. Unconvicted prisoners can choose whether or Five impact assessments have been written in relation not to work; if they do not work, they do not receive to this consultation and they do address the issues of any pay. Prisoners of retirement age can choose not to access and quality to legal aid. They are as follows: apply for work. Prisoners who are short- or long-term (1) Civil Credibility Impact Assessment sick are not required to work while they are ill. We are (2) Crime Credibility Impact Assessment changing the purpose of the Incentives and Earned (3) Civil Fees Impact Assessment Privileges (IEP) scheme so that not only are prisoners expected to behave well, but they will also be expected (4) Crime Fees Impact Assessment to work towards their own rehabilitation and help other (5) Criminal Litigation Price Competition Impact Assessment. prisoners or staff. Part of this is delivered through work They are all available to download from the consultation in prisons, but this is not the only purposeful activity webpage which can be found here: prisoners must do. As part of their sentence plan they https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/ may be required to take part in education or specific transforming-legal-aid treatment courses. To gain access to privileges while in prison, offenders will have to engage with purposeful Prisoners’ Release activity outlined to them or they will stay on the basic level of the regime. This would mean they would have to Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for wear prison clothes and would not have access to an Justice who is responsible for the statutory post-release in-cell television. supervision of people who had been sentenced to periods of 12 months’ imprisonment. [158371] Prisons: Uniforms Jeremy Wright: Probation trusts and youth offending teams are currently responsible for supervising offenders Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice released from custody on licence. On 9 May we published in which (a) publicly-run and (b) privately-run prisons “Transforming Rehabilitation: A Strategy for Reform”. prisoners are expected to wear a uniform at (i) entry Once these reforms are implemented, offenders released level and (ii) any other times. [155180] on licence will be supervised either by contracted rehabilitation providers or by the new national probation Jeremy Wright: We have announced an overhaul of service. the Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme which will require prisoners to engage positively in their own Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for rehabilitation as well as complying fully with prison Justice whether people sentenced to less than 12 months’ regimes. imprisonment and subsequently released are subject to The changes will apply to adult male prisoners aged licence conditions. [158372] 18 or over in all categories of prison, both private and publicly run. Jeremy Wright: Adult offenders who are sentenced to immediate custody for a period of less than 12 months Remand prisoners, and those newly convicted, will are not subject to release on licence, apart from those wear prison clothing during the 14-day entry level period. who are released on home detention curfew prior to All male prisoners aged 18 or over who are placed on their automatic release date. Young adult offenders the basic level of the IEP scheme, irrespective of the serving sentences of detention in a young offenders prison they are held in, will wear prison clothing while institute are subject to three months’ supervision on on the basic level. licence following release. All young offenders serving All offenders returned to prison for breaching licence detention and training orders are subject to supervision conditions will be placed on the entry level regardless of on licence when released. which level they had reached before release. On 9 May we published “Transforming Rehabilitation: A Strategy for Reform”, in which we set out our intention Probation that all adult offenders leaving prison, including those sentenced to less than 12 months in custody, will now spend a minimum of 12 months being supervised and Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for rehabilitated in the community. We have introduced Justice how he plans to ensure public safety under his provisions in the Offender Rehabilitation Bill to this effect. proposals for the outsourcing of probation services. [158483] Prisons: Employment Jeremy Wright: On 9 May 2013, the Ministry of Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Justice published “Transforming Rehabilitation: a Strategy what the stated criteria for exemption from prisoner for Reform” that sets out the plans for transforming the work are for people who are not earning under the way in which offenders are managed in the community Prisoner Earnings Act 1996. [156861] in order to bring down reoffending rates. 97W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 98W

Every offender who poses a high risk of serious harm Providers will only be paid in full for real reductions to the public will be managed by the new National in reoffending; their success will be measured through Probation Service. robust contracts that drive the right behaviours and Clear expectations and standards for managing the generate value for money. risk of harm for both market providers and the National By extending rehabilitation to more offenders, opening Probation Service will be set out in Service Level Agreements up rehabilitation services to a more diverse range of and contracts. providers, and paying providers by results to help offenders turn their lives around our reforms will make a real Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for difference to the rehabilitation offenders receive in practice Justice how he plans to enable third sector providers to and we seek to achieve year-on-year reductions in compete for probation services with the private sector reoffending. under his proposals for the outsourcing of probation services. [158484] Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how contractors will be incentivised under his proposals for the outsourcing of probation services. Jeremy Wright: On 9 May, the Ministry of Justice [158487] published “Transforming Rehabilitation: a Strategy for Reform” which sets out the plans for transforming the Jeremy Wright: On 9 May, the Ministry of Justice way in which offenders are managed in the community published “Transforming Rehabilitation: a Strategy for in order to bring down reoffending rates. Reform” which sets out the plans for transforming the Our reforms will open up delivery of probation services way in which offenders are managed in the community to a far wider range of potential providers—this includes in order to bring down reoffending rates. the voluntary and community sector. We have published Our reforms will introduce new payment incentives the 3SC action plan to increase the capability of voluntary for market providers to focus relentlessly on reforming and community organisations to deliver payment by offenders, giving providers flexibility to do what works results contracts. We are running a two part, £500,000 and freedom from bureaucracy, but only paying them in grant to support VCS organisations to overcome the full for real reductions in reoffending. barriers to their participation in the rehabilitation reforms. Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 We will assess bids and put in place market stewardship arrangements so smaller voluntary and community organisations can play their part in delivering rehabilitative : To ask the Secretary of State for Justice services under fair and sustainable arrangements. what steps his Department is taking to implement the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 in its procurement procedures; and what guidance he has given to his Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Department’s executive agencies and non-departmental Justice how he plans to retain sufficiently qualified and public bodies on implementation of that Act. [154536] professional staff in the public sector under his proposals for the outsourcing of probation services. [158485] Jeremy Wright: In line with other Government Departments the MOJ Procurement Directorate issued Jeremy Wright: On 9 May 2013, the Ministry of Cabinet Office guidance regarding Public Services (Social Justice published “Transforming Rehabilitation: a Strategy Value) Act to MOJ commissioning teams and procurement for Reform” which sets out the plans for transforming staff. the way in which offenders are managed in the community The guidance recommends that, before the procurement in order to bring down reoffending rates. process begins, commissioners and procurers need to Roles within the new National Probation Service will consider what is to be procured, its relevance, and how require a range of skills. Public sector probation staff it may improve social, environmental and economic will be responsible for managing those offenders who well-being of areas in England and Wales. pose the highest risk to the public. The Probation Public Transport: Damage Qualifications Framework—which sets out the range of roles to be performed in the rehabilitation and management of offenders—will form the basis of competency standards Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for the National Probation Service. We will be working if he will take steps to ensure that those convicted of with the probation profession to take forward the idea criminal damage on or against public transport are (a) of an Institute of Probation, to recognise and spread liable for the cost of repairs and (b) responsible for best practice. aiding the repairs as part of any sentence; and if he will make a statement. [157723]

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Jeremy Wright: Tough sentences are available for Justice how he plans to assess the success of his those convicted of criminal damage with a maximum proposals for the outsourcing of probation services. sentence of up to 10 years’ custody. Provisions in the [158486] Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 place a stronger duty on the courts to consider Jeremy Wright: On 9 May 2013, the Ministry of ordering offenders to pay compensation to their victims, Justice published “Transforming Rehabilitation: a Strategy including the cost of repairs to public transport, but for Reform” that sets out the plans for transforming the this must take into account an offender’s means. way in which offenders are managed in the community Compulsory unpaid work is one of the potential in order to drive down reoffending rates. requirements of a Community or Suspended Sentence 99W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 100W

Order handed down by the courts. This is general TRANSPORT reparation to the community rather than work which specifically corrects the damage which the offender may Administration have done. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Repossession Orders: Yorkshire and the Humber Transport (1) what estimate his Department has made of likely expenditure on administration in (a) 2013-14, Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158223] Justice how many homes were repossessed in (a) (2) what the budgeted or Haltemprice and Howden constituency, (b) East estimated expenditure for administration is for (a) 2013-14, Yorkshire and (c) Yorkshire and Humber in each of (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158236] the last five years. [157964] (3) what the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency budgeted or estimated expenditure for administration is Mrs Grant: The information requested is not available. for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158240] The Ministry of Justice does not hold information on the total number of repossessions as these can occur (4) what the Highways Agency budgeted or estimated without a court order, such as where borrowers hand expenditure for administration is for (a) 2013-14, (b) the keys back to the lender. Our figures only include 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158244] repossessions carried out by county court bailiffs. (5) what the Maritime and Coastguard Agency budgeted or estimated expenditure for administration is for (a) Surveillance 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158248] (6) what the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for budgeted or estimated expenditure for administration is Justice what consideration he has given to for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158252] strengthening the penalties available for use against (7) what the Vehicle Certification Agency budgeted public officials guilty of abusing powers enabled by the or estimated expenditure for administration is for (a) Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [158143] 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158256] (8) what the British Transport Police Authority budgeted James Brokenshire: I have been asked to reply on or estimated expenditure for administration is for (a) behalf of the Home Department. 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158260] There are existing penalties on the statute book that (9) what the Northern Lighthouse Board budgeted or can be used to penalise any such offence, including estimated expenditure for administration is for (a) 2013-14, those under the Data Protection Act 1998 or the offence (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158264] of misconduct in public office. Under the Regulation of (10) the Passenger Focus budgeted or estimated Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) the unlawful interception expenditure for administration is for (a) 2013-14, (b) of communications is a criminal offence punishable on 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158268] indictment by up to two years imprisonment, a fine or (11) the Trinity House (Lighthouse) budgeted or both. estimated expenditure for administration is for (a) In addition, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158272] Act 2000 (Monetary Penalty Notice and Consents for (12) what administration budget he has allocated for Interceptions) Regulations 2011 created a new civil work formerly done by the Railway Heritage sanction for certain kinds of unlawful interception of Committee for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) electronic communications not already covered by the 2015-16. [158276] criminal offence of intercepting without lawful authority. The regulations empower the Interception of Norman Baker: The Departmental Group Communications Commissioner to issue monetary penalty Administration budgets are given in the table below. notices to offenders and to enforce them in court. The Interception of Communications Commissioner, Chief £000 Surveillance Commissioner and Intelligence Services 2013-14 2014-15 Commissioner keep public authority use of RIPA under continual review. Central DfT Administration 155,789 139,469 As part of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Highways Agency 67,154 65,468 Maritime and Coastguard 10,062 10,162 Communications Data Bill, the Joint Committee on the Agency Draft Bill looked carefully at the specific issue of abuse General Lighthouse Fund1 10,281 10,161 of access to communications data by those in public office. In his evidence to that Committee, the then Funding of ALBs (net), 11,405 11,925 Interception of Communications Commissioner made including: clear that there is little or no evidence of wilful or Passenger Focus2 4,930 4,950 reckless misuse of powers to acquire communications Total Administration 254,691 237,185 data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 1 General Lighthouse Fund, encompassing Trinity House and Northern Lighthouse 2000. The Committee recommended that there should Board. be a specific offence relating to communications data 2 Passenger Focus figure for 2014-15 is an indicative forecast. and the Government is considering this matter at present, There are no administration budgets for the following as part of our wider work on proposals relating to the agencies and arm’s length bodies as their total expenditure investigation of crime in cyberspace. is classified as Programme. 101W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 102W

British Transport Police Authority £ Vehicle Certification Agency Advertising media expenditure Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Vehicle and Operator Service Agency and Driving Highways Agency—non-statutory public 83,390 Nil. Nil Standards Agency are Trading Funds and are not notice advertising. consolidated in the Departmental Group. Highways Agency—statutory public 1,904,163 1,253,701 1,310,867 The Department has not allocated any budget for notice advertising. work formerly done by the Railway Heritage Committee. Maritime and Coastguard Agency 370 Nil 13,260 The Committee’s powers were transferred to the Board Vehicle Certification Agency Nil Nil Nil of Trustees of the Science Museum on 1 April 2013 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency Nil Nil Nil which is overseen by the Department for Culture Media Total 2,573,501 4,373,053 3,663,937 and Sport. The central Department’s non-statutory advertising Budgets for 2015/16 are subject to the 2013 Spending media expenditure is almost exclusively in support of Round which is currently underway. THINK! Road Safety campaigns.

Advertising British Transport Police Authority

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department’s budgeted or Transport what the British Transport Police Authority estimated expenditure on advertising is for (a) budgeted or estimated expenditure for headquarters 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158230] and other office costs is for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158259] Norman Baker: Advertising media may form part of a communications campaign or other budgeted activity Mr Simon Burns: The estimated expenditure for the but such a decision will be based on evidence of its British Transport Police Authority headquarters and value for money and subject to approval through the other office costs is as follows: appropriate authority under the Efficiency and Reform Group expenditure controls. For this reason, advertising £000 media expenditure is not usually explicitly identified within current or future year budget plans. 2013-14 132.3 It is expected that road safety communication campaigns 2014-15 135.7 will be the majority of advertising media expenditure in Budgets for 2015-16 are subject to the 2013 Spending 2013/14. This financial year the THINK! Road Safety Round which is currently underway. campaign has run a motorcycling campaign with an advertising media spend of approximately £1.055 million Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for and a summer drink drive campaign which has a planned Transport how many members of staff at the British media spend of approximately £559,000. Transport Police Authority are paid over £100,000 per The Highways Agency currently has no plans for annum. [158261] advertising media expenditure in 2013/14 and has made an initial estimate of £0.8 million for public information Mr Simon Burns: There are currently two members of advertising on Dartford freeflow charging in 2014/15. staff at the authority who are paid over £100,000 per Statutory public notice advertising costs, incurred by annum. This is based on total pay including base salary, the central Department and the Highways Agency, are taxable benefits, benefits in kind and pensionable allowances. currently estimated to be £1.9 million in 2013/14 and a The annualised full-time rate for authority members similar value in 2014/15. is also above the £100,000 threshold.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Buildings Transport what his Department’s expenditure on advertising was in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012-13. [158422] Transport what estimate his Department has made of likely expenditure for headquarters and other office Norman Baker: Expenditure on advertising media by costs in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. the Department and its Executive Agencies for the [158222] financial years 2010/11 to 2012/13 is as follows: Norman Baker: The accommodation and running £ costs budget for the Department for Transport headquarters Advertising media expenditure in 2013-14 and 2014-15 is estimated to be approximately 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 £16m. Department for Transport (Central)— 566,927 2,623,643 1,941,675 Budgets for 2015/16 are subject to the 2013 Spending non-statutory public notice advertising. Round which is currently underway. Department for Transport (Central)— 18,651 495,709 398,075 statutory public notice advertising Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Driving Standards Agency Nil Nil 60 Transport what the name is of each building or office Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Nil Nil Nil space leased or rented by his Department and its Government Car and Despatch Agency Nil Nil Nil agencies in each of the last five years; and what the 103W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 104W lease or rental costs for each such property has been in As part of the £107 million we have invited cities each such year. [158289] outside London and National Parks to bid for a share of a £42 million Cycle Ambition Grant. Cities are Norman Baker: Information about the land and buildings required to demonstrate local leadership and set out a leased or rented by the Department is published on the 10 year ambition for more cycling. Successful bids will data.gov.uk website and is available from the following receive a cycling budget equivalent to £10 per head. link: National Parks have been asked to develop schemes to improve cycling facilities to help support cycling as a http://data.gov.uk/dataset/epims fun and healthy activity. We will announce the successful Information on the lease and rental costs of individual bids shortly. properties is not centrally recorded in the format requested The Department has produced guidance for local and this could only be obtained at disproportionate authorities on providing for cyclists in Cycle Infrastructure cost. Design (Local Transport Note 2/08) which can be found However, the Department does publish information at: on the running costs of certain occupied administrative http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-transport-notes/ltn- offices as part of the annual Cabinet Office Property 2-08.pdf Benchmarking programme. Further information is available Guidance on providing for cyclists on the trunk road on the Data.Gov website. network is available in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 5, Section 2, Part 4, TA 91/05 Crossrail Line Provision for Non-Motorised Users at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/ha/standards/dmrb/vol5/section2/ Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for ta9105.pdf Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that contractors on the Crossrail project are not involved in Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for blacklisting construction workers involved in trade Transport what steps his Department takes to incorporate the needs of cyclists at the early stage of union or health and safety activities. [157894] new development schemes; and whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to require that the Stephen Hammond: Crossrail Ltd, which is responsible needs of cyclists be taken account of in such schemes. for the delivery of the Crossrail project and the management [157830] of its contractors, requires all companies working on the project to comply with the law, which includes Norman Baker: The Government is committed to an compliance with the Employment Relations Act 1999 expansion of cycling. The National Planning Policy (Blacklists) Regulations 2010. Framework includes the promotion of cycling. The Crossrail Ltd has informed the Department that it Government is in the process of revising our planning has received assurances from all its principle contractors for transport guidance documents (Travel Plans & Transport that none have engaged in any blacklisting activity in Assessments/ Statements). These will set out more clearly connection with the Crossrail project. our recommendations for how local authorities should consider active transport, including cycling, in any new Cycling development. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what his Department’s plans are for the Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport future funding of measures to encourage cycling; what the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency budgeted [157829] or estimated expenditure for headquarters and other (2) how much his Department has allocated in each office costs is for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) year since 2010 to ensure that roads are designed and 2015-16. [158239] built to include more cycle-friendly areas; and how much such funding is planned for each year up to 2015 Stephen Hammond: The estimated expenditure for for which figures are available. [157853] the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s headquarters and other office costs is as follows: Norman Baker: The Department provides significant amounts of funding through the Integrated Transport £ block for local transport authorities to support small 2013-14 34,703,000 scale initiatives, including cycling schemes. This funding 2014-15 27,314,200 is not ring fenced and offers local authorities the freedom to develop and implement solutions which best suit Budgets for 2015-16 are subject to the 2013 spending their localities. round which is currently under way. In addition, in the past year we have allocated £107 million of new money to support safety and community Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases links that encourage more cycling. This funding is through to 2015 and is over and above the £600 million Local Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) where 94 out of Transport on how many occasions companies have the 96 projects contain a cycling element. Again this been suspended from accessing the Driver and Vehicle funding is through to 2015. Licensing Agency database. [157802] 105W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 106W

Stephen Hammond: Records held since 2006 show Channel Success rate (percentage) 447 companies and organisations have been suspended from receiving information from the Driver and Vehicle Postal applications 87 Licensing Agency’s ‘vehicle keeper’ register. Information about suspension from the ‘driver licence’ register is Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for only held from 2012. Since that time 14 companies and Transport what the quality requirements of the organisations have been suspended. photographs used for photocard driving licences are; and what proportion of postal and online driving Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for licence applications were rejected due to poor quality Transport what assessment he has made of the or inappropriate photographs provided by the protection of privacy in the rules governing access to applicant in each of the last three years. [157810] the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency database. [157803] Stephen Hammond: Photographs must satisfy the same high standard as those required for passports, e.g. must Stephen Hammond: A ministerial review of processes be printed professionally and meet the size and quality for the disclosure of vehicle data was carried out in specification. 2006. Two subsequent reviews were carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in 2009 and 2012. As the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not The routine disclosure of both driver and vehicle data is differentiate between the reasons for rejecting driving subject to conditions set out in Memorandums of licence applications there are no figures available for Understanding with other Government Departments, failing to meet the photograph standard. Online transactions and contracts with private sector third parties. Clauses use photograph images from the Identity and Passport on security, data transfer, audit and inspection are Service (IPS) database. As these will have already satisfied included. the IPS quality checks before being entered on the database, there are no rejects due to poor quality Driving Offences: Insurance photographs.

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on Transport what the Government’s timetable is for the the number of uninsured cars seized in each of the last phasing out of the paper portion of the UK driving five years in (a) Corby constituency, (b) licence. [157811] Northamptonshire and (c) the UK. [158044] Stephen Hammond: The Government is committed to Stephen Hammond: The Department does not hold abolishing the driving licence counterpart by 2015. this information. Empty Property Driving Standards Agency Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the location is of each unused or empty Transport what the Driving Standards Agency office space or building owned or leased by his budgeted or estimated expenditure for headquarters Department and its agencies; and what the size in and other office costs is for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 square feet is of each such property. [158280] and (c) 2015-16. [158235] Norman Baker: Information about the vacant office Stephen Hammond: The accommodation and running space or buildings owned or leased by the Department costs budget for 2013-14 and 2014-15 for the Driving is published on the data.gov.uk website and is available Standards Agency headquarters and other office costs from the following link: are estimated to be £2,529,000. http://data.gov.uk/dataset/epims Budgets for 2015-16 are subject to the 2013 spending round which is currently under way. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the Driving: Licensing rental or leasing value of the unused or empty office space or buildings owned or being leased by his Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Department or its agencies per square foot. [158288] Transport what the first time transactional success rate for photocard driving licences applied for in person at Norman Baker: The Department for Transport aims post offices is compared with those done by applicant- to hold only core property (i.e. which is needed for the provided photograph by post or online. [157806] delivery of its business). All non-core property (unless it is held pending transport scheme use) will be disposed Stephen Hammond: The first time success rate for or re-allocated at the earliest opportunity in a way photocard licence applications is shown in the following which is both consistent with official guidance and table: achieves value for money. Information about the vacant office space or buildings Channel Success rate (percentage) owned or leased by the Department is published on the data.gov.uk website and is available from the following Post Office 96 link: Online 87 http://data.gov.uk/dataset/epims 107W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 108W

The Department does not centrally record the rental Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for or leasing value of the office space or building it owns Transport what plans his Department has to analyse or leases and obtaining the requested data for the the effect of premium pricing on forecast (a) passenger element relating to vacant space would incur demand, (b) revenues and (c) benefit to cost ratios for disproportionate cost. High Speed 2; and if he will make a statement. [158595]

High Speed 2 Railway Line Mr Simon Burns: The Economic Case for HS2 and associated forecasts of demand and revenue currently assume that the structure of high speed fares are comparable Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for to the existing network. The Department, working closely Transport when he expects HS2 Ltd to complete and with HS2 Ltd, is considering the potential benefits that publish the research it commissioned in August 2012 could be secured from more sophisticated pricing policies into the potential effect of High Speed 2 on regional across both the HS2 and classic networks. economies. [158578] Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Simon Burns: HS2 Ltd is taking forward a Transport when he expects to reach a decision on how programme of work to assess how HS2 will impact on rolling stock for phase one of High Speed 2 will be the economy at the national and regional level. This will financed. [158596] provide a deeper understanding of how HS2 might interact with land use, business investment, jobs and Mr Simon Burns: HS2 rolling stock is not due to growth. come into service until late 2026. No decision on rolling This work will inform the next update to the business stock procurement and financing has yet been taken. case for HS2 and HS2 Ltd aims to publish the research The Department will decide how the trains will be later this year to support the Phase 2 consultation and funded in due course. the passage of the hybrid Bill. Highways Agency Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Transport who the members of the High Speed Rail what the Highways Agency budgeted or estimated programme board are. [158579] expenditure for headquarters and other office costs is for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158243] Mr Simon Burns: The High Speed Rail (HSR) programme board is chaired by David Prout, DFT Stephen Hammond: The estimated expenditure for director-general for High Speed Rail. In addition to the the Highways Agency headquarters and other office chair, board membership comprises: costs is as follows: Douglas Oakervee, chair of HS2 Ltd; Alison Munro, CEO of HS2 Ltd; £ million Martin Capstick, director of HS2 Policy, Legislation, and 2013-14 10.894 Funding; 2014-15 10.123 Jonathan Sharrock, director of HS2 Strategy and Engagement; Budgets for 2015-16 are subject to the 2013 spending Becky Wood, (acting) director of HS2 Project Sponsorship, Commercial and Technical; round which is currently under way. Stephen Park, DFT Group Finance (interim) director; Information Officers Nick Bisson, Rail Strategy and Finance director; Joe Grice, DFT chief economist; Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Nick Joyce, director of Commercial and Technical Services; Transport how many members of staff have worked in his Department on media and communications matters one nominated official from HM Treasury; in each year since May 2010. [158225] one nominated official from Infrastructure UK; and the HS2 Project Representative. Norman Baker: The estimated full time equivalent Other officials attend by invitation for specific items (FTE) number of staff who worked on communications of business. activities, which includes internal communications, website and other digital communications, strategic communications and planning, marketing and public information campaigns Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for and partnerships, publishing, speechwriting, news media Transport if he will publish the report commissioned and press work for the financial years 2010/11 to 2012/13 by HS2 Ltd from the companies Sinclair Knight Merz is as follows: and Jacobs into the High Speed 2 modelling framework. [158580] Staff full time equivalent Mr Simon Burns: HS2 Ltd have commissioned Sinclair numbers 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Knight Merz and Jacobs to independently audit the Department for 61.2 55.0 56.5 HS2 Ltd modelling framework. This independent audit Transport provides assurance for the next update to the HS2 (Central) Driving 13.4 12.2 12.2 Economic Case and HS2 Ltd aims to publish this Standards report. Agency1 109W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 110W

reason, it is not possible to comprehensive estimates for Staff full time equivalent communications expenditure for current and future years. numbers 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 The central Department’s Group Communications Driver and n/a 25.4 39.3 Directorate administration budget for 2013/14 is £4.282 Vehicle million. Group Communications’ activities include internal Licensing Agency2 communications, website and other digital communications, Government Nil Nil Nil strategic communications and planning, marketing and Car and public information campaigns and partnerships, publishing, Despatch speechwriting, news media and press work. Agency3 Highways 66.7 53.1 44.8 Group Communications’ 2013/14 programme resource Agency4 is £3.91 million of which £3.75 million is allocated to Maritime and 6.9 6.9 6.9 THINK! Road Safety campaigns and £160,000 is allocated Coastguard 5 to digital customer communications on our public and Agency business facing services. Vehicle Nil Nil Nil Certification Agency Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Vehicle and 6.6 6.6 7.66 Transport how much his Department spent on media Operator Services Agency and communications in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and 1 DSA figures are as at 31 May in each year. (c) 2012-13. [158360] 2 DVLA figure for 2012/13 reflects a re-alignment of roles across the organisation and the figure for 2010/11 can only be provided at disproportionate cost. Norman Baker: The cost of communications which 3 GCDA ceased to be an agency on 30 September 2012. includes internal communications, website and other 4 HA figures are as at 31 March 2010, 30 September 2011 and 1 January 2013. 5 MCA figures relate to posts, actual staff numbers can only be provided at digital communications, strategic communications and disproportionate cost. planning, marketing and public information campaigns 6 VOSA figure for 2012/13 is for 1 January 2013. and partnerships, publishing, speechwriting, news media The estimated 167.3, full time equivalent, staff employed and press work and associated staff costs for the on communications activities in the Department and its Department and its Executive Agencies for the financial Executive Agencies in 2012/13 is a 30% reduction on the year 2012/13 is, on a like for like basis, 76% less than the 240.1 FTE estimated for 2009/10 and provided in my £63.1m recorded for 2009/10. answer to the Rt. Hon. Member for Angus on 10 February 2011 [Official Report, column 408W]. £ million Cost of Communications Maritime and Coastguard Agency (a) 2010/11 (b) 2011/12 (c) 2012/13 Department for Transport 9.53 10.05 8.02 Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for (Central)1 Transport what the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Driving Standards Agency 0.68 0.43 0.82 budgeted or estimated expenditure for headquarters Driver and Vehicle Licensing 4.00 1.20 1.65 Agency and other office costs is for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 Government Car and Nil Nil Nil and (c) 2015-16. [158247] Despatch Agency Highways Agency2 5.14 4.32 3.29 Stephen Hammond: The accommodation and running Maritime and Coastguard 0.71 0.63 0.68 costs budget for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Agency headquarters is as follows: Vehicle Certification Agency3 0.09 0.02 0.04 Vehicle and Operator Services 0.35 0.34 0.43 £ Agency Total 20.50 16.99 14.94 2013-14 2,827,308 1 Statutory public notice advertising costs for the central Department of £19k 2014-15 2,827,042 for 2010/11 and £496k for 2011/12 are included in the figures above. The 2012/13 cost of £398k is not included above. 2 The Highways Agency figures do not include statutory public notice Budgets for 2015-16 are subject to the 2013 spending advertising costs of £1.90m, £1.25m, and £1.31m for 2010/11, 2011/12 and round which is currently under way. 2012/13 respectively. 3 The Vehicle Certification Agency was not included in the. 2009/10 or 2012/13 Operational Efficiency Programme costs but figures have been provided here Mass Media for completeness. Estimates for 2010/11 and 2011/12 were compiled for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport inclusion in Quarterly Data Summaries published by what his Department’s budgeted or estimated expenditure the Department and the 2012/13 estimate was prepared on media and communications is for (a) 2013-14, (b) using definitions from the Operational Efficiency 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158229] Programme. Norman Baker: Communications expenditure may Ministerial Policy Advisers arise as part of a project or programme and corporate plans do not seek to indentify all communications expenditure separately. Corporate communications Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for functions do not necessarily align with budget boundaries, Transport (1) what his Department’s expenditure on particularly in the Executive Agencies where some do special adviser salaries was in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 not have dedicated communications resources. For this and (c) 2012-13; [158227] 111W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 112W

(2) what his Department’s budgeted or estimated £ expenditure on special adviser salaries is for (a) Financial year Vodafone Orange 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158232] 2011-12 129,389 73,535 Norman Baker: Details of special advisers’ pay-bands 2012-13 140,000 177,861 and salaries are published quarterly and can be accessed via the following link;. The MCA currently has 1,350 devices providing a https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-adviser- service, 930 with Vodafone and 420 with Orange. data-releases-numbers-and-costs Both the Vodafone and Orange contracts were signed The latest quarterly information will be published in up to using a Government Procurement Service (GPS) due course. Framework Agreement. The framework began on 27 June 2012 and will be Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for renewed on 1 July 2014, again using GPS frameworks. Transport what his Department’s expenditure on special adviser travel by each mode of transport was in Motorways: Safety (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13. [158228]

Norman Baker: Prior to 2012, the Department did Mary Macleod: To ask the Secretary of State for not record expenditure on each individual mode of Transport what recent work his Department has transport separately. As a result, the only figures available undertaken to prevent road traffic accidents on major are those for 2012-13. However, the total expenditure motorways. [158303] for 2010-11 and 2011-12 is available and these figures are presented in the following table. By way of comparison, Stephen Hammond: Motorways in the UK are some a total of £9,821 was spent in 2009-10. of the safest roads in the world. The introduction of Controlled and Managed Motorways to reduce congestion £ have delivered safety benefits. They achieve better driver Mode of behaviour in terms of lane discipline and speed compliance. transport 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 The Department and its agencies also include road Air travel — — 1,286 safety messages, where appropriate, in communication Rail travel — — 1,717 activity throughout the year, to influence and improve Taxis — — 6 road user behaviour on motorways. Other — — 66 Total 653 638 3075 Northern Lighthouse Board

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department’s budgeted or Transport (1) what the Northern Lighthouse Board estimated expenditure on special adviser travel is for budgeted or estimated expenditure for headquarters (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158233] and other office costs is for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158263] Norman Baker: The Department’s budgeted expenditure (2) what the Trinity House (Lighthouse) budgeted or on Special Adviser Travel for 2013-14 is £2800. The estimated expenditure for headquarters and other office budgets for 2014-15 and 2015-16 have not yet been costs is for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. agreed. [158271] Mobile Phones Stephen Hammond: The budgets of the General Lighthouse Authorities are agreed annually, and are Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for funded from the General Lighthouse Fund. Therefore, Transport which company holds the largest contract to resources have not as yet been allocated to Trinity provide mobile telephony services to the Maritime and House or the Northern Lighthouse Board for 2014-15 Coastguard Agency; how much is paid each year under or 2015-16. that contract; how many individual services are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; and The General Lighthouse Authorities’ corporate plans (a) when and (b) how the contract will next be use a standard set of expenditure groupings consistent with General Lighthouse Fund requirements. A breakdown renewed. [158111] between headquarters and other office costs is not Stephen Hammond: The Maritime and Coastguard readily available, however office accommodation forms Agency (MCA) has contracts with two mobile phone part of the total for finance, support and headquarters, companies, Vodafone and Orange, which provide telephony accounting subheading. services. Over the last four financial years the MCA has Trinity House has a budget of £5,112,000 for finance, spent: support and headquarters in 2013-14, and the Northern Lighthouse Board £3,123,000. £ Financial year Vodafone Orange Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many members of staff at the 2009-10 68,264 82,038 Northern Lighthouse Board are paid over £100,000 per 2010-11 109,319 77,930 annum; [158265] 113W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 114W

(2) how many members of staff at Trinity House No. of staff paid more than (Lighthouse) are paid over £100,000 per annum. £100,000 per annum [158273] Department for Transport (c) 22 Stephen Hammond: There are no employees at the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency 2 Northern Lighthouse Board whose basic salary exceeds Driving Standards Agency 1 £100,000. At Trinity House only one employee has a Highways Agency 6 basic salary exceeding £100,000. Maritime & Coastguard Agency 2 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 Passenger Focus Vehicle & Operator Services 2 Agency Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Total 35 what the Passenger Focus budgeted or estimated expenditure for headquarters and other office costs is for (a) 2013-14, Procurement (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158267] Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Simon Burns: The requested information is as Transport (1) which major projects undertaken by his follows: Department are rated at (a) green, (b) green/amber and (c) amber; [158281] £ (2) what the budget is of each major project being 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 undertaken by his Department which is rated at (a) London office costs 148,000 151,000 154,000 green, (b) green/amber, (c) amber, (d) amber/red and Manchester office 104,000 105,000 106,000 (e) red; [158282] costs (3) how much has been spent to date on each major The office costs above represent rent, rates, service project being undertaken by his Department; [158283] charge, and utilities for the offices Passenger Focus (4) what the name is of each capital project being occupy. All payments are to other Government undertaken by his Department not classed as a major Departments, as Passenger Focus only occupy project; and what the (a) budget and (b) traffic light accommodation on the Government estate. status is of each such project; [158284] (5) how much his Department has spent to date on Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for each active project not classed as a major project; Transport how many members of staff at Passenger [158285] Focus are paid over £100,000 per annum. [158269] (6) by what period in years and months each overdue major project being undertaken by his Department has Mr Simon Burns: Passenger Focus has one member exceeded (a) the original planned delivery timetable of staff who is paid over £100,000 a year. and (b) any revised delivery timetable; [158286] (7) by what period in years and months each overdue Pay project being undertaken by his Department and not classified as a major project has exceeded (a) the Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for original planned delivery timetable and (b) any revised Transport (1) how many officials in his Department are delivery timetable. [158287] paid over £100,000 per annum; [158224] (2) how many members of staff at the Driving Norman Baker: The Department for Transport publishes Standards Agency are paid over £100,000 per annum; information on its major projects, including data on [158237] traffic light ratings, delivery against timetable, budgets (3) how many members of staff at the Driver and and actual spend, in the Government Major Projects Vehicle Licensing Agency are paid over £100,000 per Portfolio. This can be found in the following link: annum; [158241] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government- major-projects-portfolio-data-for-dft-2013 (4) how many members of staff at the Highways The Department does not currently gather central Agency are paid over £100,000 per annum; [158245] data on projects which are not classified as ’major’. (5) how many members of staff at the Maritime and However, a project management portfolio office is currently Coastguard Agency are paid over £100,000 per annum; being developed within the Department to gather financial, [158249] milestone and traffic light information about non-major (6) how many members of staff at the Vehicle and projects. It will focus on high priority, high risk projects Operator Service Agency are paid over £100,000 per in the first instance, with a view to expanding further to annum; [158253] wider project tiers across the Department. (7) how many members of staff at the Vehicle Certification Agency are paid over £100,000 per Property annum. [158257] Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Norman Baker: The Department for Transport and Transport what (a) land is and (b) buildings are its six Executive Agencies has 35 employees who are owned by his Department and its agencies; and what paid more than £100,000 per annum. The location of the most recently assessed market value is of each. the staff is shown in the table below. [158279] 115W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 116W

Norman Baker: Information about the land and buildings £ million owned by the Department for Transport is published on 2013-14 2014-15 the data.gov.uk website. The information requested is available from the following link: Trinity House 49,435 46,201 http://data.gov.uk/dataset/epims General Lighthouse 10,281 10,161 Fund2 Information on the market value of property is not 1 British Transport Police and British Transport Police Authority are treated as centrally recorded and this information could only be one entity in the Department’s accounts, as advised by the National Audit Office. obtained at disproportionate cost. 2 General Lighthouse Fund, encompassing Trinity House and Northern Lighthouse Board. Vehicle and Operator Service Agency and Driving Public Expenditure Standards Agency are Trading Funds and are not consolidated in the Departmental Group. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for The Public Bodies (Abolition of the Railway Heritage Transport (1) what budget he has allocated to the Committee) Order 2013 abolished the Railway Heritage Driving Standards Agency for (a) 2013-14, (b) Committee on 1 April 2013 and transferred its powers 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158234] to the Board of Trustees of the Science Museum which is overseen by the Department for Culture, Media and (2) what budget he has allocated to the Driver and Sport. The Department has not allocated a budget in Vehicle Licensing Agency for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 any of these years for the work formerly done by the and (c) 2015-16; [158238] Railway Heritage Committee. (3) what budget he has allocated to the Highways Budgets for 2014-15 are indicative. Agency for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158242] Budgets for 2015-16 are subject to the 2013 Spending Round which is currently under way. (4) what budget he has allocated to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158246] Railway Heritage Committee (5) what budget he has allocated to the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Railway Heritage Committee and (c) 2015-16; [158250] will have any ongoing headquarters or other office (6) what budget he has allocated to the Vehicle costs for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. Certification Agency for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and [158275] (c) 2015-16; [158254] (7) what budget he has allocated to the British Mr Simon Burns: The Railway Heritage Committee Transport Police Authority for (a) 2013-14, (b) was abolished on 1 April 2013 and does not have any 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158258] ongoing headquarters or other office costs. (8) what budget he has allocated to the Northern Lighthouse Board for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many members of staff of his Department are (c) 2015-16; [158262] working on the functions previously carried out by the (9) what budget he has allocated to Passenger Focus Railway Heritage Committee. [158277] for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; [158266] (10) what budget he has allocated to Trinity House Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not have any (Lighthouse) for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) members of staff working on the functions previously 2015-16; [158270] carried out by the Railway Heritage Committee. (11) what total budget he has allocated for the work Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport formerly done by the Railway Heritage Committee for how many members of staff working on the functions (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158274] previously carried out by the Railway Heritage Committee are paid over £100,000 per annum. [158278] Norman Baker: The Departmental for Transport Group budgets are given in the following table: Mr Simon Burns: The Department has no staff working on the functions previously carried out by the Railway £ million Heritage Committee. 2013-14 2014-15 Railway Stations Highways Agency 4,619,687 4,742,944 Maritime and 130,307 117,637 Coastguard Agency Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Driver and Vehicle 173,000 163,700 Transport what funding has been allocated from the Licensing Agency New Stations Fund; and whether he plans to make Vehicle Certification 500 500 further awards from the New Stations Fund. [158799] Agency British Transport 14,900 12,200 Police1 Mr Simon Burns: Funding from the New Stations Passenger Focus 4,930 4,950 Fund has been awarded to four stations at Newcourt in Northern Lighthouse 25,034 23,435 Devon, Ilkeston in Derbyshire, Lea Bridge in the London Board borough of Waltham Forest, and Pye Corner near 117W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 118W

Newport, totalling around £8.6 million. The strong case Department will conduct an assessment of the effects for a station at Kenilworth was noted, therefore we are of turning off street lights on the fear of crime, on minded to provide funding of £5 million towards this emergency services and on social activities. [158045] new station, subject to the new station’s integration into the programme of wider improvement works in the Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has area, which are set out in ’s Strategic no current plans to conduct any such assessment. It is Business Plan published in January 2013. The evaluation the responsibility of each local authority to consider of one of the bids received continues, so there is the what effect turning off street lights will be for the area possibility of a further award. which they are responsible. We would advise that any authority works closely with the emergency services, Railways: EU Law community safety and other key partners when considering their street lighting needs. Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when (a) he and (b) officials in his Department Shipping: Conditions of Employment have met the European Commission to discuss the Fourth Railway Package in the last 12 months. [158971] Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate has been made of the annual budget Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales enforce the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) on (Mr McLoughlin), attended a Transport Council meeting (a) UK flagged vessels and (b) non-UK flagged vessels on 11 March to discuss the technical pillar of the working out of UK ports after the MLC comes into package. In addition officials have met with the Commission force in August 2013. [157859] to discuss this pillar on the following dates: 24 and 26 of September 2012; in 2013: 26 February; 1, 19 and 26 of Stephen Hammond: The Maritime and Coastguard March; 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 23, 29 April; 7, 8, 14, 23 and 27 Agency (MCA) will enforce the Maritime Labour of May; and 3 June. Convention, 2006 within existing budgets. The MCA has published estimated costs of: Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (i) survey and certification of UK ships of 500GT and over whether in its negotiations on the European Commission’s operating on international voyages; and Fourth Railway Package, his Department will seek to (ii) inspections of UK ships of between 200GT and 500.GT ensure that alliances and other forms of joint working operating internationally between Network Rail and train operators are not in the impact assessment (IA) attached to the draft prohibited or unduly restricted by EU legislation. Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Survey [158988] and Certification) Regulations, which was issued for public consultation in February 2013. The final IA will Mr Simon Burns: Yes. We are concerned that the way be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament that the European Commission’s proposals are formulated when the regulations are made. The regulations are may prohibit certain types of alliance including those currently being finalised post-consultation. between Network Rail and railway undertakings and joint working arrangements such as integrated control No estimate has been made of the cost of enforcing centres and performance improvement projects. We will the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 on non-UK continue to engage with the European Commission and ships in UK ports, since this will be integrated into the Parliament and with other member states to ensure our existing port State control inspection regime. concerns are addressed in the final proposals. No separate estimate has been made of the cost to the MCA of introducing a complaints procedure to Rescue Services help enforce the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 on UK ships and non-UK ships in UK ports. Existing Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for arrangements to handle complaints from seafarers about Transport what support his Department gives to their conditions of employment are well established mountain rescue teams. [158984] although the number of such complaints each year is small. The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 introduces Stephen Hammond: The Government provides financial some additional rights, but the extra costs associated support allocating £200,000 per annum to the three UK with handling any increase in complaints as a result is mountain rescue organisations for the four-year period expected to be marginal. 2011-12 to 2014-15. The breakdown for the current financial year is as follows: Shipping: Training £64,000 is allocated to the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland; Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport £128,000 is allocated to Mountain Rescue England and Wales; what steps he is taking to protect and enhance the and maritime skills base; and when he last discussed this £8,000 is allocated to Mountain Rescue Northern Ireland. matter with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. [158192] Roads: Lighting Stephen Hammond: The maritime sector is an important Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for contributor to the UK economy and we want to continue Transport pursuant to the answer of 20 May 2013, to see new cadets entering the industry and being trained Official Report, column 538W, on roads: lighting, if his to the highest standards. The UK sees seafarers as 119W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 120W instrumental in supporting the UK maritime sector and VOSA examiners who carry out roadside checks and we have a number of policies in place to help reverse the vehicle tests are fully aware of the need to ensure decline in UK seafarer numbers including Support for dialogue is understood, and will provide clear written Maritime Training, Apprenticeships and a training statements during their encounters. requirement linked to the UK’s tonnage tax regime. There is continuous dialogue on Maritime skills policy Speed Limits between officials at DFT, BIS and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for I hosted the first of a series of maritime round tables Transport what guidance his Department issues to in March 2013, involving Ministers and senior local authorities on signage when there are changes to representatives from DFT, BIS, Cabinet Office and the speed limits. [157921] MCA together with industry champions from Maritime UK and the Lloyds Register. The focus of the round table was to discuss a joint strategic approach to Maritime, Norman Baker: My Department issues guidance to to enable continued growth of the sector and improved local authorities on signing changes to speed limits in joint working on maritime affairs of which maritime the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 3. skills was part of that discussion. The next is expected These documents can be viewed on the DfT website to be held in July. at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department- Sign Language for-transport

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Travel what steps his Department is taking to ensure the services it offers are accessible to British Sign Language users. [157939] Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department’s expenditure on civil Norman Baker: The Equality Act 2010 provides the service travel by each mode of transport was in (a) protection which ensures disabled people, including British 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13. [158226] Sign Language users can access goods, facilities and services, by requiring that those with duties under the Norman Baker: The Department for Transport and Act, make ’reasonable adjustments’ so that their services its executive agencies’ expenditure on civil service travel and functions are accessible. by mode was: The Department for Transport takes its duties under the Act seriously. We ensure that we take account of the 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 needs of all groups in developing our policies and Air 1,275,809 1,323,561 12,691,724 delivering our services. For example, we provide written Car 2,321,652 2,364,854 2,416,905 information in alternative formats such as Braille, disk, Rail 1,926,235 1,957,162 12,478,351 audio and large print where requested, and assess the Taxi 60,890 62,645 1417,750 impact of our proposals on accessibility for disabled Other modes 60,090 62,830 105,659 people. Non-specified 10,749,983 10,637,865 8,709,494 The Driving Standards Agency has worked closely Total 16,394,659 16,408,917 16,819,883 with a number of external stakeholders over recent 1 In years 2010-11 and 2011-12, the central Department reported air, rail and months to review delivery of the theory driving test. taxi travel under the ‘non-specified’ row. Since 2012-13 monies spent by the central Department have been broken down by mode. This gives the appearance This showed that the Agency could improve accessibility of a substantial increase in spending in this area but it is not the case. for deaf or hard of hearing candidates. As a result, they Notes: are considering the viability of ‘readspeaker’ software To provide a breakdown by mode for the central Department for 2010-11 and/or 2011-12 would incur disproportionate costs. and altering their use of British Sign Language to 2. Most of VCA’s travel costs are recharged to clients. These are the gross costs improve the consistency of dialects and images. before recharge. 3. DSA does not record travel costs based on specific modes of transport. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency currently 4. MCA Car includes Taxi spend. has British Sign Language trained staff in some local 5. VOSA does not record travel costs at this level of detail. offices in addition to a number of British Sign Language 6. GCDA has a nil return. videos that have been made available on YouTube for Within the above totals, the total spent by the central deaf customers. Department in 2012-13 was £2,155,963. By way of The Highways Agency offers Royal National Institute comparison, the total amount spent in 2009-10 was for the Deaf’s Typetalk tool on its website as a means of £4,075,711. contact, enabling a textphone user to dial 18001 followed by the Agency’s number. The call is diverted to a Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Typetalk Relay Assistant who will type exactly what is Transport what his Department’s budgeted or being said. The Agency’s Emergency Roadside Telephones estimated expenditure on civil service travel is for (a) also have a texting facility built in allowing for text 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158231] communication between road users and the regional control centres. Norman Baker: The budgeted expenditure for Where possible, the Vehicle Operator Services Agency Department for Transport and its six Executive Agencies will make reasonable adjustments for deaf or hard of on civil service travel for 2013-14 is in the table below. hearing customers during court cases, public inquiries The budgets for 2014-15 and 2015-16 have not yet been and training courses, using its language interpreter provision. agreed. 121W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 122W

Vetting 2013-14 Budget (£)

Department for Transport Central 3,944,833 Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Department what steps he is taking to ensure that infrastructure Driving Standards Agency 3,240,000 projects for his Department are not delivered by firms Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 1,074,788 involved in the blacklisting of construction workers. Highways Agency 3,100,000 [157891] Maritime and Coastguard Agency 3,843,059 1 Vehicle Certification Agency 502,000 Stephen Hammond: We would expect all companies Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 5,800,000 regardless of whether they are working for Government Department for Transport and Agencies 21,504,680 or not to abide by the law including compliance with 1 Most of VCAs travel costs are recharged to clients. These are the gross costs before recharge. the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations By way of comparison, the actuals for the central 2010. Department in 2009/10 was £4,479,352.35. Vehicle and Operator Services Agency EDUCATION

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Academic Year what the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency budgeted or estimated expenditure for headquarters and other office costs is for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2015-16. [158251] Education what plans he has to alter the school calendar and school day; and if he will make a statement. Stephen Hammond: The accommodation and running [158530] costs budget for 2013-14 and 2014-15 for the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency headquarters is estimated Elizabeth Truss: The Secretary of State has encouraged to be £2.4 million. all schools to consider making changes to the school day and calendar. Schools and, where relevant, local Budgets for 2015-16 are subject to the 2013 spending authorities have the freedom to make changes to the round which is currently under way. school day and calendar as they see fit. Vehicle and Operator Services Agency: North East Academies Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by the Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in the north-east Education what the designated duties of academy brokers are; how many academy brokers are currently in each year since 2008. [157709] employed; what the daily rate of pay for such brokers Stephen Hammond: Vehicle and Operator Services is; and what the total expenditure of academy brokers Agency has employed the following number of staff at was in the last year. [158108] its sites in the north-east (based on the area governed by the North Eastern Traffic Commissioner), at Beverley, Mr Timpson: A copy of schedule one of the brokers’ Darlington, Doncaster, Grimsby, Leeds (which includes contracts detailing their duties has already been placed the North Eastern TAO), Newcastle, Scarborough, Walton in the House Libraries and is a matter of public record. and Watnall: The Department currently contracts with 37 brokers. It would not be appropriate to make brokers’ day rates Financial year Number of staff public as this would break contractual confidentiality and likely affect the Department’s ability to continue to 2008-09 371 negotiate better value contracts in future. The day rates 2009-10 348 of academy brokers have been reduced significantly 2010-11 317 since 2010. Total expenditure on brokers for the last 2011-12 310 financial year was £4.4 million. 2012-13 333 Brokers have been used throughout the Academies programme on similar contractual arrangements since Vehicle Certification Agency 2004. Since May 2010, the Department has successfully negotiated cheaper rates with brokers, delivering greater Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport value for money for taxpayers. Brokers have been what the Vehicle Certification Agency budgeted or estimated instrumental in developing 496 sponsored academy expenditure for headquarters and other office costs is solutions since September 2010; improving the education for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [158255] opportunities for thousands of children.

Stephen Hammond: The accommodation and running Academies: North Tyneside costs budget for 2013-14 and 2014-15 for the Vehicle Certification Agency headquarters and other office costs Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for is estimated to be approximately £647,000. Education what agreements he has signed setting up Future years’ budgets are still subject to the 2013 Academy schools in North Tyneside since May 2010. spending review. [158574] 123W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 124W

Mr Timpson: Since May 2010 the Secretary of State Children in Care: Death for Education has signed two agreements to set up academy schools in North Tyneside. The academy schools Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for that have opened in North Tyneside are St Thomas Education (1) how many deaths of formerly looked- More Roman Catholic Academy in December 2011 and after children placed on a local authority pathway plan Grasmere Academy in September 2012. in the last five years have been subject to a serious case Details about all open academy schools up to May review; [158966] 2013 are available on the Department for Education’s (2) how many deaths there have been of formerly website and can be found using the link: looked-after young people aged between (a) 16 and 19 http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/ and (b) 19 and 21 who were on a local authority typesofschools/academies/open/b00208569/open-academies pathway plan in the last five years; and what the recorded cause of death was in each case. [158967] Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he intends to sign-off the agreement Mr Timpson: The Department does not collect setting up the Kings Priory Academy. [158573] information on former looked-after children placed on a local authority pathway plan. Mr Timpson: As with all academy proposals, the The Department is reliant on Local Safeguarding Secretary of State for Education will make a decision Children Boards to inform it when they publish serious on signing the funding agreement for the proposed case reviews and this does not always happen in practice. Kings Priory Academy when the proposal is fully developed As a result we are currently unable to provide an accurate and all pre-opening requirements have been met. figure on the number of deaths of former looked-after children placed on a local authority pathway plan in the Accountancy last five years who have been subject to a serious case review. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the names, job titles, area of work, Education term of appointment and civil service equivalent grade are of personnel currently seconded to his Department Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for from the big four accountancy firms. [159041] Education what progress his Department is making on ensuring an appropriate separation between awarding Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education has organisations and bodies that publish educational one secondee from the “big four”, working in the Corporate textbooks and other educational materials. [158193] Finance Team as a management accountant. As this is a reciprocating placement, there is no payment involved Elizabeth Truss: The Department recognises concerns and no equivalent civil service grade. The placement about the links between awarding organisations and started on 5 November 2012 and is due to end on 30 bodies that publish text books. June 2013. Ofqual published an action plan last November on the arrangements that awarding organisations have in Business: Education place for the publication of learning resources linked to their specifications, including textbooks. It is undertaking a general review of the processes by which awarding Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for organisations endorse text books relating to GCSE and Education what steps his Department has taken to A-level qualifications, the marketing of such text books, assist and encourage charitable organisations in and their impact on the type and choice of resources educating school pupils about business and associated available. The review will include consideration of whether skills. [158742] there are alternatives to awarding organisation endorsement, and is expected to be completed by August 2013. Matthew Hancock: Business education is important Ofqual has also undertaken a specific review of the for the Department and head teachers are encouraged business separation measures that Pearson operates between to work with charitable organisations to develop their its publishing and awarding functions, including pupils’ entrepreneurial skills. Schools have the freedom arrangements for managing conflicts of interest. Ofqual to decide how they wish to encourage business skills expects to publish the findings of this review in July and they will work with relevant organisations, including 2013. those from charitable organisations, to provide the most appropriate opportunities for their pupils’ needs. Charities The outcomes from Ofqual’s work will inform proposals can apply to establish free schools and Studio Schools, for future publishing arrangements to support the delivery and can partner employers and universities to establish of reformed A-level and GCSE qualifications. University Technical Colleges (UTCs). UTCs and Studio Schools provide innovative ways for employers and Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for other organisations, including charities, to help address Education what data assessment his Department has the skills shortages identified by employers and to give made of the performance of (a) children on free young people the skills that businesses need. Employers school meals and (b) children not on free school meals make significant contributions by assisting with planning in (i) London and (ii) other parts of the country (A) in the curriculum and providing mentoring and work secondary education before 2005 and (B) in primary experience opportunities for young people. education in 2009. [158548] 125W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 126W

Mr Laws: At secondary school level, the Department E-mail published final data for 2009 on the performance of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and all other pupils within all regions and local authorities Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for within table 5 of the ’GCSE and equivalent attainment Education with reference to the answer of 17 April by pupil characteristics in England: 2011 to 2012’ statistical 2013, Official Report, column 478W, on email, when first release. These data can be found at: the guidance on the use of private email accounts that complies with the recommendation of the Information https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and- equivalent-attainment-by-pupil-characteristics-in-england Commissioner was issued to (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department; if he will place a Table 5 can be found within the ’National and local copy of that guidance in the Library; and if he will authority tables: SFR04/2013’ link. make a statement. [157876] At primary school level, the Department published final data for 2009 on the performance of pupils known Elizabeth Truss: I refer the hon. Member to the reply to be eligible for free school meals and pupils not given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster eligible for free school meals for all regions and local General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham authorities within table 5 of the ’Provisional key stage 2 (Mr Maude), on 25 April 2013, Official Report, column attainment by pupil characteristics in England: academic 1095W. year 2009 to 2010’ statistical first release, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-stage-2- Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education attainment-by-pupil-characteristics-england-2009-and-2010- (1) how many (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental provisional email accounts he has used for official government Table 5 can be found within the ’National and local business in the last 12 months; [157881] authority tables: SFR35/2010’ link. (2) on how many occasions he has been asked to conduct a search of the Mrs Blurt email account for Education Maintenance Allowance items that discuss official government business for requests to his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [157882] Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much was spent on and how many people received education maintenance allowance in Elizabeth Truss: The Secretary of State for Education, (a) England and (b) Oxfordshire in the last full year of my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath that scheme’s operation. [158450] (Michael Gove), uses equipment and systems provided by the Department and his own IT equipment as appropriate, depending on his location and circumstances. Mr Laws: The last full year of the education maintenance Where information is generated in the course of conducting allowance was 2009/10, as the scheme was closed to new Government business, it is stored on departmental systems applications after 31 December 2010. In 2009/10, and renders searches of non-departmental e-mails £560,609,690 was spent on the scheme in England, with unnecessary. This complies with the Information 644,641 young people receiving payments. Over the Commissioner’s recommendations. same period in Oxfordshire, £3,996,175 was spent on the scheme, and there were 4,511 recipients. In compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Department carries out reasonable searches in Education: Birmingham response for any request for information.

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Free School Meals Education how much capital expenditure there has been in the education sector in Birmingham, Hall Green constituency in each year since 2010. [157688] Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many school students in (a) England Mr Laws: The Department allocates the majority of and (b) Birmingham, Hall Green constituency are capital funding at a local authority level and relatively eligible for free school meals. [157690] small amounts at a school level through devolved formula capital and the academies’ capital maintenance fund. Mr Laws: Information on the number and percentage The following table shows the total capital allocations of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free made to the area covered by Birmingham City Council, school meals in Birmingham, Hall Green constituency, which includes the Birmingham Hall Green constituency, Birmingham local authority and England is shown in for each year since 2010. the following table.

£ million Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals as of January 2010-11 128 2012 is published in the Statistical First Release ‘Schools, 2011-12 188 Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2012’, which is 2012-13 127 available at: 2013-141 54 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-pupils- 1 Includes basic need 13-15. and-their-characteristics-january-2012 127W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 128W

Maintained nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, state-funded special schools and pupil referral units1,2,3,4: Number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals5,6,7, January 2012, England, Birmingham local authority and Birmingham Hall Green constituency Maintained nursery and state-funded primary State-funded secondary schools1,3 Special schools4 schools1,2 No. of No. of No. of pupils % of pupils pupils % of pupils pupils % of pupils known to be known to be known to be known to be known to be known to be eligible for eligible for eligible for eligible for eligible for eligible for and and and and and and claiming claiming claiming claiming claiming claiming No. on free school free school No. on free school free school No. on free school free school roll5,6 meals5,6 meals roll5,6 meals5,6 meals roll5,6 meals5,6 meals

England 3,947,650 760,910 19.3 2,809,815 449,485 16.0 80,505 30,170 37.5 Birmingham local 99,964 34,105 34.1 61,440 20,248 33.0 2,946 1,534 52.1 authority Birmingham, Hall 13,137 3,999 30.4 5,393 1,254 23.3 170 62 36.5 Green constituency

Pupil Referral Units Total7 No. of pupils known to be % of pupils known to No. of pupils % of pupils known to eligible for and be eligible for and known to be eligible be eligible for and claiming free claiming free school for and claiming claiming free school No. on roll5,6 school meals5,6 meals No. on roll5,6 free school meals5,6 meals

England 13,235 4,855 36.7 6,851,205 1,245,420 18.2 Birmingham local 340 186 54.7 164,690 56,075 34.0 authority Birmingham, Hall n/a n/a n/a 18,700 5,315 28.4 Green constituency n/a = Not applicable, no schools of this type 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes all primary academies, including free schools. 3 Includes city technology colleges and all secondary academies, including free schools. 4 Includes maintained special schools, special academies and non-maintained special schools, excludes general hospital schools. 5 Includes pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. Includes boarders. In pupil referral units includes pupils registered with other providers and further education colleges. 6 Pupils who have full-time attendance and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part-time attendance and are aged between five and 15. 7 Includes maintained nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, state-funded special schools, and pupil referral units. Excludes pupils in other alternative provision as full and part time status is not collected. Note: National figures and totals have been rounded to the nearest five. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown. Source: School Census

Free Schools Elizabeth Truss: Incoming Ministers are briefed on their responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Act 2000. In common with all officials in the Department, Education whether all students attending all free Ministers and special advisors also have access to a schools will be eligible for free school meals. [158375] number of sources of information on the Act, including guidance published by the Information Commissioner’s Mr Laws: As in all maintained schools and academies, Office. pupils attending free schools are eligible to receive free school meals if they meet the entitlement criteria. Pupils in 16 to 19 free schools are not eligible for free school GCSE: Cannock Chase meals; this is consistent with other wholly post-16 education institutions. Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Freedom of Information Education how many pupils in state schools in Cannock Chase constituency achieved five GCSE Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for passes at A* to C-grade, including mathematics and Education what training (a) he and (b) special English, in each of the last seven years. [158134] advisers in his Department have received on the Freedom of Information Act 2000 since May 2010. Elizabeth Truss: The requested information can be [157879] found in the following table.

Percentage of pupils at the end of key stage 4 (KS4) achieving 5+ GCSEs at grade A*-C or equivalent including English and mathematics GCSEs in Cannock Chase. Years: 2005/06 to 2011/121, 2. Coverage: State-funded schools (including academies and CTCs) in Cannock Chase parliamentary constituency3, 4 End of KS4 Number of End of KS4 pupils achieving 5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C inc. English and Percentage achieving 5+ GCSEs at grades Cannock Chase Number of pupils at the end of KS4 Maths A*-C inc. English and Maths

2005/06 1,303 399 30.6 2006/07 1,405 524 37.3 129W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 130W

Percentage of pupils at the end of key stage 4 (KS4) achieving 5+ GCSEs at grade A*-C or equivalent including English and mathematics GCSEs in Cannock Chase. Years: 2005/06 to 2011/121, 2. Coverage: State-funded schools (including academies and CTCs) in Cannock Chase parliamentary constituency3, 4 End of KS4 Number of End of KS4 pupils achieving 5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C inc. English and Percentage achieving 5+ GCSEs at grades Cannock Chase Number of pupils at the end of KS4 Maths A*-C inc. English and Maths

2007/08 1,319 534 40.5 2008/09 1,234 512 41.5 2009/10 1,285 582 45.3 2010/11 1,154 585 50.7 2011/12 1,225 652 53.2 1 All figures are based on final data. 2 From 2009/10 iGCSEs, accredited at time of publication, have been counted as GCSE equivalents and also as English and mathematics GCSEs. 3 Parliamentary constituency figures are based on the postcode of the school. 4 The figures in this table do not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. Source: National Pupil Database

Legal Costs spending habits in the first year of the spending review period until academies’ expenditure data for 2011-12 Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for are available later this year. Education (1) what the 20 highest amounts paid for As announced in the Budget statement in March, we external legal advice by his Department were in (a) are currently conducting a review of efficiency in schools 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; to whom such sums were to learn more about how schools spend their money paid; and for what reasons the legal advice was sought; and what could be done to support them to invest in [158630] those areas which are proven to have an impact on pupil (2) how much his Department spent on external legal achievement. The outcomes of the review will be published advice from Queen’s Counsel (a) between 7 May 2010 later this month. and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158637] Schools: Corby (3) how much his Department spent on external legal advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158655] Education what assessment his Department has made (4) what the highest day rate paid for external legal of the adequacy of provision of school places in Corby advice by his Department since 7 May 2010 was. constituency over the next 20 years. [158050] [158672] Mr Laws: It is the responsibility of each local authority Elizabeth Truss: The Department does not hold the to accommodate the supply and demand for primary information requested centrally, only in the form of and secondary school places in their area and secure a individual invoices. Extracting this information would place for every child of statutory age who wants one. incur disproportionate cost. The Department relies on local authorities for information on school capacity in their area. Pupils: Attendance The most recent information available on primary and secondary school capacity in Northamptonshire Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of relates to the position as at May 2012. At that time the State for Education what his Department’s policy is on local authority forecast an increase in primary pupil flexi-schooling; and if he will make a statement. numbers of 8,413 (15%) between 2011/12 and 2016/17, [158853] and an increase in secondary pupil numbers of 2,784 (6%) between 2011/12 and 2018/19. Elizabeth Truss: Flexi-schooling is a combination of Local authorities group their schools into planning attendance at school and home education. Schools may areas for the purposes of planning local school place enter into flexi-schooling arrangements provided they provision. Based on available places in 2011/12, correctly mark children as absent in attendance registers Northamptonshire local authority forecast a shortfall when they are being educated at home. of over 700 primary places (12%) by 2015/16 in the Schools Corby planning area. However, this does not take into account the 800 places the local authority expects to add in Corby by 2013, Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress schools have made on making At secondary level, based on available places in 2011/12, savings in back office and procurement services; and Northamptonshire local authority is forecasting a shortfall what estimate he has made of the total predicted saving of around 60 places (2%) by 2015/16 in the Corby by 2014-15. [157679] planning-area. The Department has allocated £41 million in basic Mr Laws: As part of the spending review 2010, we need funding to the local authority in the current spending asked schools to make savings in procurement and back review period to support the provision of additional office functions to allow more money to be invested school places (2011/12 to 2014/15). This compares with directly in frontline teaching. We will not be able to £29.05 million allocated in the previous four year period accurately measure the impact of any changes in schools’ (2007/08 to 2010/11). 131W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 132W

Schools: Swimming Schools: Transport

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the answer to the hon. Education what recent representations he has received Member for Gateshead of 1 March 2013, Official on the provision of swimming in primary schools. Report, columns 753-54W, on schools: transport, if he [158569] will take steps to update his Department’s statutory guidance to local authorities regarding transport for 16 Mr Timpson: The Secretary of State was recently to18-year-olds. [158786] advised by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) of the imminent publication of its 2013 state of the Mr Laws: The responsibility for post-16 transport nation report on school swimming, “Learning the Lesson”. support lies with local authorities. They have a legal I expect to meet the chief executive of the association duty to set out in an annual transport statement the shortly. arrangements they consider necessary to enable young ASA was one of a wide number of bodies consulted people to attend post-16 education. The Department by the Department prior to the Prime Minister’s provides statutory guidance to local authorities on how announcement of new funding for sport and physical they should fulfil the duty. education in primary schools in March. In the last The Government has no plans to change this duty. month the Secretary of State has also received The current post-16 transport guidance for local authorities correspondence from two MPs, both drawing his attention reflects the existing duty; no substantive changes to the to the ASA report, and from a primary school pupil guidance are planned. who asked him if her primary academy could have Secondary Education: Admissions more swimming lessons. Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children in (a) England Education what steps his Department is taking to and (b) Birmingham, Hall Green constituency secured improve access to swimming lessons for schoolchildren. places at (i) their first choice and (ii) one of their top [158767] three choices of secondary school in the most recent application period. [157689] Mr Timpson: Swimming has been a compulsory part Mr Laws: Data on the proportion of pupils being of the primary national curriculum since 1992, and as offered a place at one of their preferred schools are such schools should plan to fund its provision from published in the annual Statistical First Release ‘Secondary their core budgets. school applications and offers in England’. These data In March 2013 the Prime Minister announced additional are collected at local authority level only so data for ring-fenced funding of £150 million per year for each of Birmingham, Hall Green parliamentary constituency 2013-14 and 2014-15 to support the provision of PE are not available. Figures for the last five years are given and sport in primary schools. Qualifying schools would in the following table for England and the local authority be free to use this to extend their pupils’ access to of Birmingham (which includes Hall Green parliamentary swimming lessons. constituency).

Applications and offers for entry to secondary schools in England and Birmingham local authority, academic years 2009/10 to 2013/14 Birmingham England Percentage offered first Percentage offered one of top Percentage offered first Percentage offered one of top preference school three preferences preference school three preferences

2013 72.8 89.7 86.7 96.5 2012 67.2 85.2 85.3 95.9 2011 68.0 85.9 84.6 95.6 2010 66.5 85.3 83.2 95.9 2009 67.9 86.6 83.2 94.6 Note: Data collected from local authorities on National Offers day each year in early March.

The figures for each year were published in an annual Secondary Education: Mental Health Services Statistical First Release ‘Secondary school applications and offers in England’. Figures for the most recent three years can be found at: Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effects https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department- on performance in exams, sport and music of the use of for-education/series/statistics-school-applications mindfulness in secondary schools. [158128] Those for 2009 and 2010 can be found on the national archives website at: Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education has http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151655/ not conducted an assessment of the effects on performance http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/statistics/ in exams, sport and music of mindfulness in secondary allstatistics?page=1 schools. Individual headteachers can decide whether they wish to adopt approaches relating to mindfulness. 133W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 134W

Special Educational Needs The changes to teachers’ pay, which are due to be implemented from September 2013, will give schools Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for the flexibility to set pay within a broad national framework Education when he will publish plans for the introduction and pay the best teachers more. Schools are best placed of a single category of special educational need. to develop the right package of reward and support that [158761] will attract the right people into the profession, help new teachers to continue to develop throughout their careers, and retain in the profession those teachers that Mr Timpson: The Department will publish details of make the biggest contribution to the attainment of their a new approach for children with special educational pupils. needs (SEN) as part of a new SEN Code of Practice. An indicative SEN Code of Practice which includes We have provided advice to schools and governing the draft SEN support was published during the Committee bodies to support their implementation of the pay Stages of the Children and Families Bill. The Department reforms. It will be for individual schools and governing is engaging with a range of interested parties before bodies to decide the time commitment required to undertake producing a full draft for public consultation in autumn this role. 2013. We believe that strengthening the link between Subject to the passage of the Children and Families performance and pay will ensure that high-performing Bill, the resulting Code will be laid before Parliament in teachers are properly rewarded for the excellent work early 2014 with the aim of it being approved by spring that they do and that this will contribute to raising the 2014. morale of the profession.

Teachers Teachers: Pensions Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of teaching appointments Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for were made through (a) Teach First and (b) other Education how many people were overpaid their routes in each Government office region in the last year pension by Teachers’ Pensions in each year since for which information is available. [158549] 1997-98; how much was overpaid in each such year; and how much was recovered. [157696] Mr Laws: The Department does not have data for teaching appointments as such. It does, however, collect Mr Laws: Due to the nature of overpayment recovery, data for employed newly qualified teachers by Government it is not possible to provide all of the information in the office region of their employing school. The following format requested. We also do not have information on table shows these data for the latest year they are how many individuals have been overpaid their pension available, which is the 2009/10 cohort of trainees employed on a yearly basis. in 2010/11. Pension overpayments can arise for a number of Employment of the 2009/10 cohort of newly qualified teachers in 2011 reasons if Teachers’ Pensions are not notified of a Government office region of employing school Teach First Other routes change in a member’s circumstances. Invoices are sometimes cancelled when subsequent information confirms that Eastern 0 100 there has not in fact been an overpayment of pension. East Midlands 1 99 Recent improvements in Teachers’ Pensions’ systems London 5 95 now enable us to exclude these invoices, which was not North East 0 100 possible at the time I responded to the hon. Member’s North West 2 98 previous question on this issue on 26 November 2012, South East 0 100 Official Report, column 7W.Therefore the figures in the South West 0 100 table vary from those previously provided. West Midlands 2 98 Yorkshire and The Humber 2 98 The table provides the total invoices for overpayments Total 1 99 issued for each year since 1997. However, overpayments can occur over a number of years, and an invoice can relate to several previous financial years. It also shows Teachers: Pay the amount of overpayments recovered per year, but this may relate to an invoice issued that year or a Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for previous year where debt recovery has taken some time. Education what assessment he has made of the These figures also exclude cases where the overpayment recommendations within the 2013 School Teachers’ has been secured for future recovery, for example through Pay and Conditions Document on the (a) recruitment offsetting of future benefits, or the placing of a charge and retention of quality and experienced staff within on a member’s property when they have demonstrated schools, (b) time that governing bodies in schools will that immediate repayment would cause hardship, as have to allocate to determining staff salaries and (c) defined by HM Treasury’s guidelines. morale of the teaching profession. [157862] The difference between the two columns reflects the remaining balance which is still subject to recovery Mr Laws: Pay is one of a number of factors that are action and the approximate 1.5% of the total debt that known to influence whether individuals choose to enter has been written off in accordance with HM Treasury the teaching profession and continue to work as teachers. guidelines. 135W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 136W

The Department for Education is providing assistance Numbers of invoices Amount invoiced Amount recovered in-year in-year (£) in-year (£). to the UK’s education export agenda in specific areas, for example, through its support to the network of 1997-98 3,297 4,297,086.24 -3,787,792.40 British Schools Overseas. 1998-99 3,495 1,774,383.06 -1,571,506.53 1999- 3,083 1,868,144.89 -1,824,733.05 Vetting 2000 2000-01 3,442 2,396,255.55 -2,175,780.07 2001-02 1,042 2,673,309.94 -2,571,688.40 Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 2002-03 2,829 2,525,458.25 -2,405,896.65 what steps he is taking to ensure that infrastructure 2003-04 2,885 2,228,107.82 -2,401,678.08 projects for his Department are not delivered by firms 2004-05 2,745 3,014,458.37 -2,762,464.41’ involved in the blacklisting of construction workers. [157890] 2005-06 2,602 3,292,397.23 -3,270,664.46 2006-07 2,062 3,381,361.97 -3,110,669.32 2007-08 2,118 4,122,605.42 -3,208,865.84 Mr Laws: We are, of course, aware of the ongoing 2008-09 2,690 4,175,037.81 -3,313,100.35 investigations into serious allegations of blacklisting in 2009-10 2,904 7,781,749.18 -5,399,593.99 the construction industry, as explored by the House of 2010-11 3,009 5,475,087.14 -5,639,073.49 Commons Scottish Affairs Committee in their Interim 2011-12 3,266 8,597,814.10 -6,531,272.17 Report, ‘Blacklisting in Employment’, published on 16 2012-13 5,305 12,291,564.28 -9,552,789.20 April 2013. The practice of blacklisting, and refusing to hire a potential employee for discriminatory reasons, The recent increase in debts invoiced is because the was made illegal under the Employment Relations Act Teachers’ Pensions has put in place new arrangements 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 and we expect all to identify overpayments, which have identified a number contractors to comply with this legislation. Following of historic cases. We expect this increase to be a one-off the publication of the Interim Report, we will seek and that the level of invoiced debt will reduce as the new confirmation from all who bid for work directly procured arrangements take effect. by the Department that they do not carry out such practices. We will, of course, consider the full recommendations of the final report once published, and comply with any that are accepted by the Government. Telephone Services Written Questions John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department receives any Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for financial or non-financial benefit from its telephone Education whether his Department operates a list of providers for telephone lines that (a) his Department hon. Members for whom parliamentary questions are and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible processed and responded to in a different way to other operate, including but not limited to (i) a share of call hon. Members. [158200] revenue, (ii) a reduction in the Department’s telephone bill or tariff and (iii) telephony services for free or at a Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education processes reduced price. [157735] and responds to parliamentary questions from hon. Members in the same way. Responses are drafted by the Elizabeth Truss: Neither the Department nor its agencies area of the Department with responsibility for the topic receive any financial or non-financial benefit from telephone raised in the question. providers in respect of our public telephone lines.

UK Trade and Investment COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Arts: Finance Education (1) what input he has had during the recruiting process of the new education advisory group Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for to UK Trade and Investment; [157909] Communities and Local Government what estimate he (2) what plans his Department has to assist UK has made of local authority subsidy to the arts in the Trade and Investment to promote UK education latest period for which figures are available. [158357] exports abroad in (a) emerging and (b) other overseas Brandon Lewis: Figures for local authority expenditure markets. [157910] on cultural, environmental, regulatory and planning Matthew Hancock: UK Trade and Investment and services in England in 2011-12 have been published at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills the following link: lead on the promotion of UK education exports, working https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ with other Government Departments and key sector attachment_data/file/28622/Revenue_Outturn_RO5_data_2011- 12_by_LA_-_27-Nov-2012-v2.xls partners. The new Education UK Unit is responsible for co-ordinating government action to promote large-scale Expenditure on the arts is included within the culture UK exports across the education sector, including schools. and heritage section, line numbers 111 to 115. The Education UK Unit and UKTI are part of the civil These data are as reported on the annual Revenue service, and staff members have been recruited in a Outturn forms submitted to DCLG by all English local manner consistent with other departmental staff. authorities. 137W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 138W

Community Assets Programme review of efficiency and operations in fire and rescue authorities in England, produced by Sir Ken Knight in Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for May 2013; and if he will make a statement. [158141] Communities and Local Government what changes to the planning system he is making to help protect public Brandon Lewis: I was pleased to receive Sir Ken houses and other valued community assets. [158953] Knight’s review and the thought provoking findings it presented. I shall be considering Sir Ken’s findings fully Nick Boles: We recognise the importance of public and expect to respond formally in the autumn. houses and other local services to local communities. Compared to the policies we inherited from the last administration, the National Planning Policy Framework Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for provides increased protection for community facilities Communities and Local Government whether he is and states that local planning policies and decisions confident that his plan for the mutualisation of the fire should guard against the unnecessary loss of valued service will not lead to its privatisation. [158597] community assets such as public houses. Communities can also use the community rights we created through Brandon Lewis: DCLG have made it very clear that the Localism Act to help protect public houses and we will not make any moves on mutualisation that other community assets. This is happening through the would lead to privatisation. Our only aim is to support development of neighbourhood plans and the inclusion fire and rescue authorities in exploring the best way of of public houses as assets of community value. The delivering their services to meet the needs of their Community Right to Bid has already been used to list communities. at least 360 assets of community value, of which 67 are public houses. Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Conditions of Employment Communities and Local Government if he will publish the corresponding names of the fire and rescue authorities with reference to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Sir Ken Knight’s Facing The Future report published Communities and Local Government how many in May 2013. [158910] people in his Department are employed on zero-hours contracts. [158033] Brandon Lewis: I understand that in preparing his Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities independent report “Facing The Future”, Sir Ken took and Local Government currently has one senior civil a decision to anonymise the data. He stated in a servant in a professional role on a zero-hours contract. teleconference on the matter that he felt publishing The individual is Sir Ken Knight who moved to a unanonymised would skew the debate as he wanted fire zero-hour contract on 1 November 2012. This is a and rescue authorities to focus on the principles in his short-term arrangement for Sir Ken to complete a report, saying: review of the operational efficiency of the services “The reason why I anonymised (the data) was quite deliberate... delivered by the fire and rescue authorities in England I felt it would skew the debate in to those seeing whether they and to give the Department access to professional advice were in the best or worst area of the quartile. I would rather have during the appointment of and handover to a new a much more collective, fundamental debate about the nature of Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser. the service.” The arrangement is due to finish at the end of June The link to the full discussion is here 2013. http://soundcloud.com/geykyn/fire-service-teleconference Empty Property: Council Tax It is also our understanding that all the data are from publicly available data sources, namely from the Chartered John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Fire Statistics Communities and Local Government how many local 2011-12 Actuals. These data are supplied by fire and authorities have chosen to set their council tax rate for rescue authorities directly. empty properties at above 100 per cent in the 2013-14 financial year. [158791] Fire Services: Emergency Calls Brandon Lewis: 233 local authorities in England have chosen to set their council tax rate for long-term empty Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for properties at above 100 per cent in the 2013-14 financial Communities and Local Government what the response year. This will help to encourage long-term empty properties time for the fire and rescue services to respond to a 999 to be brought back into productive use, increasing call in (a) Dorset and (b) London is; and if he will housing supply and improving local amenity. It will also make a statement. [158140] raise revenue that can be used to keep overall council tax bills down for hard working families and pensioners. Brandon Lewis: These data are published with the Fire Services Fire Incidents Response Times. This can be downloaded from: Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for- Communities and Local Government what assessment communities-and-local-government/series/fire-incidents- he has made of Facing the Future: findings from the response-times 139W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 140W

Housing Benefit years of English history. Our moves to champion local identities complements this Government’s abolition of Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for unelected regional government in England which was Communities and Local Government what recent based on European Union’s artificial “NUTS1” discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for administrative boundaries. Work and Pensions regarding the housing cost My Department has amended the law to make it contribution under universal credit. [158992] easier to fly flags without a permit from the council. A plain English guide, which provides a brief summary of Brandon Lewis: My Department has regular discussions the simplified rules over flag flying, is available online: with the Department for Work and Pensions on a range www.gov.uk/government/publications/flying-flags-a-plain- of matters, including universal credit. english-guide Officials from both Departments are currently working We have encouraged councils to fly the Cross of St on joint Direct Payment Demonstration projects supporting George with pride and we have challenged the tiny six local authorities and housing partnerships to test minority who have foolishly tried to ban the flying of the payment of housing support direct to tenants. our national flags for the misplaced fear of “giving offence”. Community cohesion is strengthened—not Housing: Carbon Emissions undermined—by flying the flag. We have not undertaken an explicit programme to Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for raise awareness of coats of arms, but I would welcome Communities and Local Government what progress he suggestions from my hon. Friend and other hon. Members. has made on consulting on next steps for zero carbon I am also keen to support local communities, be they a homes. [157798] county, district, borough, city, town, village, burgh, parish or riding, in establishing and flying their own Mr Foster: As announced in the Budget, the Government local flags. is currently working on consultation proposals on the Of course, flying a flag should be a pleasure, not a next steps to zero carbon homes, including the means of chore. Our actions in supporting local people in flying delivering allowable solutions. their flags with pride are in contrast with the draconian Land Registry: Fees and Charges actions of the European Commission, which has sought to bully Britons into flying the EU flag under the threat of fines through Article 7(2) of EC Regulation 1828/2006. Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Any institution which seeks to coerce people into flying Communities and Local Government (1) what recent its flag is one with a deep sense of insecurity about the discussions he has had with his ministerial counterparts lack of its public affection and support. on the Land Registry prototype for the provision of local land charges; [158581] Local Government Finance: North West (2) what recent correspondence he has had with (a) Lord McNally and (b) other Ministers in the Ministry John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for of Justice on the prototype of the Provision of Local Communities and Local Government (1) what the Land Charges. [158823] spending power per head of (a) Barrow and Furness, (b) South Lakeland, (c) Eden, (d) Allerdale, (e) Nick Boles: Ministers within the Department for Copeland and (f) Carlisle district councils was in each Communities and Local Government regularly meet of the last five years; [158792] colleagues from other Departments to discuss a range (2) what the spending power per head of (a) of matters. Cumbria and (b) Lancashire county councils was in each of the last five years. [158793] Local Authorities: Flags Brandon Lewis: Spending power has been calculated Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for only for the years 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 Communities and Local Government if his (provisional). Spending power and population figures Department will encourage local authorities to follow for all local authorities in England have been published the example of Cumberland in raising awareness of on our website at: their county flags and coats of arms. [158347] 2013-14 settlement and provisional 2014-15 settlement: Brandon Lewis: Since May 2010, my Department has http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1314/settle.htm taken a series of steps to champion the flying of local 2012-13 settlement: and national flags across the United Kingdom. http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1213/grant.htm We have regularly flown county flags from outside 2011-12 settlement: our offices in Victoria to mark county days or those of http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/grant.htm their patron saints, and we have explicitly recognised England’s traditional counties such as Cumberland and Local Government: Constituencies Middlesex. We have also recognised wider localities, such as the kingdom of Wessex, which was the foundation Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for of the English nation. Communities and Local Government what plans his Previously, many parts of Whitehall and municipal Department has to raise awareness of historic county officialdom have shunned our traditional and historic boundaries amongst (a) children and young people identities, many of which date back over a thousand and (b) other people. [158369] 141W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 142W

Brandon Lewis: I refer my hon. Friend to my Brandon Lewis: Tenure of dwellings is not currently Department’s press notice of 23 April 2013, a copy of among the data reported by fire and rescue authorities which has been placed in the Library of the House. in fire incident records. It is expected that this will be introduced in 2014. Local Government: Newspaper Press Sign Language

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to Communities and Local Government what steps his the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Department is taking to ensure the services it offers are Publicity, published in March 2011, what assessment he accessible to British Sign Language users. [157925] has made of the extent to which local authorities are continuing to publish their own newspapers. [158359] Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not have direct responsibility Brandon Lewis: Information from our recent consultation for delivering major public services. indicates that over three-quarters of local authorities It has a strategic role supporting local authorities, produce a residents’ newsletter, with 10% publishing communities and neighbourhoods through policy more frequently than quarterly and a small number of frameworks established to deliver services locally. These local authorities publishing council newspapers on a frameworks are developed in line with our responsibilities weekly or fortnightly basis; this is notwithstanding the under the Public Sector Duty of the Equality Act 2010. guidance in the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity that such publications should The Department also has guidance in place which not be issued more frequently than quarterly. sets out our responsibilities for the provision of ’reasonable adjustments’ for staff with disabilities. This ensures that The Local Audit and Accountability Bill contains disabled staff are not treated less favourably than non measures to address the continuing breaches of the disabled staff on the grounds of their disability. code by this minority of local authorities, in order to help protect an independent free press and prevent the Telephone Services abuse of taxpayers’ money. John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Local Government: Social Enterprises Communities and Local Government whether his Department receives any financial or non-financial benefit Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for from its telephone providers for telephone lines that (a) Communities and Local Government what steps his his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is Department has taken to promote social enterprise in responsible operate, including but not limited to (i) a the supply of public goods to local authorities. [158136] share of call revenue, (ii) a reduction in the Department’s telephone bill or tariff and (iii) telephony services for Brandon Lewis: Opening up local authority free or at a reduced price. [157732] commissioning and procurement practices to small and Brandon Lewis: DCLG does not receive any financial medium business’, and voluntary, community and social or non-financial benefit from its prime telephony provider. enterprise sectors is a crucial part of the Government’s DCLG does not receive a share of call revenue nor a work to promote local growth and innovation. reduction in the Department’s telephone bill or tariff. We are engaged in a range of activity to support this. DCLG does not receive its telephony services for free or For example, on 15 May we announced the winners of at a reduced rate from that provider. the ’Best councils to do business with’ contest, which A number of DCLG’s agencies and associated bodies identified those local authorities who are already tailoring operate telephone help or advice lines. These bodies procurement processes to local businesses and social attempt to keep call charges to a minimum and in most enterprises. We wrote to all local authorities in January cases provide a national rate number or, on occasions, a 2013 with the Cabinet Office Procurement Policy note free service. No profits are received from these lines. to highlight the requirements of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 including the need to consider Each of the principle access numbers operated by the the economic, environmental and social benefits of Department and its agencies (the Planning Inspectorate their procurement. and the Homes and Communities Agency) are 030 numbers. In addition the Community Right to Challenge enables 030 numbers were specifically designed for not-for-profit voluntary and community bodies including social organisations, charities and public sector bodies to offer enterprises to challenge a local authority to give them consumers a single point of contact nationally. Calls the opportunity to bid to run services, including proposals cost no more than calls to geographic (01 and 02) to deliver services differently. numbers and are included in inclusive minutes and discount schemes in the same way. Rented Housing: Fires Tesco

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion Communities and Local Government what information of house fires in (a) Warrington and (b) the North-West his Department holds on instances of Tesco plc receiving were in rented properties in each of the last five years (a) local authority and (b) government grants in the for which figures are available; and how many people last five years; and what information his Department (A) died and (B) had injuries which required hospital holds on instances of Tesco plc receiving grants from treatment as a result of such fires. [158980] the EU. [158374] 143W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 144W

Brandon Lewis: No grant payments were made to Tesco HEALTH Stores Ltd by the Department between April 2008 and May 2013. They are not eligible for European Regional Accident and Emergency Departments Development funding because of state-aid rules. Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department did, however, make a grant of £4,000 Health how many emergency hospital admissions there to the company in 2007-08 in relation to the Quality were, by age of patient, in each of the last five years. Part-time Work Fund. [158924] DCLG does not hold information on grant payments by local authorities, other central Government Departments Anna Soubry: The information is shown in the following or the EU to private companies. table.

Count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 where the method of admission was emergency2 by age groups for the years 2007-08 to 2011-123 Age band 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

0-4 430,766 464,728 477,553 495,827 485,088 5-9 112,496 113,326 117,646 122,080 118,972 10-14 120,889 119,840 120,461 120,482 114,932 15-19 187,163 187,337 188,899 187,491 176,135 20-24 222,292 230,589 238,272 243,161 239,094 25-29 219,548 228,577 235,535 235,968 231,818 30-34 207,967 210,823 216,606 219,465 218,725 35-39 231,680 233,939 235,109 228,562 215,808 40-44 235,446 243,828 251,519 250,205 243,798 45-49 223,139 238,190 252,599 259,746 258,246 50-54 212,813 225,770 239,924 249,982 250,538 55-59 232,197 239,224 245,293 246,640 244,597 60-64 266,776 285,335 295,627 303,538 295,769 65-69 269,994 283,027 296,195 303,973 312,854 70-74 316,035 337,365 347,804 352,951 347,403 75-79 368,162 388,630 398,423 402,759 400,773 80-84 382,189 405,861 416,479 429,214 433,478 85+ 507,879 560,390 591,550 620,897 639,377 Age not known 5,937 13,891 12,393 14,091 15,434 Total 4,753,368 5,010,670 5,177,887 5,287,032 5,242,839 1 A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2 The count of admission episodes with an admission method indicating the admission was an emergency (admission method codes: 21 = Emergency: via Accident and Emergency (A&E) services, including the casualty department of the provider; 22 = Emergency: via General Practitioner (GP); 23 = Emergency: via Bed Bureau, including the Central Bureau; 24 = Emergency: via consultant out-patient clinic; 28 = Emergency: other means, including patients who arrive via the A&E department of another healthcare provider). 3 Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) for admitted patient care data for 2012-13 will be published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre in November 2013 (provisional date). Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre. Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Birmingham Patients seen in A&E within four hours—week ending 26 May 2013 Percentage of patients seen with four Trust hours Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in Birmingham, Hall Green University Hospitals of Birmingham 93.8 NHS Foundation Trust constituency have waited more than four hours before Note: being treated at an accident and emergency facility in The weekly A&E collection includes all A&E types, including minor injury the latest period for which figures are available. units and walk-in centres. [157683] Accident and Emergency Departments: Romford Anna Soubry: The information is not available in the format requested. The following table shows the latest weekly data for the number of people seen in accident Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for and emergency (A&E) within four hours at the University Health if he will make an estimate of the cost of Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and unnecessary accident and emergency attendances in Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Romford constituency in the latest period for which which serve the Hall Green constituency: figures are available. [158356] Patients seen in A&E within four hours—week ending 26 May 2013 Percentage of patients seen with four Anna Soubry: The information requested is not centrally Trust hours held. My hon. Friend may wish to contact local national Birmingham Children’s Hospital 99.6 health service organisations for information about accident NHS Foundation Trust and emergency attendances in his constituency. 145W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 146W

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People Ambulance Services

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health what assessment he has made of any change in how many people aged under 18 years were admitted to the provision of emergency ambulance services by the hospital with an alcohol-related condition in each year (a) private and (b) third sector since May 2010. since 2005-06. [158362] [157896]

Anna Soubry: The following table contains the sum of Anna Soubry: No assessment has been made of any the estimated alcohol-related admissions, using attributable change in the provision of emergency ambulance services fractions for those aged under 18 years old resident in by the private and third sector since May 2010. England. Independent or voluntary ambulance services may be used to support NHS ambulance services and can help It should be noted that these figures are not a count manage peaks in demand. It is the responsibility of of people and represent an estimated number of admissions individual ambulance services to ensure that 999 calls that were attributable to alcohol. are attended by staff that are properly trained and Alcohol attributable fractions (AAFs) are based on the adequately equipped. proportion of a given diagnosis or injury that is estimated The use of private and voluntary ambulances is regulated to be attributed to alcohol. Some diagnoses or injuries by the Care Quality Commission and subject to rigorous will, by definition, be wholly attributable to alcohol and checks by individual ambulance services. Commissioners have an AAF of one, others will only be partly attributable will hold ambulance services to account to ensure that to alcohol and have an AAF greater than zero, but less they continue to meet the quality and service requirements. than one. Diagnoses or injuries that are not attributable at all to alcohol will have an AAF of zero. Autism These figures are derived by summing all AAFs for the relevant admissions and should therefore only be Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health interpreted as an estimate of the number of admissions what guidance his Department plans to issue to clinical that can be attributed to alcohol. commissioning groups on the commissioning of (a) Sum of AAFs1 for hospital admissions for people aged under 18 years and diagnostic and (b) support services for people with resident in England2 from 2005-06 to 20113: Activity in English NHS Hospitals autistic spectrum disorders. [158991] and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector Sum of AAFs Norman Lamb: It is the role of NHS England to 2005-06 14,332.09 provide guidance to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). 2006-07 14,359.58 However, a practical guide for CCGs to support health 2007-08 14,358.50 professionals implementing the Statutory guidance that 2008-09 12,748.69 followed the Adult Autism Strategy of 2010, and the 2009-10 12,761.70 guidelines on recognition, referral, diagnosis and 2010-11 12,257.30 management of adults on the autism spectrum by the 2011-12 11,232,74 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 1 Alcohol-related admissions 2012, will be published later in the summer through the The number of alcohol-related admissions is based on the methodology developed Joint Commissioning Panel (JCP) for Mental Health. by the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO), which uses 48 indicators for alcohol-related illnesses, determining the proportion of a wide The JCP is a coalition co-chaired by the Royal College range of diseases and injuries that can be partly attributed to alcohol as well as of General Practitioners and the Royal College of those that are, by definition, wholly attributable to alcohol. Further information on these proportions can be found at: Psychiatrists, and includes organisations that represent www.nwph.net/nwpho/publications/AlcoholAttributableFractions.pdf patients, carers, and health and social care professionals, The application of the NWPHO methodology has recently been updated and is with the aim of inspiring informed and collaborative now available directly from HES. As such, information about episodes estimated to be alcohol related may be slightly different from previously published data. commissioning. The Department and NHS England Alcohol attributable fractions are not applicable to children under 16. Therefore have supported the JCP in the production of this practical figures for this age group relate only to wholly-attributable admissions, where the attributable fraction is one. guide for CCGs. 2 Strategic Health Authority/ Primary Care Trust (SHA/PCT) residence The strategic health authority (SHA) or primary care trust (PCT) containing the patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the Blood: Contamination patient was treated as they may have travelled to another SHA/PCT for treatment. A change in methodology in 2011-12 resulted in an increase in the number of Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State records where the PCT or SHA of residence was unknown. From 2006-07 to for Health what assessment he has made of difficulties 2010-11 the current PCT and SHA of residence fields were populated from the experienced by claimants in gaining financial support recorded patient postcode. In order to improve data completeness, if the postcode was unknown the PCT, SHA and country of residence were populated from the Macfarlane, Skipton and Caxton funds. from the PCT/SHA value supplied by the provider. From April 2011-12 [158410] onwards if the patient postcode is unknown the PCT, SHA and country of residence are listed as unknown. 3 Assessing growth through time Anna Soubry: We are aware that some clients of the HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over Macfarlane Trust and the Caxton Foundation have time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent been unhappy with the standard of service that they sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For have received. We have discussed this with the chair and example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. chief executive of the Caxton Foundation, which employs Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Health and Social Care Information the staff of both bodies, and they are committed to Centre improving the standard of customer service. 147W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 148W

The Skipton Fund has a fixed set of eligibility criteria Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for and claimants can provide a range of different information Health what responsibilities of (a) clinical commissioning to support their claims. Claims are assessed on the groups and (b) local authorities are for the funding of balance of probabilities. The fund rejects some claims long-term care; and if he will make a statement. [158482] because of insufficient evidence. Anyone whose claim is rejected is able to apply to have their case re-assessed by Norman Lamb: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) the fund’s independent appeals panel. have responsibility for commissioning the majority of health services, with the exception of certain services Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State (such as primary care and specialised services) which for Health for what reason the Government has are commissioned by NHS England. decided not to replicate the Irish scheme of The commissioning of services for people with care compensation for people who contracted hepatitis and needs is primarily through NHS Continuing Healthcare, other blood diseases from contaminated NHS blood local authority-funded social care, or a joint package of products. [158411] health and social care. NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of ongoing Anna Soubry: In a written statement to the House on care, arranged by CCGs, and funded solely by the 14 October 2010, Official Report, columns 30-31WS, national health service where the individual has been the then Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. found to have a ‘primary health need’. Such care is Friend the Member for Guildford (Anne Milton), stated provided to an individual aged 18 or over, to meet needs that this Government had decided that the level of that have arisen as a result of disability, accident or payments made to people affected by contaminated illness. Eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare places blood and blood products here in the United Kingdom, no limits on the settings in which the package of support should not match those paid in the Republic of Ireland, can be offered or on the type of service delivery. The because every country must make its own decisions on National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare financial support for those affected, taking account of and NHS-funded Nursing Care sets out the principles its own particular circumstances, and affordability. and processes for determining eligibility. In addition, local authorities have responsibility for Cancer: Drugs meeting the care needs of individuals they assess as eligible for support. Currently, local authorities have a duty to provide financial support to people in need of Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for residential care where the person has less than £23,250 Health pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2013, Official in capital. For domiciliary care, local authorities have Report, columns 159-60W, on cancer: drugs, what discretion to provide financial support to people with assessment he has made of the policy statement on higher levels of capital if they wish. selective internal radiation therapy by the Clinical Reference Group chairs and the Specialised Services Portfolio We are reforming the existing system because it is Board; and if he will make a statement. [158572] unfair and exposes those with little or modest wealth to the greatest risk of losing everything to pay for their care. In 2016 our plans will put in place a cap on the Anna Soubry: The Secretary of State for Health, my costs people have to pay towards the cost of their care right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey and extend means tested support to those with up to (Mr Hunt), has made no assessment of the draft policy £118,000 in residential care. This will ensure that those statement on selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT). with the greatest needs are protected from the risk of On 14 May 2013 the Specialised Services Portfolio facing excessive care costs. Board considered the draft policy statement on SIRT. The Care and Support Bill also contains a regulation As a result, the Clinical Priorities Advisory Group has making power to set a minimum threshold so that now recommended a national clinical policy on SIRT people across England will understand which needs are for the treatment of liver tumours of all types to NHS eligible. This is the minimum people can expect and England. local authorities will be able to be more generous. The policy will support access to SIRT where there is good evidence that it is an effective treatment. NHS Doctors: Working Hours England has advised that the policy should be published in the next few weeks. Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the policy of Continuing Care the Italian Government towards the classification of medical doctors as executives for the purposes of the Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health European Working Time Directive; and whether this if he will take steps to reduce the current delays in policy could apply to doctors working in the NHS. completing reviews for NHS Continuing Healthcare. [158568] [157899] Dr Poulter: The Department is not able to comment Norman Lamb: The Department does not collect on how the working time directive (WTD) is implemented details of NHS Continuing Healthcare cases awaiting in other member states. review. NHS England and local clinical commissioning This Government committed in the coalition agreement groups are responsible for the implementation NHS to limit the application of the WTD in the United Continuing Healthcare policy. Kingdom, including the national health service. The 149W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 150W

Department and the Department for Business, Innovation Summary of General Medical Services Financial Position 2011-12 and Skills are working together on the application of Quarter 4 Audited Final the WTD to the UK health sector. Primary care trust (PCT) name MPIG correction factor1 (£000) As part of this commitment, the Department has Bath and North East Somerset 0 previously explored whether the autonomous, workers PCT (PMS only) exemption could be applied to junior doctors. However, Bedfordshire PCT 1,030 the Department received legal advice that applying the Berkshire East PCT 1,387 definition of autonomous workers to junior doctors Berkshire West PCT 1,869 would not comply with the WTD and may risk infraction. Bexley NHS Care Trust PCT 187 Birmingham East and North 1,170 Fertility: North East PCT Blackburn with Darwen 149 Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Teaching Care Trust Plus Health what comparative assessment he has made of Blackpool PCT 39 the (a) availability and (b) quality of fertility services Bolton PCT 305 in (i) Hartlepool and (ii) the north-east region; and if Bournemouth and Poole 274 Teaching PCT he will make a statement. [158561] Bradford and Airedale 345 Teaching PCT Anna Soubry: No assessment has been made of the Brent Teaching PCT 1,401 availability and quality of fertility services in Hartlepool Brighton and Hove City 1,048 and the north-east region. The level of provision of Teaching PCT health services, including fertility services, is a matter Bristol PCT 193 for clinical commissioning groups, taking into account Bromley PCT 225 the needs of the local population. Buckinghamshire PCT 2,579 Bury PCT 250 Fluoride: Drinking Water Calderdale PCT 440 Cambridgeshire PCT 3,581 Mike Thornton: To ask the Secretary of State for Camden PCT 578 Health whether a formal agreement was signed Central and Eastern Cheshire 542 between the now abolished South Central Strategic PCT Health Authority and Southern Water to add fluoride Central Lancashire PCT 536 to the water supply in (a) Southampton and (b) the City and Hackney Teaching 3,060 South West Hampshire area. [158592] PCT Cornwall and Isles Of Scilly Pct 1,269 Anna Soubry: No agreement was signed between County Durham PCT 726 South Central Strategic Health Authority, prior to its Coventry Teaching PCT 290 abolition, and Southern Water to add fluoride to the Croydon PCT 406 water supply in Southampton and the South West Cumbria Teaching PCT 1,917 Hampshire area. The position, as at the end of March Darlington PCT (PMS Only), 0 2013, was that the strategic health authority was in Derby City PCT 1,817 discussions with Southern Water in relation to agreeing the terms of the agreement. Derbyshire County PCT 907 Devon PCT 521 By virtue of amendments made to the relevant legislation Doncaster PCT 310 by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the statutory Dorset PCT 519 functions of strategic health authorities in relation to Dudley PCT 568 fluoridation have transferred to the Secretary of State. Ealing PCT 2,069 East Lancashire Teaching PCT 814 General Practitioners East Riding of Yorkshire PCT 995 East Sussex Downs and Weald 977 Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for PCT Health what the minimum practice income guarantee is Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 935 for each GP practice. [157722] Enfield PCT 333 Gateshead PCT 296 Dr Poulter: This information is not collected centrally Gloucestershire PCT 3,419 in the format requested. Information on minimum practice Great Yarmouth and Waveney 131 income guarantee (MPIG) spend by former primary PCT care trusts for 2011-12 is provided in the following table. Greenwich Teaching PCT 75 Summary of General Medical Services Financial Position 2011-12 Halton and St Helens PCT 98 Quarter 4 Audited Final 1 Hammersmith and Fulham 569 Primary care trust (PCT) name MPIG correction factor (£000) PCT Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 232 Hampshire PCT 5,196 Barking and Dagenham PCT 135 Haringey Teaching PCT 571 Barnet PCT 1,046 Harrow PCT 335 Barnsley PCT 18 Hartlepool PCT 3 Bassetlaw PCT 94 Hastings and Rother PCT 198 151W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 152W

Summary of General Medical Services Financial Position 2011-12 Summary of General Medical Services Financial Position 2011-12 Quarter 4 Audited Final Quarter 4 Audited Final Primary care trust (PCT) name MPIG correction factor1 (£000) Primary care trust (PCT) name MPIG correction factor1 (£000)

Havering PCT 339 Sheffield PCT 1,111 Heart of Birmingham Teaching 601 Shropshire County PCT 757 PCT Solihull PCT 298 Herefordshire PCT 548 Somerset PCT 967 Hertfordshire PCT 2,431 South Birmingham PCT 1,072 Heywood, Middleton and 117 South East Essex PCT 129 Rochdale PCT South Gloucestershire PCT 12 Hillingdon PCT 489 South Staffordshire PCT 1,141 Hounslow PCT 753 South Tyneside PCT 18 Hull Teaching PCT 908 South West Essex PCT 818 Isle of Wight NHS PCT 193 Southampton City PCT 1,009 Islington PCT 1,388 Southwark PCT 282 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 797 Stockport PCT 492 Kingston PCT 419 Stockton-on-Tees Teaching 561 Kirklees PCT 452 PCT Knowsley PCT 110 Stoke on Trent PCT 376 Lambeth PCT 130 Suffolk PCT 1,055 Leeds PCT 1,057 Sunderland Teaching PCT 94 Leicester City PCT 1,025 Surrey PCT 2,260 Leicestershire County and 2,462 Sutton and Merton PCT 19 Rutland PCT Swindon PCT 328 Lewisham PCT 106 Tameside and Glossop PCT 367 Lincolnshire Teaching PCT 278 Telford and Wrekin PCT 459 Liverpool PCT 277 Torbay Care PCT 165 Luton Teaching PCT 517 Tower Hamlets PCT 1,826 Manchester PCT 759 Trafford PCT 296 Medway PCT 1,249 Wakefield District PCT 178 Mid Essex PCT 1,580 Walsall Teaching PCT 424 Middlesbrough PCT 173 Waltham Forest PCT 302 Milton Keynes PCT 608 Wandsworth PCT 827 Newcastle PCT 434 Warrington PCT 50 Newham PCT 866 Warwickshire PCT 821 Norfolk PCT 1,800 West Essex PCT 996 North East Essex PCT 1,465 West Kent PCT 2,737 North East Lincolnshire Care 26 West Sussex PCT 1,935 Trust Plus PCT Western Cheshire PCT 1,012 North Lancashire Teaching 578 PCT Westminster PCT 984 North Lincolnshire PCT 101 Wiltshire PCT 397 North Somerset PCT 48 Wirral PCT 13 Wolverhampton City PCT 387 North Staffordshire PCT 424 Worcestershire PCT 1,546 North Tyneside PCT 213 North Yorkshire and York PCT 3,800 Northamptonshire Teaching 1,336 England total audited final 117,651 PCT 1 March 2012 year to date. Northumberland Care PCT 210 General Practitioners: Birmingham Nottingham City PCT . 1,313 Nottinghamshire County 1,217 Teaching PCT Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions GP out-of-hours services in Oldham PCT 559 Birmingham, Hall Green constituency had fewer than Oxfordshire PCT 3,460 the contracted number of GPs available in each month Peterborough PCT 226 of (a) 2012 and (b) 2013 to date. [157684] Plymouth Teaching PCT 382 Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 514 Anna Soubry: The data requested are not collected Redbridge PCT 480 centrally. It is for out of hours providers to determine Redcar and Cleveland PCT 45 the appropriate level of staffing for their services, based Richmond and Twickenham 479 on local circumstances, including determining the level PCT of general practitioner (GP) cover according to the Rotherham PCT 277 availability of other urgent care services in the area. Salford PCT 132 Providers must ensure that their staffing levels enable Sandwell PCT 0 them to meet the national quality requirements for out Sefton PCT 2 of hours services, while clinical commissioning groups 153W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 154W are responsible for ensuring local out of hours services and the relevant local authorities. In all other local are high quality, safe and effective in accordance with authorities without a permanent director of public these requirements. health, interim arrangements have been in place since 1 The national quality requirements stipulate that: April 2013. patients will be guaranteed a GP consultation—including a The new director of public health appointment home visit if there is a arrangements will apply to those recruited to posts after clinical need; 1 April 2013. patients are treated by the clinician best equipped to meet their Since 1 April 2013, Public Health England has approved needs in the most appropriate location; and three job descriptions for director of public health roles services will be regularly audited to ensure that patients are following the introduction of the new appointment receiving quality care. procedures.

General Practitioners: Cancer Health Education: Young People

Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for which body is responsible for ensuring that GPs and Health what recent steps he has taken to ensure that GPs with a special interest accreditation who diagnose, Public Health England works with health and well- manage and excise low-risk basal cell carcinomas in the being boards to promote health awareness in young community are overseen and measured by a process of people; and what steps he is taking to monitor progress cancer peer review. [157911] in this area. [158527]

Dr Poulter: The current framework for the accreditation Anna Soubry: Public Health England (PHE) has set and re-accreditation of general practitioners with a out in “Our priorities for 2013-14” (April 2013) the special interest remains under review following the transition importance of health and wellbeing boards in bringing to the new arrangements for NHS services in England. together key local partners to agree local priorities. For Within NHS England this work is being led by Dr Mike 2013-14 PHE has set five high-level priorities, one of Bewick, one of NHS England’s two Deputy National which is specifically addressing our commitment to Medical Directors. Decisions on future arrangements “Supporting families to give children and young people will be confirmed in due course. the best start in life”. General Practitioners: Telephone Services Through PHE Centres, PHE will support local authorities by providing evidence and knowledge, as Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health well as professional advice on what to do to improve how many GPs in (a) Barnsley Central constituency, health. As part of this, PHE will consider how health (b) South Yorkshire and (c) England use (i) 0844 and awareness in young people can be improved through (ii) 0845 numbers. [158815] national campaigns and making available resources and tools for agencies to use locally. PHE is committed to Dr Poulter: The requested information is not held engaging with children, young people and carers to centrally. inform the work it does, and how it does it. The Regulations that underpin all general practitioner Health Professions: HIV Infection (GP) contracts contain a term to ensure that persons will not pay more to make relevant calls to their GP practice than they would to make equivalent calls to a Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for geographical number. Health when his Department plans to respond to the consultation on the management of HIV-infected General Practitioners: Working Hours healthcare workers. [158453]

Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State Anna Soubry: The Department expects to publish a for Health what proportion of GPs have worked out of response before the summer recess. hours in each year since 1992. [157850] Health Services: North West Anna Soubry: This information is not held centrally. Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health and Wellbeing Boards what recent representations he has received on the future of (a) North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for and (b) St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust. [158958] Health how many job descriptions for directors of public health to be appointed by health and well-being Dr Poulter: A search of the Department’s ministerial boards his Department has approved to date; and how correspondence database for correspondence received many such appointees are currently in post. [158772] since 1 December 2012 has identified three items of correspondence about the future of St Helens and Anna Soubry: On 1 April 2013 there were 104 director Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and none of public health posts covering 114 local authorities about the future of Warrington and Halton Hospitals which had been filled by former primary care trust NHS Foundation Trust (formerly the North Cheshire directors of public health who transferred to local Hospitals NHS Trust). These are minimum figures which authorities as part of the transition process, and accepted represent correspondence received by the Department’s the new position with the agreement of the Department ministerial correspondence unit only. 155W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 156W

On 26 February 2013 Official Report, column 163, insurance rather than a valid European Health Insurance during Health oral questions, my hon. Friend the Member Card in some European economic area countries, for Warrington South (David Mowat), spoke about the particularly Spain. private finance initiative scheme at St Helens and Knowsley As a result, the Department has raised this issue Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and sought assurance directly with the Spanish Government and the European that the Trust would not be required to merge with the Commission. The Department does not record the total Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation number of complaints received. Trust. The hon. Member for Warrington North sought Health Services: Retirement similar assurance at the same Health orals session. Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Services: Prisons Health what his Department’s policy is on remuneration in the case of the early retirement of (a) Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for clinical staff and (b) all categories of non-clinical staff Health how much has been spent on (a) alcohol in the NHS. [158567] treatment, (b) drug treatment, (c) mental health services and (d) psychology in each prison in England Dr Poulter: Most staff working in the national health and Wales in each year since 2007. [158363] service are entitled to contribute to the NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS), which is governed by NHS Pension Norman Lamb: Data are not collected centrally on Scheme regulations. The Scheme’s early retirement terms spending on alcohol treatment, other specific drug apply where members draw their pension before their treatments, mental health or psychological therapies in Normal Pension Age (NPA) and are the same for individual prisons. Data are collected on total health clinical and non-clinical staff. care spending in each prison, which includes spending The NHSPS currently has two Sections, the 1995 on alcohol treatment, drug treatment, mental health Section, which generally has an NPA of 50, and the and psychological therapies. The amount spent on these 2008 section, with an NPA of 65. The earliest age at treatments as a proportion of total spending is not which a member of the NHS pension Scheme can draw discernible from the data. their pension is their Minimum Pension Age (MPA), Data on total health care spending for each prison in which varies depending on the Section of the Scheme England between 2007-08 and 2012-13 have been placed they are a member of, and when they started pensionable in the Library. employment. Data in respect of Welsh prisons, are collected by the Members can choose to take voluntary early retirement, Welsh Government. or may be retired prematurely because of redundancy or in the interests of the efficiency of the service. Both Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements circumstances are outlined as follows. 1. Voluntary Early Retirement Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for 1995 Section: Health how many complaints he has received in each of Members, who joined the 1995 Section before 6 April the last three years from UK citizens whose European 2006 can choose to take voluntary early retirement from Health Insurance cards have not been accepted by 50 or 55 if they joined the Scheme on or after 6 April clinics in the EU. [157837] 2006. Under these circumstances they will receive reduced benefits. Anna Soubry: The Department has received a number Table A shows how much a members pension and of complaints over the past three years relating to lump sum would be reduced by if they choose to retire individuals who have been forced to use private health early:

Percentage Age 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50

Pension 6 11 16 20 24 28 31 35 38 40 Lump Sum 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 24 27 29

2008 Section: Table B shows how much a member’s pension would Members in the 2008 Section can choose to take be reduced by if they choose to retire early (please note, voluntary early retirement from age 55, and also receive there is no compulsory lump sum in the 2008 Section): reduced benefits.

Percentage

Age

64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55

Pension 6 12 17 22 26 31 34 38 41 44 157W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 158W

2. Premature Retirement (if any) to the member. Where the redundancy payment is not enough to meet the costs, the employer will ’top Where members of either Section are retired prematurely up’ the remainder. because of redundancy or in the interests of the efficiency of the service their benefits may be paid immediately. Health: Research These terms are set out in Section 16 of the NHS Terms and Conditions Handbook and summarised as follows. Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the amount of Members retiring in the interests of the efficiency of funding his Department has given to research on (a) the service have their benefits paid without reduction by mental and (b) physical health in each of the last five their employer, and the employer is required to meet the years; [157854] cost of paying the pension early. Members must have at (2) what research into mental health his Department least two years membership and have reached their is currently undertaking or funding. [157855] MPA. Dr Poulter: Spend on research funded directly by the Staff made redundant who are over the MPA may Department’s National Institute for Health Research choose either to take their redundancy payment and (NIHR) from 2008-09 to 2011-12 in mental health and have their pension paid at the normal retirement age, or other Health Research Classification System (HRCS) to take their benefits immediately, without reduction. health categories is shown in the table. These figures do Where a member chooses to take their pension immediately, not take account of NIHR expenditure on research the employer will use their redundancy payment to infrastructure and systems where spend cannot be attributed meet any additional costs that arise and pay the balance to health categories.

£ Health category 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Blood 4,695,335 4,932,505 6,602,922 8,609,175 Cancer 69,312,070 101,547,267 100,901,252 104,103,633 Cardiovascular 17,403,826 31,608,564 30,991,469 34,117,061 Congenital disorders 6,965,008 6,335,044 4,352,476 4,252,761 Ear 1,032,702 1,889,535 1,780,089 2,426,689 Eye 5,311,536 7,145,189 7,139,225 7,851,304 Generic health relevance 59,125,710 116,792,934 144,696,774 155,436,178 Infection 11,400,941 15,887,948 21,079,768 20,883,877 Inflammatory and immune system 7,164,577 10,898,927 13,083,522 13,036,068 Injuries and accidents 1,907,403 3,786,508 4,192,377 5,446,326 Mental health 27,937,224 40,279,211 49,848,487 53,217,726 Metabolic and endocrine 18,403,203 29,252,387 25,683,345 26,627,825 Musculoskeletal 9,804,966 15,517,638 15,639,508 17,571,806 N/A 392,748 2,764,265 7,845,355 455,682 Neurological 24,176,292 29,694,449 29,915,858 32,470,138 Oral and gastrointestinal 7,638,166 16,829,659 18,368,344 20,538,836 Other 2,939,921 4,231,884 2,040,003 2,745,076 Renal and urogenital 3,969,569 8,883,308 8,744,089 10,154,953 Reproductive health and childbirth 9,450,678 19,062,406 18,942,012 22,152,169 Respiratory 7,484,195 15,705,816 18,192,188 20,234,850 Skin 3,030,622 5,000,789 4,682,027 5,459,494 Stroke 12,969,499 20,202,173 20,877,869 20,420,144

Figures for 2012-13 are not yet available. recruiting patients. Details of these studies can be found on the UK Clinical Research Network portfolio database In addition, the Department commissions research at: through the Policy Research Programme (PRP). The PRP funds research to .inform policy development and http://england.ukcrn.org.uk/Portfolio.aspx?Level1=5 implementation across the full range of the Department’s Details of projects funded through programmes managed responsibilities, and data on PRP spend by HRCS by the NIHR Central Commissioning Facility (CCF) health categories is not routinely collected. can be found on the CCF website at: The NIHR and PRP fund a wide range of research www.ccf.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/FundedProgrammes.aspx relating to mental health. Details of projects funded through programmes managed by the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Centre Details of research carried out by the NIHR Mental (NETSCC) can be found on the NETSCC website at: Health Biomedical Research Centre can be found on the centre’s website at: www.netscc.ac.uk/ Details of research awards managed by the NIHR http://brc.slam.nhs.uk/our-research Trainees Coordinating Centre (TCC) can be found on The NIHR Clinical Research Network is currently the TCC website at: hosting 285 studies in mental health that are in set-up or www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk/ 159W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 160W

Details of research funded by the PRP are available In light of this patients should report inexplicable on the Department’s website at: muscle pain, weakness or cramps to their general http://prp.dh.gov.uk/category/funded-research/ practitioner (GP) immediately, especially if associated with fever. Heart Diseases: Children The review identified an increased risk of memory loss associated with statin therapy, mainly arising from Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health individual safety reports submitted following licensing. if he will publish for each of the last five years (a) Patients who develop problems with their memory during mortality rates and (b) risk-adjusted PRAiS data on treatment should continue taking their statin and should mortality rates for children’s heart surgery units in seek advice from their GP. England, broken down by the number of paediatric Itching can occur alone or in association with skin surgical procedures on the following basis: (i) less than reactions while taking statins. Such reactions are generally 150, (ii) 151 to 250, (iii) 251 to 350, (iv) 351 to 450, (v) mild and well-tolerated. Itching can occasionally be a 451 to 550 and (vi) 551 and over. [158582] symptom of liver dysfunction, and all patients commencing statin treatment should undergo liver function monitoring Anna Soubry: The data are not available in the format before, and three months after, initiation of treatment. requested. However, the National Institute for All of the side effects described are included in the Cardiothoracic Outcomes Research (NICOR) has published Product Information for statins, and the outcome of the an analysis of outcome data for the 10 paediatric cardiac European review was communicated to health care surgical units in England using the new model for professionals in the regular MHRA bulletin Drug Safety monitoring surgical outcomes called ‘Partial Risk Update. Adjustment in Surgery’ (PRAiS). NICOR’s PRAiS analysis only covers the three years The Department has not commissioned any research 2009-10 to 2011-12, therefore it is not possible to provide on these specific side effects. the analysis over five years as requested. Overall, the benefit of statins in reducing cardiovascular The absolute mortality figures are available from the disease in at-risk patients strongly exceeds the risks. NICOR website and the PRAiS analysis from the NHS Patients should consult their GP if they have questions England website: or concerns about their statin treatment. https://nicor4.nicor.org.uk/CHD/an_paeds.nsf/WSummary Years?openview&RestrictToCategory=2011&start =1&count=500 www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/finl-rep- mort-paed-card-surg-2009-12.pdf Hospitals: Trafford Heart Diseases: Drugs Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for if he will make public the advice he has received from Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned the Independent Reconfiguration Panel in relation to and (b) considered in respect of the link and possible reconfiguration of hospital services in Trafford; and if side effects with the use of statins and (i) memory loss, he will make a statement. [158429] (ii) muscle aches and pains and (iii) itching; and if he will make a statement. [157121] Anna Soubry: The Secretary of State for Health, my Norman Lamb: Statins are important and widely right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey used medicines in patients with lipid disorders and in (Mr Hunt), is currently considering the initial advice the prevention of heart attack and stroke. Evidence from the Independent Reconfiguration Panel concerning from large clinical trials shows that, overall, statins can a new health deal for Trafford, and will make his reduce heart attacks and the need for bypass surgery, decision in due course. and can save lives in certain patient groups. As with ail medicines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) keeps the safety of statins under continuous review and promptly evaluates any new evidence, including published research and Hospitals: Waiting Lists reports of side effects encountered in routine clinical practice, which may have implications for the safe use of statins. Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Clinical trials have shown that statins are generally Health how many NHS patients in (a) Coventry, (b) well tolerated by most people who use them. A European- the West Midlands and (c) England waited longer wide review of statins in 2007 highlighted that prescribers than 18 weeks for treatment in (i) 2011-12 and (ii) and patients alike should be aware of the potential for 2012-13. [158856] some side effects which can, in rare cases, prove serious. Muscle aches and pains in association with statin treatment are common and generally not serious, but in Anna Soubry: The information is shown in the following rare instances, ‘rhabdomyolysis’ or muscle breakdown table. Information on the percentage of patients who has been reported. started treatment within 18 weeks is also shown. 161W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 162W

Referral to treatment (RTT): Number of patients that waited more than 18 weeks to start treatment during the month Admitted treatment (admitted adjusted RTT pathways) Non-admitted treatment (non-admitted RTT pathways Coventry Teaching West Midlands England Coventry Teaching West Midlands England primary care trust strategic health primary care trust strategic health authority authority

2011 April 165 2,528 25,189 130 2,006 18,647 May 185 2,754 27,753 118 2,325 20,145 June 191 3,178 31,656 204 2,635 22,923 July 201 2,907 28,500 169 2,378 22,001 August 194 2,897 28,964 185 2,841 23,787 September 186 3,003 28,930 171 2,789 25,146 October 146 2,887 26,960 135 2,717 25,051 November 156 3,215 29,217 161 3,003 27,822 December 148 2,809 23,002 101 2,108 21,338

2012 January 148 2,941 26,313 136 2,629 25,565 February 172 3,097 26,441 149 2,506 24,214 March 174 3,213 29,007 128 2,273 22,680 April 114 2,125 21,690 95 1,869 18,183 May 121 2,470 23,883 108 2,005 19,730 June 110 2,254 21,840 91 1,836 17,319 July 100 2,389 23,073 89 2,493 21,442 August 90 2,192 21,764 71 2,175 20,470 September 88 2,323 22,746 96 2,444 22,003 October 110 2,434 24,735 118 2,295 25,157 November 107 2,466 23,869 86 2,187 23,401 December 86 1,822 17,778 80 1,720 17,582

2013 January 116 2,233 23,577 90 1,883 23,566 February 107 2,605 23,235 62 1,744 21,397 March 100 2,582 23,472 84 1,735 20,725 Note: Data is collected monthly. Admitted patients are those who started treatment requiring an admission to hospital during the month. Non-admitted patients are those who started treatment that did not require admission in the month. Source: Unify2 Referral to Treatment Waiting times return. www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/rtt-waiting-times/ Percentage of patients that started treatment within 18 weeks during the month Percentage Admitted treatment (admitted adjusted RTT pathways) Non-admitted treatment (non-admitted RTT pathways) West Midlands West Midlands Coventry Teaching strategic health Coventry Teaching strategic health primary care trust authority England primary care trust authority England

2011 April 91.3 91.2 90.4 97.5 97.3 97.5 May 91.1 91.3 90.7 97.8 97.4 97.7 June 91.2 90.7 90.1 96.5 97.1 97.6 July 90.7 90.9 90.6 96.8 97.2 97.4 August 91.1 90.7 90.4 96.3 96.7 97.3 September 91.8 90.7 90.7 96.6 96.9 97.2 October 93.2 90.8 91.2 97.1 96.8 97.2 November 93.1 90.6 91.0 97.0 96.8 97.0 December 92.2 90.4 91.4 97.7 97.2 97.2

2012 January 93.2 90.8 91.3 97.4 96.9 97.1 February 92.5 90.3 91.2 97.2 97.0 97.1 March 93.0 90.8 91.1 97.7 97.4 97.4 April 94.6 92.6 91.9 98.1 97.6 97.7 May 95.1 92.8 92.6 98.2 97.9 97.9 June 94.9 92.2 92.1 98.1 97.6 97.8 July 95.8 92.7 92.7 98.5 97.3 97.7 August 96.2 92.9 92.7 98.7 97.5 97.7 September 95.9 92.2 92.2 98.4 97.2 97.4 163W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 164W

Percentage of patients that started treatment within 18 weeks during the month Percentage Admitted treatment (admitted adjusted RTT pathways) Non-admitted treatment (non-admitted RTT pathways) West Midlands West Midlands Coventry Teaching strategic health Coventry Teaching strategic health primary care trust authority England primary care trust authority England

October 95.5 92.9 92.7 98.3 97.7 97.5 November 95.4 92.7 92.7 98.7 97.7 97.5 December 95.4 93.3 93.1 98.3 97.7 97.7

2013 January 94.7 92.9 92.6 98.5 98.0 97.5 February 94.7 91.5 92.2 98.9 97.9 97.5 March 94.6 91.4 92.1 98.5 97.9 97.6 Note: Data is collected monthly. Admitted patients are those who started treatment requiring an admission to hospital during the month. Non-admitted patients are those who started treatment that did not require admission in the month. Source: Unify2 Referral to Treatment Waiting times return. www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/rtt-waiting-times/

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation meeting of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on 6 February 2013, on what date the annual review of a potential revision to the Section 7a Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State agreement between his Department and NHS England for Health (1) what role the NHS Contribution to will take place; and what steps he will take to ensure Public Health Senior Oversight Group plays with that potential introduction of the meningococcal B respect to Joint Committee on Vaccination and vaccine into the childhood immunisation schedule Immunisation recommendations; [157799] would not be delayed by the annual review of the (2) what role the NHS Contribution to Public Health Section 7a agreement. [158005] Executive Group plays in relation to Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommendations; [157800] Anna Soubry: The agreement made under section 7A of the National Health Service Act 2006 between the (3) which organisation is responsible for taking Secretary of State and NHS England, is currently an forward recommendations from the Joint Committee annual agreement made alongside the Mandate to NHS on Vaccination and Immunisation; [157801] England. The agreement for the financial year 2014-15 (4) what roles his Department, NHS England and is expected to be concluded in October 2013, including Public Health England play with regard to the delivery the delivery of national immunisation programmes. This and implementation of vaccination and immunisation agreement will be kept under review. policy. [157826] Any decision on the timely introduction of a meningococcal B vaccine into the childhood immunisation Anna Soubry: The roles of the Department, NHS schedule will be subject to the advice of the Joint England and Public Health England for national Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. immunisation programmes, including in relation to recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), are described in a letter Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State entitled “National screening and immunisation for Health with reference to paragraph 7 of the draft programmes”, which the Department published on minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee on 23 August 2012. A copy of this letter has been placed in Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on 6 February the Library. 2013, on what date the JCVI will make public the report from the working group on uncertainty in The National Health Service Public Health Senior vaccine evaluation. [158006] Oversight Group forms part of the arrangements for oversight of the agreement made between the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England, under section Anna Soubry: The report of the Working Group on 7A of the National Health Service Act 2006 (a section Uncertainty in Vaccine Evaluation and Procurement is 7A agreement), about public health functions which planned to be published as an annex to the revised code NHS England exercises, including the delivery of national of practice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and immunisation programmes. The NHS Public Health Immunisation. The revised code is being finalised and is Steering Group (formerly Executive Group) advises expected to be published later this year. and reports to the Senior Oversight Group. Both groups play a role in relation to forward planning and the Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State implementation of Ministerial decisions on JCVI for Health if he will outline (a) the process that will recommendations. A copy of the section 7A agreement follow a positive JCVI recommendation for a new for 2013-14 has been placed in the Library. vaccination and (b) who has overall responsibility for taking forward and implementing a positive JCVI Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State recommendation following the coming into force of the for Health with reference to the draft minutes of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. [158191] 165W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 166W

Anna Soubry: When making a recommendation for a Anna Soubry: 89 patients (17 adults and 72 children) new vaccination programme, the Joint Committee on from England were approved for referral for proton Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) usually produces beam therapy overseas during the period 31 March a statement explaining its conclusions, the basis for 2012 and 1 April 2013. All of these patients were them and the evidence reviewed. The statement with the approved for referral to centres in the United States. recommendations will be provided to Ministers for consideration. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Following ministerial consideration of the statement, the JCVI statement will be published and Ministers Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for may issue a response to the JCVI statement and Health which company holds the largest contract to recommendations. Subject to Ministers’ considerations, provide mobile telephony services to the Medicines and the Department, Public Health England and NHS England Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency; how much is will collaborate to plan and implement the immunisation paid each year under that contract; how many programme in question. This process will include discussions individual services are covered by the contract; when with the devolved Administrations and issues such as the contract was awarded; and (a) when and (b) how setting policy for the new programme based on JCVI’s the contract will next be renewed. [158156] advice; securing resources for the programme; procuring, storing and distributing the vaccine; negotiating with providers of immunisation services; determining Norman Lamb: The Medicines and Healthcare products mechanisms for surveillance of vaccine uptake; providing Regulatory Agency has a mobile telephony contract guidance to health care professionals; and conducting with a single supplier, Vodaphone. marketing campaigns for the public to provide information The value of this contract is £53,000 (excluding VAT) and advice. per annum including rental and call charges. A new national immunisation programme will usually This contract covers: be included in the agreement made between the Secretary of State and NHS England, under section 7A of the Number National Health Service Act 2006 (a section 7A agreement), about public health functions which NHS England Mobiles 79 exercises, including the delivery of national immunisation BlackBerrys 207 programmes. Mobile Dongles: SIMS 104 The roles of the Department of Health, NHS England The contract was awarded in 14 May 2011 under a and Public Health England for national immunisation 2+2 contract agreement that runs for two years plus an programmes, including in relation to recommendations option of a further two years. The mobile telephony from the JCVI, are described in a letter entitled ‘National services contract will be renewed in January 2014 following screening and immunisation programmes’, which the government procurement guidelines. Department of Health published on 23 August 2012 and has been placed in the Library. Meningitis: Vaccination Meat Products: Labelling Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Khalid Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the meningococcal B for Health whether the Food Standards Agency will vaccinations programme is on the agenda for the prosecute supermarkets and other food retailers meeting of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and following the recent mislabelling and mis-selling of Immunisation scheduled for 12 June 2013; [157827] meat products. [157856] (2) what the timetable is for recruiting a new committee chair for the Joint Committee on Anna Soubry: Prosecutions for the mislabelling of Vaccination and Immunisation; and what steps he is meat products fall within the remit of local authority taking to ensure that the recruitment process will not (LA) environmental health or trading standards delay a decision on introducing the meningococcal B departments. vaccine into the childhood immunisation schedule. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the police, [157828] working with their counterparts across Europe, are involved in a complicated and far-reaching investigation Anna Soubry: The Joint Committee on Vaccination into horsemeat. At this stage, it cannot be confirmed if and Immunisation (JCVI) will consider at its meeting prosecutions will result from this ongoing action. The on 12 June 2013 the conclusions of the JCVI meningococcal FSA will be in contact with those LAs known to be sub-committee following the sub-committee’s review of involved in investigation work to find out what further evidence on the impact and cost effectiveness of potential steps they will take on the evidence gathered. meningococcal B immunisation strategies. Medical Treatments Abroad: Radiotherapy The indicative timetable for recruiting a new JCVI chair following an advertisement on the Department’s website on 30 May 2013 and in The Lancet on 1 June Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2013 is as follows: how many English patients were sent abroad for proton beam therapy between 31 March 2012 and 1 April Closing date: Midday on 27 June 2013 2013; and to which country each such patient was sent. Shortlisting complete: early July [157116] Interviews held: mid July 167W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 168W

This information is available on the Department’s NHS 111 website in the information pack for applicants wishing to apply for the post. A copy of the information pack has been placed in the Library. Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The recruitment process will not delay the committee’s (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of the consideration of meningococcal B immunisation. The newly launched 111 service in easing strains on accident committee has agreed an acting chair from its existing and emergency departments in (a) England, (b) the membership. west midlands, (c) Dudley metropolitan borough and (d) Dudley North constituency; [157840] Mental Illness: Cannabis (2) what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of patients who are directed to accident and Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health emergency departments by the newly launched 111 how many people were admitted to hospital with a service in (a) England, (b) the west midlands, (c) Dudley primary diagnosis of mental or behavioural disorder metropolitan borough and (d) Dudley North constituency; due to use of cannabinoids in each year since 2005-06. [157841] [158290] (3) what steps his Department is taking to ensure Anna Soubry: Data on the number of hospital admissions that the newly launched 111 service does not increase is collected by finished admission episodes rather than the number of unnecessary referrals to accident and by number of people. Data on the number of finished emergency departments. [157842] admission episodes to hospital with a primary diagnosis of mental or behavioural disorder due to the use of Anna Soubry: NHS England is responsible for the cannabinoids for each year since 2005-06 is given in the performance of NHS 111, and will be working with following table. It is important to note that finished area teams and commissioners to understand the impact admission episodes do not represent the number of of NHS 111 on the rest of the urgent and emergency inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission care system. within the year The NHS 111 Minimum Dataset, which will report Finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of mental or behavioural issues due to use of cannabinoids, 2005-06 to 2011-12 this data for the west midlands and England, is due to be published on 7 June under the National Statistical Total admission episodes Guidelines. 2005-06 946 Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group has implemented 2006-07 750 a range of schemes to reduce pressures on accident and 2007-08 735 emergency (A&E) at Russells Hall, in partnership with 2008-09 651 Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2009-10 713 West Midlands Ambulance Service, Dudley metropolitan 2010-11 799 borough council (DMBC) and Primecare, the provider 2011-12 1,003 of walk-in centre and out of hours GP services. These Notes: schemes include: 1. Finished admission episodes: A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient extended weekend and evening opening hours at Dudley Walk-in care under one consultant; within one health care provider. FAEs are Centre; counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. 2. Primary diagnosis: the commissioning of an Acute Medicine Unit Rapid Assessment The, primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to Team which triages likely medical admissions within 30 minutes 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital of arrival at Russells Hall A&E; Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why a first responder service in place with DMBC to reduce 999 the patient was admitted to hospital. calls and conveyances for vulnerable people; and 3. Data quality: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent, by increased intermediate care capacity through increased beds more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England numbers. and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and The local NHS in Dudley has established a project social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission board to implement recommendations made by the of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While NHS Emergency Care Intensive Support. Team. A this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. multi-agency group has also been set up to monitor 4. Activity included: Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned performance and develop the local urgent care model to activity in the independent sector. address continuing pressures and lead the development Source: of a local recovery and improvement plan, as required Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information by NHS England. Centre Midwives: Unemployment Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being made to improve the quality of Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health service offered by the 111 line. [158294] how many midwives were unemployed in each of the last 10 years. [157847] Anna Soubry: We recognise that the service has not Dr Poulter: The Department does hot have this been good enough and we are working closely with information, it is not collected centrally. NHS England to ensure improvement in performance. 169W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 170W

NHS England has put a number of measures in place NHS 111 area Contracted provider already; NHS England Area Teams have been keeping a close oversight of the issues and are supporting local Northamptonshire Derbyshire Health United clinical commissioning groups and individual providers Milton Keynes Harmoni to ensure the service improves. Leicestershire Not yet covered In addition, NHS England has close monitoring West Midlands NHS Direct arrangements, including where necessary daily monitoring, Croydon . Harmoni and also reports weekly on performance to the Secretary Outer North West London Harmoni of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member Hillingdon Harmoni for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt). They will continue to Wandsworth Harmoni do so until the key performance indicators are routinely Richmond and Kingston Harmoni Inner North West London London Central and West met. Unscheduled Care Collaborative It is for clinical commissioning groups, with their North Central London London Central and West local clinicians, and supported by NHS England, to Unscheduled Care Collaborative continue to work with all parts of their urgent care South East London NHS Direct system to improve responsiveness and quality of the Sutton and Merton NHS Direct services locally. We expect to see continued improved East London and City NHS Direct performance week on week into the summer. Outer North East London Partnership of East London Co-operatives Bath and North East Somerset and Harmoni Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Wiltshire what payment has been received by his Department for Gloucestershire and Swindon Harmoni paid-for mobile telephone calls to the NHS Direct 111 Bristol North Somerset and South Harmoni telephone number since the inception of that service. Gloucestershire [158430] Somerset NHS Direct Cornwall NHS Direct Anna Soubry: No payment has been received by the Devon South West Ambulance Service Trust Department for paid-for mobile telephone calls to the Kent Surrey and Sussex South East Coast Ambulance NHS 111 telephone number since the inception of the Service Trust Berkshire South Central Ambulance Service service. Trust NHS 111 is free to the caller from landlines, mobiles Buckinghamshire NHS Direct and payphones. The cost of this is picked up by NHS Oxfordshire South Central Ambulance Service England. Trust Dorset South West Ambulance Service Trust Southampton, Hampshire and South Central Ambulance Service Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Portsmouth Trust Health which organisations are responsible for the Isle of Wight Isle of Wight Ambulance Service NHS 111 service in each part of England. [158937] Trust

Anna Soubry: NHS 111 services are locally commissioned by clinical commissioning groups; the service is being delivered by a range of different providers, including Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS Direct, ambulance trusts and a number of out-of- Health if he will publish the criteria required of each hours providers. provider of NHS 111 under their contract. [158957] The following table shows the full list of providers.

NHS 111 area Contracted provider Anna Soubry: NHS 111 has been entirely locally commissioned, so specific criteria have been set by local NE—North of Tyne and Tees North East Ambulance Service clinical commissioning groups. However, the Department NE—South of Tyne and Wear North East Ambulance Service has worked with the NHS to agree the NHS 111 National NE—County Durham and North East Ambulance Service Darlington Service Specification (NSS) that applies to the NHS 111 NW—Merseyside NHS Direct service across all areas. NW—Manchester NHS Direct The NSS is based around four key principles: NW—Lancashire and Cumbria NHS Direct Yorkshire and Humber Yorkshire Ambulance Service Completion of a clinical assessment on the first call without Great Yarmouth and Waveney South East Health the need for a call back; Norfolk East of England Ambulance Service Trust Ability to refer callers to other providers without the caller Hertfordshire Herts Urgent Care being re-triaged; Suffolk Harmoni Ability to transfer clinical assessment data to other providers North Essex NHS Direct and book appointments where appropriate; and South Essex South East Health Bedfordshire and Luton NHS Direct Ability to dispatch an ambulance without delay. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Not yet covered The “NHS 111 National Service Specification” ensures Derbyshire Derbyshire Health United that the public experience the same high quality of Lincolnshire Harmoni service, wherever they are. A copy has been placed in Nottinghamshire Derbyshire Health United the Library. 171W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 172W

NHS Walk-in Centres NHS: Social Enterprises

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health what estimate his Department has made of the what recent steps his Department has taken to promote number of walk-in centres that have closed in each a social enterprise in delivering services within the English region since May 2010. [157993] NHS. [158110] Norman Lamb: The Department is committed to Anna Soubry: No information on walk-in centre closures enabling all types of provider to deliver national health is held centrally. service-funded services. This includes public, not-for-profit Clinical commissioning groups are responsible for and for-profit providers, including social enterprises. commissioning walk in centres locally based on an The Department sees a particularly important role for assessment of local need. social enterprises, charities, and voluntary sector organisations in delivering innovative, tailored and personalised services. Provisions in the 2012 Health and NHS: Disclosure of Information Social Care Act prevent the Department, Monitor, and NHS England from giving preferential treatment to any provider type. Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people are employed by his The Department’s Right to Request and Right to Department to investigate whistleblowing cases in the Provide initiatives have enabled staff in organisations across health and social care to set up staff-led social NHS; [158570] enterprises that have spun out of the NHS or a local (2) what process his Department initiates when it is authority. This has resulted in contracts worth nearly £1 made aware of a whistleblowing case in the NHS. billion being delivered by social enterprises, which translates [158571] to around 11% of the NHS community services budget. The Department’s Social Enterprise Investment Fund Dr Poulter: Staff working in the Department are not (SEIF) has invested more than £110 million in nearly directly employed to investigate whistleblowing cases in 600 social enterprises across health and social care. The the national health service. All whistleblowing cases SEIF was set up in 2007 to stimulate the role of social received by the Department are logged and reviewed by enterprise in health and social care. It provided investment officials, whose role is to then ensure that concerns to help new social enterprises start up and existing raised are referred on to an appropriate organisation social enterprises grow and improve their services. with statutory or lead responsibility for the issue being referred. Nurses The Department has a team responsible for overarching policy on whistleblowing in the NHS. Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comparative assessment he has made of the nurse to patient ratio in (a) the UK, (b) France, NHS: Pensions (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) the US and (f) Australia. [157812] Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department’s policy is on allowing (a) Dr Poulter: No international comparisons of nurse to clinical and (b) non-clinical staff to buy additional patient ratios have been made. Patient numbers fluctuate years for their pensions. [158951] on a daily, weekly and monthly basis whereas work force data are snapshots at the end of each month. Nurse to bed ratios are therefore more generally used, Dr Poulter: The facility for NHS Pension Scheme however although the Organisation for Economic members to purchase additional years was withdrawn Co-operation and Development publish data on nurse from 1 April 2008 following a review of the scheme. to bed ratios this cannot be used for meaningful Transitional arrangements permitted applications received international comparisons because of inconsistencies in before this date for contracts starting on a member’s the basis and coverage of the data. birthday that falls in the 2008-09 scheme year. Additionally, members who had a refund for any Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of membership before 6 April 1978, or had general practitioner State for Health pursuant to the answer of 13 May membership at any time, may be able to purchase additional 2013, Official Report, column 49W, on nurses, how service equal to that refunded period if an application is many nurses, excluding midwives and health visiting made when re-joining the scheme following a break in staff, there were (a) in the NHS and (b) in County service. Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust on (i) Added years were replaced from 2008 with the facility 1 May 2010 and (ii) 1 May 2013. [158295] to buy additional pension. Members can currently purchase up to £5,000 per annum of additional pension. Dr Poulter: The table shows the full-time equivalent figures for qualified nursing staff, excluding midwives NHS Pensions have produced a factsheet on added and health visitors in the national health service in years which can be found at the following link: England and County Durham and Darlington NHS www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Pensions/Documents/Pensions/ Foundation Trust for May 2010 and February 2013, the Added_Years_factsheet_1995_all_members.pdf latest month for which figures are available. 173W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 174W

These figures do not include nurses working in general NHS hospital and community health services provisional monthly statistics: Registered midwives in England, the North East Strategic Health Authority area practitioner practices, who are not collected in the and each specified organisation, as at 31 May 2010 and 28 February 2013 monthly workforce statistics. Full-time equivalent Health visitors are qualified nurses who have done an May 2010 February 2013 additional post graduate qualification. They work with children under the age of five. Of which: County Durham and 193 203 NHS hospital and community health services provisional monthly statistics : Darlington NHS Foundation 1 Qualified nurses in England, the North East Strategic Health Authority area Trust and each specified . organisation as at 31 May 2010 and 28 February 2013 Notes: Full-time equivalent 1. Provisional monthly work force figures for May 2013 are due to be May 2010 February 2013 published in August 2013. 2. Full-time equivalent figures are rounded to the nearest whole number. England 282,569 278,496 3. Data Quality: The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise Of which: inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for North East Strategic Health 18,157 18,129 data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are Authority area continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on Of which: figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is County Durham and 1,355 2,010 footnoted in relevant analyses. Darlington NHS Foundation Monthly data: Trust As from 21 July 2010 the Health and Social Care Information Centre has 1 Figures are for qualified nursing staff, and exclude registered midwives and published provisional monthly NHS workforce data. As expected with health visitors. provisional statistics, some figures may be revised from month to month as Notes: issues are uncovered and resolved. The monthly workforce data is not directly 1. Provisional monthly workforce figures for May 2013 are due to be published comparable with the annual workforce census; it only includes those staff on in August 2013. the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) (i.e. it does not include primary care staff 2. Full time equivalent figures are rounded to the nearest whole number. or bank staff). There are also new methods of presenting data (headcount 3. As a consequence of TCS (Transforming Community Services) the former methodology is different and there is now a role count). This information is provider arm of some primary care trusts (PCTs) may have transferred into available from September 2009 onwards at the following website: local acute trusts. This can be seen in the large increase in staff numbers at Source: County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, which subsumed Health and Social Care Information Centre Provisional Monthly Workforce staff from Darlington PCT in September 2011. Statistics. 4. Data Quality: The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for Nutrition: Health Education data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health footnoted in relevant analyses. what his policy is on the provision of advice through 5. Monthly data: the NHS to the public about the importance of diet. As from 21 July 2010 the Health and Social Care Information Centre has published provisional monthly NHS workforce data. As expected with [158591] provisional statistics, some figures may be revised from month to month as issues are uncovered and resolved. The monthly workforce data is not directly comparable with the annual workforce census; it only includes those staff on Anna Soubry: Government dietary advice is encapsulated the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) (i.e. it does not include Primary care staff in the United Kingdom’s national food guide, ‘the or Bank staff); There are also new methods of presenting data (headcount eatwell plate’. Organisations and individuals, including methodology is different and there is now a role count). This information is available from September 2009 onwards at the following website: the national health service, are encouraged to use the www.hscic.gov.uk eatwell plate to help ensure everyone receives consistent Source: messages about the balance of foods in a healthy diet. Health and Social Care Information Centre Provisional Monthly Workforce Statistics The Government provides dietary advice through the NHS to the public through the NHS Choices website, Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of which provides a wealth of consumer based dietary State for Health pursuant to the answer of 13 May information and advice. 2013, Official Report, column 49W, on nurses, how Dieticians and other health professionals also have a many midwives, excluding nurses and health visiting key role within the NHS, by providing lifestyle and staff, there were (a) in the NHS and (b) in County dietary advice during consultations. Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust on (i) 1 May 2010 and (ii) 1 May 2013. [158296] Obesity: Drugs Dr Poulter: The following table shows the full-time equivalent figures for midwives in the national health service in England and County Durham and Darlington Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health NHS Foundation Trust for May 2010 and February how many people have been prescribed with weight loss 2013, the latest month for which figures are available. drugs on the NHS in (a) 2013 to date, (b) 2012 and [158293] NHS hospital and community health services provisional monthly statistics: (c) each of the preceeding five years. Registered midwives in England, the North East Strategic Health Authority area and each specified organisation, as at 31 May 2010 and 28 February 2013 Norman Lamb: Information is not held centrally on Full-time equivalent the number of people prescribed particular medicines. May 2010 February 2013 Information is available on prescription items dispensed England 20,132 21,494 in the community in England. The following table provides Of which: figures, in the latest available period from 2007, for North East Strategic Health 1,054 1,076 medicines as defined by the British National Formulary Authority area section 4.5 ‘Drugs used in the treatment of obesity’. 175W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 176W

Number of prescription items for medicines used to treat obesity, written in the use of social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter, United Kingdom and dispensed in the community, in England the campaign will encourage individuals to tell loved Items (thousand) ones about their donation wishes and to raise awareness 2007 1,237.0 of the issue of organ donation and motivate people to 2008 1,282.2 sign up to the ODR. 2009 1,453.7 2010 1410.7 Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State 2011 899.3 for Health if he will liaise with the Secretary of State 2012 392.1 for Education to encourage local schools to take up Source: their Give and Let Live resources which allow teachers Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system. The Health and Social Care to incorporate education about organ and blood Information Centre donation into the curriculum. [158409] Organs: Donors Anna Soubry: Give and Let Live is an award-winning Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State educational resource produced by NHS Blood and for Health what steps he is taking to encourage people Transplant (NHSBT) to promote donation to 14 to 16-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. to join the Organ Donor Register. [158407] It is designed to be delivered by teachers in science and Anna Soubry: We have a number of initiatives to religious education, as well as personal social and health encourage people to add their name to the Organ education lessons. The resource is available as a hard Donation Register (ODR). Much of this work is led by copy teaching pack, supported by a dedicated website NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in conjunction www.giveandletlive.co.uk with a number of partners in the private, public and from where the materials may also be downloaded. A third sectors. For example, people may sign up to the total of 9,171 packs have now been requested since Give ODR when they register with a new general practitioner, and Let Live was launched in 2007. when applying for a new passport, when applying for a The new NHSBT strategy includes specific-action to European Health Insurance Card, and when applying ’explore with education departments the possibility of incorporating for a Boots advantage card. We have established a organ donation and transplantation issues into school curricula’. prompted choice scheme, working in partnership with the Department of Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Departmental officials will work with colleagues from Licensing Agency, which requires people applying for a NHSBT to explore with officials in the Department for driving licence on-line to consider organ donation. Education how organ donation and transplantation issues could be further promulgated within schools. NHSBT also run multi media campaigns, education programmes in schools and community engagement Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health programmes to raise awareness of organ donation and pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2013, Official Report, promote registration on the ODR. They also organise column 316W, on organs, what progress is being made National Transplant Week, an annual event to raise to improve the allocation system for lungs donated for awareness of organ donation, to motivate people to act transplant to achieve greater equity and outcomes for and join ODR and discuss their wishes with their loved patients; and if he will make a statement. [158431] ones. Transplant Week 2013 will take place between 8-14 July. Anna Soubry: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) HSBT are in the process of developing their post are currently working with clinicians and transplant 2013 strategy—building on the Organ Donation Task centres to assess whether improvements can be made to Force recommendations and identifying new ways to the current lung allocation system. Several models are make sure that as many people as possible in the United being considered and the outcome of this assessment is Kingdom receive the transplant they need. planned to be available by the end of 2013. In the We have also set up the National Black, Asian and interim, NHSBT continue to monitor patient outcomes Minority Ethnic Transplant Alliance to increase the and are reassured that there is no significant difference number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people on in patient survival across the United Kingdom lung bone marrow and whole organ registers, and to increase transplant centres. donation rates in those communities. Prescription Drugs Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government is taking to mark National Transplant Week. [158408] Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress his Department has made on commissioning Anna Soubry: National Transplant Week is an annual dedicated withdrawal services for patients involuntarily event organised by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) addicted to prescribed medication; which services have and is being held this year between 8-14 July. The week been commissioned so far; how those services are centrally aims to raise awareness of organ donation and to recorded; and whether addiction to medicines withdrawal motivate people to act and join the NHS Organ Donor services are intended to set drug-free goals. [157303] Register (ODR). National Transplant Week 2013 will be the second year that NHSBT has led campaign Anna Soubry: Services to treat dependence are activity in collaboration with the wider transplant commissioned locally.Information about whether dedicated community under the theme of ″Pass it On″. Through a or integrated services are commissioned is not collected range of events, case studies, media engagement and the centrally. Clinicians treating addiction to medicine are 177W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 178W expected to follow the “UK guidelines on clinical Sign Language management of drug misuse and dependence” and other relevant guidance. Sir Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Drug free goals are the norm for this form of treatment. Health (1) what assessment he has made of the equality Local areas should assess clinical guidelines and develop of access available for deaf people whose first language local protocols for clinicians in that area to help them is British Sign Language in communicating with (a) reduce doses safely and comfortably for each individual the health and social care professionals and (b) the patient. agencies and public bodies which support his Department; and if he will make a statement; [157374] Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (2) what measures his Department has in place to how many prescriptions for (a) benzodiazepine ensure that deaf people have the opportunity to tranquillisers, (b) Z drug tranquillisers and (c) SSRI communicate in British Sign Language with (a) local antidepressants were issued in each quarter of 2012. health and social care professionals and (b) the agencies [157305] and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible. [157458] Norman Lamb: Information on the number of prescriptions written is not available, only on the number Norman Lamb: We have made no such assessment. of prescription items written in the United Kingdom However, individual national health service bodies and and dispensed in the community in England. The number the Department’s arm’s length bodies have a Public of prescription items dispensed for each of these drug Sector Equality Duty under section 149 of the Equality groups is given in the following table. Act 2010. This duty requires a public authority to have due regard to eliminating discrimination between those Thousands with and without a protected characteristic; and to 2012 advancing equality of opportunity between those with Prescription items Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 and without a protected characteristic. This means removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people in protected Benzodiazepines1 2,517.0 2,477.7 2,492.3 2,480.9 groups, and considering steps to meet the needs of Z drugs1 1,587.5 1,511.6 1,537.3 1,581.6 protected groups where these are different from those of SSRI 6,627.1 6,672.9 6,785.0 7,006.2 other people. antidepressants2 1As classified within British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.1 hypnotics Public authorities are also under a duty to make and anxioytics reasonable adjustments for disabled people to make 2 As classified within BNF section 4.3.3 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Source: sure that a disabled person can. use a service as close as Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system data provided by the Health and reasonably possible to the standard usually offered to Social Care Information Centre non-disabled people. The duty is anticipatory which means that authorities cannot wait until a disabled Primary Care Trusts: Merseyside person wants to use their services, but they must think in advance (and on an ongoing basis) about what disabled people with a range of impairments might reasonably Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for need, including communication support for deaf people. Health how much was returned to the Government by To help the NHS meet the requirements of the Equality primary care trusts in Merseyside before their act, including the Public Sector Equality Duty, the dissolution. [158575] Equality Delivery System has been introduced to drive up equality performance and embed it into mainstream Dr Poulter: The latest published forecast outturns for NHS business. Further guidance on reasonable adjustments primary care trusts (PCTs) in Merseyside are shown in is. also available in the Equality Act 2010: Public Functions the following table. However the actual financial situation and Associations Statutory Code of Practice. is not yet established. Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Merseyside PCTs 2012-13 quarter 3 surplus (£000) Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure Halton and St Helens PCT 2,689 the services it offers are accessible to British Sign Knowsley PCT 1,650 Language users. [157933] Liverpool PCT 4,941 Sefton PCT 2,624 Norman Lamb: The Department and its arm’s length Wirral PCT 3,088 bodies have a Public Sector Equality Duty under section Source: 149 of the Equality Act 2010. This duty requires a Department of Health, The Quarter 20 12-13, Quarter 3. public authority to have due regard to eliminating An underspend in 2012-13 would not be lost to the discrimination between those with .and without a protected national health service, and would be made available to characteristic and to advancing equality of opportunity NHS England for high quality sustainable health services. between those with and without a protected characteristic. Carrying a surplus provides the NHS with flexibility to This means removing or minimising disadvantages suffered respond to unexpected cost pressures. Plans assume a by people in protected groups, and considering steps to steady use of the underspend over a number of years, meet the needs of protected groups where these are funded from the wider departmental budget. As for different from those of other people. other Government Departments, departmental underspends Public authorities are also under a duty to make are returned to HM Treasury to help in wider fiscal reasonable adjustments for disabled people to make deficit reduction. sure that a disabled person can use a service as close as 179W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 180W reasonably possible to the standard usually offered to Surgery non-disabled people. The duty is anticipatory which means that authorities cannot wait until a disabled Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for person wants to use their services/ but they must think Health (1) what assessment his Department has made in advance (and on an ongoing basis) about what disabled of the clinical benefits of larger paediatric cardiac people with a range of impairments might reasonably surgical units; [158603] need, including communication support for deaf people. (2) whether the latest partial risk adjustment in Further guidance on reasonable adjustments is also surgery data confirms the conclusion of the 2011 Safe available in the Equality Act 2010: Public Functions and Sustainable Review that surgery would be better and Associations Statutory Code of Practice. focused at fewer, larger sites. [158604]

Sleep Apnoea Anna Soubry: Following referrals from three local health overview and scrutiny committees, the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), asked the Independent Health what steps his Department is taking to improve Reconfiguration Panel to undertake a full review of the awareness and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. Safe and Sustainable review of children’s congenital [158426] heart services. The panel was asked to advise the Secretary of State Anna Soubry: Improving outcomes for people with whether it is of the opinion that the proposals for respiratory diseases such as obstructive sleep apnoea change under the Safe and Sustainable review will enable (OSA) is a key priority for this Government. It is the provision of safe, sustainable and accessible services specifically covered in both the Public Health and NHS and if not, why not. Outcomes Frameworks, against which NHS England will need to demonstrate progress. The Secretary of State has now received and is considering the panel’s advice, which covers a raft of It will be for the National Clinical Director for issues, including the use of data in the Safe and Sustainable Respiratory Disease, Professor Mike Morgan, to advise review, and he will make a decision in due course. on whether additional specific initiatives are needed to promote best practice for people with OSA. Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a detailed analysis of Social Services surgical performance, in association with the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence aimed at Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for quantifying other factors that affect surgical success Health what steps his Department has taken to ensure rates such as ethnicity, socioeconomic deprivation, national the spread and adoption of the my home life programme funding, technical difficulty and unit size. [158605] since the publication of the Care and Support White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [158589] Anna Soubry: It is critical that patients and commissioners, understand the quality of services being delivered within national health service hospitals and Norman Lamb: My Home Life is a collaborative other health care settings. To enable this, outcomes data movement to improve the quality of life for everyone from national clinical audits for consultants practising connected with care homes for older people. As set out in a range of surgical specialities will be published in the in the ’Caring for our future’ White Paper, the Government summer. This is a ground-breaking step which will strongly supports the aims of My Home Life, including herald a new level of transparency about health outcomes its work to connect care homes to the local community from NHS services. The NHS has already published and to improve the leadership skills of care home consultant-level outcomes data in cardiac surgery, which managers. To support the work of My Home Life, the resulted in the United Kingdom going from being below Department of Health awarded grant funding to My average in Europe for survival rates to among the best Home Life of £174,686 over the period of 2009-10 to for health outcomes in that speciality. 2012-13. The publication of these data is a key offer from The Government launched online quality profiles for NHS England to give NHS commissioners the insights all registered adult social care providers on the NHS and evidence they need to produce better local health Choices website on 25 April 2013. The online quality outcomes. Publication will also enable further detailed profiles give the public information about the services analysis of the performance of both individual NHS providers offer and helps them choose the care and trusts and consultants to be undertaken by other support which best meets their needs. Care homes taking organisations. This will support the right of patients to part in the My Home Life movement are able to attach choose the most appropriate setting for their care and a “quality mark” to signal this on the performance page contribute to achieving better outcomes for patients of their online quality profile. In this way the Department and local communities. is helping promote the movement and encourage more care homes to take part. Telephone Services The Department has worked with the National Skills Academy to agree that it will support My Home Life to John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health roll out its Leadership Support and Community whether his Department receives any financial or non- Development Programme for care home managers, financial benefit from its telephone providers for telephone providing financial support to take this forward. lines that (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for 181W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 182W which he is responsible operate, including but not limited medicines containing benzodiazepines and two new to (i) a share of call revenue, (ii) a reduction in the marketing authorisations have been granted for ‘Z’ Department’s telephone bill or tariff and (iii) telephony tranquilisers. services for free or at a reduced price. [157739] The information required is shown in the following tables. Dr Poulter: The Department and its agencies do not receive either a share of any revenue its providers make, Benzodiazepines Market or any reduction in their bills or their tariff. Similarly, authorisation Date licensed by Licensed product the Department and its agencies do not receive any free Drug substance holder MHRA name or reduced priced telephony services. Clobazam Martindale 11 February 2013 Taplcob 5mg/ Pharmaceuticals 5ml Oral Tobacco: Packaging Limited Supension Clobazam Martindale 11 February 2013 Taplclob 10mg/ Pharmaceuticals 5ml Oral Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Limited Suspension what his policy is on plain packaging for cigarettes; and Lormetazepam Winthrop 8 March 2013 Lormetazepam what recent discussions and meetings he has held with Pharmaceuticals 0.5mg Tablets interested parties on this issue. [158292] Limited Lormetazepam Winthrop 8 March 2013 Lormetazepam Pharmaceuticals lmg Tablets Anna Soubry: The Government has not yet made a Limited UK decision following the ‘Consultation on standardised Lorazepam Morningside 3 December 2012 Lorazepam lmg packaging of tobacco products’. This is an important Healthcare tablets decision and one that will only be taken after full Limited consideration of the consultation responses, evidence Lorazepam Morningside 3 December 2012 Lorazepam Healthcare 2.5mg tablets and other relevant information. Limited Since December 2012 the Secretary of State for Health, Z Tranquilizers my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Authorisation Surrey (Mr Hunt), met representatives of Cancer Research holder company Date licensed by Licensed product UK (CRUK) on 7 February 2013, during which Drug substance name MHRA name standardised packaging was mentioned. The Secretary Zolpidem Media 17 August 2012 Edular 5mg of State also had a telephone call with the CRUK chief Tartrate Pharmaceuticals Sublingual executive on 17 April 2013 to discuss this issue. I met Limited tablets with a Professor of Health Policy at Curtin University Zolpidem Media 17 August 2012 Edular l0mg Tartrate Pharmaceuticals tablets (Australia) on 17 April when the issue was discussed. Limited Details of earlier ministerial meetings with external stakeholders are published quarterly and can be found on the Department’s website at: Transplant Surgery www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-gifts- hospitality-travel-and-external-meetings-october-december- 2012 Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for This has come up on occasion in discussions with Health when a decision will be made on whether NHS hon. Members during my ministerial surgeries. England will commission the auto-islet transplant procedure; and if he will make a statement. [158481] Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his timetable is for making a decision on Anna Soubry: NHS England currently commissions introducing standardised packaging for cigarettes. islet transplant services from six centres in England. [158852] These centres undertake allotransplantation, which involves taking islet cells from donor pancreases and transplanting Anna Soubry: The Government has not yet made a them into patients. This service has been nationally decision on this policy. This is an important decision commissioned since April 2008. and one that will only be taken after full consideration However, NHS England does not currently commission of the consultation responses, evidence and other relevant an auto transplantation service, where a diseased pancreas information. is removed from a patient, the islet cells are isolated and then re-implanted into the patient. NHS England is Tranquillisers considering a proposal for a pancreatectomy and islet auto transplantation service for chronic pancreatitis. Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health An application has been received from four hospitals with reference to the answer of 19 January 2012, (Churchill Hospital, Kings College Hospital, Freeman Official Report, column 932W, on benzodiazepines, Hospital Newcastle and University Hospitals of Leicester) how many licences for the manufacture or supply of and is currently being processed through the Hepatobiliary (a) benzodiazepine and (b) Z drug tranquillisers have Clinical Reference Group. It is expected that the service been issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products proposal will be considered at NHS England’s Internal Regulatory Agency since that date. [157491] Medicine Programme of Care Board at the end of June. The Care Board’s recommendation will then be Norman Lamb: Since 19 January 2012 six new marketing considered by the Rare Disease Advisory Group and authorisations have been granted by the Medicines and Clinical Priorities Advisory Group, which will advise Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for NHS England. 183W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 184W

Travel Vetting

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health what his Department’s budget for ministerial what steps he is taking to ensure that infrastructure travel for (a) the Government Car Service, (b) private projects for his Department are not delivered by firms hire vehicles, (c) taxis, (d) rail, (e) aviation and (f) involved in the blacklisting of construction workers. other is for (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16. [157889] [157527] Dr Poulter: Blacklisting is an abhorrent practice. That is why, in response to the findings of the investigation Dr Poulter: Budgets are profiled for the subsequent by the Information Commissioner’s Office into The financial year only once departmental budgets have Consulting Association, and subsequent consultation, been confirmed. Expenditure profiled for 2013-14 for the Government legislated in 2010 to prohibit the use of ministerial travel costs is set out in the following table blacklists. The Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) but may be subject to change dependent upon business Regulations 2010 make it unlawful, subject to certain need. exemptions, to compile, use, sell or supply ’prohibited lists’, ie a blacklist. Individuals who believe they are Expenditure profiled for 2013-14 being excluded from employment because of a blacklist (£) should seek redress in county courts in England and Government Car Service (GCS) 139,000 Wales, or Court of Session in Scotland. Other rights Private Hire Vehicles 0 under the regulations can be enforced in employment Taxis1 2— tribunals. Rail 4,700 The creation, supply or use of a blacklist is also likely Aviation 30,000 to amount to a breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 Other 0 as information about the individual’s membership of a 1 There is no set amount allocated for taxi expenditure. Taxi costs are trade union is sensitive personal data. The Information profiled with GCS costs as they are recorded in the Department’s Commissioner has the power, increased in 2010, to Business Management System under the same budget line. impose fines, of up to £500,000 for serious breaches, on 2 Included in GCS costs. data controllers who unlawfully process data. This can include not only the individual or company that created Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the blacklist, but any employer or agency using it for Health how much his Department spent on ministerial employment vetting. travel by (a) Government Car Service, (b) private hire It is also unlawful under the Trade Union and Labour vehicles, (c) taxis, (d) rail, (e) aviation and (f) other Relations Act 1992 to refuse to employ a person because means in each year of the current Parliament. [157548] they are a member or not a member of a trade union, or because they refuse to join or leave a trade union. It is Dr Poulter: Information on departmental spend on equally unlawful for an agency to refuse employment Government Cars is published in the annual written services on those grounds. An individual can bring an ministerial statement, details of which can be found employment tribunal claim within three months of the within the Libraries of both Houses. offence taking place, or longer if the tribunal decides it was not reasonably practicable to bring the claim in 2010-11: time. www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/ To date, we have received no evidence that blacklisting cm120116/wmstext/120116m0001.htm#12011611000194 is ongoing, though Ministers are keen to encourage 2010-12: individuals to come forward with any new evidence. www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/ The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and cm121220/wmstext/121220m0001.htm#12122056000216 Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Details of the costs for 2012-13 will be published in Cable), met the Information Commissioner on 2 April due course. 2013 to discuss how any new evidence would be handled. Information on taxi spend, other than the Government Car Service, could be provided only at disproportionate cost. WORK AND PENSIONS The cost of ministerial rail travel broken down by Asbestos financial year is as follows: Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for £ Work and Pensions if he will assess the merits of introducing a policy of removing all in-situ asbestos- 2010-11 6,162.40 containing materials within an agreed time-period for 2011-12 4,790.45 the purposes of reducing the continuing risk of 2012-13 3,337.13 exposure. [158126] Note: Data for 2010-11 is from May 2010 onwards. Mr Hoban: Where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) Details of all ministerial overseas travel, including are in good condition, and unlikely to be disturbed, costs, are published quarterly in arrears on the data.gov.uk there is no clear evidence that removal of ACMs is safer website. than managing them safely in situ. 185W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 186W

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work owners (or those people responsible for maintenance) and Pensions what steps the Health and Safety of non-domestic buildings have a clear responsibility to Executive plans to take to protect farmers and walkers assess for the presence of ACMs and to put in place a from certain continental breeds of cattle. [157671] plan to manage any resulting risk. This includes: monitoring the condition of the ACMs; arranging for repair or Mr Hoban: HSE published revised guidance on cattle enclosure/encapsulation if required; or, in those cases and public access to farmland in 2012 in consultation where the assessment shows this to be necessary, arranging with DEFRA. The guidance, in the form of Agriculture for their removal. This provides a practical way to Information Sheet 17EW ‘Cattle and public access in identify, prioritise and properly plan what action needs England and Wales’ can be found at: to be taken. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais17ew.pdf The guidance is targeted at farmers and land managers Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for who keep cattle in fields and enclosures to enable them Work and Pensions what action his Department is to do discharge their legal duties to protect workers and taking to draw attention to householders of the risk others (including members of the public) from risks arising from the disturbance of asbestos-containing involving cattle. materials within domestic properties. [158127] Disposable Income Mr Foster: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government. Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Home owners have the primary responsibility for and Pensions how many (a) people and (b) disabled ensuring that their properties are safe and well-maintained. people in work live in households with incomes below In the case of social and privately rented properties, it is 60 per cent of contemporary median net disposable the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that properties household income (i) before and (ii) after housing are safe and well-maintained. costs. [158805] However, under the Housing Act 2004, local authorities have a duty to keep housing conditions in their area Esther McVey: In 2010-11 in the UK there were: under review, and strong powers to take action to tackle (a) i. 5.5 million working-age adults living in households with hazards in residential properties, including asbestos. incomes below 60% of contemporary median net disposable household income, of which 2.2 million were in work, on a before housing costs basis. Billing ii. 7.8 million working-age adults living in households with incomes below 60% of contemporary median net disposable household income, of which 3.3 million were in work, on an after Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work housing costs basis. and Pensions how many bills paid by his Department (b) i. 1.3 million disabled working-age adults living in households to private sector contractors took over three months to with incomes below 60% of contemporary median net disposable settle in the last year for which figures are available. household income, of which 0.2 million were in work, on a before [157713] housing costs. ii. 1.7 million disabled working-age adults in work living in Mr Hoban: Only 0.46% of payments were made after households with incomes below 60% of contemporary median net disposable household income, of which 0.3 million were in 30 days. The number of bills paid by the Department to work, on an after housing costs basis. private sector contractors that took over three months to settle in the last year is not collated centrally, and to Figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000. provide it would incur disproportionate cost. The working-age population is the most appropriate client group for analysing work status, as children and pensioners are generally not in work. Cattle: Accidents Low income figures are published annually in the Households below Average Income publication available Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work here: and Pensions if he will ask the Health and Safety http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=hbai Executive to investigate which cattle breeds are most likely to injure people. [157666] Employment and Support Allowance

Mr Hoban: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for keeps records of all incidents (accidents and complaints) Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the that are reported to it. Certain incidents (accidents) are letter of 29 May 2013 from the Chair of the UK reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases Statistics Authority to the hon. Member for Edinburgh and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (as amended) East on the use of official statistics relating to (RIDDOR). employment and support allowance. [158145] There is no requirement under RIDDOR or other health and safety legislation for breeds of cattle involved Mr Hoban: DWP release a large amount of national in incidents to be reported to HSE. The breed of the and official statistics via its website, which can be accessed cattle will only be recorded by HSE where it is relevant and used by anyone outside the Department, including to the investigation of a specific incident. Members of Parliament. 187W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 188W

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for have used food banks run by the charitable, voluntary Work and Pensions how many employment and support and private sectors in each region and constituent part allowance claimants referred to prime contractors in of the UK in the current and three previous financial the last six months have had (a) zero, (b) one, (c) two, years. [157916] (d) three and (e) four or more interviews. [158543] Mr Hoban: DWP does not collate or hold numbers of Mr Hoban: The information requested is not readily the referrals to food banks. available and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs. Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment: Autism Work and Pensions if he will take steps to record all referrals made by government agencies for people to Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) receive emergency food aid and (b) visit food Work and Pensions what work his Department does banks. [158935] with employer organisations to raise awareness of the benefits of employing people with conditions such as Mr Hoban: Referrals to food banks or food aid can autism. [157884] currently be made by a range of bodies. The Department for Work and Pensions does not monitor this activity. Esther McVey: We are committed to ensuring that disabled people, including people with autism, have the Health and Safety Executive: North East opportunities, chances and support that they need to get a job and remain in employment. Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work In October 2010, DWP responded to a number of and Pensions how many staff were employed by the requests from disabled people and disability organisations Health and Safety Executive in the North East in each to look at ways to improve the DWP customer service year since 2008. [157707] experience and increase work opportunities for individuals with Hidden Impairment conditions, which include: Mr Hoban: The following table shows the minimum Autistic Spectrum Conditions including Asperger’s and maximum number of staff employed by HSE in the syndrome, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, north east for each calendar year. The figures for 2013 Speech and Language and Mental ill Health. A national are from January 2013 to June 2013. steering group entitled The Hidden Impairment National Group (HING) was set up to progress this agenda. Min Max Average The HING, chaired by DWP,has a strong and productive membership including disabled people with hidden 2008 74 78 76 impairment conditions, medical professionals and 2009 76 83 81 academics and disability specific organisations such as 2010 82 86 84 The Adsetts Partnership, Autism Plus, Complex Minds, 2011 79 84 80 Addept, The National Autistic Society, The Dyscovery 2012 74 76 75 Centre, The Dyspraxia Foundation, The Dyslexia 2013 74 75 75 Foundation and Dyslexia Action. Figures provided relate to staff permanently based at Together, the HING has had a significant impact on HSE office in Newcastle upon Tyne. improving the DWP customer service experience for people with hidden impairments; developing a range of resources including an on-line toolkit, for all DWP Homelessness staff. The HING has also recognised the importance of Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for sharing this information with the wider business community Work and Pensions if he will work with homelessness across the country and is engaging with a large number organisations to assess the effectiveness of the toolkit of employers to help them to better recruit and retain for the identification of homelessness by Jobcentre Plus disabled people and in particular individuals with hidden advisors. [158125] impairments. The HING has facilitated employer events to raise awareness of the skills, talents and abilities of Mr Hoban: The Secretary of State meets representatives many people with these conditions. For further information of homeless charities on a regular basis to discuss a the HING has created a website that enables employers whole range of topics and these meetings are not limited to register for free resources that will encourage them to to any particular subject matter. recruit and retain disabled talent. This can be found at: There is no specific toolkit for the identification of www.hing.org.uk homelessness. However, Jobcentre Plus advisers are The Department is also currently updating its strategy equipped with the necessary guidance and training to on engaging with employers on disability employment. identify and provide an appropriate level of tailored This is expected to include deepening the support and support for the homeless, as well as other disadvantaged resources available to employers in a strategic way. groups. As a priority group, the homeless are able to access additional support through Jobcentre Plus advisers Food Banks to enter employment, including early access to the Work Programme. The guidance which supports Jobcentre Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Plus advisers is subject to regular review to ensure its Pensions if he will estimate the number of people effectiveness for helping to tackle homelessness and the experiencing problems with disposable income who barriers it creates to employment. 189W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 190W

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing Mr Hoban: As there are no targets for jobcentres in respect of numbers of complaints, appeals or the number Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work of sanctions applied to claimant’s benefits, these are and Pensions what guidance he has issued to local not reflected in the pay structure of Jobcentre Plus authorities on the award of discretionary housing employees. grants to victims of domestic violence who are rehoused in accommodation which they are deemed to Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of staff under-occupy. [158354] in Jobcentre Plus centres have received training in autism. [158990] Steve Webb: Revised, guidance was issued to local authorities in April this year. Mr Hoban: We do not have figures on training specifically Throughout this guidance we advise local authorities targeted at people on the autistic spectrum as there are to consider awarding a discretionary housing payment no training products that separate this from other health to victims of domestic violence, whether they had to conditions. However, all Jobcentre Plus staff have access flee domestic violence or have moved because of the to a comprehensive learning programme to support threat of violence. them in dealing with customers with varied health While this guidance does not specifically refer to conditions including autism. This learning focuses on victims of domestic violence who are deemed to under- raising awareness of the individual’s personal circumstances occupy, we advise local authorities to consider that it and recognises that health conditions such as autism may not always be possible for a claimant to seek the can affect individuals in different ways. Staff also have most affordable accommodation when they need to access to a suite of guidance and specialist sources of seek a place of safety. help including the Hidden Impairment Toolkit and the ‘Employment Health Conditions Disability Guide note Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for for Advisers’, which provides practical advice and guidance Work and Pensions whether currently deployed armed on how best to support individuals with autistic spectrum forces service personnel are exempted from the disorders into employment. under-occupancy penalty under the Housing Benefit Disability employment advisers receive additional (Amendment) Regulations 2013 if prior to their learning appropriate to this specialist area. Their training deployment they stayed in barracks. [158950] has been designed in conjunction with specialist DWP occupational psychologists to enable them to provide Steve Webb: This Government recognises the unique effective support to people with particular complex and important role played by the UK armed forces and needs and includes case studies relating to autism to the sacrifices they are prepared to make. ensure the key points are communicated effectively in the learning. Adult children who are in the armed forces but who usually reside with parents will be treated as living at home when deployed on operations, for the purposes of Jobseeker’s Allowance the removal of the spare room subsidy. In the event that they stayed in barracks as a part of their pre-deployment Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work training, then they will be treated as if they were occupying and Pensions what proportion of people receiving their parents’ home during this period. contributory jobseeker’s allowance moved on to Adult children who are in the armed forces but who income-based jobseeker’s allowance after reaching the usually live in barracks are not treated as occupying 182-day limit on the contributory element in the latest their parents’ home during periods of deployment. period for which figures are available. [158818] Mr Hoban: The information requested is not readily Jobcentre Plus available, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what annual targets his Jobseeker’s Allowance: Kilmarnock Department has set for Jobcentre Plus (JCP) employees in relation to the number of (a) complaints made and (b) appeals made against their respective JCPs; and Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for whether failure to meet those targets is reflected in the Work and Pensions what proportion of jobseekers in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency have received a pay structure of JCP employees; [158421] sanction in the last 12 months. [157776] (2) what annual targets his Department has set for the number of sanctions made against people claiming Mr Hoban: The information requested has been placed unemployment benefit for prolonged periods of time; in the Library and can be found at: and whether success in meeting those targets is http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2013- reflected in the pay structure of Jobcentre Plus 0898/17601_PQ155681_Sancs_Time_Series_ParlC_final.xls employees; [158423] (3) what annual targets his Department has set for Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the number of people on unemployment benefits who Work and Pensions how many claimants of jobseekers’ are sanctioned and taken off those benefits; and allowance in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency whether success in meeting those targets is reflected in have been sanctioned in the last 12 months for which the pay structure of Jobcentre Plus employees. [158425] figures are available. [157777] 191W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 192W

Mr Hoban: Statistics on how many claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance: West Midlands jobseeker’s allowance in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency have been sanctioned in the last 12 months for which figures are available is given in the following table: Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants of jobseeker’s allowance Number of individuals with an adverse jobseeker’s allowance sanction applied in Kilmarnock and Loudoun Constituency: 1 June 2011 to 31 May 2012 in (a) Birmingham, Hall Green constituency and (b) Total the West Midlands (i) received a sanction and (ii) received a sanction and disputed it in each of the last five years; Number of individuals with a sanction applied 1,040 and how many such claimants had a sanction overturned Notes: as a result of it being reconsidered or appealed in each 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and will only include the latest sanction referral for individuals who have had more than one referral decision or the such year. [157685] same decision in more than one year e.g. if an individual has had more than one sanction referral, only the latest will appear, “—” denotes nil or negligible. 2. The number of sanctions applied is the number of Varied5, Fixed Length6 and Entitlement Decision7 sanction referrals where the decision was found against the claimant. Mr Hoban: Statistics on how many claimants of 3. The year 2012 only includes data up to and including 31 May, which are the Jobseeker’s Allowance in (a) Birmingham, Hall Green latest data available for all geographical areas. constituency and (b) West Midlands have (i) received a 4. Parliamentary constituency: Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory. Boundaries are as sanction and (ii) received a sanction and disputed it in at the reference date. More information and a map can be found at: each of the last five years; and how many such claimants http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/geography/beginner-s-guide/maps/ had a sanction overturned as a result of it being reconsidered index.html 5. Varied Length sanctions: A sanction of between one week and 26 weeks is or appealed in each such year are given in the following imposed for leaving employment voluntarily without just cause, refusing employment tables: without good cause, or losing employment through misconduct. The actual period in each case is at the discretion of the Adjudication Officer who makes the decision. 6. Fixed Length sanctions: A sanction of between one week and 26 weeks is imposed for refusal, without good cause, to attend an employment programme or carry out a Jobseeker’s Direction. Payment of benefit continues in full pending the Adjudication Officer’s decision on a sanction question. 7. Entitlement Decisions: These are questions on which entitlement to jobseeker’s allowance depends. For example, if there is doubt around whether the Jobseeker’s agreement is suitable, whether they are actively looking for work or making themselves available for work. In most cases payment of jobseeker’s allowance will be suspended by benefit processing until the doubt is resolved. Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate: JSA Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database.

Number1 of jobseeker’s allowance claimants with a sanction applied by area and year2:1 January 2008 to 31 May 2012

Year2

Area Action3 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

West Midlands4 Sanction applied 30,050 39,550 50,780 54,600 31,590

Birmingham, Hall Green, Sanction applied 1,040 1,360 1,800 2,040 1,170 Parliamentary Constituency5

Number1 of jobseeker’s allowance sanctioned claimants who asked for a reconsideration or appealed the original decision by area and year2:1 January 2008 to 31 May 2012 Year2 Area Action3 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

West Midlands4 Reconsidered 5,330 6,540 12,270 16,590 9,210 Appealed 850 850 1,450 1,720 660

Birmingham, Hall Green, Reconsidered 120 140 270 470 340 Parliamentary Constituency5 Appealed 60 60 80 90 30

Number1 of jobseeker’s allowance sanctioned claimants where the original decision was overturned on reconsideration or appeal by area and year2:1 January 2008 to 31 May 2012 Year2 Area Action3 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

West Midlands4 Overturned—Reconsideration 2,950 3,840 7,920 9,320 4,560 Overturned—Appeal 120 110 170 390 160

Birmingham, Hall Green, Overturned—Reconsideration 80 90 180 300 200 Parliamentary Constituency5 193W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 194W

Number1 of jobseeker’s allowance sanctioned claimants where the original decision was overturned on reconsideration or appeal by area and year2:1 January 2008 to 31 May 2012 Year2 Area Action3 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Overturned—Appeal * * 10 20 10 “*” Denotes nil or negligible. 1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and will include individuals who have had more than one referral decision or the same decision in more than one year e.g. if an individual has a sanction applied and has also appealed a sanction then they will appear twice. 2 Year of Decision: The year in which the decision on the sanction referral, reconsideration or appeal was made. The year 2012 only includes data up to and including 31 May, which this is the latest data available for all geographical areas. 3 Action: The number of sanctions applied is the number of Varied6, Fixed Length7 and Entitlement Decision8 sanction referrals where the decision was found against the claimant. The decision to apply a sanction can be overturned following reconsideration or appeal by the Sector Decision Maker. 4 Jobcentre Plus Districts: Jobcentre Plus Districts were updated to reflect the changes to the hierarchical structure of Jobcentre Plus implemented on 5 April 2011 from 48 districts to 37 districts. West Midlands consists of Birmingham and Solihull, Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire and Mercia Jobcentre Plus Districts. 5 Parliamentary Constituency: Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory. Boundaries are as at the reference date. More information and a map can be found at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/geography/beginner-s-guide/maps/index.html 6 Varied Length sanctions: A sanction of between one week and 26 weeks is imposed for leaving employment voluntarily without just cause, refusing employment without good cause, or losing employment through misconduct. The actual period in each case is at the discretion of the Adjudication Officer who makes the decision. 7 Fixed Length sanctions: A sanction of between one week and 26 weeks is imposed for refusal, without good cause, to attend an employment programme or carry out a Jobseeker’s Direction. Payment of benefit continues in full pending the Adjudication Officer’s decision on a sanction question. 8 Entitlement Decisions: These are questions on which entitlement to jobseeker’s allowance depends. For example, if there is doubt around whether the jobseeker’s agreement is suitable, whether they are actively looking for work or making themselves available for work. In most cases payment of jobseeker’s allowance will be suspended by benefit processing until the doubt is resolved. Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate: JSA Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database

Members: Correspondence to assess what effect the introduction of PIP will have on the number of disabled people living in relative Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for poverty. Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 1 May 2013 from the right hon. Procurement Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs Susan Herbert. [159170] Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what health and safety standards Mr Hoban: The Secretary of State for Work and his Department specifies when inviting procurement Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford bids; and if he will make a statement. [158941] and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), replied to the right hon. Member on 5 June 2013. Mr Hoban: DWP terms and conditions are included as part of the Invitation to Tender sent to potential Pensions: Northern Ireland suppliers. They require contractors to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and any other Acts, orders, regulations and Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work codes of practice relating to health and safety, which and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect may apply to staff and other persons working on the on pension entitlements and pension contributions of premises in the performance of its obligations under the the working age being lower in Northern Ireland than contract. Contractors are required to notify the Department in Great Britain between 1947 and 1957. [158920] of any health and safety hazards which may arise in connection with the performance of its obligations Steve Webb: This is a matter for Ministers in the under the contract. Contractors need to notify DWP in Northern Ireland Executive. the event of any incident occurring in the performance of its obligations under the contract on the premises Personal Independence Payment where that incident causes any personal injury or damage to property which could give rise to personal injury. Contractors need to provide their health and safety Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work policy statement (as required by the Health and Safety and Pensions what assessment he has made of the at Work Act etc. 1974) to the Department on request. effect of the introduction of personal independence payment on the number of disabled people living in Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for relative poverty. [158816] Work and Pensions what consideration is given to the health and safety records of bidders when awarding Esther McVey: It is very difficult to estimate the departmental contracts; and if he will make a impacts of the introduction of personal independence statement. [158993] payment (PIP) on all disabled people. Analysis of the impact of personal independence payment (PIP) is based Mr Hoban: DWP commercial policy fully complies on a study comprising a sample of 900 volunteers, who with Government policy to ensure bidders’ past were currently or had previously received disability performance is taken into account in certain future living allowance, who were assessed against the new Government procurements. This applies when procuring entitlement criteria. The study did not collect information goods and/or services in respect of ICT, facilities about claimants’ income levels, therefore we are unable management or business processing outsourcing with a 195W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 196W total anticipated contract value of £20 million or greater. Mr Hoban: The number of households who we estimate This ensures bidders with the requisite standards of will be affected by the benefit cap by: technical and professional ability are selected and includes (a) Parliamentary constituency has been placed in consideration of past failure to provide goods and/or the library and can be found here: services or any other failure. http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2013- 0858/UIN156279.pdf Social Security Benefits (b) Local authority area has been placed in the library and can be found here: Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2013- Pensions (1) if he will make an assessment of the 0676/Local_Authority_breakdown_of_those_ average delays in payment of new or revised claims for affected_by_the_benefit_cap_final.doc (a) employment and support allowance, (b) Birmingham City region is a sum of the local authorities jobseeker’s allowance, (c) housing benefit and (d) within, therefore can be found at the link above. income support in each region and constituent part of the UK in the financial years (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, State Retirement Pensions: Carers (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13; [157914] (2) if he will make an assessment of the effect of Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work delays in payment of new or revised claims for (a) and Pensions if he will take steps to introduce a carer’s employment and support allowance, (b) jobseeker’s supplement to the basic state pension. [157695] allowance, (c) housing benefit and (d) income support on weekly average household disposable income in Steve Webb: Entitlement to the state pension is based each region and constituent part of the UK in the on a person’s national insurance contributions record. financial years (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 Carers may receive credits which count towards it. and (iv) 2012-13. [157915] It is a principle of the social security system that two income-replacement benefits, such as carer’s allowance Mr Hoban: The Department for Work and Pensions and state pension, cannot be paid together. This is is unable to make such an assessment. Data needed to known as the overlapping benefits rule. If a carer’s underpin such an assessment is not collated routinely. basic state pension is less than carer’s allowance, it is paid and topped up with carer’s allowance to the basic Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and weekly rate of carer’s allowance. Pensions if he will make an assessment of the impact of benefit sanctions in respect of (a) the reduction of Pensioners with income below a certain level can get benefits and (b) the withdrawal of benefits affecting help from pension credit. Pensioners who are entitled to claimants for (i) employment and support allowance, carer’s allowance can also be entitled to an additional (ii) jobseeker’s allowance, (iii) housing benefit and (iv) amount in pension credit. income support on weekly average household Where carer’s allowance cannot be paid because of disposable income in each region and constituent part the overlapping benefits rule, the person will keep underlying of the UK in the financial years (A) 2009-10, (B) entitlement to the benefit and therefore entitlement to 2010-11, (C) 2011-12 and (D) 2012-13. [157919] the additional amount for carers in pension credit. We have no plans to change these arrangements. Mr Hoban: The Department is committed to an evaluation of the current sanctions regime. However, an Universal Credit estimate of the impact on household income cannot be made for a number of reasons; in particular we do not Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for know what the claimants’ circumstances would have Work and Pensions how many people were in receipt of been if the sanction had not been applied. universal credit on 31 May 2013. [158583]

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Hoban: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to reply I gave the right hon. Member for Birmingham, publish on a regular basis the (a) number and (b) type Hodge Hill (Mr Byrne) on 21 May 2013, Official Report, of households not receiving benefits for which they column 675W,on how many people have claimed universal have been assessed as eligible because of (i) administrative credit in the pathfinder to date. The Department is delays, (ii) errors and (iii) application of sanctions. working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority [158026] to ensure we are able to publish statistics that meet high quality standards at the earliest opportunity. We intend Mr Hoban: The information is not readily available in to publish Official Statistics on pathfinder areas in the format requested and there are currently no plans to autumn 2013. publish such information. We expect around 7,000 claims to be processed in the pathfinder. Social Security Benefits: Birmingham Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the and Pensions if he will estimate the number of households whole life cost of the universal credit project; whether in (a) Birmingham, Hall Green constituency and (b) this estimate has changed since 2010; and if he will Birmingham City region that will be affected by the make a statement about the differences in those benefit cap. [157687] estimates. [158811] 197W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 198W

Mr Hoban: Estimates for the whole life cost can be Mr Hoban: No formal estimate has been made of the found in the publicly available Major Projects Authority number of claimants without bank accounts who will annual report. The whole life cost is primarily driven by receive universal credit. the annual operating costs of universal credit and changes DWP currently issues payments to around 3,000 working to reflect policy, design and rollout decisions. The age claimants through the post office card account in implementation of universal credit remains within the the Kilmarnock and Loudoun area. Many of these £2 billion budget allocated in the 2010 spending review. claimants already have access to a bank account; others will be offered support to access suitable financial products Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for and money advice before migrating to universal credit. Work and Pensions in what circumstances someone Universal Credit: Young People undertaking study or training will be eligible to receive universal credit. [158812] Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which people aged under 18 years Mr Hoban: People undertaking study or training will old will be eligible to claim universal credit. [158810] be eligible for universal credit provided the course is Mr Hoban: The lower age limit for universal credit is compatible with the work-related requirements appropriate normally 18. in their case and it is not: Certain 16 and 17-year-olds are entitled to claim a course of non-advanced education or training undertaken by universal credit in their own right both where they are a young person whose parent would be eligible for the child living with their parents and where they are not: element of UC; those with dependent children—lone parents or couples; a full-time course of advanced education, or sick or disabled young people who have satisfied the work another full-time course for which a student loan or grant has capability assessment or are waiting to be assessed with medical been provided. evidence; In addition there is no restriction on entitlement to those who are caring for a severely disabled person; and UC while undertaking any course of study or training young women who are pregnant between 11 weeks before and where the student: 15 weeks after the expected date of confinement. 16 and 17-year-olds who are without parental support is a member of a couple where the other eligible adult is entitled to universal credit; are also entitled to claim universal credit in their own right but only where they are not living with their has dependent children or foster children (whether as a lone parents. parent or member of a couple where both are students); is disabled, entitled to disability living allowance or personal Work Capability Assessment independence payment and satisfies the work capability assessment; Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work is over the qualifying age for pension credit (in couple cases and Pensions how many people in (a) Corby constituency, where one is over and one under that age); and (b) Northamptonshire, (c) East Midlands and (d) for non-advanced education only, they are up to age 21 and East Anglia have submitted an appeal against a work without parental support. capability assessment carried out by Atos Origin in Eligible claimants who are in advanced education each year since the inception of that assessment. and in receipt of a student loan or grant for the course [158046] they are undertaking will be placed in the no work related requirements group while they are undertaking Mr Hoban: Decisions on entitlement to employment that course, except for during the long vacation. Claimants and support allowance (ESA) rest solely with the aged under 21 without parental support who are Department’s decision makers taking into account the undertaking non-advanced education will also be placed medical assessment reports from Atos and any other in the no work related requirements group. In other relevant information. The Department only holds cases work-related requirements will apply as normal. information on appeals once they have been heard by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). Information on pending appeals is not collected by DWP. Universal Credit: Kilmarnock The following table shows the number of appeals that have been heard against Fit for Work outcomes at initial work capability assessments (WCAs) for new Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for ESA claims that started between October 2008 and Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the February 2012 (the latest data available), by the year number of people in Kilmarnock and Loudoun that the claim started, for claimants in (i) Northamptonshire, constituency who will receive universal credit but do (ii) East Midlands and (iii) East Anglia. Please note that not currently have a bank account. [157775] constituency level data are not available.

Appeals heard against Fit for Work outcomes at initial WCAs for new ESA claims that started between October 2008 and February 2012 for (i) Northamptonshire, (ii) East Midlands and (iii) East Anglia Northamptonshire East Midlands East Anglia Fit for Work Fit for Work Fit for Work outcomes at outcomes at outcomes at Claim start date initial WCAs Appeals heard initial WCAs Appeals heard initial WCAs Appeals heard

October to December 2008 300 130 2,100 810 860 280 January to December 2009 1,990 830 15,210 5,550 6,320 2,170 January to December 2010 2,170 900 16,060 5,610 6,680 2,280 199W Written Answers10 JUNE 2013 Written Answers 200W

Appeals heard against Fit for Work outcomes at initial WCAs for new ESA claims that started between October 2008 and February 2012 for (i) Northamptonshire, (ii) East Midlands and (iii) East Anglia Northamptonshire East Midlands East Anglia Fit for Work Fit for Work Fit for Work outcomes at outcomes at outcomes at Claim start date initial WCAs Appeals heard initial WCAs Appeals heard initial WCAs Appeals heard

January to December 2011 1,980 550 14,700 3,800 5,520 1,380 January to February 2012 360 70 2,270 280 960 80 Total 6,800 2,480 50,340 16,050 20,340 6,180 Notes: 1. Rounding: All volumes are rounded to the nearest 10. Hence totals may not sum exactly. 2. Information on appeals against repeat assessment, incapacity benefit reassessment and work related activity group outcomes are not included. 3. The volume of appeals heard and inferred to be on Fit for Work decision in each cohort are likely to alter over time and change is likely to be most marked in more recent cohorts. This is because of the length of time it takes to submit an appeal and have it heard by HMCTS. Source: Department for Work and Pensions benefit administration datasets.

Work Programme Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for improve job outcomes for homeless people in the Work Work and Pensions whether he plans to strengthen the programme. [158130] minimum service standards for the Work programme. [158129] Mr Hoban: I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave previously to my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham Mr Hoban: Providers set out their minimum service and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch), and the hon. Member standards as part of their bids for Work programme for Rotherham (Sarah Champion), PQs 156145 and contracts. These standards have been published and 155974, on 16 May 2013, Official Report, columns providers must make them clear to all participants 357-58W. when they join the Work programme. The Department for Work and Pensions carries out regular compliance Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work checks to ensure these standards are being met. and Pensions how many people are expected to take up If a participant is concerned that their provider is not post-Work programme support in each of the next meeting their minimum service standards, then they are three years. [158817] able to raise the issue with their provider. If the participant is not satisfied with their provider’s response, they are Mr Hoban: Projections of people expected to take up then able to escalate the complaint to the Independent post-Work programme support would be based on data Case Examiner. the Department plans to release as official statistics. We I have also set up the Work Programme: Building are therefore unable to provide estimates in response to Best Practice group, which is independently chaired by this PQ without compromising the integrity of the Andrew Sells. This will explore best practice for minimum statistical release. service levels, to ensure that they are transparent and measurable. We are exploring how providers are able to strengthen [Continued in column 201W] their minimum service standards. ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 10 June 2013

Col. No. Col. No. HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 1 HOME DEPARTMENT—continued Asylum Seekers: Deportation...... 15 Legal Highs...... 14 Benefit Tourism...... 3 Operation Alice...... 5 Child Sexual Exploitation ...... 14 Policing ...... 9 Crime Levels ...... 12 Scottish Independence ...... 16 Foreign Criminals (Removal)...... 1 Topical Questions ...... 17 Front-line Policing (London) ...... 7 TPIMs ...... 6 Illegal Labour ...... 13 Visas ...... 10 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Monday 10 June 2013

Col. No. Col. No. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 1WS TREASURY ...... 1WS UK Offshore Oil and Gas Recovery...... 1WS Loan to Ireland ...... 1WS PETITIONS

Monday 10 June 2013

Col. No. Col. No. HEALTH...... 1P Access to Eculizumab ...... 1P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 10 June 2013

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 1W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Crown Prosecution Service...... 1W continued Homicide: Prosecutions ...... 1W Housing Benefit ...... 139W Legal Costs ...... 2W Housing: Carbon Emissions...... 139W Police: Corruption...... 3W Land Registry: Fees and Charges...... 139W Private Prosecutions...... 3W Local Authorities: Flags...... 139W Proceeds of Crime...... 4W Local Government: Constituencies ...... 140W Sign Language ...... 4W Local Government Finance: North West ...... 140W Local Government: Newspaper Press...... 141W CABINET OFFICE...... 57W Local Government: Social Enterprises...... 141W Apprentices...... 57W Rented Housing: Fires ...... 141W Behavioural Insights Team...... 57W Sign Language ...... 142W Big Lottery Fund ...... 57W Telephone Services...... 142W Conditions of Employment: Medway ...... 57W Tesco...... 142W Emergencies ...... 58W Employment ...... 58W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 42W Freedom of Information ...... 59W Accountancy...... 42W Immigration...... 59W Aerials...... 43W Public Sector: Procurement...... 59W Broadband: Rural Areas ...... 43W Sign Language ...... 60W Cambridgeshire...... 43W Social Enterprises...... 60W Graffiti...... 43W Telephone Services...... 60W Immunity Certificates ...... 44W Unemployment: Older People ...... 60W Museums and Galleries...... 44W Voluntary Work: Young People...... 61W Offences Against Children: Internet...... 44W Public Libraries: Suffolk ...... 45W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 136W Science Museum Group ...... 45W Arts: Finance ...... 136W Swimming Pools...... 45W Community Assets Programme...... 137W World War I: Anniversaries...... 46W Conditions of Employment...... 137W Empty Property: Council Tax ...... 137W DEFENCE...... 4W Fire Services...... 137W Afghanistan ...... 5W Fire Services: Emergency Calls...... 138W Air Force: Training ...... 6W Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE—continued ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—continued Armed Forces: Parachuting ...... 7W Capita ...... 20W Armed Forces: Pay...... 7W Energy: Business ...... 21W Armed Forces: Public Transport ...... 7W Energy: Finance ...... 21W Armed Forces: Qualifications...... 8W Green Deal Finance Company...... 22W Armed Forces: Sexual Offences...... 4W Green Deal Scheme...... 22W Armed Forces: Suicide ...... 8W Insulation: Mobile Homes ...... 22W Armed Forces: Training ...... 8W Legal Costs ...... 23W Armed Forces: Young People...... 10W Solar Power: British Overseas Territories ...... 23W Capita ...... 11W Telephone Services...... 23W Defence: Industry...... 13W Wind Power: Scottish Islands...... 24W Defence Infrastructure Organisation...... 13W Defence Munitions Longtown ...... 13W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Germany...... 14W AFFAIRS...... 68W Gulf States...... 14W Animal Welfare: Circuses...... 68W Iraq Conflict ...... 14W Beaches: North East ...... 68W Lynx Helicopters...... 15W Bovine Tuberculosis ...... 68W Military Aircraft ...... 15W Bovine Tuberculosis: Northern Ireland ...... 70W Military Aircraft: Wales ...... 15W Cattle: Accidents...... 70W Military Exercises ...... 16W Common Agricultural Policy ...... 70W Pakistan: Military Bases ...... 16W Environment Agency: North East...... 71W Research ...... 16W Fisheries...... 71W Research and Development...... 17W Flood Control: Greater London ...... 72W Royal Fleet Auxiliary ...... 17W Floods: Insurance ...... 73W Syria...... 17W Food: Industry ...... 73W Tornado Aircraft...... 17W Forests ...... 73W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 5W Horses...... 74W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 18W Horses: Death ...... 74W Unmanned Air Vehicles: Training...... 18W Marine Conservation Zones...... 75W Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution...... 76W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 91W Plants: EU Action...... 76W Food: Retail Trade ...... 91W Sign Language ...... 77W Lobbying...... 92W Sites of Special Scientific Interest...... 77W Telephone Services...... 78W EDUCATION...... 122W Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010.. 78W Academic Year...... 122W Academies...... 122W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 78W Academies: North Tyneside ...... 122W Afghanistan ...... 78W Accountancy...... 123W Air Travel...... 80W Business: Education ...... 123W Argentina...... 80W Children in Care: Death...... 124W Bahrain ...... 80W Education ...... 124W Bangladesh...... 81W Education: Birmingham...... 125W Burma...... 82W Education Maintenance Allowance...... 125W Colombia ...... 83W E-mail ...... 126W Falkland Islands...... 83W Free School Meals...... 126W Iraq: Iran ...... 83W Free Schools...... 127W Israel...... 84W Freedom of Information ...... 127W Mexico...... 85W GCSE: Cannock Chase...... 128W Occupied Territories...... 85W Legal Costs ...... 129W Pakistan and Afghanistan...... 86W Pupils: Attendance...... 129W Palestinians ...... 86W Schools ...... 129W Qatar...... 87W Schools: Corby...... 130W Sign Language ...... 87W Schools: Swimming...... 131W Sri Lanka ...... 88W Schools: Transport ...... 132W Syria...... 89W Secondary Education: Admissions...... 132W Travel ...... 90W Secondary Education: Mental Health Services...... 132W Turkey...... 90W Special Educational Needs...... 133W UK Trade and Investment...... 90W Teachers...... 133W Unmanned Aerial Vehicles...... 91W Teachers: Pay ...... 133W Western Sahara ...... 91W Teachers: Pensions ...... 134W Telephone Services...... 135W HEALTH...... 144W UK Trade and Investment...... 135W Accident and Emergency Departments ...... 144W Vetting ...... 136W Accident and Emergency Departments: Written Questions ...... 136W Birmingham...... 143W Accident and Emergency Departments: Romford .. 144W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 56W Alcoholic Drinks: Young People ...... 145W European Parliament Elections...... 56W Ambulance Services ...... 146W Autism ...... 146W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 20W Blood: Contamination ...... 146W Arctic ...... 20W Cancer: Drugs...... 147W Col. No. Col. No. HEALTH—continued HOME DEPARTMENT—continued Continuing Care ...... 147W Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012...... 67W Doctors: Working Hours ...... 148W Telephone Services...... 68W Fertility: North East ...... 149W Fluoride: Drinking Water ...... 149W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 47W General Practitioners ...... 149W Africa...... 47W General Practitioners: Birmingham ...... 152W British Overseas Territories...... 47W General Practitioners: Cancer ...... 153W China ...... 48W General Practitioners: Telephone Services...... 153W Developing Countries: Abortion...... 48W General Practitioners: Working Hours...... 153W Developing Countries: Diarrhoea ...... 49W Health and Wellbeing Boards...... 153W Developing Countries: Economic Growth ...... 49W Health Education: Young People ...... 154W Developing Countries: Land ...... 50W Health Professions: HIV Infection ...... 154W International Assistance...... 50W Health: Research...... 158W Legal Costs ...... 52W Health Services: North West ...... 154W Members: Correspondence ...... 52W Health Services: Prisons...... 155W Overseas Aid...... 52W Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements ...... 155W Overseas Companies: Mining...... 52W Health Services: Retirement ...... 156W Palestinians ...... 53W Heart Diseases: Children...... 159W Sign Language ...... 53W Heart Diseases: Drugs...... 159W South Sudan ...... 54W Hospitals: Trafford...... 160W St Helena ...... 54W Hospitals: Waiting Lists...... 160W Staff ...... 54W Joint Committee on Vaccination and Syria...... 55W Immunisation...... 163W Telephone Services...... 55W Meat Products: Labelling ...... 165W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 55W Medical Treatments Abroad: Radiotherapy ...... 165W Zimbabwe ...... 56W Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency...... 166W JUSTICE...... 92W Meningitis: Vaccination ...... 166W Animal Welfare: Sentencing ...... 92W Mental Illness: Cannabis...... 167W Badgers ...... 92W Midwives: Unemployment ...... 167W Conditions of Employment...... 93W NHS 111 ...... 168W Crime: Victims ...... 93W NHS: Disclosure of Information ...... 171W Data Protection...... 93W NHS: Pensions...... 171W G4S...... 94W NHS: Social Enterprises ...... 172W Judges ...... 94W NHS Walk-in Centres ...... 171W Legal Aid Scheme ...... 94W Nurses...... 172W Prisoners’ Release...... 95W Nutrition: Health Education...... 174W Prisons: Employment...... 95W Obesity: Drugs...... 174W Prisons: Uniforms ...... 96W Organs: Donors ...... 175W Probation ...... 96W Prescription Drugs...... 176W Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012...... 98W Primary Care Trusts: Merseyside ...... 177W Public Transport: Damage ...... 98W Sign Language ...... 178W Repossession Orders: Yorkshire and the Humber .. 99W Sleep Apnoea ...... 179W Surveillance...... 99W Social Services...... 179W Surgery...... 180W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 25W Telephone Services...... 180W Bilderberg Group...... 25W Tobacco: Packaging ...... 181W Legal Costs ...... 25W Tranquillisers ...... 181W Transplant Surgery...... 182W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 41W Travel ...... 183W Accountancy...... 41W Vetting ...... 184W G8: County Fermanagh ...... 41W Heathrow Airport ...... 42W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 62W Invest NI...... 42W Asylum ...... 64W Sign Language ...... 42W Asylum: Finance...... 64W Asylum: Syria ...... 64W PRIME MINISTER ...... 24W Community Resolutions ...... 63W Developing Countries: Malnutrition ...... 24W Dangerous Criminals...... 62W Eric Schmidt ...... 24W DNA: Databases...... 65W Food: Retail Trade ...... 24W Domestic Violence ...... 62W Firearms ...... 65W TRANSPORT ...... 100W Gun Laws ...... 62W Administration...... 100W Human Trafficking ...... 65W Advertising ...... 101W Immigration...... 63W British Transport Police Authority...... 102W Members: Correspondence ...... 66W Buildings...... 102W Net Migration...... 63W Crossrail Line...... 103W Police: Freedom of Information ...... 67W Cycling...... 103W Police: Recruitment...... 67W Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency...... 104W Police: Training...... 67W Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases... 104W Policing ...... 63W Driving: Licensing...... 105W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT—continued TREASURY—continued Driving Offences: Insurance...... 105W Midland Expressway...... 34W Driving Standards Agency ...... 105W Minimum Wage ...... 35W Empty Property ...... 106W PAYE...... 36W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 107W Revenue and Customs...... 36W Highways Agency ...... 108W Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services ...... 36W Information Officers ...... 108W Royal Bank of Scotland ...... 37W Maritime and Coastguard Agency ...... 109W Sign Language ...... 37W Mass Media ...... 109W Tax Allowances: Social Enterprises...... 38W Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 110W Tax Avoidance ...... 38W Mobile Phones ...... 111W Tax Evasion ...... 38W Motorways: Safety ...... 112W Taxation: Bingo ...... 39W Northern Lighthouse Board...... 112W Taxation (International and Other Provisions) Act Passenger Focus ...... 113W 2010 ...... 39W Pay...... 113W Tonnage Tax: Scotland...... 39W Procurement...... 114W Ulster Bank...... 39W Property...... 114W Urenco...... 39W Public Expenditure...... 115W VAT ...... 40W Railway Heritage Committee ...... 116W VAT: Exports ...... 40W Railway Stations ...... 116W VAT: High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 40W Railways: EU Law...... 117W Wealth: Distribution ...... 40W Rescue Services ...... 117W Working Tax Credit ...... 41W Roads: Lighting ...... 117W Shipping: Conditions of Employment...... 118W WALES...... 19W Shipping: Training ...... 118W Capita ...... 19W Sign Language ...... 119W Legal Costs ...... 19W Speed Limits ...... 120W Travel ...... 120W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 184W Vehicle and Operator Services Agency ...... 121W Asbestos...... 184W Vehicle and Operator Services Agency: North Billing ...... 185W East...... 121W Cattle: Accidents...... 185W Vehicle Certification Agency...... 121W Disposable Income...... 186W Vetting ...... 122W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 186W Employment: Autism ...... 187W Food Banks...... 187W TREASURY ...... 25W Health and Safety Executive: North East...... 188W Accountancy...... 25W Homelessness...... 188W Banks: Loans ...... 26W Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing ...... 189W Borrowing: Scotland ...... 26W Jobcentre Plus ...... 189W Business Premises: Valuation ...... 27W Jobseeker’s Allowance...... 190W Capita ...... 27W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Kilmarnock...... 190W Climate Change Levy...... 28W Jobseeker’s Allowance: West Midlands ...... 192W Corporation Tax: Scotland ...... 29W Members: Correspondence ...... 193W Council Tax ...... 30W Pensions: Northern Ireland...... 193W Credit...... 30W Personal Independence Payment...... 193W Credit Unions ...... 31W Procurement...... 194W Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks...... 31W Social Security Benefits...... 195W Excise Duties: Beer ...... 31W Social Security Benefits: Birmingham ...... 195W Excise Duties: Tobacco ...... 32W State Retirement Pensions: Carers...... 196W Financial Services: Taxation ...... 32W Universal Credit...... 196W Housing: Valuation ...... 32W Universal Credit: Kilmarnock...... 197W Inflation...... 33W Universal Credit: Young People ...... 198W Legal Costs ...... 33W Work Capability Assessment...... 198W Loans...... 34W Work Programme...... 199W 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

Monday 10 June 2013

List of Government and Principal Officers of the House

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

Bilderberg Conference [Col. 25] Answer to urgent question—(Mr Kenneth Clarke)

GCHQ [Col. 31] Statement—(Mr Hague)

Better Defence Acquisition [Col. 50] Statement—(Mr Philip Hammond)

Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill [Col. 66] Motion for Second Reading—(Mrs May)—agreed to

Young People (Barnsley Central) [Col. 130] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 1WS]

Petitions [Col. 1P] Observations

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