Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)

Wednesday Volume 531 20 July 2011 No. 191

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Wednesday 20 July 2011

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2011 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through The National Archives website at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/our-services/parliamentary-licence-information.htm Enquiries to The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 917 20 JULY 2011 918 House of Commons Public Confidence in the Media and Police 11.35 am Wednesday 20 July 2011 The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock, notice Over the past two weeks, a torrent of revelations and having been given by Mr Speaker (Standing Order allegations has engulfed some of this country’s most No. 13) important institutions. It has shaken people’s trust in the media and the legality of what they do, in the police PRAYERS and their ability to investigate media malpractice, and yes, in politics and in politicians’ ability to get to grips with these issues. People desperately want us to put a [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] stop to the illegal practices, to ensure the independence and effectiveness of the police, and to establish a more Speaker’s Statement healthy relationship between politicians and media owners. Above all, they want us to act on behalf of the victims: Mr Speaker: I have a short statement to make. people who have suffered dreadfully—including through I was very concerned at the incident in the Culture, murder and terrorism—and who have had to relive that Media and Sport Committee hearing yesterday. It is agony all over again because of phone hacking. The wholly unacceptable for a member of the public to public want us to work together to sort this problem treat, and to be able to treat, a witness in this way. It is out, because until we do so it will not be possible to get all the more regrettable that such an incident should back to the issues they care about even more: getting happen at a time when, particularly over the last few our economy moving, creating jobs, helping with the days, the work of this House and its Committees has cost of living, protecting us from terrorism, and restoring enhanced the reputation of Parliament. fairness to our welfare and immigration systems. I have immediately set in hand an expert investigation So let me set out the action we have taken. We now into what took place, the reasons for the security failure have a well led police investigation which will examine and the lessons to be learned. This investigation will be criminal behaviour by the media and corruption in the entirely independent of the House authorities. police. We have set up a wide-ranging and independent judicial inquiry under Lord Justice Leveson to establish what went wrong, why and what we need to do to ensure it never happens again. I am the first Prime Minister to publish meetings with media editors, proprietors and senior executives to bring complete transparency to the relationship between Government Ministers and the media, stretching right back to the general election. And the House of Commons, by speaking so clearly about its revulsion at the phone hacking allegations, helped to cause the end of the News Corp bid for the rest of BSkyB. Today, I would like to update the House on the action we are taking, first, on the make-up and remit of the public inquiry; secondly, on issues concerning the police service; and thirdly, I will answer—I am afraid at some length—all of the key questions that have been raised about my role and that of my staff. First, on the judicial inquiry and the panel of experts who will assist it, those experts will be: the civil liberties campaigner and director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti; the former chief constable of the West Midlands, Sir Paul Scott-Lee; the former chairman of Ofcom, Lord David Currie; the long-serving former political editor of Channel 4 News, Elinor Goodman; the former political editor of The Daily Telegraph and former special correspondent of the Press Association, George Jones; and the former chairman of the Financial Times, Sir David Bell. These people have been chosen not only for their expertise in the media, broadcasting, regulation and policing, but for their complete independence from the interested parties. I also said last week that the inquiry will proceed in two parts, and I set out a draft terms of reference. We have consulted Lord Justice Leveson, the Opposition, the Chairs of relevant Select Committees, and the devolved Administrations. I also talked to the family of Milly Dowler and the Hacked Off campaign. 919 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 920 Police Police [The Prime Minister] We believe that this crisis calls for us to stand back and take another, broader look at the whole culture of We have made some significant amendments to the policing in this country, including the way it is led. At remit of the inquiry. With allegations that the problem the moment, the police system is too closed. There is of the relationship between the press and the police only one point of entry into the force. There are too few, goes wider than just the Met, we have agreed that other and arguably too similar, candidates for the top jobs. As relevant forces will now be within the scope of the everyone knows, Tom Winsor is looking into police inquiry. We have agreed that the inquiry should consider careers, and I want to see radical proposals for how we not just the relationship between the press, police and can open up our police force and bring in fresh leadership. politicians, but their individual conduct too. We have The Government are introducing elected police and also made clear that the inquiry should look not just at crime commissioners, ensuring that there is an individual the press, but at other media organisations, including holding their local force to account for local people, and broadcasters and social media if there is any evidence we need to see whether we can extend that openness to that they have been involved in criminal activities. I am the operational side too. today placing in the Library of the House the final Why should all police officers have to start at the terms of reference. Lord Justice Leveson and the panel same level? Why should not someone with a different will get to work immediately. He will aim to make a report skill set be able to join the police force in a senior rank? on the first part of the inquiry within 12 months. There Why should not someone who has been a proven success should be no doubt: this public inquiry is as robust as overseas be able to help us to turn around a force here at possible; it is fully independent; and Lord Justice Leveson home? I believe that those are questions we should ask will be able to summon witnesses under oath. to get the greater transparency and stronger corporate Let me now turn to the extraordinary events we have governance we need in Britain’s policing. seen over the past few days at Britain’s largest police Finally, let me turn to the specific questions that I force, the Met. On Sunday, Sir Paul Stephenson resigned have been asked in recent days. First, it has been suggested as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. I want to that my chief of staff was behaving wrongly when he thank him for the work he has carried out in policing did not take up then Assistant Commissioner Yates’s over many, many years in London and elsewhere. On offer to be briefed on police investigations around phone Monday, Assistant Commissioner John Yates also resigned, hacking. I have said repeatedly about the police investigation and again, I want to express my gratitude for the work that they should pursue the evidence wherever it leads he has done, especially in improving our response to and arrest exactly whom they wish, and that is exactly terrorism. what they have done. Given the sudden departure of two such senior officers, the first concern must be to ensure that the effective No. 10 has now published the full e-mail exchange policing of our capital, and confidence in that policing, between my chief of staff and John Yates, and it shows are maintained. I have asked the Home Secretary and that my staff behaved entirely properly. Ed Llewellyn’s the Mayor of London to ensure that the responsibilities reply to the police made clear that it would be not be of the Met will continue seamlessly. The current Deputy appropriate to give me or my staff any privileged briefing. Commissioner, Tim Godwin, who stood in for Paul The reply that he sent was cleared in advance by my Stephenson when he was ill and did a good job, will permanent secretary, Jeremy Heywood. Just imagine, shortly do so again. The vital counter-terrorism job Mr Speaker, if they had done the opposite and asked carried out by John Yates will be taken on by the highly for, or acquiesced to, receiving privileged information, experienced Cressida Dick. even if there was no intention to use it. There would The responsibilities of the Deputy Commissioner, have been quite justified outrage. which, the House will remember, includes general oversight To risk any perception that No. 10 was seeking to of the vital investigations both into hacking and into influence a sensitive police investigation in any way the police—Operations Weeting and Elveden—will not would have been completely wrong. Mr Yates and Sir Paul be done by someone from inside the Met, but instead by both backed that judgment in their evidence yesterday. Bernard Hogan-Howe, who will join temporarily from Indeed, as John Yates said: Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary. “The offer was properly and understandably rejected.” We are also looking to speed up the process for The Cabinet Secretary and the Chair of the Home selecting and appointing the next commissioner, but we Affairs Committee have now both backed that judgment, cannot hope that a change in personnel at the top of the too. Met is enough. The simple fact is that the whole affair raises huge issues about the ethics and practices of our Next, there is the question of whether the ministerial police. Let me state this plainly: the vast majority of our code was broken in relation to the BSkyB merger and police officers are beyond reproach and serve the public meetings with News International executives. The Cabinet with distinction. But police corruption must be rooted Secretary has ruled very clearly that the code was not out. Operation Elveden and Lord Justice Leveson’s broken, not least because I had asked to be entirely inquiry are charged with doing just that, but I believe excluded from the decision. that we can and must do more. Next, I would like to set the record straight on Put simply, there are two problems: first, a perception another question that arose yesterday: whether the that when problems arise it is still “the police investigating Conservative party had also employed Neil Wallis. The the police”; and secondly, a lack of transparency in Conservative party chairman has ensured that all terms of police contacts with the media. We are acting the accounts have been gone through. He has confirmed on both. Those were precisely the two points that my to me that neither Neil Wallis nor his company have right hon. Friend the Home Secretary addressed in her ever been employed or contracted by the Conservative statement to this House on Monday. party, and nor has the Conservative party made payments 921 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 922 Police Police to either of them. It has been drawn to our attention for our society. The most powerful institutions in the that he may have provided Andy Coulson with some land must show the responsibility that we expect from informal advice on a voluntary basis before the election. everybody else. That is why the country wants answers To the best of my knowledge, I did not know anything from those involved in the crisis so that those responsible about this until Sunday night. But, as with revealing can be held to account, and so that we as a country can this information, we will be entirely transparent about move forward to address all the issues that the Prime this issue. Minister mentioned in his statement. Finally, there is the question of whether everyone—the That is why I welcome Lord Leveson’s inquiry, the media, the police and politicians—is taking responsibility announcement of the terms of reference and, indeed, in an appropriate manner. I want to address my own the panel members chosen by the Prime Minister for responsibilities very directly, and that brings me to my that purpose. It is why I welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to employ Andy Coulson. I have said very agreement with us about the abolition of the Press clearly that if it turns out that Andy Coulson knew Complaints Commission and the fact that it needs to be about the hacking at the News of the World, he will not replaced. It is why I welcome the apology from Rupert only have lied to me, but he will have lied to the police, a Murdoch and the withdrawal of the BSkyB bid. It is Select Committee and the Press Complaints Commission, why we respect the decision by Sir Paul Stephenson to and of course perjured himself in a court of law. More stand down so that, going forward, the leadership of to the point, if that comes to pass, he could also expect the Met can focus on the vital work that is necessary. to face severe criminal charges. I have an old-fashioned So we are beginning to see answers given and view about innocent until proven guilty, but if it turns responsibility taken, and that is right, but the Prime out that I have been lied to, that would be the moment Minister knows that he must do the same if the country for a profound apology. In that event, I can tell you that is to move forward. [Interruption.] I have a number of I will not fall short. My responsibilities are for hiring questions for him. He said in his statement—[Interruption.] him and for the work he did in Downing street. On the work he did, I repeat, perhaps not for the last time, that Mr Speaker: Order. I said a few moments ago that the his work at Downing street has not been the subject of remainder of the Prime Minister’s statement should be any serious complaint and, of course, he left months heard in silence. [Interruption.] Order. I say the same to ago. On the decision to hire him, I believe that I have Members who are now heckling: think of what the answered every question about that. It was my decision— public think of our behaviour and stop it without delay. [Interruption.] Hold on. It was my decision; I take responsibility—[Interruption.] Edward Miliband: Let me start with BSkyB. The Mr Speaker: Order. I apologise for interrupting the Prime Minister said in his statement something that he Prime Minister. The House must come to order and has said on a number of occasions, which is that he was hear, in silence, the remainder of the statement. excluded from the “formal” decision-making process. With respect, that does not quite answer the questions The Prime Minister: People will, of course, make that he has been asked. Last Friday, he revealed that judgments about it. Of course, I regret, and I am sorry since taking office he had met representatives of News about, the furore it has caused. With 20:20 hindsight International or News Corp, including Rebekah Brooks and all that has followed, I would not have offered him and James Murdoch, on 26 separate occasions, so the the job, and I expect that he would not have taken it. first question that I have for him is whether he can But you do not make decisions in hindsight; you make assure the House that the BSkyB bid was not raised in them in the present. You live and you learn and, believe any of those meetings or in phone calls with those you me, I have learned. organisations, and whether he can also say whether at any time he discussed the bid with the Culture Secretary I look forward to answering any and all questions or, indeed, with any of the Culture Secretary’s officials. about these issues. Following the statement, I will open the debate, but the greatest responsibility I have is to Let me turn to Andy Coulson. Ten days ago, the clear up this mess, so let me finish by saying this. There Prime Minister said of his decision to employ Andy are accusations of criminal behaviour by parts of the Coulson: press and potentially by the police where the most rapid “I wasn’t given any specific information that would lead me to and decisive action is required. There are the issues of change my mind.” excessive closeness to media groups and media owners The country has a right to expect that the Prime Minister where both Labour and Conservative have to make a would have made very effort to uncover the information fresh start. There is the history of missed warnings—Select about Mr Coulson to protect himself and his office, yet Committee reports; Information Commissioner reports. the pattern of events suggests the opposite—that the They were missed by the last Government but, yes, Prime Minister and those around him made every effort missed by the official Opposition, too. What the public not to hear the facts about Mr Coulson. In the past expect is not petty political point scoring. What they week, we have become aware of five opportunities for want and deserve is concerted action to rise to the level the Prime Minister or his staff to act on specific information of events and a pledge to work together to sort this that would surely have led him to change his mind issue out once and for all. It is in that spirit that I about Mr Coulson—all were declined. His chief of commend this statement to the House. staff, Ed Llewellyn, was told in February 2010 that Mr Coulson had hired a convicted criminal to work at Edward Miliband (Doncaster North) (Lab): May I the News of the World who was accused of making begin by thanking the Prime Minister for his statement? payments to police on behalf of the newspaper. Even Recalling Parliament was the right thing to do, because Rebekah Brooks said yesterday that this decision was rebuilding trust in the press, police and politics is essential “extraordinary”, yet the Prime Minister’s chief of staff 923 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 924 Police Police [Edward Miliband] own deputy, John Yates, had been told by the Prime Minister’s chief of staff that the Prime Minister should apparently did nothing with the information. In May be told nothing. 2010, the Deputy Prime Minister warned the Prime This catastrophic error of judgment—hiring Andy Minister about bringing Mr Coulson into Downing Coulson and hanging on to him for too long—directly street. He did nothing. contributed to the position that Sir Paul found himself On 1 September 2010 The New York Times published in and his decision to resign. My third question is: does an investigation quoting multiple sources saying that the Prime Minister accept that his conflict of interest Mr Coulson knew about hacking that was rife at the put the Metropolitan Police Commissioner in an impossible News of the World. We now know from John Yates that position? that article was enough to lead the police to reopen So the three questions are about BSkyB, the warnings their inquiries and it led to Operation Weeting. We also about Mr Coulson that were consistently ignored, and know now that it triggered the termination of the the Met Commissioner. These and many other questions Metropolitan police’s contract with Neil Wallis, will have to be answered by the Prime Minister over the Mr Coulson’s former deputy at the News of the World, coming months, but there is one other question that and it led to the offer by Mr Yates to Ed Llewellyn for matters now. He says that in hindsight he made a the Prime Minister to be briefed. mistake by hiring Mr Coulson. He says that if Mr Coulson The Cabinet Secretary has said it is right that the lied to him, he would apologise. That is not good offer was not taken up, but the question is, why? Because enough. It is not about hindsight or whether Mr Coulson the Prime Minister was compromised by his relationship lied to him; it is about all the information and warnings with Mr Coulson and therefore could not be told anything that he ignored. He was warned, but he preferred to at all about an investigation concerning a member of ignore the warnings. So that the country can have the his own staff. He was hamstrung by a conflict of interest. leadership we need, why does he not do more than give But the Prime Minister should not have had to rely on a half apology and provide a full apology now for hiring briefings from his chief of staff. Here was a major Mr Coulson and bringing him into the heart of Downing investigation, published by a leading global newspaper street? about the Prime Minister’s director of communications. The Met fired Mr Wallis, even though he was not The Prime Minister: I say to the right hon. Gentleman: mentioned in the article, because of the associations he stop hunting for feeble conspiracy theories and start had with Mr Coulson and the publication of the article. rising to events. Most of his remarks were just a tissue What did the Prime Minister do? He did nothing. of totally—[Interruption.] I shall try to answer every point. First, I thank him for what he said about recalling Given The New York Times’ evidence, the public will Parliament. That was the right thing to do. I also thank rightly have expected very loud alarm bells to ring in the him for what he said about Lord Leveson, whom I think Prime Minister’s mind, yet apparently he did nothing. will do a good job, and about the panel. We sent the Then in October the Prime Minister’s chief of staff was names to his office this morning. approached again by The Guardian about the serious evidence that it had about Mr Coulson’s behaviour. I feel, however, that the right hon. Gentleman wrote Once more, nothing was done. This cannot be put down most of his questions before he heard my statement to gross incompetence. It was a deliberate attempt to today. He asked about BSkyB. The Cabinet Secretary hide from the facts about Mr Coulson. [Interruption.] has said that there was no breach of the ministerial code. We heard the evidence of Rebekah Wade yesterday, saying that there was not one single inappropriate Mr Speaker: Order. Members shouting out should conversation. When it comes to setting out meetings not be doing so. They must calm themselves and keep with News Corporation, I should point out that I have on an even keel. It is better for their health and for the set out every single meeting since the last election. The House. right hon. Gentleman published a list this morning, but it did not go back to the last election. Indeed, when are Edward Miliband: The Prime Minister was caught in we going to see the transparency from Tony Blair and a tragic conflict of loyalty between the standards and Gordon Brown? integrity that people should expect of him and his staff, Secondly, on the right hon. Gentleman’s questions and his personal allegiance to Mr Coulson. He made about Andy Coulson—[Interruption.] the wrong choice. He chose to stick with Mr Coulson. My second question is: can the Prime Minister now Mr Speaker: Order. The House is getting over-excited explain why he failed to act on clear information, and again. I am glad that it has calmed down and will want why those around him built a wall of silence between to listen to the Prime Minister. the facts and the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister’s conflict of interests had real effects. The Metropolitan The Prime Minister: Secondly, the right hon. Gentleman Police Commissioner resigned on Sunday. The Prime asked about Andy Coulson. I remind him that no one Minister did not talk about the reasons for his resignation, has raised a single question about his conduct at No. 10 but the House must talk about it. Sir Paul Stephenson Downing street. There is today only one party leader was trapped. He was trapped between a Home with a News International executive sitting in his office Secretary angry at not being told about the hiring of with a cloud over his head. Mr Coulson’s deputy, Neil Wallis, and Sir Paul’s belief, Thirdly, the right hon. Gentleman raised questions in his own words, that doing so would have compromised about my chief of staff, Edward Llewellyn. On the the Prime Minister—compromised him because of proposed meeting with John Yates, is the Leader of the Mr Coulson. Why did Sir Paul think that? Because his Opposition really suggesting that he knows better than 925 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 926 Police Police the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, and “Wallis” were not mentioned. She, like me, was the Cabinet Secretary, John Yates, Paul Stephenson and unaware of his appointment, but we were not in a others, including Jeremy Heywood, who, by the way, situation where Neil Wallis’s best buddy was working worked diligently for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown? Is for us. The Prime Minister was. Did he know that Neil he saying that all those people are wrong and he is Wallis was giving advice to the Metropolitan police? right? I think that that shows a staggering lack of judgment. The Prime Minister: No, I did not know that, and as I I want to answer the question about Sir Paul’s resignation. have said in relation to the work he did for Andy I know that it is inconvenient for the right hon. Gentleman, Coulson, I was unaware of that. I think this is an but Sir Paul Stephenson set out the reasons for his important point, because one of the issues is, frankly, resignation yesterday in detailed evidence and explained the transparency and information that there was about how his situation was so different from that in No. 10 Neil Wallis and the Metropolitan police. The one thing Downing street. Most of the questions that the right everyone has to say about No. 10 Downing street is that hon. Gentleman asked I have already answered: the role there was no hiding the fact that we had employed of the Chief of Staff—answered. The parallels with the Andy Coulson. Metropolitan police—answered. The role of Mr Wallis— answered. On the closeness to media groups, we should Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) be clear about what we heard yesterday. Rupert Murdoch (LD): I join the Prime Minister in paying tribute to said that the politician he was closest to was Gordon Sir Paul Stephenson and thank him for the announcements Brown as Chancellor—and who was adviser to Gordon he has made, but will he now explicitly say that he Brown when he was Chancellor? [Interruption.] accepts that all Governments from this one back, for over 20 years, have been far too close to the media Mr Speaker: Order. Back Benchers are getting over- giants in this country; that that has to end, which means excited but will want to hear the answers given by their no more back-door visits to No. 10; that we should be Prime Minister. able to have sight of not just party political papers but, if necessary, Cabinet papers; and that the recommendations of the Information Commissioner and others should be The Prime Minister: Who was adviser to Gordon implemented, to increase criminal penalties for illegality Brown when he was Chancellor? It was the right hon. immediately? Gentleman. On the action that we have taken, we should remember The Prime Minister: First, I accept the point that the that during the previous Parliament, the Information right hon. Gentleman makes about transparency, and Commissioner’s reports were ignored. Select Committee what I have set out is not just meetings that were, if you reports—[HON.MEMBERS: “Ignored!”] The failure of like, business meetings—official meetings with media the police investigation—[HON.MEMBERS: “Ignored!”] executives and proprietors—but private meetings as well. We now know exactly which party was the slumber In relation to the meeting I held with Rupert Murdoch, party—the Labour party. Everyone can see exactly what the question is not whether he came in through the back the right hon. Gentleman is doing. He is trying to play door or front door but whether it was declared in the this for narrow party advantage, but the problem has proper way, and yes, it was. In the old days, the only way been taking place over many years and is for both our we found out whether someone had met Rupert Murdoch main parties. The public expect us to stop playing with was by waiting for Alastair Campbell’s diaries. In our it, rise to the occasion and deal with it for the good of case we have been very transparent about it. The the country. information goes all the way back to the election and includes both private and official meetings, whether Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con): they were at Chequers or No. 10 Downing street. I think Under the previous Labour Government, when my we need to go further in that regard, and I think that hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Damian Green) should be the new standard. I say to the Leader of the was arrested by the Metropolitan police, the Prime Opposition, who has published the information back to Minister and Home Secretary of the day were not when he became leader of the Labour party: why cannot notified of the details of that investigation. At the time we see it right back to the general election? Labour Front Benchers insisted it was a matter of ministerial propriety that they were not told. Is it not Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): When the Prime therefore the case that not only has Mr Llewellyn not Minister read of the extensive investigation in The New done wrong, but he has done exactly what a public York Times on 1 September last year, what was his servant should do, and to say otherwise is hypocrisy? reaction, and what did he do?

The Prime Minister: My right hon. Friend makes a The Prime Minister: The question I ask myself all the very good point. I think when we read the exchange of way through is, “Is there new information that Andy e-mails and see what Edward Llewellyn said, we see that Coulson knew about hacking at the News of the World?” it was cleared in advance by Jeremy Heywood and it I could not be clearer about this: if it turns out that he was absolutely right. We do not live in a country, thank knew about that hacking, he will have lied to a Select God, where the Prime Minister starts ordering who Committee, he will have lied to the police, he will have should be arrested and who should not be. lied to a court of law and he will have lied to me. I made the decision to employ him in good faith, because of the Alan Johnson (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) assurances he gave me. There was no information in (Lab): The Home Secretary made a statement on Monday that article that would lead me to change my mind of more than 1,000 words, but the two words “Neil” about those assurances, but if it turns out—[Interruption.] 927 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 928 Police Police [The Prime Minister] The Prime Minister: The point that I have just made is that this inquiry is specifically looking at the relationship As I said, I could not be clearer. If it turns out that he between politicians and the media, and—at the request knew about the hacking, that will be a matter of huge of Hacked Off and the Dowler family—at the conduct regret and a matter for great apology, and it will be not of both. That inquiry can go back as far as it wants to only a disgrace that he worked in government but, go back, to examine the relationship between politicians vitally, something that would be subject to criminal and the media. Frankly, I think that we all need to be prosecutions. clear—particularly the two main parties—that the level of contact has been very great, and that we did spend Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con): Does my too much time trying to get on with media companies right hon. Friend agree that what people really care to get our message across. As a result, the last Government about are the appalling revelations of what has been and the last Opposition too often put on the back going on in the newsroom of the News of the World and burner the issue of how to regulate the media. That is in parts of the Metropolitan police, and that the public the mistake that we made. We have both—all—got to be anger about that is expressly felt by thousands of hard- honest about it. And by the way, this is not just about working and honest journalists, and by thousands of the relationship with News International; it is also dedicated and courageous police officers? Does he agree about the work we do trying to win over the BBC or The that, for that reason, it is essential that the police Independent or The Guardian. Let us be frank about investigation should be completed as quickly as possible, this, and let us be transparent about the meetings that that the Independent Police Complaints Commission we have. Then we can learn the lessons and use this as a investigation should be completed and that the judicial cathartic moment to sort out the relationship and put it inquiry should get under way and be completed as on a better footing. quickly as possible? Can he give us an absolute assurance that those investigations will now be given the priority Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): I am not sure whether that they should have been given a long time ago? the Prime Minister was awake at 5 o’clock this morning—

The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is entirely right. The Prime Minister indicated assent. We have to keep the victims of the hacking scandal at the absolute heart of this. Those are the people who Keith Vaz: I am glad to hear it. The Home Affairs have suffered appallingly already and were made to Select Committee published a unanimous report that suffer all over again. The key thing here is the extent pointed to the fact that we believe that there were and scale of the judicial inquiry. An inquiry such as this, serious misjudgments in the police investigation and into the media, into malpractice, into the police and, that News International had deliberately thwarted the yes, into politicians too, has not been held for many, police investigation. The Prime Minister will not have many years. It has been talked about and debated, but it had a chance to read the evidence of Lord Macdonald is now going to get under way and I want it to get on of River Glaven, who said that he took five minutes to with its work as rapidly as possible. look at a file to realise that there was criminality. That file was with Harbottle & Lewis for four years. Will the Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): I must Prime Minister send out a message from the Dispatch challenge the Prime Minister on the accuracy of one of Box that anyone who has information about this matter his assertions. He said that nobody raised Andy Coulson’s should hand it over immediately to Sue Akers and conduct with him while he worked for the Prime Minister. explain why it has been withheld? I did, in a letter on 4 October last year, after new allegations that he had listened to tapes of intercepted The Prime Minister: I will certainly send out that voicemail messages came through. I said in the letter message from the Dispatch Box, at the same time as that this cast doubt on the accuracy of Mr Coulson’s thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the work that his statement. I am still waiting for a reply. Committee has done. I have not been able to study all the evidence given yesterday, but I did look at the key The Prime Minister: Let me pay tribute to the hon. conclusions of his report this morning. The work that Gentleman, to what he has done and his role in this. his Committee is doing in drilling down into the conduct The point I am making is simply this: the time that of News International—and, indeed, of the police—is Andy Coulson spent at No. 10 Downing Street and the extremely valuable. But now we have to let the police work that he did for the Government, no one has made investigation—now properly resourced—get under way, a complaint against. That seems to me to be important, to get to the truth and to ensure that there are prosecutions because I have said that I gave him a second chance as appropriate, and then let the inquiry get under way to after he had resigned from the News of the World do its work as well. The right hon. Gentleman has because of what happened under his watch. No one has played a very good role in helping to make that happen. raised with me any of his conduct at No. 10 while he carried out that job. Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): Does the Prime Minister share my concern that, at a Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): The Prime Minister time when this House is involved in a very important has said that contacts with the media since the general discussion about this awful issue of phone hacking, and election will be published. I do not think that that is when most people in the country are most concerned good enough. We need to know the contacts that the about what is going on in the eurozone area and the Government have had with the media for the past impact that might have on their jobs and their employment 10 years. We also need an investigation into the Home in this country, the Leader of the Opposition is so Office and into what Home Office Ministers were doing. narrowly focused on scoring party political points? 929 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 930 Police Police The Prime Minister: The point I would make to all The Prime Minister: The point I would make is that hon. Members is that the public want us to sort this out, that information, if it is germane to the police inquiry, and one of the reasons they want us to sort it out and to needs to be given to the police and indeed to the do it on a cross-party basis is that they want us to get on Leveson inquiry. What we need to happen now is for the to the other issues that they care so deeply about. police—and then after the police, this inquiry—to go Everyone has got to recognise the threat and the problems absolutely in pursuit of the truth, and if people have that we face as there are difficulties in the eurozone— been paying police officers, those police officers need to difficulties that will affect us right here in the UK. But I be prosecuted and the people who did the paying need fully understand and recognise that we have got to deal to be prosecuted. It is as simple as that. with this before we can get on to those issues. Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere) (Con): After hearing Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): In the Prime Minister’s the evidence that was given to the Home Affairs Committee, conversations with the Murdochs, with Mrs Brooks and may I warmly welcome what my right hon. Friend has other News Corp people, was there ever any mention of said today about the attention that will be given to the the BSkyB bid? victims of phone hacking, which includes a wide variety of people, including many members of the public who The Prime Minister: As Rebekah Brooks said yesterday have suffered tragedies in their lives? Is my right hon. in Parliament, there was never a conversation that could Friend aware that, in the evidence to the Home Affairs have been held, in front of the Select Committee. Committee, it emerges that it will take a considerable [Interruption.] The right hon. Gentleman asks me to time at the present rate of progress for all those victims answer the question—perhaps he will now be transparent, to be properly informed? Will he do whatever he can to as he was Culture Secretary, about all of the contacts he ensure that they are informed as quickly as possible, has had with News International over many years. I and that their cases are now properly investigated? have set out the clearest possible position; it is for others now to do the same thing. The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a good point and I do understand, when there are many thousands Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): In the light of people whose phones were hacked, and given the of Mrs Brooks’ revelations about quite how cosy and current rate of progress in contacting them and looking close the relationship was between News International into this, that it could take too long a time to get this and Tony Blair, and Murdoch’s secret back-door meetings done. I know there will be conversations with the police at No. 10 under both the last and present Governments, and the Metropolitan Police Authority to make sure does the Prime Minister agree that this explains why that adequate resources are put into this investigation, successive Governments have been so reluctant to act in which is already a far bigger investigation than the first, response to the 2003 Culture, Media and Sport Committee failed investigation, to make sure that they get to the recommendations, the 2006 Information Commissioner bottom of this. report, and calls last year from Lib Dem MPs for a judicial inquiry into phone hacking? [Interruption.] Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): I welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to widen the terms of The Prime Minister: People should not shout the reference for the Leveson inquiry to include not just the hon. Lady down, because she is making a very fair press but broadcasters and social media as well. Can I point, and frankly, it is a point that does not reflect very be reassured that it will also include other illegal and well on either Conservative or Labour, which is that unethical activities such as so-called blagging and hacking there were a lot of warnings about what was going into e-mail accounts; that it will extend to all parts of wrong—warnings from the Information Commissioner, the United Kingdom; and that, in the interests of the warnings from the Select Committee—but we did not victims of crime and terrorism in particular, both main put high enough up the agenda the issue of regulating parties will be absolutely open about the extent of their the media. We should not be pointing fingers about relationship with the Murdoch empire? this; we should be recognising that we need to work on this to get it right, to respond to those reports and The Prime Minister: On the last point about the actually put some of their proposals into the law. relationship with News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch and his family, I have been totally transparent and will go on being transparent. On the issue of what the terms Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): My right hon. Friend of reference mention, of course the inquiry can look at the Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), who chairs blagging and all the information crimes that have been the Home Affairs Committee, referred earlier to the file documented. One issue regarding the terms of reference compiled in 2007 that was sent off to the legal firm, is whether mentioning some forms but not others would Harbottle & Lewis. In that, according to Lord Macdonald, give additional priority. However, no one should be in the former Director of Public Prosecutions, there is any doubt about this—Lord Justice Leveson can go absolutely blindingly obvious evidence that police officers where the evidence leads. were paid for information by the newspaper. News International is still refusing to allow that to be fully considered and is insisting on client confidentiality, so Louise Mensch (Corby) (Con): Does my right hon. Harbottle & Lewis, which is an important British firm, Friend agree that after the extraordinary events of the is unable to put its side of the argument. Is this not clear past few days, the last thing the general public want to evidence that News International, contrary to the pretend see is cheap partisanship—[Interruption.] humility yesterday, is still refusing to co-operate fully with the investigation? Mr Speaker: Order. I want to hear the hon. Lady. 931 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 932 Police Police Louise Mensch: And that a focus on Andy Coulson The Prime Minister: It is very simple: tell the truth to comes ill from the party of Tom Baldwin and Damian the police and to the inquiry. McBride? Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a good Does the Prime Minister agree that having failed the point. May I commend her for her questioning and victims in 2006, when the Met and the Government what she did yesterday on the Select Committee? I think ignored the ICO’s warnings, and having failed the victims she showed commendable pluck, if I can put it that way, in 2009, when the Met’s eight-hour review dismissed as well as asking some extremely pertinent questions. evidence in its own possession, we should not fail them now by simply apportioning blame? What we need is real reform of our police, our media and our politics. Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): In the course of the past few minutes the Prime Minister has been asked a simple question twice and refused to answer it: as The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is absolutely Prime Minister, did he ever discuss the question of the right. The fact is that we can go back over these reports BSkyB bid with News International at all the meetings and over the missed warnings, and the inquiry will be they attended? able to do that too, and we should use that information and use this once-in-a-generation chance to try to get media regulation right. The Prime Minister: I never had one inappropriate conversation, and let me be clear: I completely took Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): The motion myself out of any decision making about this bid. I had we will debate today is about public confidence. Does no role in it and I had no role in when the announcements the Prime Minister really feel that his conduct first as were going to be made. That is the point. When the hon. Leader of the Opposition then as Prime Minister should Gentleman makes signals like that, I have to say— inspire confidence, bearing in mind the phone hacking allegations and the way in which he employed the Mr Speaker: Order. The House again needs to calm former editor of the News of the World? Does he not down. The question was properly heard and the Prime realise that to many people the way in which he has Minister’s answer must be properly heard. acted in the past few years has been pretty sordid?

The Prime Minister: I have answered the question The Prime Minister: My answer to the hon. Gentleman and the point I would make is that unlike the party that is yes. Which Government set up a judicial inquiry? the hon. Gentleman has been supporting for the last This one. Which Government made sure that there is a God knows how many years, this party has set out all its fully resourced and staffed police investigation? This contacts, all its meetings and everything it did—in stark one. Which Government are being totally transparent contrast to the Labour party. about their conduct and contacts with the media and asking others to do the same? That is what this Government have done. For 13 years, his Government had all those Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): Judging opportunities and failed to take them. the mood of the Chamber, this might be an unpopular thing to say, but outside the Westminster bubble I get the impression that the nation has had its fill of this Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): Does the Prime Minister subject and is getting fed up. It wants answers about the agree that in the past when the House of Commons has police corruption, it wants answers about the hacking been faced with big issues it has had a tendency towards and it wants answers about relationships with the press, kneejerk over-reactions? Does he agree that newspapers but there is an inquiry under way and that is where the are a force for good in this country and that what we answers will actually come. It is time that this Westminster want at the end of this process is criminality weeded out bubble frenzy was placed on hold. There are other of the media but for nothing to impinge on a free press, pressing matters that this nation expects us to focus on. free speech and holding people in authority to account? The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is entirely right. The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a good We need to ensure that as a House of Commons, as a point: we have set up the fullest possible inquiry—an Government and as an Opposition we show an element inquiry that was never held under the 13 years of the of restraint in the debate we have about the regulation previous Government—and we have to let that inquiry of the media. There is always a danger that the pendulum find the answers to all these questions. It looks at the can swing too far the other way and we can start to police, at media, at BSkyB and at the conduct of threaten investigative journalism and a strong and politicians—it is able to ask all those questions and we independent media that can call Government to account. should allow it to get on with the job. When we consider some of the scandals that have been uncovered in recent years, we can see that it has often Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab): Yesterday, been the press who have done it and not the regulators. I Prime Minister, News International’s defence seemed to am sure we will come on to this in our debate later, but have shifted from one rogue reporter to one—possibly it is absolutely vital we maintain that British tradition. more—rogue lawyers, and it still has not fully revealed who knew what and when and who participated in the Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): Rebekah Brooks cover-up. Rupert Murdoch said yesterday to the Select yesterday described the Prime Minister as a friend and a Committee that that situation was unsatisfactory. Prime neighbour. We heard from Jeremy Clarkson about Minister, what would you urge News International to Christmas walks and conversations over sausages. Given— do now to resolve that situation? [Interruption.] 933 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 934 Police Police Mr Speaker: Order. This is the mother of Parliaments, lessons if you are to go on and get things right for the where we have free speech. This question will be heard future. What I would say in my defence is that in the and that is the end of it. time he spent in Downing street, he did not behave in a way that anyone felt was inappropriate, and that is Mr Lammy: Given the Butler review in the last important, because the decision was to employ him. Parliament, does the Prime Minister believe that such The decision was then his to leave. During that period, informality on his part was consistent with what is people cannot point to misconduct and say, “That, expected? therefore, was a misjudgment.”

The Prime Minister: One thing that came out of the Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands) (Con): Many evidence yesterday was that whereas Rebekah Brooks constituents have contacted me regarding this important was invited six times a year to No. 10 Downing street issue, and they will join me in welcoming the statement under both the former Prime Ministers she has not been today, but many others have been in touch concerning invited to No. 10 Downing street by me. I have set out other important issues, such as the crisis in the eurozone all the contacts and meetings I have had, in complete and the situation in the horn of Africa. Can the Prime contrast to the Labour party. I can say to the right hon. Minister reassure my constituents that the Government Gentleman that I have never held a slumber party or are dealing with all issues, and not simply focusing on seen her in her pyjamas. phone hacking?

Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): The The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is right: people confidence of my constituents—[Interruption.] do want us to get on with the other issues, particularly at a time when we need the economy to grow, we need to Mr Speaker: Order. I want to hear, and the House provide more jobs, and we have got to get to grips with wants to hear, Mr Brian Binley. problems with the cost of living. They want to see reforms in welfare and immigration. Yes, they want us Mr Binley: I will start again, Mr Speaker. The confidence to deal with this issue, but they want us to keep perspective of my constituents in Northampton in the political and a balance, and get on with many of the issues that process has been progressively undermined and can be this country needs to deal with. traced to the dismal example of politicians in the mid-1990s laying all before the altar of media barons. How can we Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): change that culture, address the abysmal failure of The Prime Minister is absolutely right to say that we political oversight and leadership and ensure that never need an all-party response to get to the bottom of the again will we allow propriety to be sacrificed while issues. Will he therefore ensure that all the minority those responsible are asleep on watch? parties—all the parties in the House—are consulted about the ongoing inquiries, not just the Labour The Prime Minister: The short answer to the hon. Opposition? Will he take very seriously the responses Gentleman is that I think transparency is probably the from the devolved Administrations about the current best answer. I will come on to that in my speech, when I inquiry? open the debate, but I think the best way of making sure that relationships are appropriate, and that we do not duck issues of media regulation, is for everyone to see The Prime Minister: We did consult the devolved how often we meet. Administrations about the terms of reference and about the inquiry. A number of points were made; it was not Mr Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Woolwich) (Lab): possible to include all of them, because sometimes they The Prime Minister has repeatedly emphasised that he clashed with points made by other consultees, including has no evidence of any complaint or questions about the official Opposition. We tried to get the balance the conduct of Andy Coulson while he was heading the right, but I think anyone looking at the terms of reference Government media service. Will the Prime Minister will see that they cover all the ground and actually set confirm that a year ago, during the period when out an extremely comprehensive and effective inquiry. Mr Coulson was director of communications, the Cabinet Secretary was alerted to evidence of illegal phone hacking, Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): While recognising the covert surveillance and hostile media briefing directed disgraceful nature of the phone hacking scandal, will against a senior official in the Government service? my right hon. Friend resist the siren calls of those What action, if any, was taken to investigate what motivated by petty politics, revenge, and anti-competition, appears to have been disgraceful and illegal conduct who want to curtail the advantages of a free press and close to the heart of Government? ensure that there is no alternative to the monopoly of the BBC? The Prime Minister: I will have to look very closely at what the right hon. Gentleman said, but the point that I The Prime Minister: We will come on to discuss the made—I have never seen any evidence to go against issue of media regulation and media plurality, and the it—is that in the period that Andy Coulson worked at power of media owners, in the debate. I think it is No. 10 Downing street as head of communications, important not to leave the BBC out of that entirely, there was no complaint about the way he did his job. I because it is such a huge part of the media industry in fully accept that I take responsibility for employing the UK. What we want to ensure is that no media group him. I take responsibility for that decision, and I have becomes too powerful or has too much influence, because laid out very clearly today what I think of that now, and that will help with the issue of the relationship between all that has been learned. You have to learn these politics and the media as well. 935 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 936 Police Police Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) am briefed particularly about terrorist operations for (Lab): I thank the right hon. Gentleman for telling us which the Prime Minister and Cobra have a particular that he will answer all questions, and I wonder, therefore, responsibility. But the key issue about my chief of whether I could take him back to the article in The New staff’s e-mail is that since reading it, Paul Stephenson, York Times in September 2010. He told us today that no John Yates, the Cabinet Secretary and the Chair of the information in that article could make him change his Home Affairs Committee have all said that that was the mind about Mr Coulson, so could he tell us who right judgment. Yates specifically says that the offer was brought it to his attention, whether he read it at the quite rightly rejected. time, and who he discussed it with who led him to the conclusion that Coulson was not involved? Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): This House, the media and the whole country have been The Prime Minister: This article, like many others, rightly focused on this issue, but is the Prime Minister was discussed, debated, and written about in the British aware that aid agencies are reporting that as a result of press as well. Of course, all the way through—let me be that focus there has been a lack of public awareness of clear, because this is an important question—the the humanitarian crisis in Somalia, and as a consequence employment of Andy Coulson, there were questions lower donations to relief funds? Can the Prime Minister about his resignation from the News of the World, what assure me and the House that he will spend his time he knew about the hacking inquiry, and all the rest of it. looking at those issues as well as this one? I set myself a very simple test, which was that if anyone brought me credible information that showed he knew Mr Speaker: Order. The matter to which the hon. about hacking, I would have fired him. It is as simple as Lady has referred is extremely serious, but whatever her that. If I knew that he had known about hacking, I strength of feeling about it, this cannot mutate into a would not have hired him in the first place. I have tried general exchange about other matters, and I know that to be extremely clear about this. As I say, the decision, the Prime Minister will not want it to do so. and the responsibility, is mine for hiring him. His conduct at No. 10 no one has been able to reproach. He does not The Prime Minister: I thought that it was ingenious work at No. 10 Downing street any more, and the only to get that point into order, but my hon. Friend makes a person from News International with a cloud over their very important point, and that was one of the reasons head who is stuck in a private office is not in my private why I did not want to cancel entirely my visit to Africa. office. It is important that we get on with doing the things that Britain should be doing in the world, whether that is Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South) (LD): Putting trading with countries such as Nigeria and South Africa, aside what is appropriate and what is inappropriate, will or leading the aid effort, as we are, in the horn of Africa the Prime Minister just say whether or not, in the where today we have been told there is not just a conversations that he had, the question of the BSkyB catastrophe and a drought, but also a famine. I am takeover was mentioned? proud of the fact that Britain is not being deflected from the great role that it is playing to try to feed The Prime Minister: The point I am trying to make is hungry people. this. I had no responsibility for the BSkyB takeover. I specifically asked to be taken out of any of the decision Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab): making and any of the information because I did not At yesterday’s evidence session, Rupert Murdoch was want to put myself in any sort of compromising position. asked about his frequent meetings with the Prime Minister I was very clear about that. So much so that I did not and his Government, to which he replied, “I wish they even know when many of the key announcements were would leave me alone.” Will the Prime Minister and his being made. That is why Rebekah Brooks was quite able Government comply with that request? to say, at the House of Commons yesterday, that there was not a single conversation that could not have taken The Prime Minister: One of the outcomes of all of place in front of the Select Committee. I know that this is that there will be a lot more of leaving everybody many people were hoping for some great allegation alone. yesterday that could add to their fevered conspiracy theories. I am just disappointed for them that they did Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): In the not get one. Operation Motorman investigation, the Information Commissioner found 861 personal information transactions Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op): that were positively identified as coming from 89 Mirror As Police Minister, my experience of briefings from the Group newspaper journalists. Can the Prime Minister police was that they did not give one any operational confirm that the inquiry that he has announced will be information, but they did tell one things that one needed able to look into the unlawful practices going on at to know. Senior police officers in the Metropolitan Mirror Group newspapers? police would understand that perfectly. That is exactly what they were offering the Prime Minister. As a Minister, The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important I would have been livid if officials had been keeping point: while we should not believe automatically that information from me. Did the Prime Minister want to those practices were spread right across the media, it be kept in the dark or is he angry with his chief of staff? would be naive to think that they were restricted to one newspaper or one newspaper group. Indeed, when we The Prime Minister: I set this out in great detail in the look at evidence such as Motorman and the Information statement. Of course I have very regular meetings with Commissioner’s report, it is clear that they went wider, senior leaders in the Metropolitan Police Service and and this inquiry and the police investigation must go 937 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 938 Police Police where the evidence leads. All of us have to ask questions Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con): There must be about people we employ if they were involved in those widespread agreement across the House that it is imperative newspapers. that the police and the media start now to clear up their own mess. To that end, does the Prime Minister agree Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co- that it is time that police officers stopped divulging the op): I heard what the Prime Minister said about consulting details of arrested people before they are charged, and the devolved Administrations. For the avoidance of the press stopped printing those details, invariably engaging doubt, can he say whether the inquiry extends to Scotland in a feeding frenzy that destroys somebody’s reputation and includes issues that are devolved in Scotland, such although they have not even been arrested? as policing? Has he secured the agreement of Scotland’s First Minister for that, and in that context, has he The Prime Minister: I know my hon. Friend has secured an assurance from an uncharacteristically quiet experience of this from before she came into politics in First Minister about his contacts with News International? her work as a lawyer and in broadcasting. One of the things that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary The Prime Minister: I can confirm that this inquiry announced is that Elizabeth Filkin will work for the extends to Scotland. As I said, we sent the draft terms Metropolitan police to try to work out a better code of of reference to the devolved Administrations, and we ethics, including in relation to the media and the steps were able to accept a number of points. There was, I they take. This has opened up a whole conversation that think, one specific point that the Scottish Administration we may have put off for far too long in this country. wanted dealt with, concerning the Information Commissioner’s report, which we have not put specifically Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): May I return into the terms but of course it will be dealt with by the to the responses the Prime Minister gave to my hon. inquiry because it is such an important part of the Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner) and to work. More generally, when it comes to the relationship the hon. Member for Portsmouth South (Mr Hancock)? between politicians and media, the inquiry will be able He said that he had had no inappropriate discussions to go where the evidence leads. with News International executives regarding the BSkyB bid. Which discussions did he have with the said executives that he deemed were appropriate, who were the executives Mr Lee Scott (Ilford North) (Con): Does my right and what were the contents of the discussions? hon. Friend agree that while there are allegations against some officers in the Metropolitan police, the vast majority The Prime Minister: All those meetings are now of police officers are protecting us every day, doing a published. The hon. Gentleman can look on the internet wonderful job, and they should not be smeared by this? and see every single meeting that I had. Perhaps when he does that, he might ask his good friend the Leader of The Prime Minister: That is an incredibly important the Opposition why he does not do the same thing. point. Police officers put their lives on the line for us every single day and while of course we have to get to Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): The Prime the bottom of what went wrong in the Met, we should Minister was right to recall Parliament and is right to not allow that to undermine public confidence in the concentrate on the immediate questions that are being bobby on the beat and the fantastic job they do for us. asked, but will he ensure that the Government commit to making sure that this does not happen again? That Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab): In involves looking at the Companies Act 2006, because it response to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington seems absurd that we rightly have a crime of corporate South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry), the Prime manslaughter, yet directors of a company in which Minister said that, if he had been given credible information there has been complicit criminality currently face no regarding Andy Coulson, he would have done something sanctions. about it, so will he now answer the question from my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich East The Prime Minister: I think we can come on to that in (Mr Watson)? When the Prime Minister received that the debate, but there are some lessons to be learned for letter in October, what did he do? competition policy and media policy. I am sure that we will debate those later, and I will have some contributions The Prime Minister: The answer is that with all the to make on that. information that came out while Andy Coulson was working at No. 10 Downing street, there was a permanent Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab): conversation, if you like. Was this new evidence that he In her evidence yesterday, Rebekah Brooks stated that it knew about phone hacking? If it was, he would have to was the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s idea to employ go; if it was not, he would not. That is the key point. Let Andy Coulson. Was she right or was she merely trying me answer this way. In the end, because there were so to protect her friend, the Prime Minister? many allegations and because he was not able to get on with his job, he left. The second chance I gave him did The Prime Minister: The decision was mine. In politics, not work. We can go over this a million times, but in the in the end, the buck stops here, with the Prime Minister. end the decision to appoint him is mine, for which I I made the decision, I defend the decision and I have have taken full responsibility. His conduct at No. 10 given a full explanation of it today. Downing street is not something that is under question, so I think it would be better if we spent our time Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): Is there not working out how we are going to clear up the illegality a real danger that this scandal will follow the pattern of that took place. so many others: first, bad behaviour; then moral outrage, 939 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 940 Police Police [Mr Edward Leigh] but he astonishingly claimed that civil servants stopped him doing so—presumably the same civil servants who a lot of it hypocritical; then lengthy judicial inquiries; told him not to sell our gold at record low prices. Did and then more state regulation under the guise of the Prime Minister inherit any plans from the previous independent regulation? Will my right hon. Friend therefore Government on the inquiry? commit himself today to the good old Conservative values of individual liberty and freedom? The Prime Minister: All I can say is that the former Prime Minister’s idea to have the inquiry was never The Prime Minister: I am delighted to do that. My raised with the official Opposition. One of the things hon. Friend makes a good point. That is why I was that I read in the press in the last couple of days was one concerned to ensure that there are people on the panel of his former colleagues saying that he thought that it who really understand how television, newspapers and was a proposal that Gordon made to himself. [Interruption.] regulation work. For instance, I think that the fact that George Jones, who spent many years in the Lobby, will Mr Speaker: Order. The exchanges will not continue be on that panel of experts will help the committee of until we have order. It is pretty straightforward. inquiry do its work. Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab): To Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): Last week, hire the hackers of Milly Dowler meant either that I asked the Prime Minister whether Andy Coulson had Andy Coulson was guilty of being complicit in a corrupt been through the official positive vetting procedure. culture, or that he presided over acts of pure evil. What Instead of answering, he referred me to the rules of were the warnings given to the Prime Minister by the conduct for special advisers and the standard contract. Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Ashdown not to Will he now answer the question? appoint Andy Coulson, and why did he ignore those warnings? The Prime Minister: He was vetted. He had a basic level of vetting. He was not able to see the most secret documents in the Government. I can write to the hon. The Prime Minister: We do still have in this country Lady if she wants the full details of that vetting. It was the idea that you are innocent until you are proven all done in the proper way. He was subject to the special guilty. Now, as I have said, I hired Andy Coulson on the advisers’ code of conduct. As someone shouted from basis of assurances that he gave me that he did not behind me, he obeyed that code, unlike Damian McBride. know about hacking. After all, that is why he resigned as editor of the News of the World. And incidentally, after he resigned, who was the very first person to ring Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): There him up and wish him well? Any guesses? Gordon Brown. has been much talk of freedom, but freedom has to be under the law. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that any future regulation of the press will balance the Nicky Morgan (Loughborough) (Con): In her evidence interests of ordinary men and women against the legitimate to the Select Committee yesterday, Rebekah Brooks interest in maintaining a free press in this country? spoke about the number of times that she had visited No. 10 or Chequers—up to six times a year. Does the The Prime Minister: Of course I give that assurance. Prime Minister not agree that calls by the Opposition One of the things with which the committee of inquiry for transparency and disclosure of information to the will have to battle is that, if you consider some of the inquiry sit very badly with the collective amnesia being great investigative stories that have bust open scandals shown about the contacts between Labour and News in the past, sometimes there has been a public interest International? defence. My hon. Friend is a lawyer and he will know about that. That is one of the reasons why we are asking The Prime Minister: The point I would make is that the committee of inquiry to try to do that very difficult we have all got to be open about the fact that both work. Front Benches spent a lot of time courting Rupert Murdoch, courting News International, courting the Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): May I give Russian who owns The Independent—and the Daily the Prime Minister another opportunity to say on what Mail, and the BBC while we are at it. [Interruption.] occasions, with whom and where, in the time since he Everybody has done it. And we have got to admit that became Prime Minister, he has ever discussed the Murdoch this sort of relationship needs to be changed and put on bid to take over BSkyB completely? a more healthy basis. Now we are prepared to admit it, but basically, if you like, the clock has stopped on my The Prime Minister: The discussion I had was to watch, and I am determined to sort it out. [Interruption.] ensure that I was not involved in that decision, so I did From a sedentary position, the shadow Chancellor says, not discuss it with the Culture Secretary, I did not know “We didn’t hire Andy Coulson.” Look, you hired Damian about the timing of many of the key announcements—I McBride. Youhad Alastair Campbell. You had Alastair was not involved. That was the sensible thing to Campbell falsifying documents in government. You do—conduct in which my predecessors did not necessarily have still got Tom Baldwin working in your office. engage. [Interruption.] Yes. Gotcha!

Sajid Javid (Bromsgrove) (Con): The former Prime Mr Speaker: Order. May I remind the House that I Minister, the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and have not been hiring people at all. I call Mr John Cryer. Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) said that he wanted to hold an inquiry into phone hacking and journalistic practices, John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab) rose— 941 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 942 Police Police Mr Speaker: Order. The House will listen to Mr John Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Can the Prime Cryer. Minister confirm what the Metropolitan police has told the Home Secretary—that News International only began John Cryer: On 8 July the Prime Minister said that he co-operating more fully with the inquiry in January had commissioned a company to do a basic background 2011, shortly after Mr Coulson resigned from Downing check on Coulson. For the fourth time, I am asking for street? Is he not just guilty of bad judgment in employing the name of the company. It is a pretty simple question; him, but in keeping him in post for so long? just come to the Dispatch Box and name the company. The Prime Minister: The point is that the Metropolitan The Prime Minister: We did hire a company to do a police made that very clear to the Home Affairs Committee, basic background check, and that is an entirely appropriate but what I would say is what I have said all along: the thing to do, and it was an entirely appropriate report. police should pursue this without fear or favour. They But I have to say, the reason I hired him was above all should go where the evidence leads. They should arrest the assurances that he gave me. That is the key part of whoever they choose. They could not have a clearer the decision and that is what I am prepared to say. message, or more support from the Government.

Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon) (Con): I thank Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): Today is the anniversary my right hon. Friend for his swift and decisive action in of the moon landing—[Interruption.] setting up these inquiries, which will get to the bottom of these very serious issues. But looking forward, may I Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Lady must be heard. I add my voice to those encouraging him not to be too do not why people are saying “Ooh” when I call the distracted by this issue over the next few months, but to hon. Member for Devizes. It is an extraordinary choice focus instead on the things that my constituents are of response. I want to hear the hon. Lady. concerned about: the economy, their jobs, the reform of the health service, and the contagion in Europe? Claire Perry: I agree, Mr Speaker. Today, people will know, is the anniversary of the moon landing, around The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is entirely right. which conspiracy theorists like to cluster. May I urge We have to sort this issue out. It takes cross-party the Prime Minister, rather than listening to the vapid agreement to do it. We have worked well over the conspiracy hackgate theorists, to focus on the facts? judicial inquiry, the panel, the terms of reference and What is he doing to toughen up the rules around the use the police inquiry—all things that this Government of Chequers, to ensure that it is never used for slumber have taken action on, but we do want to get on to the parties for media tycoons again? other issues about which our constituents care so much.

Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): Will the The Prime Minister: I could see the development of a Prime Minister immediately put on hold his plans to beautiful relationship there, just for a brief moment. I introduce elected police commissioners while we learn think, on slumber parties, if it is perfectly all right, I do the lessons of the last few weeks? We should reflect on not rule out my children having slumber parties, if that the risks of things being swept under the carpet if we is acceptable to my hon. Friend, but I promise to leave put someone whose political fortunes depend on the Rebekah Wade out of it. success of the force in sole charge of trying to hold them to account. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): May I press the Prime Minister on the question asked by my The Prime Minister: I am afraid I do not agree with right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich the hon. Lady. I think one of the things this whole (Mr Raynsford)? In the last year, has he been briefed by episode shows is that our police service needs reform, the intelligence services about the phone hacking and and the idea of greater accountability, with them having surveillance of a senior public servant? Has he had that to account to someone who can stand up for local briefing, and will the intelligence services be requested people, is a thoroughly good idea. to give evidence to the inquiry?

Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): The Home The Prime Minister: We do not discuss intelligence Affairs Committee was given evidence about serious issues in the House. If the hon. Gentleman wants to failings in corporate governance at the Met. Almost all come and talk to me about this issue, he can absolutely our current and former police witnesses passed responsibility beat a path to my door and I will see him. up or down the chain. There was lack of clarity about who made decisions. We were told that it happens all Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): the time that someone can get a job based on an Can the Prime Minister clarify and confirm that the law e-mailed CV sent from an assistant commissioner straight on media ownership was watered down under the to the director of human resources. Will the Prime Communications Act 2003, which for the first time Minister ensure that as well as looking at criminal allowed non-European economic area companies to matters, we look at this massive failure of corporate own UK radio and television? governance in the Metropolitan police? The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a very The Prime Minister: I am sure that the inquiry will important point, when a lot of the sound and fury look at that, but indeed, I think my hon. Friend will comes from the Labour party. There was a progressive find that the Independent Police Complaints Commission liberalisation of media ownership delivered under the will be looking at that specific issue concerning John previous Government, and they would do well to remember Yates even before the inquiry gets under way. that. 943 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 944 Police Police Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): A number of up—will include guidance on preserving the freedom of times now, the Prime Minister has brushed off questions the press to undertake the investigative journalism that about the letter that my hon. Friend the Member for has long been a good tradition in this country? West Bromwich East (Mr Watson) sent him. Can he confirm whether he saw that letter, and if so, say what The Prime Minister: I can reassure my hon. Friend he did about it? If he did not see it, can he go back to about that. The terms of reference include the importance Downing street and find out what happened to it? of a free press. I think that the panel, which includes people such as Shami Chakrabarti, George Jones, Elinor The Prime Minister: Of course, I am shown all letters Goodman, a former press regulator and someone who that are sent to me by Members of Parliament, and I has chaired the Financial Times, is a good mixture of will do exactly as the hon. Lady says: I will go back and experts to help advise Lord Justice Leveson to ensure make sure that a robust reply is sent. that we get the balance right between appropriate legislation and—yes—a free and vibrant press. Mr Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase) (Con): Did the Prime Minister receive any advice from the editor of The Guardian, from Lord Ashdown or from the Deputy Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): Two years ago in Prime Minister about the hiring of Tom Baldwin by the this House, I made this point: Leader of the Opposition? “Given Mr. Coulson’s dubious reputation, none of us on this side of the House can feel comfortable while he is around to The Prime Minister: No, but I have received quite a wander the corridors here. While he is under suspicion, can we not at least take his pass away from him?”—[Official Report, number of representations from hon. Members, and 9 July 2009; Vol. 495, c. 1137.] quite a few from others as well. His pass was not taken away from him, and he was able Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): I welcome the to wander freely around this place. Since the Prime Prime Minister’s transparency in making available the Minister obviously cannot smell a rat when he has one 26 meetings with News Corps and News International. in his midst, will he tell us whether he has any other I welcome the fact that he was able to say that no dodgy characters in No. 10 that we should beware of? inappropriate conversations took place between him and BSkyB. Can he tell us that no appropriate conversations The Prime Minister: I do not think it is worthy of the about the bid took place at those meetings also? right hon. Lady to use terms like that. As I have said, I choose to judge people by the conduct of the work that The Prime Minister: All my conversations are appropriate. they do for me. I would put Andy Coulson’s conduct at No. 10 Downing street against the conduct of Damian Greg Hands (Chelsea and Fulham) (Con): Is the McBride, Alastair Campbell, Tom Baldwin and all the Prime Minister aware that under the Inquiries Act 2005, rest of them, who did so much damage under the and contrary to the evidence given by his predecessor, it previous Government. is actually under the terms of the Act the job of a Minister to cause an inquiry, not the Cabinet Secretary? Several hon. Members rose— The Prime Minister: I believe that my hon. Friend is Mr Speaker: Order. I would like to accommodate right, and this does go to the point about the speech many more colleagues on this important subject, but in made last week by the former Prime Minister. In the order for me to do so, I require brevity. I call Mr William end, Ministers have the responsibility to make these Cash—[Laughter.] decisions, and I do not think it is particularly noble to try and hide behind and blame your civil servants. Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): Thank you, Mr Speaker. Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): In his statement, The Prime Minister has referred several times to the the Prime Minister told us that Neil Wallis, formerly future of the regulation of the media, not just the press. deputy editor at the News of the World, was not employed About the terms of reference that we have been told or paid by the Conservative party, but it has transpired about, he says that “the inquiry should look not just at that he advised Andy Coulson, at least in the run-up to the press, but at other media organisations, including the general election. Has the Prime Minister made any broadcasters and social media if there is any evidence inquiries about the exact nature of that advice? that they have been involved in criminal activities.” Does that preclude what the 17 Select Committee Chairmen The Prime Minister: Yes, I have. As the hon. Gentleman and others have called for, which is an extension of the says, I was told about that, on Sunday. Neil Wallis was terms of reference to deal with regulation of all the not employed or contracted or paid, but he did offer media, not merely the press alone? some informal advice. The reason why that information has come out is that we put it out, and we will be equally The Prime Minister: The change in the terms of transparent when we get to the bottom of this matter. reference was a direct response to the 17 Select Committee Chairmen, because we wanted to listen to their views Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): My constituents and to say that broadcasters and social media could be feel that relationships between News International and included if there was evidence of wrongdoing. We are politicians have been too close for many years, but they not trying to have an inquiry that becomes so wide that are shocked by the association with the police. Will the it cannot make progress on these vital issues—but we Prime Minister assure the House that the remit of the have listened to what my hon. Friend has said, and independent review—I congratulate him on setting that responded very positively. 945 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 946 Police Police Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab): In the interests Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): In reply to an of transparency, will the Prime Minister now publish earlier question, the Prime Minister said that the relationship any e-mails between Andy Coulson and the Home between politicians and the media meant that the important Office? issue of media regulation was put on the back burner. Why, therefore, does he think that putting a politically The Prime Minister: I am looking at being as transparent elected commissioner in charge of every police force, as I possibly can be. We have not just the Freedom of rather than just the Met, means that similarly difficult Information Act, under which people can make requests; questions will be avoided in future? this Government are pushing out a huge amount of The Prime Minister: I am afraid that I do not see the data, including publication of the recent e-mails of read-across at all, because the elected police commissioner Ed Llewellyn. will want to respond to the demands of the public for effective, accountable and beat-based policing. There Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): The Prime will be a bit of tension, as it were, between the elected Minister has rightly published the names of people who commissioner and the chief constable, which, as long as have stayed overnight at Chequers, which includes Rupert there is proper operational independence, could be a Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks, but also other journalists. good thing. Given what the Prime Minister said about the Government getting too close to the media, Mrs Bone was wondering Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): this morning whether those visits would stop, which Will the Prime Minister ensure that the inquiry that he would open up a number of weekends when I understand has announced into the unlawful practices in the media she is free. cover the allegation made by Lord Ashcroft that Tom Baldwin, then a News International journalist, authorised, The Prime Minister: As long as Mrs Bone does not or was part of, efforts to access the Conservative party’s insist on a slumber party, that is a very good idea. bank accounts unlawfully? The Prime Minister: I am sure that the inquiry can Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): What look at that. If there is evidence of illegal activity, some did the Deputy Prime Minister tell the Prime Minister very big questions have to be answered. I hope that the about Andy Coulson’s employment, and when? Leader of the Opposition will be asking those questions and making sure that he gets good answers. The Prime Minister: The point that was made by a number of people, the Deputy Prime Minister included, Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): Were there any was just to ask whether it was right to give a job to meetings between Neil Wallis and Andy Coulson when Andy Coulson, because clearly, I had made a decision. Andy Coulson was working for the Prime Minister at That man had resigned from the News of the World over No. 10 Downing street? the hacking scandal because it happened on his watch. The Prime Minister: I do not have that information; I He gave me an assurance—[Interruption.] Hold on; I will have to get back to the hon. Gentleman. [Interruption.] will answer the question. He gave me an assurance that Far worse would be to give an answer that could turn he did not know about the hacking scandal, and I took out to be inaccurate, so I will get back to him with that my decision. That is a judgment that I do not hide or information. run away from. I am totally accountable for it. Some people—of whom the Deputy Prime Minister Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): was one—questioned that judgment, which is why I Government Members are right to say that all our have been so clear that that was my decision. I am constituents want us to move on from excessive focus responsible for it and people will hold me accountable on this issue. However, how does the Prime Minister see for it. Today, I have been utterly frank about what it us being able to end the practice of journalists regularly would be like with 20:20 hindsight or what it would be paying police officers for a quick scoop? like with double vision, but I do not believe in politicians running away from the decisions that they have made. I The Prime Minister: I think we need to do a number do not do that. of things. Obviously, there is a police investigation into corruption, which will now be overseen by someone who comes from outside the Met, and there is also Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): The Prime Minister will Dame Elizabeth Filkin’s work to try to improve ethics have had very little time to consider my question of last and standards. In addition, the inquiry will be able to a week about stopping the scandal of taxpayers having to job of work on this. On the panel is a former chief fund pensions for police who turn out to have undertaken constable, so there will be understanding of how the criminal activities. However, he has widened the scope police service works, so that we can get to the bottom of of the inquiry to cover all forces. Given the financial that problem and deal with it. pressures—a number of forces are having to ask people whether they would like to become voluntarily redundant Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): Public confidence —will he please ensure that no one found guilty of in the police has obviously been affected by the allegations wrongdoing can keep any payout, bonus or windfall by of the bribery and corruption of police officers. Will the retiring or taking voluntary redundancy? Prime Minister look at whether there is a need for us to establish, as in the United States, an independent police The Prime Minister: What the hon. Lady says makes force that can police the police? Will he give the House a a lot of sense. She should make those representations to guarantee that the Bribery Act 2010 will not be amended the Winsor review, and indeed to the judicial inquiry. while all these investigations and inquiries are going on? 947 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 948 Police Police [Hugh Bayley] The Prime Minister: All I can say to the hon. Lady is that the first I was told of this, to my knowledge, was on The Prime Minister: On the first point, we have the Sunday evening. As I said, Neil Wallis was not employed, Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is contracted or paid by the Conservative party, but he did independent of the police. There are two questions, some work for Andy Coulson. As we get to the bottom both of which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary of exactly what that work was, who knew what and has addressed. First, we must ensure that it has the when, and all the rest of it, we will put that information resources and ability to investigate the police, and secondly, on record. When you are being asked all these questions— we must look at whether we call in an outside police there is no conspiracy theory, as I think we have proved force swiftly enough when there is evidence, or allegations, today—it is important to give accurate answers. of wrongdoing so that people can see that the process is being carried out effectively. Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): Yesterday’s Select Committee hearings were heavy on Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con): Last week entertainment but rather light when it came to hard we heard an impassioned speech by Gordon Brown in facts. Does not their inconclusiveness point to the need which he outlined his concerns about hacking and his for the urgent inquiries that have been established? desire for an inquiry. However, in yesterday’s Select Those inquiries should be hard hitting, well resourced Committee evidence we heard that he had never raised and wide ranging, and they should examine all aspects that subject, despite a close relationship with Rupert of the phone hacking scandal: corruption, nepotism, Murdoch. Will the Prime Minister help me to reconcile and the rather seedy and obsequious relationship between those two issues? the press, the police and politicians.

The Prime Minister: I am afraid that I cannot, but I The Prime Minister: As my right hon. Friend says, the think that the evidence speaks for itself. reason for setting up the inquiry is to get to the bottom of the situation. To be fair to the Select Committees, Mr Speaker: Order. May I remind the House that they made some good progress yesterday on discovering when Members refer to other Members they should do important evidence about all the relationships, and we so by referring to their constituencies, rather than by have been discussing some of that evidence today. name? Owen Smith (Pontypridd) (Lab): Will the right hon. Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): When the Prime Minister Gentleman confirm that it is highly unusual for such a was Leader of the Opposition, was phone hacking senior adviser to the Prime Minister not to be properly discussed in any of his meetings with John Yates or any vetted? Will he confirm that it was his decision not to other Metropolitan police officer? vet Mr Coulson fully, including by asking family and friends about his past life and activities? The Prime Minister: I have had a range of meetings with John Yates over the past year, mostly about The Prime Minister: No, it was not unusual at all. terrorism—[Interruption.] I do not recall every single Andy Coulson was cleared in the normal way for special conversation that I have had; you would be mad to advisers. He was cleared to secret, and he was not sent pretend that you do. You would need to be superhuman papers above that level. Like former Administrations, to remember every conversation that you have. I do we set out all the names of the staff we employ as know that almost all the conversations that I have had special advisers. Once again, I feel that a number of with John Yates over the past year have been about hon. Members are looking for some sort of secret terrorist issues. The key point about my chief of staff’s behind a curtain that simply is not there. e-mail was that he was trying to ensure that the police did not do anything inappropriate. Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): When it comes to restoring public confidence in the media and Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con): the police, does the Prime Minister agree that the steps I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement and the that he has outlined today show that he has made more process that he has set in motion to investigate the progress on this in 13 months than the previous Government whole affair. Does he agree that it is essential that issues did in 13 years? relating to the Metropolitan police are dealt with speedily so that the hard-working police across London can get The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes the important on with doing, to maximum effect, the job that they do point that Labour Members had plenty of opportunities fantastically for all of us in our capital? over 13 years. The shadow Chancellor and the Leader of the Opposition were there all the way through. They The Prime Minister: That is hugely important. Thousands could have promoted a judicial inquiry. They could of police officers are doing a great job in London. They have responded to the Select Committee and done will be reading all about this, and I do not want it to sap something about the Information Commissioner reports. their morale or the work that they do. A clear message They were the slumber party. should go out from the House that we still have a very fine police service in this country, and we back it. Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland West) (Lab): Will the Prime Minister give the House a Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): Will the categorical assurance that Andy Coulson, during his Prime Minister confirm whether any of his officials time working in Downing street, never saw any briefings who are now in Downing street knew that Neil Wallis on the police investigation into hacking, nor had any advised Andy Coulson before the general election? involvement in the Government’s response to it? 949 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 950 Police Police The Prime Minister: I have made the point that it is The Prime Minister: His reasons for resigning were not routine for people in Downing street to be given well set out at the time. He felt that he was not able to go operational information about a police investigation. on doing his job with all the allegations and the swirl of That was the whole thing that my chief of staff was information around, so he thought that he needed to rightly trying to prevent. Let me take the hon. Lady move on, which was the right decision. I have been back to the time when Tony Blair was Prime Minister absolutely clear about my reasons for hiring him, and and there was an investigation into cash for honours. the work that he did at No. 10. I revealed that he stayed Just imagine if the police had pitched up and started at Chequers, although you do not have to reveal private briefing officials with operational intelligence. It would guests for whom you have paid yourself. The previous have been an appalling thing, and I cannot understand Government did not do that, but I have done so because why she asks that question. I want to be utterly transparent about my relationships, decisions and judgments. I am very happy to stand on Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) those judgments and let people be the judge; that is the (Con): May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the only thing you can do in this job. leadership that he has shown in establishing such a wide-ranging and robust inquiry? Given that the Motorman Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): Does my investigation revealed details of 305 journalists and right hon. Friend share my frustration? We have been 30 newspapers and magazines, why does he think that a here for the best part of two hours, but have we heard similar inquiry was not established following that? any recognition from Labour Members of the part that The Prime Minister: We have to be frank. The previous they played in this situation? Should we not be working Government were not on this at all and, frankly, the across the House to restore confidence in our politics, previous Opposition—us—should have done more. the press and the police, as our constituents urgently However, the previous Government have to take some demand of us? responsibility for repeatedly ignoring repeated warnings. The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is right. The I could not have been more frank today about the Opposition came here with a choice. They could have responsibility I take. Every time I mention this I talk risen to the scale of events, helped to deal with the about the failings of the previous Opposition in doing problem and responded to what our constituents care their job, but just once in a while it would be nice to about, but instead we have heard a litany of rather hear a little bat squeak of responsibility from the Labour pathetic conspiracy theories to try to win a political party. game, and that has been a complete and utter failure. Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): The Prime Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Have Minister has said that Neil Wallis was never employed Sir Paul Stephenson and John Yates had to pay too high by the Conservative party. Will he confirm that neither a price for Andy Coulson’s second chance? Mr Wallis nor any of these companies received any payment from individuals or organisations working on The Prime Minister: If you look at the evidence of behalf of the Conservative party? Sir Paul Stephenson, whom I respect enormously and The Prime Minister: What I have said very clearly is who did some very good things at the Met—and John that the Conservative party did not employ him, have a Yates—he said very clearly yesterday that the circumstances contract with him or pay him. As I understand it, he did surrounding his resignation were completely different some informal work for Andy Coulson, but the reason from the circumstances in No. 10 Downing street. The why we know that is that we announced it before the responsibility that I had for hiring Andy Coulson, the House of Commons went into recess—we wanted to get work that he did at No. 10, the fact that he is not there the information out. When we get to the bottom of the any more—we have discussed this a lot today—are, I work that he did—this is unlike the complete lack of would argue, completely different from the issues at the transparency that we sometimes get from the Labour Met about a failed police investigation, allegations of party—we will make the detail available. police corruption, very serious problems in that organisation and all the reasons that Paul Stephenson set out yesterday, Dan Byles (North Warwickshire) (Con): Did the Prime I respect what he did, but he himself said that the Minister hear the recent remarks made by Lord Kinnock situations are different. suggesting that as a result of the inquiry, politicians should impose what he called “balance” on the media? Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): The Does the Prime Minister share my view that that would Prime Minister has shown in his statement that his be dangerous? private office has behaved with absolutely compelling propriety, which compares amazingly favourably with The Prime Minister: I do. We want a free and vigorous sofa government. I wonder whether he would agree that press. Sometimes that is infuriating, but the idea of the row over this is broadly synthetic and hugely over-egged. having “Ofpress” and equal coverage being given to every point of view would kill the vibrancy of the press. The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a good If we had to have equal coverage of every Neil Kinnock point. What I would say about Ed Llewellyn is that he speech—respecting him as I do—the papers would take is—and Opposition Members know this—someone who a lot longer to read every morning. has served our country, working for Chris Patten and Paddy Ashdown in Kosovo, Bosnia and Hong Kong. Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): When Andy Yes, of course, he is a Conservative supporter and a Coulson stayed at Chequers after his resignation, did friend of mine, but he is a very loyal public servant who the Prime Minister take the opportunity to talk to him has done great things for this country and who I think is about the phone hacking allegations and whether there utterly beyond reproach. On this occasion, as on so was any truth in them, and about his reasons for resigning? many others, his judgment was proved absolutely right. 951 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 952 Police Police Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): Prime Minister, The Prime Minister: She specifically rejected that can you tell us what specific advice the Deputy Prime point yesterday. Guto now works for my good friend Minister gave you against employing Andy Coulson? and colleague the Mayor of London, and he does a brilliant job. The Prime Minister: I am very happy to answer— although I have answered this question already; I can Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): I have a set the answer to music if you like. Some people looked question about the conduct of Andy Coulson while he at Andy Coulson and the fact that he had been a tabloid was at No. 10. Did Andy Coulson ever suggest smearing editor at the News of the World and had resigned Opposition Members while he was there, like Damian because of what happened there, and advised me not to McBride, who was embraced by the former occupants take him on. I made the decision on the basis of the of No. 10? assurances that he gave me; I could not have been more frank about it. There is only one tabloid editor left in The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a very the office of the Prime Minister or of the Leader of the powerful point, and one that will be noted. Opposition. There is a tabloid Mirror editor sitting in the office of the Leader of the Opposition, and I would Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West) (Lab/Co-op): not be at all surprised if the Mirror did not have some Does the Prime Minister agree that we need to move questions to answer pretty soon. on—not least because we want to watch without distraction the collapse of the euro? Does he therefore agree that if Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con): Does the we are to do so, and achieve closure, he has to be a bit Prime Minister think that the Leader of the Opposition more frank and answer directly questions such as those should apologise for Damian McBride? asked by my hon. Friends the Members for West Bromwich East (Mr Watson) and for Leyton and Wanstead (John The Prime Minister: I have finally received an apology— Cryer)? and the Chancellor has too—although it took a while, for the appalling things that were done. This was a The Prime Minister: Although I share the hon. special adviser who was sitting around casting appalling Gentleman’s lack of enthusiasm for the euro, we have to aspersions on people who were then on the Opposition recognise in this country that that is where 40% of our Front Bench. When you compare that conduct with the exports go, and if there is turmoil in the eurozone it will conduct at No. 10 Downing street of Andy Coulson—about not be good for Britain. We should be very clear about whom, in his time at work, no one is making a complaint—it that, and we should be helpful and co-operative with speaks volumes. our European partners to try to help them sort out their problems. Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Did the Prime Minister, when he was Leader of the Opposition, discuss with As for answering questions, I do not think that I John Yates the issue of phone hacking? could have given clearer answers to all the questions that Members have asked in the House. I know that a The Prime Minister: As I have said, I cannot remember lot of hon. Members came here this afternoon trying to every conversation that I have ever had with John Yates. find some conspiracy theory—but they have looked and I did meet him in opposition, but I cannot remember they have not found one. how many times I met him. I have met him many more times in government, and predominantly what I have Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): Yesterday my discussed with him is the issue of terrorism. hon. Friend the Member for Torbay (Mr Sanders) tested witnesses on the term, “wilful blindness”. Does George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): Does the Prime the Prime Minister agree with us that those in charge of Minister agree that one of the most lamentable episodes a responsible and free press should not get away with in this sad affair was the death of David Kelly, a proud using a wilful blindness defence to evade responsibility civil servant whose name was thrown to the media pack, for their acts? putting him under intolerable pressure, which led to his suicide? Will my right hon. Friend give me an undertaking The Prime Minister: There is no real defence of that that the investigation will be given a remit to cover and sort. There is going to be a police investigation—it is look back at how that event unfolded? under way—that will ask exactly who was culpable and who knew what, when. After that is over, the second The Prime Minister: The point that I would make to stage of the judicial inquiry will go over all that information my hon. Friend is that we have to be careful that this again, not requiring the bar of criminal prosecution, inquiry does not go completely viral, as it were. It has to and perhaps then we will get the real evidence of who focus on the issues at hand. Obviously, the issue of knew what, when. However, we could not have tougher David Kelly was looked at in detail in the Hutton processes to get to the answers that people want. inquiry, and I think that this inquiry has to make some progress. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Will the Prime Minister define for us what he regards as an appropriate Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): Last conversation between him and News International about week I read in the Daily Mail that the Prime Minister BSkyB? had been about to appoint the ex-BBC journalist Guto Harri, but that after an intervention by Rebekah Brooks, The Prime Minister: I thought Rebekah Brooks defined he changed his mind and employed Andy Coulson. Is it excellently—one that you could also repeat in front of that right? a Select Committee. 953 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 954 Police Police Mr Sam Gyimah (East Surrey) (Con): I might be The Prime Minister: I explained all this at Question about to block my copy book with you, Mr Speaker—but Time last week. The point is this: if I had been given in response to your comment that you were not hiring proper evidence that Andy Coulson knew about hacking, anyone, may I gently point out that you hired Tim I would not have hired him. If I was given proper Hames, who was a journalist for The Times, which is evidence that he knew about hacking, I would have fired owned by News International? him. I could not be clearer about it. Turning to the substance of my question, the Prime Minister is right to say that we should get to the bottom Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): May I of this because ordinary people care about it, but they congratulate the Prime Minister on taking the lead also care about, and will be affected by, what is happening when new evidence came to light, and establishing an in the eurozone. Will the Prime Minister tell us that the independent inquiry? May I urge him to assure my same amount of time that we are dedicating to this, constituents in Elmet and Rothwell that having got the with the Opposition discussing conspiracy theories, will independent inquiry under way, he will focus on making be dedicated— sure that their jobs and livelihoods are protected, with the economic tsunami that is round the corner? Mr Speaker: Order. We have got the thrust of the hon. Gentleman’s question. He will resume his seat; that The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important was quite long enough. point. One of the things we can now do is leave the public inquiry to answer a lot of these difficult questions The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend has been extremely and refocus ourselves on issues related to the economy, brave, if I may say so, Mr Speaker. As Parliament is the eurozone and jobs, which badly need answers. going into recess for six weeks, perhaps that will be long enough for everyone to forget what he has just said. He Mr Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Strathaven and is right, however, to say that we should focus as well on Lesmahagow) (Lab): May I ask the Prime Minister a what is happening in the eurozone—and my right hon. question that will both help him to be transparent and Friend the Chancellor and I are holding a series of quash a conspiracy theory? What was the name of the meetings to make sure that we get our response right. company that vetted Andy Coulson?

Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): Does the The Prime Minister: The point is that we employed a Prime Minister agree with the hon. Member for Grantham company to do this work. It was not something that we and Stamford (Nick Boles), who told “Newsnight” were planning to publish. It is something that companies viewers that this scandal was just “a little local difficulty”, and businesses do all the time, but in the end the so it was okay for the Prime minister to leave the responsibility is mine for employing him on the basis of country at the height of the crisis? the assurances that he gave.

The Prime Minister: I did not watch “Newsnight”—I Simon Hart (Carmarthen Westand South Pembrokeshire) do not always catch it—but I think that it is important (Con): Is the Prime Minister aware that the previous that the British Prime Minister stands up for British Administration spent over £11 million on advertising business, British exports and British jobs, and loads up with News International. Does this practice still continue? aeroplanes with business men and goes around the world, as I have done, to China, India and Africa. To The Prime Minister: We have seen an enormous cut in suggest that because there are issues that you have to the Government advertising budget—just one of the answer at home you should cancel a trip like that is many things we have done to cut out the waste created talking Britain down, and I think that the Opposition by the Opposition. should be better than that. John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): At Chequers or anywhere Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): In recent days the work else, on how many occasions has the Prime Minister of Select Committees has stood the House in good discussed this scandal with Andy Coulson since Mr Coulson stead and done us proud, but in 2003 a Select Committee left his employment? warned of a “catalogue of deplorable practices” in the media and of potential payments being made by journalists The Prime Minister: As the House knows, Andy to the police. In the investigation announced by the Coulson came to stay with me in March. I have not Prime Minister, will we go that far back and understand spoken to him for weeks. While he worked for me, that why the advice and warnings of that Select Committee obviously was discussed on an ongoing basis. Just to were ignored? repeat: if I had had evidence that he knew about the hacking, I would not have employed him, and if I had The Prime Minister: I am sure the judicial inquiry will had some while he was working for me, I would have do that. One of the issues that it is looking at is the relieved him of the appointment. relationship between politicians and the media, and the conduct of both. Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): The Prime Minister’s predecessor, the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): If the Prime Minister and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), said that he wanted to had known the new information about Andy Coulson hold a public inquiry into this matter. Can the Prime given to his chief of staff by The Guardian, would he Minister tell the House what detailed preparations on have gone ahead with the appointment? Surely he should these important issues were left behind in No. 10 for have been passed that information. him on taking office? 955 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 956 Police Police The Prime Minister: Just like everything else, I found Mr Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab): In The New a complete mess. York Times article of September last year it is stated: “One former editor said Coulson talked freely” Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): As regards with colleagues about phone hacking. Given that the the use made by Andy Coulson of Neil Wallis in the Prime Minister has read the article, how can he say he run-up to the general election, the Prime Minister said had no new evidence of a link between Coulson and today that he would be transparent when he got to the hacking? bottom of it. Will that inquiry be independent? Why cannot he publish today any documents relating to the The Prime Minister: I discussed these allegations at use of Mr Wallis? the time and there was no proper foundation for them. That is not just my view, but the view of many people The Prime Minister: I want to get to the bottom of who followed the issue. Of course, there is an investigation the question that the hon. Gentleman asks about what under way. I could not have been franker. If it turns out advice Mr Wallis gave to Mr Coulson. When I find that, that Andy Coulson knew about hacking, it will not just I will reveal it. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will take the be a matter of profound regret and of profound time to ask the leader of his own party why he will not apology—an apology that I have given today. It will reveal his media contacts going back to the election. I also be an issue for criminal prosecution. am being much more transparent than the Opposition. Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con): The Prime Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): The Minister has rightly taken the lead in openness and Prime Minister will recall that the previous Prime Minister, transparency. Will he encourage the Opposition to do Gordon Brown, intervened with the EU Commissioner likewise and open the vaults on what happened on their to ensure the continuing monopoly of Rupert Murdoch watch, particularly the activities of Damian McBride over private— and the culture that allowed that to happen?

Mr Speaker: Order. May I remind the hon. Lady that The Prime Minister: We have set out since the election I have made the point already and reminded the House all the contacts we have had. It is now for others to that reference to Members should be by constituency? follow suit, not just former Labour leaders, but current Labour leaders as well. Angie Bray: Does my right hon. Friend agree that that does not square with the statement made by the Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): If the Prime right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Minister cannot name the company that did the vetting (Mr Brown) to the House last week when he said that he of Andy Coulson, can he confirm that the company or had never done anything to further News International any of its directors did not make any donations to the interests? Conservative party?

The Prime Minister: There is quite a contrast—let me The Prime Minister: I will write to the hon. Gentleman. put it like this—between the speech that the right hon. I do not want to give an answer that is not accurate. Gentleman made last week and the evidence that we heard yesterday. Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): After a decade of spin, I welcome the Prime Minister’s attempt to sort out Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): If the Prime the relationship between politicians and the media for Minister refuses point blank to tell the House the name the long term, not just to manage the news cycle. Will he of the company that vetted Andy Coulson, will he place recommend that Government Departments, local councils the documents with regard to that vetting in the Library and quangos start dispensing with all their own spin of the House? doctors so that we can be truly rid of that spin culture?

The Prime Minister: Let us be clear. The responsibility The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a good for hiring him is mine and mine alone. That is the point. An enormous amount of money is still spent by responsibility I take. The hon. Gentleman might not local authorities on their own free local newspapers. like the answer, but that is it. That is injurious to the newspaper industry. There is a strong case for recognising the importance of a strong David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): Like many other regional and local newspaper industry. Members, I am sure, I have been contacted by local newspapers which are concerned about the prospect of Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): new regulation at a time of increasing pressure on their The New York Times last September said that the reporter circulation. Can my right hon. Friend assure them that to whom it had spoken was one of two people who said new regulations will not be overly heavy-handed on that Coulson was present during discussions about local press? phone hacking. Did the Prime Minister discuss that allegation with Andy Coulson and if not, why not? The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a good point. We do not want a new regulatory system to The Prime Minister: As I have said, I had a number of punish the innocent, as it were, who are just providing conversations all the time during his employment. In good local newspapers, but there are problems with the end the swirl of allegations is why he left. What we ethics and issues that need to be looked at. We need to have now is not only a criminal investigation, where make sure that it is proportionate. people are being interviewed by the police and the 957 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 958 Police Police police can go without fear or favour, but a public The Prime Minister: What I have done that no Prime inquiry. None of these things happened properly under Minister has done before is set out all the details of the the previous Government; they are happening now, and meetings and explained that all the conversations were no one will be immune from them. appropriate. That was backed up by Rebekah Brooks yesterday. If the hon. Lady wants to help, she could ask Several hon. Members rose— the leader of her party to be equally transparent, which he is not being at the moment. Mr Speaker: Order. May I remind Members that as a matter of basic courtesy, Members standing and seeking Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): Following on to catch my eye should not simultaneously be fiddling from the question from my hon. Friend the Member for with their electronic devices? I should have thought the Amber Valley (Nigel Mills), will the Prime Minister join point was so obvious as a matter of courtesy, but me in hoping that this will be the end of the ever-increasing apparently not. rise of the press officer paid for by police constabularies across the country? Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): Will the Prime Minister ensure that the activities of Damian McBride, The Prime Minister: I would be a little careful about the king of smears and spin under Labour, will also this. The police have to have a relationship with the form part of the investigation that he undertakes? media, both at the top level to communicate what the police are trying to do strategically, and at the operational The Prime Minister: The Opposition do not like level to work with the local press to help beat crime. hearing about it because they know that they had There is therefore an appropriate relationship. We have people working in Downing street whose conduct was to try to ensure that they do not have an inappropriate absolutely despicable. That is a contrast they cannot relationship. avoid. Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): Has the Prime Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): The Prime Minister Minister ever uttered the word “BSkyB” in the presence seems to be suggesting that his appointment of Andy of Rebekah Brooks, Rupert Murdoch or James Murdoch? Coulson was a huge success. In fact, Sir Paul Stephenson has made it clear that that appointment prevented him The Prime Minister: You know—urgh! from giving information to the Prime Minister that he would otherwise have given. Is it not fundamentally Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) (Con): Does it not obvious to everyone that the Prime Minister made a raise serious questions about how the previous Government dramatic error of judgment in appointing Andy Coulson, operated that Labour Members seem to think it would not with the benefit of— have been appropriate for the Prime Minister to be briefed on operational police matters? Do not the e-mails Mr Speaker: Order. Questions are becoming longer released show just what a professional his chief of and longer, and they need to get shorter. staff is?

The Prime Minister: I simply say to the hon. Gentleman The Prime Minister: I thank my hon. Friend for that he should check the transcript of what Sir Paul putting that on the record because it is right. The Stephenson and John Yates said yesterday. They think judgment that my chief of staff reached was backed in that Edward Llewellyn behaved entirely appropriately, advance by the permanent secretary at No. 10 and has as do I, and as does the person sitting next to the hon. been backed subsequently by leading police officers and Gentleman, the right hon. Member for Leicester East the head of the Home Affairs Committee. (Keith Vaz). Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): In 2006 the The Prime Minister said that it was only on Sunday that Information Commissioner published two reports he found out about Mr Wallis’s role, but others around expressing concerns about the risk of phone hacking. him knew of it well before that. Does the Prime Minister For the sake of the victims, does the Prime Minister not feel let down by them, including by Mr Coulson? regret that no action was taken at that time? The Prime Minister: To the best of my knowledge, the The Prime Minister: I think that it is a matter of first I knew of it was on Sunday. We are now getting to regret. Frankly, both Front-Bench teams have to accept the bottom of what this informal advice was, and when that warnings from the Information Commissioner and we have the information, we can make it available, just Select Committees were not heeded. We have to recognise as we have been transparent about all the media meetings that there were issues about relations with media groups and all the meetings with the moguls about everything that made that happen, and we have to get to the else. In the meantime, the hon. Gentleman should have bottom of how we prevent it from happening again. I a word with his party leader and ask him to be equally hope we can address that point in the debate. transparent.

Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): Does the (Lab): Will the Prime Minister tell the House the details Prime Minister agree that the vast majority of people in of any appropriate conversations he had about the the country, whom we in the House represent, are BSkyB bid, specifically with Rebekah Brooks and James absolutely fed up with this party political point scoring Murdoch on 23 December and with Rebekah Brooks in the Westminster village, and that they will warmly on Boxing day 2010? welcome his setting up of the inquiries today and will 959 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 960 Police Police [Mrs Eleanor Laing] minutes later, the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson) said that hope that those inquiries can get on with their work and when he was Home Secretary, he was not informed that the Prime Minister can get on with his work of about the appointment either. Does that not blow the improving the country’s economy and representing this Leader of the Opposition’s argument out of the water? country in the international field? The Prime Minister: Even from Nigeria I could follow The Prime Minister: The British public are wise about the Home Secretary’s excellent statement in which she this. They want us to get on with it and fix this problem. made precisely that point, referring to the point made Frankly, they know that both parties have done a lot of by the former Home Secretary. I think that that blows sucking up to the media in their time. They want us to away part of the Leader of the Opposition’s flimsy case. get on with it, work together and sort it out. Gavin Shuker (Luton South) (Lab/Co-op): In his Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): Since being statement, the Prime Minister said that “if it turns out elected, constituents have contacted me regularly about that I have been lied to, that would be the moment for a the BSkyB takeover and their concerns about it, particularly profound apology.” I say this more in sadness than in about undertakings being given or offered by an anger, but is it not exactly such phrases that lead the organisation that has been proven to break its undertakings. public to hold our profession in contempt? I invite him At any point, did the Prime Minister discuss with now to give an apology, even if it might not be politically anyone from News International the possibility of expedient. undertakings being given?

The Prime Minister: I said that I am extremely sorry The Prime Minister: I have answered this question. I and that I deeply regret the whole furore that this has took myself out of the whole decision-making process [Interruption.] kicked up. I did. I said that. Opposition on BSkyB. Having looked at what has happened, I Front-Bench Members ought to listen. The second point would argue that the Secretary of State for Culture, I made was that with 20:20 hindsight, knowing everything Olympics, Media and Sport has taken a series of absolutely that subsequently happened, I would not have offered correct decisions on the basis of the legal information him the job, and to be fair to Andy Coulson, he would that he received. not have taken it. However, I do not believe in politicians trying to shuffle off their responsibilities. I made this decision. I employed this person. I defend his record Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con): There working in government. If it turns out he lied to me are very few places in the world where the leader of the about what happened before, that would mean an even Executive would subject himself to two hours of deeper apology and even deeper regret than I have questioning. One thing that shames our democracy, expressed today. I am telling hon. Members what I feel though, is that there are elements in the House that about this; how I act as a politician about this. I cannot seem to want to make political capital out of the do more than that. hacking of Milly Dowler’s phone.

Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): The Prime Minister The Prime Minister: As someone once famously said, has challenged us all to deal with the consequences of I’m enjoying this. The point is that my hon. Friend is these events. Does he agree that a good start would be if right to draw attention to the fact that at the heart of all the Opposition were to be a little more realistic about this is the issue of Milly Dowler. [Interruption.] the extent of their own recent contacts with News International, especially considering that on 22 April, Mr Speaker: Order. I have been enjoying listening to the Leader of the Opposition, in a feature-length interview the questions and answers as well, but I want to continue with a national newspaper, said in response to a question that enjoyment and to hear what the Prime Minister is about whether he could yet unveil his new policies: saying. “You will read it first in The Sun”? The Prime Minister: That is my point. We have all The Prime Minister: I simply wanted to make the engaged in this activity. The public know that we have point to my hon. Friend that he is right. At the heart of all engaged in it and we should all be honest about it so all this, as we have all these debates and discussions, we that we can try and move on. must bear in mind the victims of phone hacking, chief among whom are the family of Milly Dowler. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): Was Mrs Brooks lying yesterday when she said that it Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): Nigel was the Chancellor’s bright idea to hire Andy Coulson? Pickover, a constituent of mine, is editor of the Evening The Prime Minister: The Chancellor has many bright Star and recently wrote to the Prime Minister, and was ideas and he and I discuss many things, but in the end I grateful for his response. Is it not fair to say that local never seek to shuffle off my responsibilities. This was newspapers have not so far been implicated, that we my decision and I am accountable for it. should welcome their campaigns and local journalism, and that we should support the local press wherever Gavin Barwell (Croydon Central) (Con): One of the they are? Leader of the Opposition’s main charges in his statement was that the commissioner did not tell the Home Secretary The Prime Minister: They play a vital role in the or the Prime Minister about the appointment of Neil health of our local democracy, our constituencies and Wallis because of the position of Andy Coulson. Ten what I call the big society. Clearly, the inquiry has to go 961 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 962 Police Police wherever the evidence leads and to all newspapers, but I disappointed that I am not being heard. Let me tell the think that regional and local newspapers play an important Prime Minister directly that there is not one person who role in our country. is willing—[Interruption.]

Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): I believe that Mr Speaker: Order. I must just ask the hon. Lady most Members will welcome and greatly support the now to ask a single question in a sentence. inquiries that the Prime Minister has announced to get to the bottom of issues that have faced this Government Margaret Curran: Will the Prime Minister dissociate and previous Governments. However, will he emphasise himself from comments that allege that Opposition the urgency with which we must deal with these issues Members are seeking to make political capital out of so that we can get back to dealing with the other the phone hacking of Milly Dowler? matters that are so important to our constituents? The Prime Minister: I do not question the hon. Lady’s motives, but the point about this place is that The Prime Minister: I think my hon. Friend is right. people can watch what has been said, and they can form We have to crack this, we have to deal with it and we their own judgments. have to do it in a way that restores public confidence, but then we must get on to the other things our constituents Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con): As a matter of care passionately about. public record and as part of the public inquiry, will the Prime Minister ask Sir Gus O’Donnell to publish any Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab): Given the record of meetings held between special advisers at importance of the BSkyB decision to the balance of Nos. 10 and 11 Downing street since the year 2000? broadcasting in this country, why did the Prime Minister think it necessary to take himself outside the decision- The Prime Minister: Tempting as it would be, under making process? our system politicians in one Government cannot order the publication of papers in another Government, The Prime Minister: I am going to go further in a fascinating though it might sometimes be. minute in my speech and suggest that it may be the case that we should take politicians out of all decisions Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): The Home about media mergers altogether, but I was recognising Affairs Committee issued a report at 5 o’clock this the fact that if you are the leader of a party, you are morning that was critical of police whose evidence trying to win over newspapers, television and all the rest yesterday and last week included attempts to pass the of it, so the more you can take yourself out of decisions buck to alleged wrongdoers for not co-operating with about future media structures, frankly, the better for all the police. Does the Prime Minister agree that alleged concerned. I do not understand why the right hon. wrongdoers often do not co-operate with the police, Gentleman does not get that. and that the police should follow the evidence where it takes them? Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): It is quite clear that relationships between our political leaders and leadership The Prime Minister: The police must absolutely do in the media are going to continue, so does my right that. They know that that is what everyone in this hon. Friend agree that it is up to our political leaders, House wants and what the country expects. They now and this House, to get as soon as we can a system for have a properly resourced police investigation, it is dealing with this that is sound, proper, transparent and under new leadership, and we all wish them well with healthy? what they are doing. Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con): The Prime Minister: I agree with my hon. Friend, and One group of people that we have not discussed today is I am going to address that directly in the speech that I the hugely powerful trade union bosses, who have an will make in a moment. This is an opportunity to reset extraordinary influence over the Leader of the Opposition. the clock, and we should take it. Will the inquiry look into their contacts with Rupert Murdoch and his organisations? Margaret Curran (Glasgow East) (Lab): May I ask the Prime Minister, in all sincerity, to dissociate himself The Prime Minister: I think it is ingenious, after from the comment of the hon. Member for Wolverhampton 136 questions, to come up with something entirely new, South West (Paul Uppal)? I can assure the Prime Minister, so I pay tribute to my hon. Friend. I am sure the judge despite the debates that are going on here, that there is will be able to look at all vested interests and the power not one Member on the Opposition Benches who is that they wield in our country. seeking to make political capital out of the—[Interruption.] Can I ask the Chancellor in particular to pay attention Mr Speaker: I thank the Prime Minister and all to the last part of my remarks? I can assure this Chamber Members. I was advised that there were 138 Members, in the deepest sincerity that I do not believe there is one but we will settle for 136, who have had the opportunity person in the Chamber seeking to make political capital to question the Prime Minister, and I thank everyone out of the phone hacking—[Interruption.] I am deeply for participating. 963 20 JULY 2011 964

Points of Order Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. 1.54 pm Mr Speaker: I hope it is a point of order. Several hon. Members rose— Mr MacShane: So do I, Sir, so do I. In general, is it in Mr Speaker: Order. We want to move on to the order for any right hon. or hon. Member, Prime Minister debate pretty speedily, I think, but I shall briefly attend or Back Bencher, to make a defamatory statement in to points of order. the House?

Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): On a Mr Speaker: Members should take responsibility for point of order, Mr Speaker. During his statement, the their own statements, and of course they should not Prime Minister said that Alastair Campbell had falsified make defamatory statements about other Members, but Government documents. I am sure that many people the right hon. Gentleman is raising his point of order in would like to see the evidence for that. Will you ask the the abstract, so for me it becomes hypothetical. The Prime Minister to arrange for it to be placed in the Speaker, I think wisely, does not seek to respond to House of Commons Library? hypothetical questions.

Mr Speaker: The reason I will not is that the point Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): On a point of order, that the hon. Gentleman makes, though very important Mr Speaker. to him and possibly to others, represents a continuation of the debate, and we must not use points of order for Mr Speaker: Point of order, Mr Robert Halfon. I that purpose. hope it is the last.

Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (Con): On a Robert Halfon: Following your earlier remarks about point of order, Mr Speaker. Is it in order for a witness to reviewing security given the incident yesterday, Mr Speaker, refuse to answer a Select Committee question, as the will you ensure that the public continue to have the right noble Lord Macdonald did yesterday when I asked him to go to Select Committees, and that their right is not how much he was being paid by News Corporation? Is restricted? it not in the public interest that he disclose that, given his role, as Director of Public Prosecutions, in limiting Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the police inquiry? his point of order. The right to attend meetings in the way that he describes is a very long-established and Mr Speaker: What I would say to the hon. Gentleman— precious freedom. I think it would be quite wrong for this is the first I have heard of this—is that witnesses me to seek to constrain or circumscribe what an independent before Select Committees should seek to be as helpful investigation can cover and recommend, but the point as possible to Committees, and they have a general he makes is an important one. I have underlined its obligation to furnish Committees with answers to the importance, and I think many people will share his best of their ability. I hope that answer is helpful to him. point of view. Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Prime Minister said earlier that Business without Debate the New York Times revelations contained no new information, but the police considered the information new enough to reopen their inquiries. Would he care to SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE correct the record? Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 25), Mr Speaker: That, too, is a continuation of the That this House, at its rising this day, do adjourn until Monday debate, for which I remind the House there will be full 5 September 2011.—(Sir George Young.) opportunity in the debate that is about to follow. Question agreed to. 965 20 JULY 2011 966

Public Confidence in the Media and Police Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The Prime Minister will know that Operation Weeting began just four days [Relevant document: the Thirteenth Report of the Home after the resignation of Andy Coulson. Can he therefore Affairs Committee, Session 2010-12, on Unauthorised confirm to the House that no one at No. 10—neither he tapping into or hacking of mobile communications, HC 907.] nor any of his officials or advisers—had any notice of the commencement of Operation Weeting?

1.57 pm The Prime Minister: I can only speak for myself: I The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): I beg to had no notice of it. I know full well that Andy Coulson’s move, resignation, and the timing of it, were not connected to That this House has considered matter of public confidence in any event like that. The timing of it was simply a result the media and the police. of his recognising that he could not go on doing his job with that swirl of allegations going on. To be fair to You have heard a lot from me already, Mr Speaker, so Andy Coulson, he recognised that the second chance I will keep my opening remarks brief. that I had given him had not worked. That is why I have I want to start by paying tribute to this House and to been so clear about that issue today. hon. Members who sit in it. Just a couple of years ago, The third issue is how we can bring about a situation, at the height of the expenses scandal, people said we which he have discussed a lot today, in which governing had lost relevance and that we no longer properly parties eager to hold on to power or opposition parties represented the constituents we served. We have got a yearning to win power can have a sensible, healthy long way to go before regaining full public trust, but the relationship with media groups and owners without past two weeks have shown the House, in many ways, at ducking the regulatory issues that need to be addressed. its best. We must never again get into a situation in which the We have seen the true worth, for instance, of our issues of effective media regulation are left on the shelf Select Committees, with the forensic scrutiny of those year after year. in positions of power, in the public interest. I particularly want to pay tribute to those chaired by my hon. Friend Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): In response the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), the right to the Prime Minister’s call for party leaders to join him hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) and my in publishing their dealings with the media, the Leader right hon. Friend the Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed of the Opposition heckled “No, you’re the Prime Minister”. (Sir Alan Beith). We have seen vigorous debate, with Does my right hon. Friend agree that this situation this House leading the public debate, finishing of course would be greatly helped if those who aspired to be the with News Corporation’s withdrawal of its bid to take Prime Minister behaved like one? over BSkyB, and we have seen cross-party support and action to get to the bottom of what happened and learn The Prime Minister: I am sorry that my hon. Friend lessons for the future. did not get in to speak among the first 138, because that We now have in place a judge-led, independent public was an absolute cracker. inquiry. It will have all the powers necessary, and I want We have seen that cosiness with the media is clearly a to start the debate by saying that we must be careful not problem for the police, but it might be a problem for to pre-empt all its deliberations or seek in advance to other walks of public life as well. I have therefore asked answer all the questions it must address. There is a good the Cabinet Secretary to write to all permanent secretaries reason for setting up this inquiry, and we must let it do to ask them to review the way in which contacts between its work. That does not mean that we should not be the media and their staff, and other professional groups clear about the big picture of what needs to be done. As that work with their Departments, are regulated and I said a moment ago, all this has got to begin and end recorded. We see that there is a problem with the police with the victims; it is they who have suffered the most, and the media, and we need to get ahead of there and we must do right by them. possibly being problems with other groups as well. In opening this debate, I simply want to set out the four vital questions that we need to answer, which in Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op): Given that turn lead to four vital things that we, as a House of the Prime Minister has today dismissed the evidence set Commons, must resolve never to let happen again. The out in The New York Times that caused the police to first question is how we can secure a free and vibrant reopen the investigation into phone hacking, does he media, completely unafraid to challenge authority but have confidence in their decision-making processes? Or operating within the law. We must never again see this does he think that press reports should not be part of widespread lawbreaking, including the terrible crimes police investigations? committed against people who have already suffered. We should not assume that those practices extend across The Prime Minister: Of course everything that is all media, some of which have an excellent reputation, published should be brought to my attention and to the but neither should we think that this is isolated in just police’s attention. The point I am making is that if I had one institution. been given evidence that Andy Coulson knew about The second issue is how we can secure strong, well-led, hacking, I would not have hired him, and if I had had independent yet accountable police forces that are able evidence that he knew about hacking, I would have fired to pursue the powerful without fear or favour. Yes, they him. I cannot put it any simpler than that. must be able to work constructively with the media, but never again should they be at risk of being corrupted by Alan Johnson (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) the media. (Lab): Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? 967 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 968 Police Police The Prime Minister: I will give way in a moment; I The Prime Minister: I certainly agree with that. Indeed, want to make some progress. I think that there might be a case, when it comes to The fourth and final challenge is how we address the media mergers, for trying further to remove politicians. vexed issue of media power. We need competition policy In regard to all the issues that have been raised so many to be properly enforced. We need a sensible look at the times today, that might be one way of putting all this relevance of plurality and cross-media ownership. Above beyond reproach. all, we need to ensure that no one voice—not News It might sound decisive to talk about never letting Corporation, not the BBC—becomes too powerful. We these things happen again, as I have done, but let us be should be frank: sometimes in this country, the left frank: it is far more difficult to deliver that outcome. We overestimates the power of Murdoch, and the right in this House need to recognise some home truths about overdoes the left leanings of the BBC. But both have the subjects we are discussing. First, none of these got a point, and never again should we let a media questions—for instance, about media influence and group get too powerful. power—is new. There has been a debate about undue influence that stretches from Beaverbrook to Rothermere Alan Johnson: John Yates wrote to me, as previous to Murdoch. Ironically, with newspapers declining and Home Secretary, last week. He wrote me a private and the internet booming, this should be becoming less of a confidential letter, in which he said—[Laughter.] problem. Nevertheless, a problem it remains. In my view, this simply underlines the need for the inquiry, Mr Speaker: Order. I want to learn about this private because it will help to jolt us politicians into action, and and confidential letter. that is no bad thing.

Alan Johnson: I accept that there is a certain paradox Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): Sue Akers, who is involved here. now in charge of the investigation, says that what broke The letter says: the logjam of the cover-up was the civil cases that were “The reason that a new investigation has been commenced and taken by individuals forcing disclosure by News the situation has subsequently changed so markedly”— International. Part of the problem, and one of the that is, since the advice given to me as Home Secretary— reasons we have all failed in this over the past 20 years, “is that in January 2011 News International began to co-operate is the fact that News International and Metropolitan properly with the police. It is now evident that this was not the police officers directly lied to Parliament, and the Select case beforehand.” Committees were either unable to or did not do anything January 2011 was when Andy Coulson resigned. Does about it. One of the problems with the Leveson situation the Prime Minister think that that is just a coincidence? is that, because of the Bill of Rights 1689, he will not be able to consider whether Parliament was lied to. We are The Prime Minister: The point I was going to make, the only people who can decide that. Will the Prime which is important, is that in my understanding, the Minister ensure that there is a point at which we in this reopening of the investigation was in response to new House can make that decision? information from News International, and that it was not in response to the April article. The point about The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman is making Andy Coulson’s resignation, which had been under an important point. His recognition that this is a 20-year discussion for some weeks, was that he recognised that issue in which politicians of all parties have not stepped he could not go on doing his job. It was not, to the best up to the mark is wholly to his credit. I want to take of my memory, connected with any single event. It was away his question of parliamentary privilege and the literally: “I can’t go on being an effective communications Bill of Rights and give him a considered response to it, spokesman. I have to resign. Let’s just make sure we get because I do not want the inquiry to be prevented in any on with it and do it in an orderly way.” [Interruption.] I way from getting to the truth. Our constituents would know that that does not fit the many conspiracy theories not understand if there were some process, however that hon. Members have tried to produce, but that is important it might be historically, that could prevent actually what happened. that from happening. Let me make three suggestions on media plurality The second home truth is that none of these questions and power. One: it is right that there are good and is restricted to Britain. Right across the world, there is a proper legal processes for considering media mergers, problem of ensuring that police forces are accountable but we should ask whether politicians should be abstracted to the Government yet independent from them. We from them altogether. Two: it is right that there is a must never compromise operational independence. This plurality test, but we should ask whether that test goes to some of the questions that I was asked earlier. should be ongoing, rather than just considered at the We must not move to a system in which politicians can time of takeover. Three: plurality is difficult to measure, step in to say, “Why haven’t you re-run this investigation?” especially in the modern internet age, but we should not or “Why haven’t you arrested that person?” We need to rule out the idea of limits, and it is right that the inquiry think for a moment where that would lead. But that should look at this issue. makes it all the more important that police leadership is strong, and that the police are called to account when Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester) (Con): What the Prime they fail. That is why we are introducing directly elected Minister has said about plurality is extremely interesting police and crime commissioners, to bring proper and important, and it will have a bearing on the future accountability to policing. structure of Ofcom, but does he agree that we need to think carefully before tearing up the main provisions of Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): I am the Enterprise Act 2002, which keeps Ministers out of grateful to my right hon. Friend and I agree very much decisions on takeovers and mergers? with the point he has just made. However, does he not 969 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 970 Police Police agree that he needs to be absolutely clear beyond any I used to work for ITV, in competition with BSkyB and doubt that no elected police and crime commissioner the BBC. It is a very difficult thing to do, but that does can direct that an investigation should not begin, or, not mean we should not try. On the terms of reference, indeed, should begin? that is what the cross-media ownership part is about, but clearly it is looking at media regulation more broadly, The Prime Minister: That is absolutely right—we specifically of the printed press, but it can go further. must maintain operational independence. The point about the police commissioners is calling the police to Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): Will the account for the work that they do, but the operational Prime Minister give way? independence point is extremely important. Ms Buck: Will the Prime Minister give way? Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab) rose— The Prime Minister: I am going to make some progress, The Prime Minister: Let me make a bit of progress, and then I will give way a couple more times before I and then I will give way to the hon. Lady. close. The relationship between the police and the media is So, Mr Speaker, the question is, given the difficulties I a problem the world over, too, but we have to ask—and have mentioned, how do we maximise the chance of hon. Members have been asking this today—why ours making a clean break with the past? I want to set out seems to have become quite so cosy, so leaky and so some very clear lessons. First, we have got to try to potentially compromised. Similarly, there is nothing proceed on a cross-party basis; otherwise, we will have peculiar to Britain about the potentially unhealthy each party trooping off to media organisations and relationship developing between media proprietors and promising the lowest common denominator. If I say politicians. “independent regulation”, there is a danger someone That leads to my third point, about trying to turn else will say “self-regulation”, and so on. We could end these noble sentiments of “never again” into action. up constantly competing with each other in a kind of None of this is easy, and a point that must not be lost in regulatory arbitrage over who can be the softest and this debate is that to over-regulate the media could have most appealing to newspapers, television stations and profoundly detrimental effects on our country and our their owners. I do not think we should pretend this is society. We must not miss this in the frenzy about the simply about tabloids or even simply about newspapers. dreadfulness of hacking at this point. Without a public I am a huge supporter of the BBC and the licence fee, interest defence, the so-called “cod fax” that uncovered but, frankly, I think there did come a time in recent Jonathan Aitken’s wrongdoing might never have emerged. years when the income of the BBC was so outstripping To give another example, are we seriously going to that of independent television that there was a danger argue in this House that the expenses scandal should of BBC news becoming rather dominant. So, there are not have come to light because it could have involved dangers right across the piece here. some data that were obtained illegally? So, we need to The offer to work together with all parties on this step very carefully into this area. agenda is indeed a genuine one.

Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): Will my right hon. Mr Winnick: However critical I may be of the press, Friend give way? and however biased in many ways, I am totally opposed to any form of gagging, and that, I am sure, is the view The Prime Minister: I have got a feeling that it will be of most of my right hon. and hon. Friends. However, a question about the Bill of Rights that I will not be does the Prime Minister accept that self-regulation has able to answer—but I am going to try it anyway. been totally inadequate from day one? It has been a total farce, so if we are to have self-regulation, which I Mr Cash: I am glad to say that it is about not the Bill hope will continue, it must be far more effective than it of Rights but the terms of reference that are now in the has been. Library. I simply wanted to ask the Prime Minister to answer this question, if he would be good enough, on The Prime Minister: I do agree with the hon. Gentleman the recommendations that can be made by the judge-led that the current system of self-regulation has failed, not inquiry with reference to the question of media policy, least because it did not properly respond to all these regulation and cross-media ownership. Is this intended warnings. That is why I choose to talk about independent to cover the whole media, in a way that would ensure regulation. I do not want to see statutory regulation—the that the kind of standards expected of the media in heavy hand of the state. We have got to try to find a way relation to future regulation would be included in the to make sure that the press is regulated in a way that is judge-led recommendations? independent from them, but not by the state and the Government. I think it is doable. The Prime Minister: I think the terms of reference are pretty clear. The point about cross-media ownership is Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Will my right hon. not about conduct; it is about not just market power, Friend give way? but power of voice. What you are trying to do with cross-media ownership is, if one organisation has a very Ms Buck rose— powerful television station, a number of newspapers, and perhaps some radio stations and some internet The Prime Minister: I am going to make some progress sites, how do you agglomerate that and try to measure and then I will come back to my hon. Friend the its power? I can bore for Britain on this subject because Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon). 971 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 972 Police Police [The Prime Minister] Ms Buck: I am grateful to the Prime Minister for giving way.Returning to the issue of the police’s operational The second key to success in translating all this into independence, he rightly emphasised the important principle action, I believe, is restraint. The media will see politicians that politicians cannot tell the police whom to investigate agreeing with each other about the need for regulation, and what to pursue, but that cuts both ways. What for plurality and all the rest of it, and they will fear a message does he think the Mayor of London was stitch-up. Indeed, they are already talking about one. sending out when he said, in the same weeks when John So, I do believe that politicians need to show some Yates was scoping his inquiry, and just days after John restraint in what they say and do about the media. Yates sent his e-mail to the Prime Minister’s chief of There are many in this House, I know, who have been staff, that any inquiry and any allegations were codswallop, victims of a media that have been prepared to break the politically motivated and not worthy of discussion? law or behave in a bullying fashion. But we must not forget that this scandal, like so many others, whether we The Prime Minister: The point I would make is that it are talking about expenses or the FIFA scandal, which I is quite clear that the police have operational independence, feel particularly exercised about—they were uncovered because they have pursued, without fear or favour, these to the fullest degree by the media, by newspapers, not issues and they have arrested everyone they have thought by regulators. Let us not forget that. So, the balance we it necessary to arrest. What is interesting is that I think must strike now is to allow an aggressive, challenging that operational independence is so embedded into the and independent media, however much that might psyche of British policing that, whether it is the Mayor sometimes frustrate us, while halting the abuses that all of London or whether you have police commissioners, I decent people find unacceptable. do not think it would interfere with that. Finally, Mr Speaker, in this debate let us not lose Several hon. Members rose— sight of the big picture. The people who send us here want some pretty straightforward things. They want The Prime Minister: Let me make a bit more progress. their media free and punchy, but they want them within The third key to success is that, while we cannot the law. They want their police independent and strong, commit in advance to legislate simply for whatever but honest and incorruptible, and they want their politicians comes out of this judicial inquiry, we should, I believe, to sort out a mess that has sapped their faith in the key invest all possible faith in this inquiry, because it is our institutions of our country. Whatever our differences in best chance of making a fresh start. this debate, we should be clear today: we will not let them down. Robert Halfon: I thank my right hon. Friend for giving way. Given what he has just said, is he aware that 2.18 pm the BBC accounts for 70% of TV news, and that on the internet it has 10 times as much market share as Sky? Is Edward Miliband (Doncaster North) (Lab): I welcome not an answer to this to democratise the licence fee, and this debate and in starting it, all of us should remember to give licence fee payers a vote on the board and what brings us here. Parliament would not have been structure of the BBC? recalled today had it not been for the revelations about the hacking of Milly Dowler’s phone. That revelation The Prime Minister: It is an interesting idea, which shocked our country and turned something that had my hon. Friend can put to this inquiry. I think the key seemed to be about the lives of politicians, footballers is—I am biased, as I worked in ITV for many years—that and celebrities into something very different about the you do need strong, independent television to give lives of others who had never sought the public eye. It is people a choice of news. I have made many mistakes in the courage of Bob and Sally Dowler, and Milly’s sister my life, and I think one of them was agreeing, briefly, Gemma, in speaking out, that has been the spur for that it was a good idea to move the “News at Ten”. I much that has happened in the last fortnight. I pay think it was a very bad decision, and a proper plurality tribute to them for their courage in speaking out about in news is very important. these issues. People’s anger about what has happened with phone Several hon. Members rose— hacking has been real, but some people will no doubt ask—indeed, we heard a bit of this in the statement—why, The Prime Minister: Let me make a bit more progress. when we have so many other problems facing the country in relation to the economy, the NHS, defence and all In anticipation of what might come out of a judicial those issues, the House of Commons is debating this inquiry, we are planning a communications Bill this issue in particular. It is true that this issue does not Parliament that can take into account the recommendations directly concern our jobs and living standards, but it of the inquiry. does concern something incredibly important on which Finally, painful though it can sometimes be, there is all else depends—the fabric of our country. We do not no doubt in my mind that when it comes to the best way want to live in a country in which the depraved deletion to achieve the more healthy relationship between politicians of the voicemails of a dead teenager is seen as acceptable, and the media, transparency is the absolute key. Clearly, in which the police’s failure to investigate that is seen as that is vital in contact between political leaders and just the way things are and in which politicians’ failure media groups. I have set out, as I have said today, all my to tackle it is seen as the way things are. contacts since the election; I look forward to others doing the same. I am sure that Tony Blair and the last Nicky Morgan (Loughborough) (Con): I do not think Prime Minister will soon follow suit for their time in there is one person in the country—well, maybe there office. are a handful—who thinks the depraved deletion of a 973 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 974 Police Police voicemail, as the right hon. Gentleman describes it, is unlawful accessing of banking records to establish details acceptable. What people are wondering about is whether of payments made. May I ask the Leader of the Opposition, politicians find it acceptable when people are not honest— who himself aspires to lead this country, what checks he this is across the House—about dealings between politicians, made and what assurances were given to him about the press and the police. That is why we are here today. I Mr Baldwin’s conduct before he appointed Mr Baldwin do not want him to think that anyone in the House to that high office? would think those deletions were acceptable. Edward Miliband: I take all allegations against members Edward Miliband: I agree completely with the hon. of my staff seriously, which is why I checked these out Lady’s comments. As the Prime Minister said in his with The Times newspaper, which specifically confirms speech, there are issues here for the press, the police what the gentleman to whom the hon. Member for and, indeed, politicians. Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart) refers said, which This debate goes to the heart of the country we is that he did not commission illegal investigations into should aspire to be. It goes to the integrity, responsibility Michael Ashcroft. [Interruption.] Ihavetosaytothe and accountability of some of our established institutions. Prime Minister, who is chuntering from the Front Bench, At the heart of the debate is the issue of how these that we should rely on some of those people because institutions and the people who head them act. Can the Tom Baldwin’s line manager was the current Education press be trusted, in the words of the Press Complaints Secretary for much of the time in question. He is not in Commission’s first chairman, Lord McGregor, not to his place today, but for much of the time that the dabble investigation was going on into Lord Ashcroft—remember “their fingers in the stuff of other people’s souls”? him?—Tom Baldwin’s line manager was the current Can the police be trusted to investigate wrongdoing Education Secretary. I see the Prime Minister is smiling. without fear or favour? Can we, as politicians be trusted—as This issue has been raised a number of times and I have I have said and as the hon. Member for Loughborough to say to hon. Members, “Remember Lord Ashcroft (Nicky Morgan) has just said—to speak out when wrong and his assurances. Remember his assurances about his is done? tax status, which were relied on by the current Foreign For the Dowler family, let us be honest, until just two Secretary and Prime Minister.”I have to say to Conservative weeks ago the answer to all those questions was no—and Members that if I were them, I would shut up about the the fact that it was should shame our country. So when I allegations regarding Lord Ashcroft. read in the newspapers that this is the angst or obsession of a few people in Westminster, I say that it is not, Several hon. Members rose— because it goes to the kind of country we are. It also goes directly to something else that we on both Edward Miliband: Who is next, Mr Speaker? I give sides of the House hear and talk about a lot: the way to the hon. Gentleman. responsibilities of those without power in Britain, such as those on benefits. We all use words such as “cheats” John Howell (Henley) (Con): I have been listening to and “abusers” and we saw that language in the News of the passion with which the right hon. Gentleman has the World; some of it is even true in respect of a been making his case, but if that passion for reform minority, but how much—let us be honest about this—do really is there, can he tell me why the previous Government we talk about the responsibilities of the powerful? What did nothing but talk between 2002 and 2007 about message does it send to the rest of our society when the reform of the Press Complaints Commission? established institutions of our country behave without responsibility? It sends the message that anything goes because no one seems to care about right and wrong. Edward Miliband: The hon. Gentleman is completely This debate goes to one more, final issue: just as the right that we did not do enough and we should have expenses issue undermined the reputation of the good, done more. I am absolutely clear about this. Of course decent majority on both sides of the House, so too this this was a collective failure on both sides of the House— scandal affects the vast majority of good, upstanding [HON.MEMBERS: “Ah!”] I do not know why hon. Members police officers on whom all our communities rely and say, “Ah.” I take our responsibility for this—of course affects the vast majority of decent journalists who are that is right. Part of what is required is that we all doing their job and are, as the Prime Minister said, account for our actions. That is absolutely right. necessary for a free and fair society. It is also in their interests that we sort this out. Several hon. Members rose— When people say that this does not matter they are not just saying, “Let’s talk about something else”, but Edward Miliband: Will hon. Members give me a something far more serious. That cynicism about the moment? country we live in is almost inevitable—that nothing can be done. I say to Members on both sides of the The former Home Secretary, my right hon. Friend House. and I am sure that I speak for Members across the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle the House when I say it, that if we fall prey to that, (Alan Johnson), who might talk about this in the debate, nobody will trust established institutions in this country—or, did seek to reopen the inquiries both with the police and indeed, anyone else. the Independent Police Complaints Commission, but that did not happen. No one in the House can say that Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): we should not have spoken out earlier. The Labour party’s director of communications, Tom Baldwin, is accused of having been involved in the Several hon. Members rose— 975 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 976 Police Police Edward Miliband: Who is next? The hon. Member for redress. I do not want a country where there has to be a Mid Norfolk (George Freeman) seems very excited so I police inquiry or judge-led inquiry to give redress to will take his intervention. that citizen. Let me say something about press regulation. Why George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): The Leader of did the PCC fail? This is important, because the PCC the Opposition started by striking, as the Prime Minister was aware of the allegations that were being made. It did earlier, a tone of statesmanlike non-partisanship, failed because it had no powers of investigation, so and he had the attention of the House. Will he, as the although it now believes it was lied to, it could do Prime Minister did earlier, acknowledge the sins of his nothing to check the veracity of what it had been told. party, as ours, in the past 20 years and give a small It failed because despite the evidence of bad practice, apology for the excesses of media manipulation on his nothing was done by an organisation that—let us be side of the House? candid about this—was not sufficiently independent of current editors. Edward Miliband: The hon. Gentleman obviously I do not believe—I echo the words of the Prime was not listening to what I was saying in my speech. We Minister on this point—that it should be for politicians need to change— to decide what our press reports. That is an important principle of a free society and of our society. Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): Will my right hon. Friend give way? Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? Edward Miliband: I give way to my distinguished and right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), the Chair of the Home Affairs Committee. Edward Miliband: I want to make some progress. It is commonly agreed that we need a new system of Keith Vaz: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for regulation. Whether we call it self-regulation or independent that. May I take him back to the beginning of his regulation, which is a term the Prime Minister coined speech when he talked about faith in institutions? Does and that I like, in substance it is about ethics being he agree that credit should be given to the Metropolitan overseen by an independent group of people who are Police Commissioner, who felt that the issue of leadership not current editors, with investigatory powers so that was at stake in the Metropolitan police and therefore the regulatory body cannot simply be lied to as the PCC resigned so that that service could move on? Surely the says that it was and—this is an important point—with former Commissioner should be given credit for what the power to enforce compensation and prominent redress. he did. That point is really important. The standards of accuracy in our press will be much encouraged if there is prominence Edward Miliband: I agree. Sir Paul Stephenson acted of apology and admission of error rather than their with great honour in this matter and I am sure that is being buried on page 42, which is what happens. recognised on both sides of the House. The issue, which the Prime Minister touched on in his speech, goes beyond press regulation. Indeed, Government Ben Gummer (Ipswich) (Con) rose— Members have asked me about this. Why did not more of us speak out earlier? The answer is what we all know Edward Miliband: Let me make progress and then I and used to be afraid to say: News International was might give way to the hon. Gentleman. too powerful. It owned 40% of the newspaper market before the closure of the News of the World. It owns two We need to change our press, our police and our politics. thirds of the pay TV market through 39% of the Sky First, on the press, the questions we must all ask as we platform and Sky News. The Communications Act 2003 debate this are not just about who acted illegally and rightly stops an organisation holding an ITV licence when, which is properly a matter for the police investigation. and more than 20% of newspapers, but it does not They must get to the bottom of what happened. The apply to digital channels. One might say that it was an inquiry led by Lord Justice Leveson must do its work, analogue Act in a digital age. The Act needs to be but we cannot just ask why it happened—we also need updated as such a concentration of power is unhealthy. to ask why that culture was so widespread. In my view, If one thing comes out of what we have seen in the past the answer is relatively simple. two weeks and over many years, it must be that we understand the point about concentrations of power in Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) our society because large concentrations of power are (Con): Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? more likely to lead to abuses of power.

Edward Miliband: Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): My concern is that just listen to my speech for a bit longer. we preserve the freedom of the press. The right hon. Some of the institutions involved thought they were Gentleman mentioned News International specifically, above the law and beyond responsibility. A police inquiry but we know that Mirror Group and the Daily Mail and a judge-led inquiry should not be the only way for were equally culpable according to the 2006 report. He an ordinary citizen to get effective redress when the talks about the media market, but we know that the press do them wrong. One of the symptoms of what BBC has a dominant position. His comments are beginning happened is the fact that Press Complaints Commission— to look like he is conducting a vendetta against News the Prime Minister and I both recognise this—was a International when we need to consider the media as a wholly ineffective body in giving the ordinary citizen whole. 977 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 978 Police Police Edward Miliband: Let me reassure the hon. Gentleman Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire) (Con) rose— on that point. Of course, the police inquiry and the judge-led inquiry must look across all the newspapers. I Edward Miliband: I give way to the hon. Gentleman; want to pick him up on his point about the BBC, he and I are old sparring partners. however. The BBC is much more tightly bound by public interest guidelines than newspapers. That is right, Oliver Heald: The Leader of the Opposition rightly because there is a distinction—I disagree with the former talks about the independence of the police, yet he seems Labour leader, Lord Kinnock, on this point—between to have expected that, during the course of a police broadcasting and newspapers. I think that distinction is inquiry, the assistant commissioner would go and see likely to be maintained and I support that. We should the Prime Minister and talk about the emerging evidence. be careful, however, about lumping the BBC in with all It seems, extraordinarily, that the assistant commissioner this because it is in a different category. had a similar expectation. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell us whether that is the way it went on in Labour Sajid Javid (Bromsgrove) (Con): In yesterday’s years? Is that what was happening? If not, will he say Committee, Rebekah Brooks said that she had not had now that he thinks the police should be truly independent? a single meeting with the Prime Minister in Downing street but that she had visited the former Prime Minister, Edward Miliband: This is not about the operational the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath independence of the police and I am surprised that the (Mr Brown), six times each year. The Leader of the hon. Gentleman wants to return to these issues because Opposition was a key member of the previous Government. it is the wall of silence that was erected around the Did he share his concerns about the power of News Prime Minister that meant that he did not hear the facts International with the former Prime Minister? about Andy Coulson, which were facts that he should have heard. We need reforms— Edward Miliband: I do not think that was the most helpful intervention from the point of view of the Prime Several hon. Members rose— Minister. The reason Rebekah Brooks was not coming to Downing street was that she was seeing him in Edward Miliband: I am going to make some more Oxfordshire and elsewhere. It is fairly obvious, is it not? progress, if I may. I think we should save the Prime Minister embarrassment and move on. We need to reform our press and politics and we need also to reform the dealings between politicians and the Let me turn to the police. Confidence and respect in press. I welcome the Prime Minister’s— policing is vital. Recent events have created a cloud and it is important that the excellent work being done by police officers is not tarnished. Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con) rose— Edward Miliband: I think I might get to the point on Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con) rose— which the hon. Gentleman wants to intervene, if he gives me a moment. Edward Miliband: I will make a little more progress, if I welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to be more the hon. Gentleman will be patient. transparent about meetings with executives and editors. The independence and impartiality of the police has I have published all my meetings since I became leader been a cornerstone of the force stretching back to of the Labour party and I say to the Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. That is why recent events are so disturbing: that of course I will go back to the general election. allegations of payments to police by the press; a culture where it appears the relationship between press and Nadhim Zahawi rose— police is too close and information is passed inappropriately; and questions about why the first police investigation failed and why it has taken so long to put things right. Edward Miliband: The hon. Gentleman is so over-excited that I feel I must give way to him in case a nasty There are now four different investigations considering accident befalls him. these issues. That is a good thing and I hope they proceed as speedily as they can given all the inquiries. If Nadhim Zahawi: I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman they can be co-ordinated or brought together, I am sure will publish all the meetings he had with the media that would be a good idea, too. Let me make one before he became leader, because transparency is the observation, though. There are cultural issues that must greatest disinfectant. Will he confirm to the House be looked at in our police. Just like in newspapers, there whether, when he was running to lead his party, he met will always be things that go wrong. The question we any of the Murdochs or anyone from News International? must answer for victims such as the Dowlers is whether the right system of redress is in place for the victims and whether they have confidence in it. The situation is Edward Miliband: I did have one lunch with News similar to that in the PCC and that is why we need a International and it was profoundly unsuccessful, as stronger Independent Police Complaints Commission. people will have gathered. I can be accused of many It is currently a complaints body with limited powers things, but I do not think that a cosy, sweetheart relationship and a huge case load that has clearly not been able or with The Sun newspaper—Red Ed and all that—is one willing—probably able—to act proactively enough. As of them. well as reforms to our press and to our complaints system for the press, we must also reform the police. Several hon. Members rose— 979 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 980 Police Police Edward Miliband: I am going to make some more about lasting change. That is the duty we owe to the progress. I want, if I may, to come back to two or three victims of phone hacking. It is a duty we owe to the outstanding issues raised earlier in the statement, because people of this country. they go to questions of transparency. Several hon. Members rose— Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab): On the question of relationships between politicians and the media, what Mr Speaker: Order. In view of the number of Members lessons does the Leader of the Opposition think we seeking to take part in the debate, I have imposed an should draw from the fact that when the Prime Minister eight-minute limit on Back-Bench speeches with immediate published the list of the meetings that he had, 26 were effect, but I emphasise to the House that that limit is with people from News International, but just one was reviewable. with a person from the BBC?

Edward Miliband: People will draw their own conclusions, 2.43 pm and my hon. Friend has put the point on the record. I Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con): Today’s debate want to deal with two or three important points about is part of a long saga that probably still has some way to transparency. The Prime Minister, in his statement, go. That saga began, arguably, with the arrest of Clive surprised me by talking about the very important article—I Goodman, and before that, possibly with the Operation raised it in my statement—that The New York Times Motorman inquiries to the Information Commissioner, published on 1 September. He said—of course, the or before that, with the inquiry held by my predecessor record should be checked on this—that there was no as Chairman of the Select Committee on Culture, Media new information in The New York Times.Idonot and Sport, the right hon. Member for Manchester, believe that to be correct. Indeed, I have The New York Gorton (Sir Gerald Kaufman), in which Rebekah Brooks Times article here; I want to read a brief extract from it: first spoke about payments to police officers. “One former editor said Coulson talked freely with colleagues about the dark arts, including hacking. ‘I’ve been to dozens if not The Select Committee spent a long time yesterday hundreds of meetings with Andy’ when the subject came up, said taking evidence from Rupert and James Murdoch, and the former editor…The editor added that when Coulson would from Rebekah Brooks—something like five hours in ask where a story came from, editors would reply, ‘We’ve pulled total. I apologise to the House for the fact that, unlike the phone records’ or ‘I’ve listened to the phone messages.’” the right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz)—my That goes to a very important issue, because my charge colleague who chairs the Home Affairs Committee—we against the Prime Minister is that there was lots of have not yet managed to produce a report. We may well information publicly available. There were warnings still do so. from the Deputy Prime Minister, who sat very glumly during the Prime Minister’s statement. There were warnings Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab): We have given that the Prime Minister ignored. I will happily not produced a report, but we have had some success. give way to the Prime Minister if he wants to correct the Yesterday, as the hon. Gentleman will recall, the Murdochs record about The New York Times, because this was a admitted for the first time that News International was very serious, major investigation by a global newspaper, paying the legal fees of the private investigator, Glenn and the Prime Minister’s comments earlier do not reflect Mulcaire. It is now being reported that that has stopped. the gravity of the allegations in The New York Times Does he agree that that is absolutely right and proper, article. The Prime Minister seems otherwise engaged. because one cannot apologise to the Dowler family on the one hand and still pay the fees of the private Several hon. Members rose— investigator who hacked their phones on the other? Edward Miliband: I want to make some progress. There are unanswered questions about all the allegations, Mr Whittingdale: I agree with the hon. Gentleman, all the credible evidence that was given to the Prime and I was going to deal with that matter. He is absolutely Minister, including in The New York Times, and the right to identify it. I thought it important that Rupert warnings from the Deputy Prime Minister. I will even and James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks came to give way to the Deputy Prime Minister if he wants to Parliament. We were warned about legal difficulties and tell us about the warnings that he gave. It would be nice their inability to answer questions. I have to say that I to hear from him, because he has not looked very happy think they genuinely tried to prove as helpful as they during this debate, and if he wants to share his unhappiness could be within those constraints, but the important with us, I am sure that we would all love to hear it. He is thing is that they, the leaders of the company at the saving it for his memoirs. time, came to give an account of that company—in Parliament, in public. That could only have happened There are unanswered questions about BSkyB. There in this place, and that is one of the reasons why Select are real questions about what conversations—important Committees have an important role. I was therefore conversations—the Prime Minister had about BSkyB particularly sad that their appearance was marred by with James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks; he should the incident to which Mr Speaker has referred. It did have raised that. These questions are not going to go not serve the interests of those who dislike Rupert and away. They will continue until he answers them. James Murdoch; it distracted attention from the very Today the House rises for more than six weeks for the important matters about which we were attempting to summer recess. We will debate other issues, and rightly probe them, and the fact that they were treated in that so, but we all have a collective responsibility to ensure way reflected no credit on Parliament or the Committee. that this is not an event where the whirlwind blows The inquiry that Mr Speaker has spoken about is extremely through and nothing really changes. We have to bring important. 981 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 982 Police Police We asked very detailed questions. There are three read out was from an unnamed former editor. Sean areas where there are still significant questions to be Hoare was named. He was the only individual who was. asked. One, which was raised by a number of my Sadly, the late Sean Hoare was an individual whose colleagues, is why the payments to Gordon Taylor and testimony some people felt might not be wholly reliable. Max Clifford were so large, and why subsequent payments to other victims of phone hacking were considerably Mr Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon) (Con): smaller. The second is on the issue that the hon. Member Is it not also true that Mr. Hoare was unwilling to back for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Paul Farrelly) raised: the up the allegations that he had made to The New York Times? continuing payment of Glenn Mulcaire’s legal fees. I am delighted to hear from the hon. Gentleman that that Mr Whittingdale: I know that it was widely believed has now stopped. that Sean Hoare’s testimony would not stand up in The third issue—another one that the hon. Gentleman court. was very robust in pursuing—concerns the e-mails handed I want to raise one other matter that relates to the over to the solicitors Harbottle & Lewis for examination, actions that could have been taken by the previous which led to Harbottle & Lewis writing to News Government. The one recommendation from the International to say that the e-mails contained no evidence Information Commissioner, right back at the time of that any other person was involved. This morning I the “What price privacy?” report, was that the maximum received a letter from Harbottle & Lewis, which says penalty for breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 that it should be a custodial sentence. Press freedom is protected “asked News International’s solicitors at BCL Burton Copeland because there is a public interest defence in that Act. whether their client is prepared to waive the confidentiality and My understanding is that the right hon. Member for legal professional privilege which attaches to their Correspondence”. Blackburn (Mr Straw), who was the Home Secretary at That request has been refused. I understand that that the time, accepted that recommendation and it was refusal was made before Rupert and James Murdoch Government policy to impose a custodial sentence as a gave evidence to the Committee. I hope that in the light maximum sentence, but he was then overruled by the of the assurance that Rupert and James Murdoch gave then Prime Minister following pressure from the media. us of their wish to co-operate as much as possible, the firm will review that decision and perhaps release Harbottle Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): The answer, which & Lewis from the arrangement, so that we can see the I will explain in more detail if I catch Mr Speaker’s eye, correspondence. is that provisions to do both are on the statute book. It is not just Harbottle & Lewis; an inquiry was also They are in section 76 of the Criminal Justice and undertaken by Burton Copeland—we have not seen the Immigration Act 2008, and it is a matter for the Government outcome—and the inquiry that News International to implement them. It is quite wrong for the Government undertook, in which it said it looked at 2,500 e-mails to assert that we took no action. We did act, consistently, and failed to find any evidence. It would be interesting with the Information Commissioner’s report. to learn further details of the rigour of that particular investigation. At the end of the day, it all boils down to Mr Whittingdale: I hope that the right hon. Gentleman whether one believes the evidence given to us. The will elaborate, because he is right to say that the measure Select Committee does not have access to e-mails on is on the statute book, but it would have required a servers, or to the papers that were seized from Glenn statutory instrument, I think, to implement, and that Mulcaire, Jonathan Rees and other people. All we have SI was going to be introduced, but was then dropped is the testimony given to us by the witnesses. We certainly following meetings that took place in Downing street tested them yesterday for five hours. I think that testimony between members of the media and the Prime Minister. is now on the record, and people can judge. The two issues that we are debating this afternoon— freedom of the media and the honesty of the police—are Chris Bryant: I just worry that perhaps the hon. both absolutely fundamental to a free society. Therefore, Gentleman is accepting at face value rather too readily I welcome the inquiries and the judicial review. I urge a what the Murdochs said yesterday in relation to corporate slight note of caution on my right hon. Friend the governance. The answer seemed to be that they did not Prime Minister when he says that he is contemplating know anything—that the company was too big for them whether politicians should be entirely removed from the to know about anything that was going on in the News process of assessing whether newspaper, press or media of the World. It seems to me that that is a failure of acquisitions or mergers should take place. There is a corporate governance in the company, because the whole public interest test, and it is elected and accountable point of a non-executive director, or a director, is that politicians who, ultimately, should determine the public they have to make sure that they know enough about interest. If politicians are entirely removed from the their company to ensure that there is no criminality and process, you have people who are unelected and that it always works within the law. The argument that unaccountable, and I am not sure that that is wholly they knew nothing is no defence. desirable. However, I am sure that that is something that the review will wish to examine in due course. Mr Whittingdale: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I would also like to say a brief word in defence of the There was undoubtedly a failure of corporate governance, Press Complaints Commission, which does good work and that may well exercise the minds of the shareholders for many individuals who have specific complaints against of News Corp, and perhaps even the American authorities. single reports that have appeared in newspapers. It is a Reference has been made to The New York Times good complaint-handling organisation, but it was never article, which I remember well. Part of the problem was intended to deal with the regular systemic breaches of that the quotation that I think the Leader of the Opposition the code, indeed breaches of the law, that are now being 983 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 984 Police Police [Mr Whittingdale] (Michael Ellis), and my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe)— are in the exposed. However, the fact that it did the job that it was House today, for the work that they have done. Others, I asked to do well does not mean that we do not now need am sure, will come into the debate. a stronger and more independent regulator, and I do The report’s conclusions centre on three areas—first, believe that we have reached that time. the police, secondly, the mobile phone companies, and thirdly, we touched on News International, only in Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): Does respect of its co-operation or lack of co-operation with my hon. Friend think that it would be helpful, when a the police. We found a catalogue of failures by the newspaper makes an apology, if the apology were on Metropolitan police. We looked at the first investigation the same page and took up the same amount of space as and we took evidence from Mr Clarke, a senior officer, the original offending article? very distinguished in relation to counter-terrorism. But Mr Clarke felt that he could not proceed with his Mr Whittingdale: There is a requirement in the Press inquiry, the first inquiry—we provided a useful timeline Complaints Commission code that an adjudication of for hon. Members just after the first chapter, which sets the PCC should be given due prominence. Three years out when these inquiries took place—because he felt ago the Select Committee recommended that that meant that he was deliberately thwarted by News International. that it should at the very least be on the same page as We took evidence from Mr Hayman, and the report the original article, or even earlier in the paper, but speaks for itself in respect of his cavalier attitude to the certainly not later. So yes, I agree with my hon. Friend. Committee, and indeed to his relationship with News It is right that we examine these matters, but we need International. We questioned the relationship between to bear in mind that the media in this country are the police and New International whereby there appeared changing beyond recognition. The power of online to be a revolving door. Former senior police officers distribution of news, which is where the advertising is ended up writing articles in News International titles, going and where people wishing to find out the news are and former employees of News International ended up going, is changing the media landscape. The truth is working for the Metropolitan police and advising the that we may not have newspapers for very much longer commissioner for £1,000 a day. in this country. Certainly there will be a number of The second inquiry, we felt, was also very poor. To closures because of the dramatic shift, the structural give him his credit, John Yates was very clear. He used change, taking place in the media. Therefore we need to more colourful language when speaking to Sunday be careful that when we set up a regulatory structure it newspapers, but we thought that it was a serious takes account of the new landscape, not the old. misjudgment that on 9 July he spent only eight hours looking at the evidence. He denied that that was a 2.54 pm review and said that it was the establishment of facts, Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): It is a pleasure to but we were clear when we took evidence from Sir Paul follow the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale). Stephenson that no time limit was placed on John I congratulate him and his Committee on the excellent Yates. He could have taken longer. Indeed, when we saw work that they have done in their inquiry. I thank you, the DPP, Keir Starmer, afterwards, he was very clear Mr Speaker, for allowing the House to sit for this extra that John Yates had contacted him after 9 July, because day, and the Prime Minister for coming to the House Keir Starmer, in preparing his evidence for the Culture, and making such a very long statement and answering Media and Sport Committee, had asked John Yates to so many questions. come and talk to him, with leading counsel, to decide whether there was a case to reopen the matter on 9 July. Yesterday was a good day for Parliament. Along the Sadly, the lack of co-operation from News International corridor of the Grimond Room and the Wilson Room, continues. As the hon. Member for Maldon has just the Select Committees for Culture, Media and Sport said, it is refusing to waive client confidentiality, and and for Home Affairs were simultaneously holding refusing to allow Harbottle & Lewis to release the hearings. We in our Committee did not have the drama exchange of correspondence. of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee hearing, and I know that you, Mr Speaker, have instituted a security investigation. Perhaps there were no police Mr Cox: May I take the right hon. Gentleman back officers around because most of them were giving evidence to 2006? Did he find as part of his investigation that the to the Home Affairs Committee. We took evidence Attorney-General had been informed in 2006—on 30 May, from both the former commissioner and the former to be precise—that a vast array of numbers had been assistant commissioner, and there were a lot of police tapped by investigators employed by News International? officers there. The then Attorney-General’s approval was sought for a I pay tribute to the work of my Committee Clerks, much narrower focused investigation, which plainly, by and to the Committee. We basically locked the doors in implication, was given. Is it not clear that Ministers the Grimond Room to ensure that we agreed the report knew in 2006 that there was a great array of tapped that is before the House today. I will speak only briefly phone numbers that could have given rise to a wider about these issues. The report has 122 paragraphs and it investigation, but they never allowed the police, or was published at 5 o’clock this morning. But there is an instructed the police to carry it out? opportunity for those participating in this debate to look at the report’s conclusions, which we began as Keith Vaz: No witness who came before the Committee early as last October. I thank members of the Committee, has said that to us, but I am happy to write to the previous three of whom—the hon. Members for Rochester and Attorney-General to ask whether in fact he or she—I Strood (Mark Reckless) and for Northampton North have forgotten who it was at the time—was informed. 985 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 986 Police Police Clearly the Director of Public Prosecutions was informed, the inquiry was over. Their customers remained uninformed and the Attorney-General has superintendence over the about the hacking, which is why there is such a build-up DPP. of information. I agree with what the Prime Minister and the Leader Mr Cox rose— of the Opposition have said today. Our concern is that the victims were not put first. If we had put the victims Keith Vaz: I will not give way a second time, but I am first in 2006, if Mr Hayman, Mr Clarke and Mr Yates happy to talk to the hon. and learned Gentleman later, had done that, we would never have got into the position or if he catches Mr Speaker’s eye he could make his where all the evidence was not thoroughly looked at. I points then. I shall be happy to write to the previous welcome the inquiry and I have no objection to any Attorney-General if that helps. member of the panel mentioned in the House today. Putting Shami Chakrabarti on the same panel as a We come to the end of the second police investigation former chief constable is a very good idea; it contains a and the failure of the police to inspect the evidence in good balance. I hope that recommendations will be their possession adequately and thoroughly. The risk made as quickly as possible. I am sure the Prime Minister was that waiting for a certain length of time with, as is the last person in the world to want this to drag on. Mr Yates described it, bin bags full of evidence, there is the possibility that the Metropolitan police would have The victims want closure. After such a long debate, disposed of that evidence. Just in time, Operation Weeting and such a long statement and endless questions, we all was established. We all agreed that Sue Akers gave want closure, so the sooner we get the investigations excellent evidence to the Committee. We want to ensure completed the better—but as the Committee says, we that she has all the resources she can possibly need. must never forget the victims. They are the people who That is one of our recommendations. Although when I have suffered the most. last pressed the Prime Minister on the issue, at the Dispatch Box a week ago, he said that he was leaving it 3.5 pm up to the Metropolitan police to decide on resources, Sue Akers really does need more resources. There are Mr Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon) (Con): 12,800 names; she has cleared 170 and is clearing them I want to raise three points. Although I congratulate the at the rate of 30 a month. We made a calculation, which right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) on his is not in the report, that that process could go on for Committee’s report, one or two loose ends seem not to several decades. It will take at least a decade unless we have been followed up. On 30 May 2006, a Crown give her the resources that she needs. We have confidence Prosecution file note recorded that the police had written in Sue Akers. We believe that she will complete her a briefing paper informing the Attorney-General and investigation properly. the then Director of Public Prosecutions that There are many issues in the report, but I want to “a vast number of unique voicemail numbers belonging to high-profile highlight two relevant points. The first concerns the individuals (politicians, celebrities) have been identified as being arguments that went on throughout the whole process accessed without authority. These may be the subject of wider between the Director of Public Prosecutions and the investigation.” police. The hon. Member for Rochester and Strood In a memorandum dated 8 August 2006, a senior pursued that issue vigorously with all our witnesses, and Crown Prosecution Service lawyer wrote: I am sure if he catches your eye Mr Speaker, he will be “It was recognised early in this case that the investigation was able to enlighten the House on what he and the Committee likely to reveal a vast array of offending behaviour.” saw as the problem. Suffice to say that it is not helpful However, the Crown Prosecution Service and the police when such things happen. We should like to see the concluded that aspects of the investigation could be Crown Prosecution Service and the police working closely focused on a discrete area of offending relating to two together. officials at the palace and the suspects Goodman and Mulcaire. Mr Graham Stuart: We have heard that there was a From those documents, it is absolutely manifest that culture of too much closeness between those in power the Attorney-General in the previous Government, who and those in News International. Did the Committee sits when appropriate in the Cabinet, was informed that hear evidence that a political steer was given to the there was “a vast array” of offending behaviour in police to direct them away from investigations? I say which hundreds of celebrities, Members of the House that in the light of the fact that Members on the and of the other place and others had had their phones Opposition Front Bench today seem to think it appropriate accessed without authority. Why was nothing done? for the Prime Minister to engage in operational discussions with the police while they are carrying out an inquiry. The Leader of the Opposition has left the Chamber. Can he or former members of the Cabinet tell us whether the Attorney-General in 2006 brought to the Keith Vaz: We heard no such evidence, as the hon. attention of his colleagues the fact that a vast array of Gentleman can confirm if he reads the report. offending behaviour had been committed by News My final point is about mobile phone companies. International but it was not intended that it be investigated They have a responsibility to inform their customers if by the police? The Attorney-General has a solemn duty they have been hacked. We saw a difference of approach to draw to the attention of the Cabinet such matters if between the big providers; Members may want to check they affect the public interest. The Attorney-General their contracts. Only O2 informed customers when their has a right of oversight of the CPS—the ultimate phones were hacked. The others either did not inform resort—and could at least instruct that advice be given their customers or waited for the police to tell them that to the police on such matters. Why was nothing done? 987 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 988 Police Police [Mr Geoffrey Cox] or a review—I appreciate that it was not a formal review—that was carried out in eight hours apparently I invite the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee failed to read material that, as the former Deputy to call for that evidence and to examine it closely, Director of Public Prosecutions was able to determine because it seems to me a matter of the most pressing in a few minutes, gave rise to the gravest illegalities. On public interest. the face of it, that is either wilful blindness or rank incompetence. Whatever the reason, Mr Yates’s resignation Mr Straw: The hon. and learned Gentleman invites was right and done for proper reasons. It is inconceivable members of the then Cabinet at large to say whether the that, if the exercise had been carried out properly, the information was ever shared with them by the then material would not have come to light in 2009. Questions Attorney-General. I can only speak for myself. I served arise about the closeness of officers of the Metropolitan in that Cabinet and subsequent ones and on no occasion police to News International and whether that deflected do I recall that Attorney-General, or any Attorney-General, and deterred them from a rigorous analysis of the ever informing members of the Cabinet either at a evidence that had been in their possession since 2006. It formal meeting or informally, of an ongoing investigation. was not only in their possession, but, as the memorandum Even when I was Home Secretary, the Attorney-General of 30 May 2006 to the Attorney-General shows, they of the day would never have informed me about an had discovered that it included investigation and decisions he or she had made, nor would I have sought that information. “a vast array of offending behaviour.”

Mr Cox: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere) (Con): I do not for that information, but the fact remains that the know many of the details that my hon. Friend has given Attorney-General under the previous Government appears to the House, but the Select Committee heard that a to have countenanced a prosecution strategy when he great deal of the evidence was never examined, either in and the then Director of Public Prosecutions knew that the original investigation or in the course of the review, the voicemails of hundreds of individuals had been so it could not be known what possible criminal behaviour accessed. had occurred, in addition to the hundreds and thousands of names involved. The e-mails that my hon. Friend Keith Vaz: I will write to the previous Attorney-General mentioned are slightly different. News International today to ask for that information. supplied them internally and they had not been held by the police. They were supplied to the solicitors who gave Oliver Heald rose— them in May to the former DPP, who quickly saw Mr Cox: I will give way to my hon. Friend. wrongdoing in them.

Oliver Heald: When the former Home Secretary spoke Mr Cox: My hon. Friend is right that new material a moment ago, he used the words, “or informally”. was supplied by Harbottle & Lewis, but I am referring Does my hon. Friend think that one aspect that may to material that was in the possession of the police in need examining is whether the matter was another 2006—mobile phone records, about which they told the subject that fell into the “sofa Government” category, then Attorney-General, “Look we’ve got a vast array of and that the Attorney-General may have spoken to the offending behaviour here. What are we going to do?” Prime Minister or one or two others, but it was not The instruction—or at least the approval—that came brought before the full Cabinet? from on high appears to have been, “Confine it. Keep Mr Cox: The matter needs to be closely examined, out the penumbra of offending behaviour you could and the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee has examine and confine it to Mulcaire and Goodman.” taken it on board. With the greatest respect to the That was wrong. With hindsight, we now see that that Attorney-General at the time, if he was informed of the judgment was fundamentally flawed. The matter should matter, he should have interested himself in exactly how have been investigated. Why was it not? the investigation would be conducted. On the face of it, One cannot resist the conclusion that, until it became an enormous amount of wrongdoing was simply ignored. apparent that ordinary members of the public—Milly The police appear to have proposed a strategy, which Dowler, soldiers who fought for this country—had also would, as the briefing paper put it to the Attorney-General, been subject to hacking, the Labour Government’s approach “ring-fence” Mulcaire and Goodman and exclude a was that politicians and celebrities were fair game, so it whole raft of serious criminal wrongdoing from was not a serious matter. The Chairman of the Home investigation. That may well have affected Members. Affairs Committee reported that Mr Clarke gave as his I do not know to whom the Committee refers when it justification the fact that he did not have many resources says that neither Ministers nor the police escalated the and that he was also dealing with terrorism at the time. matter. As the Committee put it, if Ministers at the time Frankly, the clear impression is given that the matter had taken those issues sufficiently seriously, the matter was not very serious. One suspects that that is why no would have been investigated. The truth would have action was taken. been discovered then and we could have avoided a It has been suggested that the Prime Minister’s chief whole series of events that we now know unfolded. of staff was wrong to decline an invitation to be briefed My second point is about the review suggested by in 2010. The surprise is that the offer was ever made, not then Deputy Assistant Commissioner Yates. The Home that it was declined. The chief of staff did exactly the Affairs Committee has rightly judged, in tone and substance, right thing. In 2010, when The New York Times published its criticisms of Mr Yates and Mr Hayman. There are the report, the Prime Minister was right: he needed serious questions to be asked about why an investigation evidence. He could not act on anything else. 989 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 990 Police Police 3.16 pm We knew at that time, from a response given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): In West and Hessle (Alan Johnson), the previous Home his speech, the Prime Minister reminded us of his Secretary, that nearly 3,000 people were on the list of previous incarnation working for ITV. That reminded possible hacked victims. We hear that the figure is now me of the first broadcasting measure that I considered 12,800. A substantial number of those operations have while in opposition last time round, when the technical clearly been undertaken by extremely sophisticated means, director of ITV told us what was happening about and the seriousness of that point is that it brings us convergence. I do not often agree with the hon. Member back to several fundamental questions. for Stone (Mr Cash) but I support his early-day motion, which I willingly signed because it is important to deal First, and very obviously, where did the phone numbers with the issue on a multi-media basis. The world in come from? A lot of colleagues who might be victims which we live—indeed, the world in which we lived in give their phone numbers out willy-nilly; more fool all the early 1990s, though no Members of Parliament had of us for being so publicity-hungry. Perhaps we too adequately recognised what was happening—means that readily give out our mobile numbers, but an awful lot of the nature of our relationship with broadcasters and people, like the Dowler family, or victims of the 7/7 the providers of other media outlets has fundamentally bombings and other potential victims, have had their changed. That is a hugely important aspect, on which basic telephone number—not a PIN number—released the House needs to reflect. by a third party. There is a very serious point, which goes to the heart of part of the investigation—to what A couple of issues have cropped up that, I think as a extent should we look at the role of the police in result of that observation, are increasingly important. releasing those numbers? Some numbers were accessed We need to ensure that during the inquiry, all records, by using published numbers plus the default system, particularly electronic records, are made available at all some were technically hacked at a very sophisticated stages. I was disappointed to hear, in a response earlier, level, and some must have come from the police. that Harbottle & Lewis have not been given freedom by News International to release documents that have come Mr Whittingdale: In the report that the Culture, their way. Putting restrictions on Harbottle & Lewis Media and Sport Committee released, there is a transcript undermines the credibility of the apology given by of a conversation that took place between Glenn Mulcaire News International. I urge my colleagues in the Culture, and the mobile operators, which shows that force is not Media and Sport Committee and the Home Affairs used; it is blagging, where investigators pass themselves Committee to keep on pressing that one, and push off as someone else and get the mobile company to News International to change its position. reveal the PIN number. Obviously, we need to address I want to focus my remarks on the technical issues of that problem with the mobile companies. hacking. When, on 6 September 2010, my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich East (Mr Watson) was Andrew Miller: The hon. Gentleman is right, because granted an urgent question, the fourth strand is indeed the way in which the mobile companies operate security. He attended a demonstration “To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she that I staged recently on one use of malware. We have a will make a statement on the Metropolitan police investigation into phone hacking by the News of the World newspaper.”—[Official lot to learn in this place, and it is incumbent on us to Report, 6 September 2010; Vol. 515, c. 23.], look at all four strands as part of these inquiries and ensure that we are better informed, to ensure that when a very productive exchange took place. After the Home we consider legislation in future, we get to the bottom Secretary’s response, my hon. Friend, responding to of these extremely serious issues. three claims, corrected the Home Secretary’s understanding. Claim No. 1 was that there was no new evidence; there My hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich was. Claim No. 2 was that people were cleared by the East has, by his persistence, done not just the House a Culture, Media and Sport Committee; they were not. favour, but the country. He and I have had disagreements Claim No. 3 was that a single, rogue reporter was on how technical legislation ought to be formed, but responsible; clearly he was not. That was known in this is one matter on which the House can unite. We September 2010 and that knowledge has developed should ensure that every strand of inquiry is properly since. undertaken, and that the subsequent legislation, which will undoubtedly be necessary, covers all those points. In questions following the statement I asked the Home Secretary whether she had any knowledge of 3.25 pm how many of the—at that stage 91—PIN numbers that had got into the public domain were default numbers Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) and how many were obtained as a result of what, (LD): My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I are very technically, I would call a hacking exercise as distinct grateful that Mr Speaker has given us the opportunity from an invasion of privacy, but the answer was not of these debates. I follow the hon. Member for Ellesmere forthcoming. At that time alarm bells should have rung, Port and Neston (Andrew Miller) in saying that I because the Home Secretary, and certainly her advisers, understand exactly the arguments for proper technical must have been aware that there were not 91 default investigation. PIN numbers available; only a handful of default numbers The House knows that on at least two occasions, and were used, one each by the major operators and perhaps by two different newspaper organisations, I was the a couple more in special account situations. At that subject of the illegal acquisition of information. The second stage it was clear that a substantial number had been time, my phone was hacked. I was one of the people hacked by sophisticated means, not just by knowledge who gave evidence in the trial that led to the conviction of default numbers. and imprisonment of Mr Mulcaire and Mr Goodman, 991 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 992 Police Police [Simon Hughes] and continued under the Blair and Brown Administrations. Obviously, such relationships also continued into the but I hope that nothing I say today is prejudiced by beginning of this Government as far as the Conservative vengefulness. I have a view, and have always had a view, party is concerned. that the issue is not about us—the hon. Member for My colleagues and I were clear about that and we Rhondda (Chris Bryant) and I have often made the tried to do something about it. Lord Taylor of Goss point that we can easily defend ourselves—but about Moor tried to deal with the competitive pricing issue in our constituents, friends and families, and the people the House of Commons, and in 1998, Lord McNally who left and received the messages. We now discover said very clearly: that it is also about ordinary people who were not just “Concentration of power, married with the advance in technologies, in the public eye, but at their most vulnerable and in offers a challenge to democratic governments and free societies their time of greatest need, when they least deserved to which we have scarcely begun to address.” have their privacy invaded in the most gratuitous and How right he was. Those debates also went to the offensive way. dominance of particular newspaper titles and the influence of their owners, particularly in relation to the Murdoch Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): Will the right empire. hon. Gentleman give way? Mr Graham Stuart: I agree absolutely with the right Simon Hughes: In a second—I shall continue, if I hon. Gentleman about ensuring that we have a suitable may. spread of media ownership so that we do not have a I welcome what the Prime Minister said about the concentration of power, but does he agree that a inquiry being extended to all police forces and not just concentration of media power in no way excuses the the Metropolitan police, and to all forms of media. I am powerful from exercising their own moral sense and clear that it should also include looking at appropriate making the right decisions? The idea that a public Cabinet papers—I hope that the appropriate releases inquiry might have been put off because of party interest, will be made—party papers, and papers held by previous rather than the national interest, is nothing short of Ministers in all Administrations. Why? The Prime Minister disgraceful, if true. said that, “There are issues of excessive closeness to media groups and media owners where both Labour Simon Hughes: I absolutely agree. The speech that the and Conservatives have to make a fresh start”, but my right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Liberal Democrat Friends and others feel that there are (Mr Brown) made in the other day’s debate was not at not just “issues”, but evidence of dangerous and unhealthy all persuasive about that point. There were calls for a “closeness” in Administrations for at least the past judicial inquiry from my right hon. Friend the Member 20 years. Colleagues in both Houses—I am not claiming for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), my hon. Friend the Member this for myself—have made that point at every available for Torbay (Mr Sanders) and others. That was on the opportunity. All Liberal Democrat party leaders of the previous Government’s agenda, so it could have been past 20 years, from Lord Ashdown, my right hon. held, just as legislation could have been implemented Friend the Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber following the Information Commissioner’s report and (Mr Kennedy) and my right hon. and learned Friend recommendations. However, we had neither an inquiry the Member for North East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell), nor the implementation of higher penalties. to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, have made that point continuously with other colleagues, Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): Will the right hon. on the record, for the past 20 years. Gentleman give way?

Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): Does Simon Hughes: I will not, because I want to make my right hon. Friend agree that sometimes, that closeness some progress, but if I have any spare time, of course I might have led Governments to take policy decisions will. that they would not have taken otherwise? We gave warnings from 2009 that the fit and proper person test needed to be applied more robustly and that Simon Hughes: My right hon. Friend is right, and we needed to be aware of the abuse of positions. I just there is clear evidence for that, and I can perhaps use his record that right up to last year’s general election, and intervention to elaborate. indeed to December 2010, my right hon. Friends the The Competition Bill that was introduced by the Deputy Prime Minister and for Twickenham (Vince Labour Government in 1997 dealt with predatory pricing, Cable) assiduously made the case that there was something including among petrol retailers and supermarkets. My very rotten in the way in which we regulated the media colleagues in the other place, led by Lord McNally, who industry. is now a Justice Minister, managed to pass an amendment The warnings from our party about Andy Coulson that would have included newspapers. The amendment started in May 2009. They were made on record and off was taken out by the Labour Government—although the record. We regret that they were not heeded, but the there were some Labour rebels—when the Bill returned decision was not for us, but for the Prime Minister, and to the Commons. It was absolutely clear that the Labour he explained it today. As a postscript, however, let me Government did not want to touch the media empires say that from all that I know, have read and have heard, when they were imposing a tougher competitive regime Ed Llewellyn’s role has been entirely beyond reproach on other sectors of British industry. I am very clear that throughout. I do not think that anything that he did or that relates to the obvious and evidenced relationships did not do can be regarded as inappropriate in the that started under the Thatcher and Major Administrations context of the investigations. 993 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 994 Police Police Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): My right hon. way in which the police tip the media off about arrests Friend says that the fit and proper person test needs to so that the media turn up to film them or photograph be applied more robustly. Is he aware of any statements them. We must make sure that the police do not brief from Ofcom that suggest that it has sought to apply the people so that individuals who have not been proved test at any time and that it has issued a judgment in such guilty are in the headlines as if they were. We clearly a case? need a better complaints procedure. The police service, not just the Met, must have much better corporate Simon Hughes: I wanted to make some comments responsibility. about where we should go, so let me start with the media and Ofcom. The existing legislation needs to be improved because the way in which a fit and proper 3.35 pm person test—either corporate or individual—is formed is not clear, so it is difficult to apply. My hon. Friend Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): I want to deal asks me whether the test is assiduously applied over the with three issues, the first of which is the Prime Minister’s period for which a licence is held. In theory it is, because opaque answers to the very straight question about Ofcom will say that it does that, but it is not obvious whether in the course of his 26 meetings with representatives that there is a process of regular review. In addition, of News International the BSkyB bid was discussed. things can change, such as if people commit criminal The Prime Minister is trying, understandably, to develop offences, so we need a more transparent process. a reputation for straight dealing, but I am afraid that that was not what we saw. He was all over the place, Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): Will relying on suggestion. In one answer, he said that he had the right hon. Gentleman give way? not acted outside the ministerial code—that was not the question. In another, he relied on an answer given by Simon Hughes: I will see if I have time, but I want to Rebekah Brooks. The answer to that question is very set out what needs to be done. straightforward—it is either yes or no—and I hope that We need to look again at the question of excessive the Minister will provide it when he winds up the market share, and we need separately to consider debate. broadcasting, television, the new media and the written Secondly, I want to consider what followed the press. We must be absolutely clear that that does not Information Commissioner’s report on breaches of data mean that we should be hostile to international ownership protection rules in 2006. It is incorrect to state, as the —that would be an inappropriate and nationalistic view— Conservative research department did in its briefing but the same rules should apply to elements of the press this morning, that we took no action. It is important whether they are domestically or internationally owned. that the House understands that we did take action, as We need to be absolutely clear that the media must we agreed with the report, and in the Criminal Justice put their house in order—the Attorney-General recently and Immigration Act 2008 we introduced powers to had to intervene on such a matter—by stopping any increase the penalties for a breach of section 55 of the reporting that presumes that people are guilty when Data Protection Act 1998 from a fine to up to two that has not been proved. That applies to all of us—I years’imprisonment on indictment. There was a substantial have tried to be careful about such issues—whether in objection to that provision from the media, who said the political context or otherwise. There have been that there was no proper public interest offence. Above scandalous examples of people being presumed guilty all, may I tell the Conservatives, particularly the briefers before the courts have considered their case. In addition, in their research department, that a powerful objection as has been said, there is no proper complaint process was expressed by Members on the Conservative Front with a right of reply. It is imperative that any withdrawal Bench? The hon. and learned Member for Harborough is published by the press in the same size and place as (Mr Garnier), said in Committee: the inappropriate allegation. “The facts and arguments that I have presented to the Committee As my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol West suggested that existing penalties”— (Stephen Williams) argued, I hope that the Government which, as I said, were a fine only— will review their future advertising policy. Whoever is in “are more than sufficient to deal with offences under section 55.”– government should not place adverts with media outlets –[Official Report, Criminal Justice and Immigration Public Bill that have been found to be guilty of offences, or breaches Committee, 27 November 2007; c. 585.] of codes of conduct, because that would be entirely I hope that we hear no more from Government Members inconsistent. suggesting that we did not take action. Finally, as my hon. Friend the Member for Torbay There was then a negotiation between the Information said in the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Commissioner, media representatives and me. We tabled Sport yesterday, we must get to the bottom of the term, new provisions that provided for the public interest “wilful blindness”. The evidence that we heard yesterday, defence, entirely correctly, and we provided new penalties as has been argued, suggested that the people at the top of imprisonment under section 76 of the 2008 Act, to were saying, “I knew nothing” and were not even asking be imposed by affirmative order. I consulted on that about what was going on further down the chain. That towards the end of the previous Parliament. We lost the is unacceptable. Chief executives, chairmen and executive election, and the duty to consider the consultations and directors have responsibility and they should exercise it. make decisions fell to my successors. I assume that the As my hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Tessa consultations have concluded—if not, they should be Munt) has argued, we must end windfall payments, concluded immediately—and the Secretary of State for bonuses and pay-offs when people leave the service Justice should come to the House to bring both parts of because they have broken the rules. We must end the that provision into force. 995 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 996 Police Police Mr Whittingdale: I do not answer for the Conservative which should have a duty to protect and enhance the Front Bench, but I can tell the right hon. Gentleman freedom of the press, as well as to protect the rights of that the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport individuals, particularly in respect of their privacy. called unanimously for the Information Commissioner’s The membership of that body should not be appointed recommendation to be implemented. We welcome the by Ministers or by Parliament. Instead, what should be fact that the Ministry of Justice has issued a consultation established by law is an appointing committee at arm’s paper, but it is still my understanding that representatives length from both that, in turn, on a formula, would of The Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail and News appoint the independent members of that committee, International went to meet the Prime Minister to argue and the majority of those members ought to be forcefully that that consultation should be dropped and independent, not media representatives. As we have that custodial sentences should not be imposed. heard, the powers of that commission should include powers of investigation, powers to require a retraction Mr Straw: If the hon. Gentleman is referring to the and, in extremis, powers of financial penalty. previous Administration, what he says is exactly correct. It is certainly true that representatives went to see the I profoundly disagree with my right hon. and noble Prime Minister. They also came to see me. I had a Friend Lord Kinnock. There is not a parallel here discussion with them—they were entitled to their view—and between the broadcast media and the print media. That I said, “We will have a public interest defence, but we is a profound error. The broadcast media have to be will also have this increase in penalties to two years’ statutorily regulated—apart from anything else, there is imprisonment on the statute book,” and both happened. a shortage of spectrum and a high value on it. Of It is there on the face of the Act. I would have introduced— course, it has to be regulated, and in our culture, that regulation is subject to a requirement of balance. However, Mr Whittingdale: Why was it not implemented? it would be antithetical to a democratic society to place a requirement of balance on the print media. Doing so, Mr Straw: It was not implemented at the time because in turn, would also require newspapers to be licensed, we were required by the provisions which the Conservatives which would be anathema. were desperate for—they would have done nothing. It was in the face of not only press opposition but Conservative Instead, we need the commission to establish these opposition that I moved in the way I did to consider the high standards. The Government should do what neither matter. Both provisions went on the statute book, and the Labour Government nor previous Governments both are there. I would have introduced both of them, going back more than 40 years did: follow the had we won the election. Sadly, for this and other recommendations of the Younger commission and the reasons, we failed to do so. It is up to my successor to late Sir David Calcutt’s committee in 1991 and put in follow that up. place a tort of infringement of privacy, in addition to the development of a privacy law under the Human Simon Hughes: My understanding is that the consultation Rights Act 1998. Many will think that a slightly technical ended in January 2010. The measure could have been point, but it is of great importance. Each of us as implemented before the general election. citizens has direct rights if we are defamed or if our intellectual property rights to what we write are transgressed, Mr Straw: In practice, in those circumstances, it but we do not have direct rights if our privacy is probably could not have done. My only regret is that I invaded. We should. The reforms that I have suggested, listened too much to the Conservative Opposition. It is which I think can command support across the House—by not a mistake I will make again. the way, I am glad that the Press Complaints Commission On press regulation, I listened carefully to what the said in The Times yesterday that it supports them too— Prime Minister had to say.His formulation of independent could provide a basis for this House to make strong regulation is a sensible one, if I may say so. As I wrote in recommendations to Lord Leveson’s inquiry about the an article in The Times on Monday, which was a synopsis way forward. of a lecture I gave last week, it is important that we do not frame the debate about press regulation in terms of four legs good, two legs bad, so to speak—between 3.46 pm self-regulation, which is apparently good, and imposed Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere) (Con): I served on regulation, which is apparently bad. We must have a the Home Affairs Committee inquiry into this matter. I balance between the two. came to the inquiry straightforwardly; I had no previous The press will always be subject to the general law—the involvement or personal interest in it. I heard the evidence law of defamation, the law of copyright, and the emerging given to the Committee and shared the conclusions that law of privacy. That is entirely correct. It is also the case it came to and which I felt were justified by the evidence. that there should be a high degree of self-regulation, I say with sadness that I am not satisfied with all the but self-regulation, as we now know, cannot operate by evidence that we heard from the police. I say that with itself because ultimately self-regulation is self-serving. sadness as somebody who has the greatest respect for The best proof of the failure of self-regulation is the the police. I do not believe that any taint has been put fact that the Express newspaper group withdrew altogether on the integrity of Sir Paul Stephenson or on the from the Press Complaints Commission structure in thousands of Metropolitan police officers who serve on January this year, rendering any possibility of sanction the force, many of whom live in my constituency. However, by the PCC nugatory. questions remain unanswered about the conduct of the So there has to be a statutory framework, but I investigation, including the original investigation, which, suggest that that statutory framework can strengthen as we now know, seems to have had catastrophic effects the freedom of the press if it is properly imposed. An on the reputation of the police and, as we now know, on independent press commission should be established, many individuals. 997 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 998 Police Police I heard the contribution from my hon. and learned others, I will not be surprised if evidence is uncovered Friend the Member for Torridge and West Devon (Mr Cox) of further phone tapping, further payments to officers and agreed with many of the questions that came to his and, I am afraid, possibly other offences involving the mind. As he said—and this was the evidence that the corruption of police officers. I hope that that is not Committee heard—a considerable amount of material the case, but the important thing for the reputation of was seized from Mulcaire and Goodman, but the police the police, the good reputation of many honest officers did not properly pursue investigations with the material and the public interest is that these matters are now that they had. Indeed, some of the large quantities of fully investigated impartially and independently, and material was not investigated or read at all, it would that those investigations are carried through to their appear. Nor did the police look for further potentially conclusion. relevant material in the normal way by searching premises, We have heard a great deal about the press. One seizing documents and interviewing people. We now catastrophic effect of the original failed investigation, know that such material might have been at hand because along with the failed review carried out by Mr Yates in we heard the evidence from the former Director of 2006, was that senior police officers went to see Public Prosecutions—as it happens, he now works for representatives of The Guardian, which had been carrying News International as its counsel—who, when asked to out an investigation, effectively to try to put them off advise on this matter, saw some of the material that had further investigations by persuading them that their been in the hands of News International and after brief investigation, which was based upon matters that were consideration advised that it contained criminal matters seeping out through the civil courts, was exaggerated that had to be referred to the police. I think that that and unjustified. It is to the credit of The Guardian, and was in May 2011—that is what the chronology suggests— particularly its journalist Nick Davies, that it persisted not in 2005-06 when the matter first came to light. with the investigation. I say that as somebody who is no great sympathiser with The Guardian—I do not expect Mr Cox: I am grateful for what my hon. Friend has to receive an invitation to lunch there any time soon, said. I can show him the evidence if he wants. On 30 and I do not know the people concerned. However, that May 2006, the Attorney-General and the DPP were was to their credit, and it was an illustration of the informed that there was a vast array of offending behaviour value of a free press. and that a vast number of telephone numbers in the That brings me to my next point. It is very important possession of the police had been accessed without to keep the criminal side of this separate from the issues authority. However, there was a conscious decision to that arise in respect of the regulation and ownership of confine the investigation, even though they knew that a diverse, free and robust press. The matters that we hundreds of people, including Members of the House, have been talking about are criminal matters, not just had had their phones tapped. matters of comment or of insufficient comeback from the Press Complaints Commission. They are serious Mr Clappison: I have to say, having heard the evidence, criminal matters involving a wide range of people— that the answer to my hon. and learned Friend’s point politicians, celebrities and, as we have heard, many remains hanging in the wind. I am not satisfied with the ordinary members of the public often in tragic explanations that we have heard, which will appear in circumstances. Each case has to be properly investigated, the evidence that will be published by the Home Affairs and anybody who has committed offences has to be Committee. One explanation that was given by a senior brought to justice. investigating officer in the case was that the police had other priorities, and this matter was not regarded as sufficiently important when set beside them. We have to Oliver Heald: Does my hon. Friend agree that we accept that police resources are limited and the police must not forget that there is a presumption of innocence have to determine their priorities, but their credibility right at the core of our criminal justice system? It is all on the matter is not assisted by what the senior investigating very well for us to debate matters and examine what officer of the case wrote about it—incidentally, in a speculation there is, but people are entitled to a fair trial News International newspaper of which he had in our country. subsequently become an employee. I am referring to Mr Hayman, who said: Mr Clappison: My hon. Friend is right, and that is “In the original inquiry, my heart sank when I was told the why I have been very careful to refer to investigations accusations came from the Palace. This was not the time for a that should take place, and which we now believe are half-hearted investigation—we put our best detectives on the case taking place. We should not do anything that will either and left no stone unturned as officials breathed down our neck.” interfere with the proper course of those investigations I believe that was inconsistent with the evidence that we or prejudice a fair trial for anybody who is brought to heard from the police about the priorities that they set trial as a result of them. However, the question of a free themselves at the time. That is the honest conclusion and robust press is separate from that. An under-reaction that I have come to on the basis of that evidence. would not be in the public interest, but neither would an The Committee has gone as far as it can. I believe we overreaction, would could even be more damaging. We have gone to the limits of what a Select Committee can need a diverse, free and robust press that is unmuzzled. achieve in carrying out an investigation. These questions Too great a concentration of broadcasting, which is now remain to be resolved by others in the course of the so important, in one set of hands can be against the Leveson inquiry, which my right hon. Friend the Prime public interest. I heard what my right hon. Friend the Minister has rightly set up, and further criminal Prime Minister in his statement, and I agree completely investigations must go forward under the direction of with him. He made some very valuable contributions, Sue Akers in Operation Weeting. In view of the evidence particularly when he referred to the position of the that we have now heard from the former DPP and BBC, which is a sensitive matter. I feel—I suppose I 999 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1000 Police Police [Mr Clappison] Crime is normally at the top. However, the tendency to downplay this issue over the past few years has fed into would, as a Conservative—that there has at times been the cover-up that was originally done by News International, a certain amount of bias, or a predisposition, in the and that was a mistake. I fully understand why it has editorial line of the BBC, and that certain matters that happened on occasion. Boris Johnson was very foolish should have been investigated or highlighted have not to say that this was been given proper attention. It is to the credit of the “a load of codswallop cooked up by the Labour party” BBC that its present director-general has said that, looking back, the BBC did not do full justice to the for party political gain. issue of immigration. In the end, we have seen the two most senior police officers in this country lose their jobs—one of whom, I Damian Collins: Does my hon. Friend agree that, as think, was falling not on his own sword but on the television moves to a single digital platform, having a Prime Minister’s. We have also seen some very senior strong ITV and a strong Sky will provide a good journalists and company executives lose their jobs, and counterweight to the BBC and give consumers more serious questions have been asked about the way in choice? which the police operate. This has called into question the integrity of the police, which in turn strikes at Mr Clappison: My hon. Friend is right, and this is something that really matters to our constituents. particularly true in the case of immigration. It is now Earlier in the year, the hon. Member for Hertsmere accepted on all sides—including by the Leader of the (Mr Clappison) was a little more sceptical about much Opposition and some of those who advise him—that of this, when he was questioning me and others about proper immigration control is a matter of the greatest it. However, I think that he has seen, over the past few public importance, but it has not been sufficiently months, that the evidence from senior officers such as highlighted in the past. It is not the broadcasters but Assistant Commissioner Yates has been risible, and has parts of the print press that have reflected public concern not met the standards that we expect of a senior police on that issue. The broadcasters were prepared to leave it officer in charge of counter-terrorism. I had never meet alone, but some newspapers have had the courage to Andy Hayman until I saw him in the Home Affairs highlight the issue and reflect the public concern that is Committee the other day, and, frankly, I was shocked felt in many places. that someone of that calibre—or rather, lack of calibre— I should like briefly to give the House a further was in charge of counter-terrorism in this country. The example of an issue that is of huge interest to our heart of this matter is therefore probably not the original constituents and huge importance to the future of our criminality, which undoubtedly was extensive but was country, but that is not dealt with properly by the in one sense relatively minor, in terms of the criminal BBC—namely, this country’s relationship with the European law; far more significant is the cover-up that has taken Union. The BBC’s coverage of the treaty of Lisbon and place. I very much hope that people will not feel from the debates on that matter in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon that we have got to the bottom of was pitiful. It pays no attention to many of our debates what went on at News International. on European matters, and there seems to be a predisposition Let us be clear about what happened. In the criminal on the part of the BBC when it comes to matters case that was brought against Goodman and Mulcaire, relating to the European Union. both pleaded guilty. We already know that Mulcaire’s We must not merge the issues of the criminal conduct fees were paid by News International, even though he that has taken place with those relating to the freedom was not a full-time employee of the organisation. I of the press. We need a free, robust and diverse press presume that Clive Goodman’s legal fees were also met that can properly reflect the full range of opinions in by News International, and that it encouraged them to this country, not just those that are predetermined by plead guilty because it did not want this to go to full the BBC or by the narrow group of people who form trial. It did not want all the evidence to come out into the metropolitan elite and who fail to reflect the views the public domain, because then, what the judge said at of the overwhelming majority. My right hon. Friend the the end of the process might have been proved: that this Prime Minister spoke for the country today on this was probably just the tip of a very large iceberg, and it subject. His reputation remains completely intact as a certainly did not want the rest of the iceberg to be seen. result of all this, and he has taken exactly the right The reason why News International continued to pay approach to the investigations that he has set in hand Glenn Mulcaire’s legal fees, until this afternoon, as I and to the question of media ownership. I unreservedly understand it—I thought it was bizarre that James commend his approach on those matters. Murdoch still did not know whether it was paying them yesterday; anyway, today he said that it is not paying 3.57 pm them any more—was that it wanted to keep control of Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): During the Prime the case and to make sure that he did not say anything Minister’s statement, several hon. Members, especially additional that further incriminated other people at the those seated on the Government Benches, asked whether newspaper, or in the wider company. this really matters. Let us face it, there are many other When the civil cases were brought, there was the next issues that are probably far more pressing and significant part of the cover-up. News International would have to our constituents, including jobs, the economy and had to provide full disclosure of all the e-mails, all the the state of the national health service. For some, I transactions within the organisation and the whole way admit, that list might also include Europe, although in in which the scheme was put together whereby Mr Mulcaire my experience, Europe tends to be a long way down the engaged in all this activity.I believe that News International list of things that really matter to my constituents. was absolutely desperate to make sure that that never 1001 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1002 Police Police came into the public domain, so the most important was paying out £2 million in hush money,” then one thing for it to do was to make sure that that never went must question whether they have a proper corporate to trial. governance structure or system in place to make sure Yesterday afternoon, James Murdoch said that his that the same thing does not happen again next year or lawyers had advised him at the time that they had to next week—or even that it is not happening now. offer £700,000 to Gordon Taylor—I repeat, £700,000— because they were advised by their lawyers that if the Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): This is the difference matter went to litigation and the court found against between responsibility and fault. Rupert Murdoch was them, they might have to pay £250,000 in damages, and responsible for what happened in his corporation, but in addition, they would have the costs of having run the he may not have been at fault for what happened. case. However, James Murdoch must surely know—unless However, that responsibility includes the real responsibility he is using really bad lawyers—of the part 36 procedure. for checking that things were done properly. I think I Under it, when an offer is made—of £200,000, let us support what the hon. Gentleman is saying. say—it is put into court and if the court itself does not Chris Bryant: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman, offer more, the claimant has to pay the legal costs whom—this will ruin his career—I think of as a friend. subsequently incurred, which in this case would be the He knows that if the colonel of a regiment had not greater part of £500,000. I am afraid that Mr James done everything in his power to make sure that his Murdoch yesterday was either extremely poorly briefed privates understood the law on how somebody in Abu on the legal situation, or, frankly, he was still dissembling. Ghraib was dealt with, for example, that colonel would I believe that in practice, what they were doing was be negligent and therefore, in part, responsible for that. paying £700,000 to Gordon Taylor—and also to Max Clifford—expressly to maintain the cover-up. Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance): Did the hon. Gentleman share my incredulity about the attempts Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): I do not that were made yesterday when evidence was being know whether my hon. Friend noticed that James Murdoch given to play down the importance of the News of the used in his evidence a very ambivalent phrase that has a World to the Murdoch empire? It may have been a small particular meaning in law and another in common proportion of the overall empire, but I understand that parlance: it was the title with the largest circulation. “Subsequent to our discovery of that information in one of the civil trials”. Chris Bryant: Indeed. In the end, if News Corp That reinforces exactly the point my hon. Friend is cannot provide better corporate governance, it needs to making. be split apart so that investors can have confidence in it and so that other, non-executive, members of the board Chris Bryant: Absolutely. can have confidence that they are not going to be held responsible in law for the failures of their company. Then there were the subsequent civil cases, which could only be brought once The Guardian had run its I agree wholeheartedly with all those who said that story suggesting that there were many more victims of we do not want to muzzle the press. A very good point phone hacking. Some people started writing in to the was made about Nick Davies, whose work in The Guardian Metropolitan police and then suing the police to force has been a phenomenal piece of investigative journalism. them to give them the information, so that they could This country is undoubtedly better because of that then take action against News International and get full quality journalism. I am sure that there are times when disclosure from it. It is only as a result of those cases such people have to skirt around the edges of legality that the cover-up has effectively been smashed apart. but that does not mean they should do illegal things, especially given that half the time all they are looking There remains this issue of the material that was for is minor tittle-tattle that is of no significance to the gathered and put into a file in 2007, including various nation. e-mails and other pieces of paper, and given to Harbottle Many other issues need to be dealt with, but the final and Lewis. Only this year, it was shown to the former issue I shall raise today is about the 3,800 victims who Director of Public Prosecutions, Lord Macdonald, who have to be contacted. That is going to cost the taxpayer said that, within three minutes of looking at it, he could a fortune and I believe that News International should see that there was material relating to the payment of be paying the bill. police officers that should always have been given to the Metropolitan police. That seems to me a far greater criminal offence than the original criminal offence of 4.8 pm phone hacking. That is why my concern is about the Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): It is a cover-up at the heart of this. pleasure to follow the very thoughtful speech of the Yesterday, Rupert Murdoch was asked whether he hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) about the was responsible and he said, “No,” but I am afraid that phone hacking scandal and the work he has done. I in this country we have to have a much stronger concept know that he took a strong interest in our Select Committee of responsibility. It is not just about whether something hearing yesterday. happens on one’s watch—that is ludicrously broad. If Although he is not in his place, I also want to thank someone has taken all due diligence steps to try to my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), ensure that criminality has not happened, then of course the Chairman of the Committee, for the great skill and they are not personally responsible. But if someone’s care he showed in chairing yesterday’s very challenging argument is, “Our company is so big that I could not Committee meeting. I thank also the Clerks of the possibly be expected to know whether my journalists Committee, who have done a huge amount of work in were being arrested for criminal activity or whether I the past couple of weeks in preparation for that meeting. 1003 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1004 Police Police [Damian Collins] of investigative journalism lie, and whether they are clearly understood. Most people who have worked with The Prime Minister mentioned FIFA reform as an news organisations—particularly former employees of example of a story that has been generated by challenges News International who have spoken out—would say to that organisation that have been made by the media there was tremendous pressure for scoops and news. and others outside it. I have taken a huge interest in that Some former News of the World journalists, such as story, and I think it is absolutely right that that external Dave Wooding, who was on “Newsnight” last night, pressure has been put on an organisation that would would say that there was that pressure, but that does not not otherwise reform itself. It does not have any kind of mean that they broke the law to go and get stories, they proper internal governance structure or other means for just did their job very hard. There are allegations about reporting and holding to account senior people within other people in the organisation who might have broken it. Although we might admire the kind of journalism the law to satisfy their paymasters, editors and proprietors. that points the finger at organisations such as FIFA, There is clearly a great need for investigative journalism media organisations have to learn from some of the in this country. It gives us a transparent society, and internal governance structures and faults within such there is a lot more to being a democracy than simply organisations. I wholeheartedly agree with the hon. holding elections. Member for Rhondda that it is not acceptable to have a situation in which, when wrongdoing is discovered, Ian Austin: On this point about investigative journalism, proprietors can say that they had no idea what had been will the hon. Gentleman disassociate himself from the going on at one level, and neither did the relevant disgraceful attempts that we heard earlier to smear Tom person in the newsroom. If we believe what we were Baldwin for his role in a perfectly legitimate investigation told by Rebekah Brooks in the Committee yesterday, that has been defended not only by The Times butbyits stories were going into the News of the World without then news editor, who now serves in the Government as the editor, the news editor or that newspaper’s lawyers the Secretary of State for Education, and who, following having full knowledge of their source. That is clearly that investigation, described Lord Ashcroft as not acceptable. “Ambassador for one foreign country and a tax exile in another”. It is also unacceptable, when an organisation’s employees He also said that the credibility of the Conservative are under police investigation, when some are being party was not enhanced by its then leader sent to prison and when millions of pounds of “acting as the paid lobbyist for your own title-hungry Treasurer”. compensation are being paid out by that organisation, for people at a senior level not to be fully aware of the Damian Collins: All I would say is that I would apply seriousness of what is going on, and to be unable to act. the same rule as the Prime Minister: people are innocent That is a serious issue because one would hope that until proven guilty.If there are charges and an investigation, when people at the top of a professional organisation that is one thing, but no charges have been brought became aware of wrongdoing they would become the against Mr Baldwin, so he is innocent until proven drivers for internal change and reform, and be the ones guilty, just as anyone else would be. who make sure that things happen. The report of the Select Committee on Home Affairs shows that there are There is a great challenge of looking at the boundaries great concerns about how the Metropolitan police pursued of investigative journalism and at what is right and this case and about the fact that evidence lay unchecked what is wrong. There must surely be a cultural failure and unresearched for a good amount of time, which within many news organisations if people believe they might have delayed the investigation for some years. are being pushed to do things that might lead to their breaking the law, and that must be addressed. What has There is also a big challenge for News Corporation. been said in the debate so far about the regulation of Whatever comes out of the inquiry that has been set up the press is key and part of that involves internal to look into the work of the media and the police regulation, the corporate governance of news organisations inquiry, News Corporation should reform its corporate and how they regulate themselves. The right hon. Member governance structures so that it has a mechanism to for Blackburn (Mr Straw), who is no longer in his place, ensure that this never happens again, and that people at talked about his concerns about self-regulation. Although a senior level can take the appropriate action at the it is different in different industries, it can be made to appropriate time or be held to account at the highest work. level for the failure of that action. My experience working in the advertising industry was that a code enforced by the industry on itself would Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): My hon. Friend is work. One of the big differences between advertising making a strong point, as the hon. Member for Rhondda and the press is that there are real financial penalties for (Chris Bryant) did, about corporate governance needing advertisers who break the code. If a company has spent to be changed. That is absolutely correct. Would my hundreds of thousands of pounds producing commercials hon. Friend not also say that the culture and the mindset and advertisements that then get pulled, there is a big within which executives, even those at the lowest levels financial loss, and a big loss of face for a number of of these organisations, are working needs to change? It organisations that might have their messages pulled, is not enough not to know what people in an organisation too, which damages them in the eyes of consumers. are doing; they need to know what they should and should not be doing. Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): I declare an interest as the Member of Parliament Damian Collins: My hon. Friend makes a very good representing News International in Wapping. Although point. The point I raised with Rupert Murdoch in the we all support the principle of “innocent until proven Committee yesterday was about where the boundaries guilty”, some victims of the hacking scandal—employees 1005 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1006 Police Police of News International—have lost their jobs; they are those will be accessible from one platform. When YouView victims who will suffer, regardless of their guilt or launches next year, there will be more choice more otherwise. easily available to consumers than ever before. Although media companies are very different, it is Damian Collins: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that we consider them as part of the same entity. right, and that is an important point. Going back to We also have to consider that in the internet age, people what I said about the importance of good structures of will increasingly get their news from powerful online corporate governance there are victims within organisations organisations such as Google, and social networking that fail the test of corporate governance—innocent sites such as Facebook, which are out of the scope of people who have done their jobs well lose out as a result the regulation of the UK media. We have to consider of the mistakes of others. That is why it is so important how media organisations in this country can compete that those structures should be there. Whatever lessons with added pressure from those platforms, so we have to have been drawn from the scandal so far, that surely look at the totality of the media market. must be one lesson that the Murdochs have to learn from it; that is of the greatest importance. We should recognise that newspapers are an enormously important part of our national life; many millions of Models of self-regulation can work, but clearly there people still enjoy buying and reading physical newspapers is a need for total reform of the regulation of the press. every week, as well as accessing them online, but newspapers, The principle of a free press is, of course, of the highest as a business model, struggle. They often succeed better importance. That must continue, but that does not when they are part of integrated media companies with mean that journalists can operate outside the law. the financial muscle to support them. To refer to remarks made earlier, that is why it is important that there Mr Cash: Does my hon. Friend agree that the self- should be oversight of the whole market, and that we regulation of the press in the 21st century has to be consider the competitiveness and regulation of the whole regarded as self-regulation, or regulation, of the media market, and see it as a single entity producing news and as a whole? taking it to people. When it is well run, healthy and respectable, it is of the greatest importance to a free Damian Collins: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who society and a great democracy. makes an important point. The media and the news, in particular, work across multiple platforms; people get their news not just from newspapers, but from television 4.19 pm and the internet, so there is a case for that, although that is quite a big and broad challenge. Certainly, among Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): I the regulators there should be people who have experience declare to the House that I was in Oxford university of multiple media platforms, and an understanding of Labour club with Rupert Murdoch, that when I was what is acceptable. That is something to consider. chairman of the club he was unseated as secretary for In the short time left to me, I want to raise a second breaking the campaigning rules, but that our relationship point. We all agree that there is a good, strong, important was sufficiently repaired that by the time I worked for case for free media and a free press, but there is also a Harold Wilson at No. 10 Downing street and was his strong role for the regulators with regard to mergers host at lunch, he had by then purchased the News of the involving media organisations. There was discussion World and The Sun, and both of those supported the earlier about whether politicians should be taken out of Labour party in the 1970 election—for all the good that the process. It would be wrong for politicians to exercise did! independent judgment outside of legitimate advice about The title of the debate demonstrates the Government’s what companies are fit and proper, and what companies shifty efforts to evade any sort of accountability for the should, or should not, be merged. That should be based events that have disgusted the nation over recent weeks. on a good high degree of technical and professional It is of course undeniable that there has been corrupt, knowledge. possibly criminal, behaviour by senior figures at New The right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Scotland Yard, and it is essential that these wrongdoings, Southwark (Simon Hughes) spoke, in answer to an both institutionally and by individuals, should be dealt intervention, about the application of a “fit and proper with in the sternest way, particularly for the sake of the person” test. We on the Select Committee had a briefing thousands of police officers doing a challenging job on about that from Ofcom, in whose eyes it is a real test. It behalf of the community. has applied it in the past, and has removed broadcast It is undeniable too that there has been criminality in licences from digital broadcasters in the past. I am sure the News of the World, and that that criminality should that if Ofcom is monitoring this debate, it would be be investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted. Senior happy to send information about that to any hon. figures in News International and News Corp have, Members who have an interest in the issue. however belatedly, expressed their contrition and, We have an obligation to ensure that there is a free convincingly or otherwise, claimed ignorance of the and open marketplace for media. The Leader of the worst excesses that have been revealed. I have to say that Opposition raised his concern about the dominance of that reveals their inadequacy in holding the jobs that Sky in the pay TV market, but we have to look at that they did. When I worked at the Daily Mirror, which I market as a whole, and not just one area of it. Yes, Sky did for nine years, and Hugh Cudlipp, that great journalist, is dominant in pay TV; ITV is also dominant when it was editorial director, he would have known what was comes to traditional advertising revenue generated from going on—except that he would have stopped it going television. Most people probably get their news and on before it happened. The standards have deteriorated content from the BBC. In the digital media age, all in newspaper proprietorship. 1007 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1008 Police Police [Sir Gerald Kaufman] The warnings to the Prime Minister about Coulson seem not to have been passed on by Ed Llewellyn, the It is difficult to reconcile what Rebekah Brooks told Prime Minister’s chief of staff. That was a grave dereliction the Culture, Media and Sport Committee yesterday of duty. No previous Prime Minister would have accepted about payments to the police with what she told the such conduct, but as we know, Wallis’s conduct was Committee under my chairmanship on 11 March 2003: even more bizarre. “We have paid the police for information in the past.” When John Yates, then assistant commissioner of the That was pretty categorical. She argued yesterday that Metropolitan police, in advance of an arranged meeting it was not inappropriate for her to have the Prime with the Prime Minister, offered to brief him on phone Minister as a friend, and that is acceptable. On the other hacking, Llewellyn rejected it, saying: hand, it was entirely inappropriate for the Prime Minister “We will want to be able to be entirely clear, for your sake and to have Rebekah Brooks as a friend. The list of his ours, that we have not been in contact with you about this meetings with journalists, dragged out of him in recent subject.” days, demonstrates an extraordinary cosiness with executives People go on about the inappropriateness of briefing of News International newspapers, with nearly twice as the Prime Minister about operational police matters, many meetings with them as with all other media groups but the offer was not to brief him about operational combined, including three stays at Chequers for Rebekah police matters, and if anyone tells me that the police do Brooks. not brief the Prime Minister about operational matters relating to action against terrorism, which Yates was Andrew Selous: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, also in charge of, I say, “Pull the other one.” who is a distinguished Member of the House, for giving Llewellyn was seeking to claim deniability on the way to me. If he is saying that it was wrong for the issue, but no Prime Minister ought to need to claim Prime Minister to have that close a relationship with deniability on any subject. The Prime Minister’s attitude Rebekah Brooks, by the same token would he say that it to this entire imbroglio has been unacceptable. He has was wrong for the last Prime Minister to have had such made statements about it outside the House and then a close relationship with Rupert Murdoch, to the extent had to be dragged to the House. This debate is the latest that their children played together? example. He held meetings with Rebekah Brooks right in the middle of the process of Government consideration Sir Gerald Kaufman: He did not have that kind of of the News International bid for BSkyB, which was relationship with Murdoch. He did pursue Murdoch until recently regarded as a wave-through, and it would too much, I grant the hon. Gentleman that, but he did have been waved through if this scandal had not broken. not have that kind of close personal relationship that Today the Prime Minister was questioned again and the present Prime Minister has had with Rebekah Brooks. again, including by my hon. Friend the Member for No Prime Minister, almost certainly ever, has had such Bolsover (Mr Skinner), about whether he had discussed disproportionate contacts with one newspaper group the BSkyB takeover with Rebekah Brooks or anyone and in such a short time. Heath, Thatcher and Major else from News International. He did not answer. He never had such chummy relationships with the media. dodged the question. It is perfectly clear from his failure Stanley Baldwin, referring in the 1930s to press excesses, to respond that he discussed the BSkyB bid with News spoke—the words were supplied to him by Rudyard International, and if he wants to intervene now to deny Kipling—of it in categorical terms, I shall be delighted to give way. “Power without responsibility—the prerogative of the harlot But he has not, and he will not. throughout the ages.” The Government have behaved to Parliament and the This Prime Minister has proved both incorrigible and country as no Government have behaved since the suspect in his relationships with News International Profumo scandal. Their priority has been appeasing executives. The most notorious, of course, was his hiring one brand of press baron. That has to come to an end; of Andy Coulson as his head of communications. He the Government cannot get out of it. played round that this afternoon when he answered questions, but the fact is that he should have been aware before appointing Coulson of Coulson’s 2003 admission 4.28 pm to the Select Committee of payments to the police, Mr Don Foster (Bath) (LD): I have great respect for followed by his claim that such payments to the police the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Sir were within the law—which is impossible, since bribing Gerald Kaufman), but I regret his speech today. It was the police is a criminal offence. To take on someone in marked contrast to the tone throughout the debate, who has confessed to criminal activity and then lied which was rightly set by the Prime Minister and the about it is utterly culpable, especially since numerous Leader of the Opposition in their opening remarks. warnings were sent to the Prime Minister not to take They made it clear that both major parties have made him on. I repeat what was said earlier: Rebekah Brooks huge mistakes in their dealings with the media over the made it very clear that Coulson was appointed by the past 20 years. The right hon. Member for Manchester, Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Chancellor Gorton seemed to want to suggest that it was entirely of the Exchequer. one-sided, but I could refer to a long list, from Tony Odd things have gone on under the Prime Minister’s Blair’s flight to see Rupert Murdoch on Hayman Island leadership of the Conservative party. He was imprecise in 1995 to Sarah Brown planning a party for Rebekah and evasive when asked about the employment of Coulson’s Wade. Surely the right hon. Gentleman accepts that former deputy Neil Wallis, who has been arrested by the today we have heard both major political parties saying police as part of the hacking investigation, and who did they have made mistakes and that they are willing to work for the Tories in the run-up to the general election. work together to sort out the mess. 1009 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1010 Police Police John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): Will the right hon. Mr Foster: My hon. Friend is right, but the other Gentleman give way? point that I want to make is that we need to reconsider the fit and proper persons test. If we have real concerns Mr Foster: I will in a minute. about corporate governance, we should be able to test whether a corporation—an owning organisation—is fit We join both major political parties in saying that it is and proper to own, for example, BSkyB or parts of it. I vital to acknowledge that there are some very good think that we should consider whether News Corporation police officers and journalists, sadly including many is fit and proper to own not only more shares in BSkyB, who have lost their jobs because of what happened at but its existing 39% of shares. News International. I am pleased that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is here because I have some concerns about Sir Gerald Kaufman: I agree entirely with the right one aspect of his announcement today. He announced hon. Gentleman that there are wonderful police officers—as the possibility—depending on certain circumstances—of there are in my constituency—and outstanding journalists, extending the judge-led inquiry’s remit to cover other who have played an important part in this episode. I forms of broadcasting and social media. Before the said to the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire debate, my concern about that was relatively simple. (Andrew Selous) that if Tony Blair had misbehaved, The issues are so complicated that extending the remit and that includes the visit to Australia, I disapproved. would lengthen the time of the inquiry for such a long However, the current Government have had a greater period that we would not get on and tackle matters. We cosiness with one newspaper empire than any other should consider some of the concerns that people have Government I have known. raised separately, as part of developing the communications Bill in the next 18 months or so. Mr Foster: I regret allowing the right hon. Gentleman What really worried me today, however, was the fact to intervene because, yet again, he is trying to engage in that it became increasingly clear from some of the the party political knockabout for which the public will comments made by colleagues on the coalition side of not forgive us. They want us to get on and sort out the the House that there was another motive, potentially, mess. They want the police inquiry to get under way for what was to be added to the remit. Some of the and be done properly this time around. They want the remarks attacking the BBC and its independence and judge-led inquiry that my right hon. Friend the its high-quality work make me wonder whether some Prime Minister has set up to do its work as quickly as people on the coalition Benches are seeking to—wrongly, possible. in my view—clip the wings of the BBC. I hope that is Yesterday we saw the excellent work of both Select not the case. Committees in their investigations. Sadly, we learned Let me briefly mention some comments that have relatively little from the Culture, Media and Sport been made about the need for what the Prime Minister Committee. We got the welcome, but well-rehearsed called independent regulation. The whole House would contrition. We found that The Sun cannot tell the accept that the Press Complaints Commission has been difference between a custard pie and a paper plate full a failure. Many examples of its failure have been cited. of foam. We discovered that, bizarrely, Glenn Mulcaire’s The fact that the Richard Desmond newspapers—the legal fees continued to be paid. Thank goodness it has Express and the Star—can simply walk away of their been announced that, as of today, those fees are no own volition is a pretty good reason for saying that it longer being paid. Above all, we discovered that there has failed. The fact that it cannot conduct investigations should be genuine concern about the corporate governance is another, as is the fact that it cannot fine. of News Corporation. We need to address that concern Today we have heard some very helpful lists of ideas and its implications for us. of how we can move forward. I particularly welcome The Prime Minister rightly said that we must consider the speeches by the right hon. Member for Blackburn competition legislation—we certainly must. He also (Mr Straw) and the Chair of the Culture, Media and rightly said that we must consider plurality. I say to my Sport Committee. It is crucial that the new, independent right hon. Friend that we must consider not only when body that replaces the PCC has the ability to carry out the test is applied—the Secretary of State for Culture, investigations, and that it has a much more powerful Olympics, Media and Sport has already committed the system of redress, including requiring the payment of Government to doing that—but what the plurality rules fines, but I would warn the House about the way in cover. I think that all hon. Members recognise that we which “independence” can be interpreted by some people. currently base the definition on news and current affairs. I recently looked back at the MacTaggart lecture Yet surely all hon. Members also acknowledge that a given by James Murdoch, who only yesterday appeared powerful drama can transform how we view our world before the Select Committee to give evidence. The House and each other, and that a powerful comedy can have might be interested to hear a small extract from what he the same effect. When we consider plurality, we need to said in that lecture: widen the remit of what is covered so that it is not confined to news and current affairs. “Yes, the free press is fairly near the knuckle on occasion—it is noisy, disrespectful, raucous and quite capable of affronting people—it is frequently the despair of judges and it gets up the Damian Collins: The right hon. Gentleman may have noses of politicians on a regular basis. But it is driven by the daily been coming to the point that I am about to make, in demand and choices of millions of people. It has had the profits which case, I apologise, but does he also agree that to enable it to be fearless and independent.” strong media companies have the budgets to invest in He goes on: new creative content and talent, which are important to “The only reliable, durable, and perpetual guarantor of the entire industry? independence is profit.” 1011 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1012 Police Police [Mr Foster] In the interests of allowing the press to conduct investigations and so on, the press must take its I fundamentally disagree with him, and I would urge responsibility seriously. However, I cannot conceive of people who are looking at how we progress, for example, a situation in which any reasonable person would say our creative industries, not to believe that the removal that it is proper for the press to undertake some of the of all regulation will enable the right sort of growth—the so-called investigations that have been undertaken, or growth that we want. It is crucial that we have, for all that it is proper for the press to make illegal payments to parts of the creative industries, including and in particular do so. It worries me when we slip into the shorthand the press, appropriate regulations. That is why the Prime and talk of “hacking” or “blagging”, because “hacking” Minister is absolutely right to talk about regulation—yes, is accessing people’s private information illegally, sometimes by an independent body, but that regulation is needed. by paying money. The word “hacking” should not slip We have spent a lot of time discussing the way off the tongue without further consideration. Blagging, forward in terms of regulations and new structures, but of course, is trying to obtain people’s private information— it is crucial to remember that we are at present gravely usually financial information such as bank account concerned about illegal activity that has taken place, details—illegally by assuming someone else’s identity. and that is why it is crucial that everyone be required to I mentioned that I found it difficult to understand contribute fully and provide full evidence to the why nobody in News International seemed to know investigation. Let us hope it is a better investigation who had done what. I agree with my hon. Friend the than the one by the police last time around. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant), who asked this question: if News International and News Corp have Several hon. Members rose— got so big that nobody knows what is happening, how could they possibly countenance taking on another Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. As hon. company and looking after it with any proper governance? Members can see, there are still a lot of Members who I welcome the inquiries that have been set up and the wish to get in. I want to accommodate as many as I Prime Minister’s assurance today that the inquiry will possibly can, so the time limit is being reduced to six cover Scotland. Of course, this is not simply about one minutes, and it may even be reduced further later on. part of the UK, and neither is it just about News International, so I welcome the fact that the inquiry will extend to other police forces and that it will look at all 4.39 pm newspapers and media. However, I am a bit of a pedant Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co- for the detail. The Prime Minister said that “relevant op): I will try to be as brief as possible. The debate is forces” would be included in the police inquiry. In his very welcome; it is good for the public to see that we are winding-up speech, will the Minister confirm whether taking these issues seriously. In the past few weeks we all police forces are relevant in that context? have seen perhaps an unprecedented interest from members I asked a question earlier in relation to the Scottish of the public, who have suddenly realised, perhaps Government, who I am sure will want absolutely to because of the Milly Dowler situation, exactly what has co-operate with the inquiries. I hope that they immediately been going on in some sections of the media. publish information about their contacts with News I want to add a couple of remarks on the family of International. Milly Dowler. When a scandal becomes associated with the victim of a crime, it is extremely difficult for them to Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): What are my move on and live their lives. I hope that when all these hon. Friend’s thoughts on why the normally robust and matters are dealt with, that family will recognise that we vocal First Minister of Scotland has been very quiet on have tried to do the best thing in their interest and in the this very serious issue? interests of other victims of crime, so that they are allowed to move on. Cathy Jamieson: I would never seek to put words into As hon. Members may be aware, I was not able to the mouth of the normally loquacious Mr Salmond, the participate in the evidence given to the Culture, Media First Minister of Scotland—I am sure he can speak well and Sport Committee yesterday, but I watched it carefully. for himself—but it is important that that information is I was astonished to hear some of the evidence from put into the public domain and that it forms part of the both Rebekah Brooks and the Murdochs. By any stretch inquiry. of the imagination, in the capitalist world, that corporation I conclude by making a couple of points about the is a successful one in terms of profit and turnover, but Press Complaints Commission and whatever will replace those people simply did not know who had authorised it. A member of the public—not a politician, a lawyer the spending of money at various points. That beggared or someone involved in this from day to day—who finds belief. It also beggars belief that within that system, themselves on the wrong end of a newspaper report will they could not identify who had authorised illegal payments find it extremely difficult to take that matter up. Whatever to the police. It seems that there was no oversight or we do, we must ensure that the body is accessible to the governance in relation to those payments. public. At any time, an intrusion into people’s privacy is a It will, of course, take time for the inquiries that are delicate matter. There will be times, in the interests of under way to report to the House. However, it is important national security or of tackling serious and organised that that does not send the signal that nothing should crime, when intrusions will be made. Hon. Members change in the meantime. I therefore call on all police will know that when those serious actions are taken, a forces to go through their records to ensure that there range of measures must be in place. They are right and has been no illegality regarding the receipt of payments. proper, because responsibilities go with such intrusion. I also call on newspaper editors and owners to do 1013 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1014 Police Police exactly the same. If they find that illegal payments have that the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve been made, they should cease that practice forthwith. If Rotheram) is not in the Chamber, but I should point any of their reporters or staff have been involved in out that The Sun has made no such restoration of so-called blagging, they should make it clear publically reputation for the Hillsborough 96, which I think would that that illegal operation will cease. Politicians have a be welcomed by the people of Liverpool. role in this, but so do the press and the police. It is up to Newspapers and the Press Complaints Commission us all to take our responsibilities seriously so that we itself do not need to wait for the creation of a new give back to the public the confidence that they deserve. regulator because they could change the code of conduct by bringing in several ideas that have been suggested. 4.46 pm Although, sadly, the PCC’s credibility has been somewhat destroyed, that does not mean that it should be sulking, Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): Sadly, the as I perceive that some of its comments suggest is the phrase “Don’t believe everything you read in the press” case, although I am sure that that is not its intention. now seems to be true. In addition to dealing with People should look in the mirror before they write those criminality, I hope that this process will ensure that we headlines and decide what they are going to put out can believe everything that we read in the press, just as there. As I said, some of the treatment that editors, both we can believe the phrase “You can always trust a past and present, have recently received will, I hope, policeman”. make them think again. A great cross-party approach has led to the inquiry, Both in the testimony that we heard yesterday and in so I commend the Leader of the Opposition for working the Home Office report, there was extremely heavy with our Prime Minister and the other party leaders. reliance on lawyers’ advice, for example, on the sum for However, I wish that Labour Members had acted when which people should settle. The Home Office report they were in government, as I am sure they agree. considered the question of whether former Deputy I associate myself with the apology that my hon. Assistant Commissioner Clarke relied on lawyers’ advice Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale) about undertaking more investigation if News International made to Mr Rupert Murdoch yesterday, and I give was not co-operating, and whether he was told that the Mr Murdoch some credit for staying on to answer police could not really exercise certain powers because Committee members’ questions. My hon. Friend also it would be seen as fishing. From my own experience of referred to outstanding points for the inquiry. As the corporate life, lawyers always take the lowest-risk approach, Committee has not yet concluded its report, I do not and one has to decide whether one wants to take that intend to make specific comments about what was said advice. Indeed, the House decided earlier this year that yesterday, but I encourage hon. Members to read the it was not happy with advice about prisoners’ votes. transcript and to note that we will set out written People should not necessarily hide behind lawyers’ advice. follow-up questions. They should listen to it, but they should be prepared to The hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) suggested make different decisions. that at least two people had lied to Parliament in the Sheila Gilmore: Will the hon. Lady give way? past 24 hours. I assume he was referring to Sir Paul Stephenson’s comments about his resignation, and perhaps Dr Coffey: I was about to conclude, so, in deference to Mrs Brooks and the Murdochs. to other hon. Members who wish to make a speech, I shall not give way. John Mann: That is four people. I applaud the cross-party approach that some hon. Members have taken, but I deplore the tribalism Dr Coffey: I do not know to whom the hon. Member demonstrated by others. I am afraid, however, that I for Rhondda was referring. might introduce a little bit myself. It was Mr Yates who We have to be careful when we say that people have led the investigation into cash for honours in which an lied to Parliament. However, I agree with the hon. official serving the then Prime Minister was arrested. I Gentleman that we have not got to the bottom of the am not aware that people were calling on the then Prime matter—as the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun Minister to apologise—I think that there was surprise—and, (Cathy Jamieson) said, some of the testimony was as has been said by the Prime Minister and by other frustrating—and to do so we need to call further witnesses Members, we should wait until people are charged and, to our inquiry. However, I now know that the Committee’s indeed, found guilty before we condemn the decisions intention is that the police and the judicial inquiry see of those involved in employing them. On that matter, I further witnesses rather than us. commend the motion, and particularly the desire of I welcome a lot of the suggestions that have been everyone to make sure that we have a cleaned up press made about equal prominence for apologies and about and a police force whom we are confident can lead such fining and compensation powers. I asked Mr Murdoch investigations. yesterday whether, given his experience in the media spotlight, he would think again about his newspapers’ 4.52 pm headlines and some of the targets of their investigative Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): A journalism. I appreciate that a headline such as “Up number of Members have said that we all bear some Yours Delors” is quite entertaining and unlikely to responsibility for our relations with the press, which are cause damage, but The Sun once published the headline sometimes uneasy. That is also true of our relations “Bonkers Bruno Locked Up”. At that time, Mrs Brooks with the police. At times, Members are anxious about learned a lesson straight away because the following day criticising the police lest they appear to be expressing a she published a front-page editorial from the charity lack of support. At other times, we are fulsome in our SANE, as well as making appropriate restoration. I see praise when there is a need for criticism. 1015 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1016 Police Police [Steve McCabe] have been accounted for, the problem will not go away. There will be no closure until we identify all the victims I think of myself as someone who supports the and they are properly and fairly treated. I urge the police, but there are lessons to be learned from what Government to think about that aspect. happened at the Met in this unhappy episode. There are In criticising the police, we should not forget the serious questions about managerial control at the Met, pressures they were under at the time, with the incredible and that will be a consideration when the next commissioner terrorist threat that was sweeping the country. We should is appointed. I was struck by the way in which Lord not underestimate the pressures that ordinary rank and Blair, the former commissioner, wanted immediately to file officers feel they are under because of the cuts and distance himself from the original inquiry, and did not the relentless pace of change that the Government are want to have anything to do with it. I accept that he did imposing on them. We need to recognise that wrongdoers not have operational control, but he was the guy in must be punished and failure in all its forms in the charge. I was struck by the way in which Andy Hayman police must be addressed, but ordinary officers need a seemed to be in charge of the inquiry, but not remotely break from the relentless attack on honourable policing in control of what was happening. John Yates did not traditions, which is the problem now afflicting police seem to be at all clear about what Sir Paul Stephenson forces throughout the country. had asked him to do when he conducted an eight-hour mini-review. Mr Fedorcio seemed to run the public In the light of what we have experienced in this affairs directorate as an odd-job man might recruit horrible affair, there is a chance to pause and think customers—it was almost unbelievable. again about some of the things that are happening to other forces at this time. It would be a tragedy if we did We need better managerial control at the Met. It is not learn anything from the experience and went on to astonishing that no one thought to ask a question about create conditions in other forces that mean that the the fact that 10 of the 45 employees in the public affairs same problems are repeated elsewhere at some point in directorate were ex-News International. Anywhere else, the future. that would be a question worth asking. The way in which Mr Wallis was awarded a contract worth £1,000 a day is open to question, too. The fact that in the midst 4.58 pm of investigations senior officers could have dinners with Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con): I people who might be directly relevant to their inquiries welcome the recall of Parliament. I am only sorry that seems astonishing. we are not being recalled to discuss the problems of the I do not see that the Mayor has played a particularly eurozone, the slowdown in the world economy in the useful role, with his reference to codswallop and his face of higher energy prices, and the famine in east attempt to roll back. I mention this because the Mayor Africa. We may well have to be recalled in August to is the model for police commissioners that the Home discuss the first of these issues. Secretary wants to impose on the rest of the country, We are here today to discuss, among other things, the and the Mayor seems to have played no useful part in relationships between politicians and the media. It behoves terms of accountability during this process. What looks us all, therefore, to declare any connections with the like one of the least accountable forces in the country is media in general and News International in particular. I set to become the model for the rest of the country. was going to say that I had none, but my wife reminded There is an argument that, even at this late stage, the me that in 1997 The Times supported my bid for the Government should think again about the problem. leadership of the Conservative party. In view of the fact that, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) discovered and the Leader of the Andrew Selous: Will the hon. Gentleman explain to Opposition will discover, becoming Leader of the the House how he thinks a police force is more accountable Opposition after 12 years in power is a poisoned chalice, to an unelected official than to an elected one? it might be thought that endorsing me was more a malicious act than a reason for me to feel any obligation. Steve McCabe: That is not really the point. The point Anyway, The Times subsequently precipitated my departure that I am making is that in the face of this enormous from the Front Bench by publishing no fewer than scandal, the man who was supposed to make the police 16 hostile articles critical of my Butler memorial lecture— more accountable did nothing about it. the first time it had ever received such attention in The Times. I think therefore that my slate is clean as far as If Lord Macdonald is right about what he saw in the Murdoch is concerned, which is just as well because I file, sadly some officers will have to go to jail to restore might say some things that are mildly favourable to public confidence. There is no way in which that can be News International. swept under the carpet now. There has been great outrage in this country over the I echo the points made by the Chairman of the Home hacking scandal and Milly Dowler, but I am worried Affairs Committee, my right hon. Friend the Member that it is being used by some people who want to for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), and by my colleague shackle the freedom of the press, which would put not on the Committee, the hon. Member for Hertsmere only our freedom in danger but a major industry and (Mr Clappison), about victims. At the core of the employer in this country at risk. Politicians tend to problem is the way people were treated. Unless additional suffer from the delusion that the press and the media resources are devoted to identifying the victims and have far more power than they do—the power to swing something is done about that, the stench associated votes. In fact, readers do not take instructions from with these events will never go away. While there is editors. When The Sun had been backing the Tories for doubt whether all the people who have been mistreated a decade and claiming, “It’s the Sun wot won it”, 1017 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1018 Police Police a survey found that a majority of readers of The Sun should be very wary of going down that road, and we thought that it was a Labour-supporting newspaper. should not get carried away or allow partisan concern Readers who are interested in politics choose their about the views expressed by one player in the media to newspaper because it has congenial political views; the be used in the political process to damage that player or rest are largely uninfluenced by an editor’s views. Successful the freedom of the press. editors follow their readers, not vice versa. None the less, we in the House tend to be subject to Louise Mensch (Corby) (Con): On a point of order, this delusion, and none more so than those on the left of Mr Deputy Speaker. I am sorry to interrupt the House, politics. The reason is that the left needs an explanation but I have just learned that the BBC journalist, Mr Paul for why the majority of ordinary people do not share its Lambert, who reported yesterday on the egregious breach views on the EU, crime, family, welfare and taxes. Those of security during the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on the left conclude, as they have to, that people must sitting, has had his parliamentary press pass removed have been indoctrinated, and clearly the indoctrinator- by the House authorities. I hope the House will agree in-chief is Rupert Murdoch and News International. I that it is appropriate that we support the freedom of the have looked through the literally hundreds of e-mails press, particularly when the press are reporting on that I have received on this issue. Only one mentioned serious failures of security in this House. Milly Dowler; one other expressed outrage about hacking. All the others were about Rupert Murdoch, News Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I am sure that International and even Fox News, which does not even this will be looked into in more detail as news of what operate over here, and about its size, its share of the the hon. Lady has just spoken about arrives. It is news market, its views and its foreign ownership. These are to me, but I am sure that it will be fully looked into and legitimate concerns, but they are partisan. may be properly addressed later on.

Sheila Gilmore: Like the right hon. Gentleman, I Helen Goodman: Further to that point of order, have received numerous representations this year on the Mr Deputy Speaker. There are clearly a number of BSkyB takeover. As a councillor, I was always advised concerns about who gets press passes. I wonder whether, that in matters that might involve a conflict of interest, when the matter that the hon. Member for Corby perception was everything. Does he agree that it would (Louise Mensch) has raised is looked into, some have been better had the Government from the outset—at consideration might be given to publishing who has the end of last year—referred the bid to the Competition press passes. At the moment, we do not know that. Commission, and not got involved with undertakings from an organisation that had already proven itself to Mr Deputy Speaker: Again, I am sure that will be be untrustworthy on undertakings? That would have looked into. I am not absolutely sure whether the names improved the public’s perception of the Government. of those who have press passes are not already in the public domain in the directory that is made available to the House, but I will look into the matter myself to see Mr Lilley: I do not believe that perception is all; what the truth is. substance is the most important thing, along with following the law, which is what I believe the Government did. 5.7 pm Labour Members have expressed no concern today about the media share held by the BBC, about the Mr Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Strathaven and behaviour of The Mirror, which was often implicated Lesmahagow) (Lab): Today’s debate is entitled “Public by Nick Davies in his investigation, or about the ownership confidence in the media and police”, but whatever the of the Standard or The Independent. I think that we shortcomings of that title, everyone who is in the Chamber need to recognise that the press do not have the power can agree that both of those have been shaken to the that people suppose. It does not swing votes—perhaps a core by recent events. few—and it does not determine popular views but The evidence offered by senior police officers yesterday follows them. The one important power that the press and by senior Met officials could be assessed either as a have is the power to tell the truth. All credit should go demonstration of unprofessional and naive behaviour to Nick Davies of The Guardian for his investigations, or as a wilful neglect of the integrity that we normally both on this particular issue and more widely. Sadly, his associate with those who have been given the privilege searing critique of the media, “Flat Earth News”, received of holding high public office. Whichever conclusion we remarkably little coverage from his colleagues in the draw, it ain’t good. In particular, I draw attention to the media and appallingly little interest from the political evidence of Dick Fedorcio, which was unintelligible to class in the House. At its launch in this House, I was one me. That is more worrying when we consider that he is of only two Members of the House of Commons who the man responsible for the Met’s message. Although attended to hear his views. But we should listen, because John Yates has carried out distinguished work during he says that there is wrongdoing in many organs of the his career—of that there is no doubt—I fear that he will press other than News International. be remembered for a Mr Magoo-style botched and Having listened, we should be extremely wary of bungled phone hacking investigation. believing that the solution is to burden the media with Like many others, I watched with great interest the more regulation and with statutory controls. Hacking is theatre of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee already illegal—we do not have to pass laws to make it hearing yesterday. At times, Rupert Murdoch cut a illegal. However, such things as intrusion on personal figure of an amalgam of all the caricatures that we have grief, though repugnant, are not justiciable. Bias and seen of him over the years, but it was the young pretender, distortion are regrettable, but they are not really justiciable James Murdoch, who revealed the most through half- unless we are to set up censorship of the press. We answered questions. At times Mr James Murdoch looked 1019 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1020 Police Police [Mr Michael McCann] 5.12 pm Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (Con): The on in terror at Mr Rupert Murdoch, wondering what he Home Affairs Committee commenced its report on a was going to say next. However, it was James Murdoch’s cross-party basis 10 months ago. That report shows that revelation about Mr Glenn Mulcaire’s legal costs being the relations between the police and the media, particularly paid that brought Rebekah Brooks’s prophetic words News International, are too close. Indeed, there were so into sharp focus. Members will remember that she said many lunches and dinners that I am surprised that to News of the World staff that senior police officers had time for anything else. Despite “in a year’s time every single one of you in this room might come that, I do not incline to the view that there is high-level up and say, ‘OK, well I see what you saw now’.” corruption or conspiracy at the top of the police. Given James Murdoch’s disclosure that Mulcaire’s legal fees the evidence that I have seen, as far as the police are were paid will, I believe, unlock Rebekah Brooks’s concerned, I think that this is more about cock-up and prediction. We must wait and see whether that is the perhaps incompetence in some places, although Lord case, but people do not pay for a criminal’s legal defence Leveson might find otherwise. I take that view because if they have nothing to hide. of the evidence that our Committee saw on the role of My main purpose in contributing to today’s debate is the Crown Prosecution Service and the way in which it to call on the Government to extend their investigations clearly let down the police. to every part of the media, not just the print media. Yes, I asked John Yates yesterday whether he thought that there is no doubt that the behaviour of News International blame had been fairly ascribed between the police and was indefensible and beyond the pale, but anyone who the CPS, and he said that he most certainly did not. He believes that it stops there displays Olympian detachment felt that he had been bumping his head against the from reality. The behaviour of the printed news media proverbial brick wall in trying to get people to understand in this country has, with few exceptions, been appalling the role of the CPS. It might be more interesting for the at various times, and it is not until we enter the political media to look at the relationship between the media arena that we see the worst of it. That behaviour has and the police, but it is the relationship between the been sanctioned by a Press Complaints Commission police and the CPS that gets us to the heart of this matter. that is paid for by the newspapers. I am reminded of the We must ask why those 11,000 pages of Mulcaire’s words of Luke 4:23, “Physician, heal thyself.”Self-regulation documents were not looked at and why the police did has to end. Mr Deputy Speaker, you were in the Chair not do anything about them, but we must also ask why on the evening of my Adjournment debate on 27 April, the CPS did nothing. Even yesterday, Kier Starmer was when I brought the House’s attention to the deficiencies not quite clear as to whether the CPS had seen them all; in the self-regulation of the press. Like Alice Cooper, I he said that it had seen only the ones up to August 2006. consider myself to be ahead of my time, because shortly We have now heard from my hon. and learned Friend thereafter, press self-regulation became a headline issue. the Member for Torridge and West Devon (Mr Cox), It is my view, however, that the review of the regulation however, that, on 8 August, the Director of Public of the media must be extended to include the broadcast Prosecutions and the Attorney-General were notified of and electronic media as well. When debates on statutory the existence of what was described as a control and self-regulation took place in the 1940s, “vast array of offending behaviour” 1950s and 1960s, the printed news media was the public’s primary source of information. Now, however, it is Sky and the material to back that up. What happened? They News, the BBC News channel and the electronic media. do not seem to have done anything about it. The behaviour of those media must also be investigated, The current DPP looked at this issue in July 2009. He and the public must be afforded the opportunity to was new to the job. He went through all the materials contribute to that investigation. I personally would be and tried to find out what happened at the time. He more than happy to contribute evidence on the behaviour concluded that nothing happened because of the law: of BBC Scotland, an organisation that I believe has “To prove the criminal offence of interception the prosecution broken its editorial code at our expense. It is currently must prove that the actual message was intercepted prior to it under investigation following three separate complaints being accessed by the intended recipient.” that I have made to Ofcom. It was on that basis that the CPS constrained the police Debates about regulation have raged for decades. investigation. Royal commissions have come and gone, general councils Whether the noble Lords Goldsmith and Macdonald have been set up and failed, and, as I pointed out on were asleep on the bridge, just gave incompetent legal 27 April, self-regulation has also failed. I am delighted advice, or in some way prevented this police investigation to see that all the main players now agree with me on are very serious questions. I am delighted that the Prime that. I value freedom of the press and the rule of law, Minister has revised the terms of reference of his Lord and, following this tide of terrible events, we now have a Leveson inquiry, and that it will look at the role of the once-in-many-generations opportunity to set things right. prosecuting authorities and why the CPS gave this in I put it to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State my view extraordinary and clearly wrong advice that it for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport that we should had to be proved that the message was intercepted not fetter those who have been given the challenge of before it was listened to. finding solutions to these problems. Section 2(7) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is clear on this issue. Parliament made our Several hon. Members rose— intentions clear. We said that a communication remains in transmission while a system is Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. The “storing it in a manner that enables the intended recipient to time limit is being reduced to five minutes. collect it or otherwise have access to it.” 1021 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1022 Police Police So, there is no basis for the CPS saying that the police for News International from the police, that the former had to prove that the message was intercepted before it DPP went to work at News International and that News was listened to. However, it seems that that is what International has also employed, as a so-called independent stopped the investigation back in 2006. The noble Lords adjudicator, a former High Court judge, Sir Charles Macdonald and Goldsmith have to answer for themselves Gray. I am not suggesting that all those cases involve on that: why did they give that advice, which is clearly impropriety, but we must know what the rules are. I wrong in the light of section 2(7)? hope when the Secretary of State winds up he will be Keir Starmer of the CPS is acting loyally, and as far able to tell us the truth about what happened in the as I can see acted properly in trying to look into this autumn of 2009, when, it is widely rumoured, the matter in July 2009. He has now recanted from the broadcasting policy that he wanted to publish was held evidence that I just quoted, which he gave to the Culture, up because the Chancellor of the Exchequer had to Media and Sport Committee. He is saying at best, clear it with James Murdoch. “Well, perhaps it is uncertain. Perhaps there could be a What I really want to remind hon. Members is that prosecution.” However, even that would have hugely those who have suffered most as a result of these abuses constrained the police, because it made matters much are ordinary people. What has been uncovered very more difficult for them. The advice of the CPS was recently has been extremely shocking, and there is a much clearer at the time: it said that prosecution was long history of ordinary people being abused and not not possible on that basis. having proper recourse because they did not have the That is the problem we are left with, and I want to money to employ lawyers and because the PCC is such know why the CPS did that. The CPS needs to be more a toothless tiger. Let me tell hon. Members a couple of accountable, and I look forward to seeing stage 2 of stories about that. A boy in my constituency, who was these elected commissioners—and not just for the police. obviously badly behaved, was described in one of the As with police, the Royal Commission in 1981 said that tabloids as “terrorising” the town, which was a total the CPS should be put under elected control and oversight. exaggeration and is not a way in which any of us would allow our children to be described. In another case, a woman I met who was a victim of domestic violence 5.17 pm was also denigrated—in The Sun in this instance—because Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): This is her neighbours had been blagged. There was complete clearly an extremely important debate for the future deceit about the nature of the inquiry and how the story and quality of our democracy and the nature of our would be written up. We are talking about extremely country. Across the House, Members are in agreement vulnerable people and we must take them into account that we want a free press, but at the moment we are not in any new regulations that are set up. quite agreed on what we mean by freedom of the press. 5.22 pm A free press is obviously part of the rights we have under the European convention on human rights to free Alok Sharma (Reading West) (Con): First, I add my speech and free expression, but I remind Members that voice to the unanimous view of the House that the the exercise of this freedom also carries duties and phone hacking scandal is a total and utter disgrace and responsibilities. The convention says that the exercise of that those who are found to have broken the law should these freedoms is “subject to” limitations face the consequences. Hacking, blagging and any similar “in the interests of national security…public safety…the prevention illegal activities are absolutely despicable and we all feel of…crime”— for the vulnerable individuals and their families who ironically— have been subject to this illegal activity and awful intrusion at some of the most difficult times of their lives. “the protection of health or morals” In the past few days, it has been reported that my and so on. So, this freedom of expression is not a predecessor, the former Member for Reading West, was freedom from all constraints or legalities, and nor is it a one of those targeted by a private investigator implicated freedom to chase stories using any technique possible. in the News of the World scandal, and that he was Significantly, it is also limited by article 8 of the European targeted because he had refused to support a News of convention, on the right to privacy. As we move forward the World campaign to allow parents access to the sex and look at the appropriate regulation, we need to have offenders register. It is shocking that any hon. Member, in mind article 8 as well as article 10. or indeed any member of the public, should be subject It really is not reasonable for people to pretend that to such an invasion of their privacy just because they uncovering the sex lives of footballers is equivalent to choose not to support a media campaign. If the allegations the fight for freedom of expression we have seen in prove to be true, I hope that justice will be served. north Africa and the middle east in recent months. It is Secondly, I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement this also disingenuous for so-called celebrity columnists to morning giving further details of the judicial inquiry. I pretend they are some latter-day combination of Bob also welcome the very forthright views that he has set Woodward and Dean Swift. I do not agree with Lord out in the past few weeks and today on this issue. His Kinnock about the rules on balance for the broadcast frankness about the collective failure of politicians, the media being taken across into those for the press, but I press and the police to get to grips with this whole issue do think that the Leader of the Opposition was absolutely much earlier has been very much in line with the mood of right that the problems we have faced over a long period the House and of those outside it. The Leader of the of time have been because of a very significant Opposition said in the House last week that “all of concentration of power, which led to a web of corruption. us” should It is not acceptable that a quarter of the Met press “accept our share of responsibility for not having spoken out office had formerly worked for News International. It is more on these issues.”—[Official Report, 13 July 2011; Vol. 531, a matter of concern that Andy Hayman went to work c. 391.] 1023 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1024 Police Police [Alok Sharma] 5.27 pm

He was right. The Labour Government of the day did Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton) not act on the Information Commissioner’s reports of (Lab): I welcome this debate and, like others, I want to 2006 or on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s talk about corporate governance. The Murdoch newspapers report of 2003. To be fair, the Prime Minister has also had 37% of the UK newspaper market—slightly less said that the then Opposition did not make enough of now, of course, because Murdoch had to sacrifice the those reports either. News of the World to buy time—and by any standards that is far too great a concentration of power, above all We know that phone hacking was discussed in Cabinet in such a sensitive area as agenda setting in a democracy. by the previous Labour Government, but they did not Worst of all, that power was used not to disseminate act. Last week, the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy information and opinion but to intimidate individuals and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) came to the House and and pressurise Governments to conform to his will. The spoke at length, absolving himself from responsibility need for major reform and media governance is now for not taking action on his watch. I do not know overwhelming. whether he forgot, but he was Chancellor and then Prime Minister. He was in charge but he did not act. Should any one person or organisation control more By contrast, this Prime Minister has acted decisively. than one daily and one Sunday paper? I think not. He has taken weeks to set up a public inquiry, not years. Should the law restricting monopolistic cross-media I should also add that the freedom of the press is a ownership between the broadcast and print media, which hugely important part of our democracy. We all want to Mrs Thatcher swept to one side in the early 1980s, see a clean press, but we do not want to see a cowed press. setting Murdoch on his way to power, be consolidated I hope that, as the inquiry gets under way, that will be and strengthened? I certainly think it should. Should a uppermost in the minds of those leading the inquiry. right of reply be instituted here in this country, as in so many other countries, given space and prominence equal There has been lots of focus, quite understandably, to that of the offending article? How best can new on News Corp and the Murdochs in recent weeks, entrants to the media market be encouraged to increase but we must also keep it in mind that the issues we are diversity and improve balance in the press? I certainly discussing have a bearing on the media as a whole, not do not think it should be done by licensing, but more just the Murdoch press. As has been mentioned, the balance would be helpful. The question of how that can 2006 Information Commissioner’s investigation spoke best be done needs a lot of examination. of Since self-regulation for the press has proved such an “a widespread and organised undercover market in confidential personal information.” abject failure, how can the right balance be found between statutory regulation, if it is strictly necessary in In the Operation Motorman case, the police and the certain areas, and—most important of all—preserving ICO found evidence that there were about 300 journalists the freedom of the press to pursue its proper role? We working for a wide range of newspapers that had used a have already seen sanctimonious warnings against any variety of techniques to obtain personal information interference with press behaviour, which is exactly what and stories. This morning’s report from the Home Affairs happened 20 years ago when David Mellor, then the Committee was pretty clear. It said: Minister with responsibility for the media, warned that “Some of the information could have been obtained only the press was drinking in the last chance saloon, since illegally”. when things have got steadily worse. It is clear that it is not only the Murdoch press that has Even more disturbing is the continual drip of damning questions to answer and the inquiry needs to take a long revelations about the shadow power structure made up hard look at all those issues. of the police, News International and No. 10; that is I also welcome the fact that that the judicial inquiry part, I suppose, of the secret governance of Britain. We will consider relevant police forces other than the Met, learned yesterday that a quarter of Scotland Yard press but we need to remember that the vast majority of officers had worked at News International, and we police officers are good, upstanding and honest. One learned that the News of the World’s chief reporter, thing we certainly want to ensure is that, as with former Neville Thurlbeck, was an official police informer. Of Ministers, former senior police officers do not simply course, it was already known that the hiring by Scotland traipse into certain private sector roles just weeks or Yard of Neil Wallis, the former deputy editor of the months after leaving office. News of the World, was unbelievably casual, with no Finally, over the past weeks there has rightly been due diligence at all, as though the Met and News huge focus in the House on the hacking scandal. That is International were symbiotically intertwined. Perhaps absolutely right and the way it should be, but we have most damagingly of all, we now know that Wallis acted several inquiries under way right now and we should let as an informal adviser to Andy Coulson, even when them get on with their work. We also need to get back Coulson was ensconced at No. 10, so the clean break to talking about the economy and jobs: the bread-and-butter that the Prime Minister has always said Coulson made from issues that matter greatly to our constituents. Last week, the News of the World was not really so clean at all. we saw a drop in inflation and a drop in unemployment. The Home Secretary’s proposals for dealing with the It is all welcome news, but there are on-going concerns situation are not adequate. Establishing an inquiry into in the eurozone and other issues that also need the setting up a new code of police-media ethics will not attention of the House. resolve the issue of the recently exposed profound dereliction I welcome all that the Prime Minister has done to set of duty by police at the highest level, which includes up the judicial inquiry and to create cross-party consensus. taking bribes estimated to total £130,000 for illegally It is the right way forward. passing on private information. Dealing with such abject 1025 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1026 Police Police irresponsibility and deep-seated and pervasive corruption Another person known to me over the last few years requires much more stringent and proactive strategic did fantastic service by fostering difficult teenage children supervision. in his home. One night there was an incident and one of There has been talk about whether the Independent the teenage children whom he had fostered made an Police Complaints Commission should have more power, accusation that he had been molested by my friend, who but the fact is that the IPCC remains a body for investigating was then arrested by the police. Next day that matter complaints. It is not about proactive strategic supervision. was on the front page of the Daily Star in very lurid What is needed is a much more powerful new supervisory terms. There was no charge against my friend; he was body that not only reorients the police towards what we wholly innocent. No action was taken, but considerable all want, which is more reduction of crime, but pursues damage was done. Again, a quick backhander from a criminality in high places, where the damage is really journalist to the police to get that story. That is absolutely done. We need much more profound far-reaching reforms not right. I am focused on ensuring that we have complete that can prevent the corruption in the power structure transparency and ensure that payments from journalists that is at the root of this whole scandal. to the police do not continue. We need real systems to ensure that such payments cannot be made in future. 5.32 pm That is something that the police and the press need to concentrate on. Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): All of us should approach this debate with a degree of We have heard about apologies made by newspapers. humility before we stand in judgment over the press and When the press do admit that they have something the police, given the collective black mark that we MPs wrong or have maligned someone, there is a tiny reference received in the last Parliament because of the expenses to that on page 2 or 3—a small column on the side of scandal. We are right to comment on these matters, and the page—when the original story was on the front to draw and learn lessons, but we should remember and page— put on record that our collective performance in the previous Parliament was not terribly good on certain Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. scores. It is wholly unacceptable that Rupert Murdoch was attacked in the Committee yesterday. If we want witnesses 5.37 pm to come before Select Committees of this House—it is John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): Yesterday Rebekah important that they do—they must have the assurance Brooks described The Sun as a “very clean ship”, and that there will be no repetition of such incidents. I am the Murdoch family appears to be suggesting that now pleased to learn of the Speaker’s inquiry into the matter. that the News of the World is defunct we can move on. I have to raise a few points put to me by my constituents, The Sun has had some remarkable scoops for which who are urging us collectively to learn the lessons, move people do not appear to have gone to court and been on, and deal with the serious bread-and-butter issues convicted. These are scoops by one reporter; there are that face them day in, day out—jobs, public services, the others, of course, under The Sun. The following footballers economy, and what is happening in Europe. We are have been the subject of scoops, usually front page right to focus on the issue and learn lessons, but I think scoops, in The Sun by the same reporter, all of which that they are collectively saying to us, “Remember what’s can only have come from the Metropolitan police. There happening in our lives, day in, day out.” I just want to is no other possible source for any of these stories. put that firmly on the record. This is my squad for the World cup: Frank Lampard, We need to accept that it is not a crime for politicians Jay Bothroyd, Carlton Cole, Manuel de Costa, Paul and journalists to talk to each other, and it will not be in Gascoigne, Armand Traoré, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul future. Politics matters; it is about the conveyance of Merson, Tony Cascarino, Stan Bowles, Bobby Zamora, important ideas. We want politics to be in the newspapers, Quincy Owusu, Jack Wilshere, Kieron Dyer, Nicklas and the media and journalists enable our message to get Bendtner, David James, Didier Drogba, Juan Verón. out to our constituents. We want a healthy, open, and Manager: José Mourinho—that was in 2007. Captain: transparent relationship in future. No more entering Wayne Rooney—on 1 August 2008. Wayne Rooney was Downing street through the back door. It is not a crime not arrested near Oxford street in London, but he was, for a journalist to go into No. 10 Downing street; it just according to The Sun exclusive, read his rights. All those needs to be transparent and open, and I hope that we stories involved footballers, all of them in London. are moving into an era in which it is. However, when Mr Rooney and Mr Gerrard had run-ins I remain extremely concerned about payments to the with the police in the north-west, every newspaper had police from journalists, about which we have heard a the story, with no scoops for The Sun. When Mr Robin certain amount today. I want briefly to illustrate that van Persie, a London footballer, had an altercation with with three true stories that have been brought to my the police in Holland, The Sun was a day later than the attention recently. A former Member of the House who rest of the media. Do not be a footballer in London and went on to have an important position in public service be in any situation with the police without being charged, was accused of fraud. At the time of his arrest at if The Sun is around. 6 o’clock in the morning at his family home there were television crews around his house. He was later found to But this does not just involve footballers. Do not be a be innocent and there were no charges to answer. It police officer, either. On 6 July 2011 a front-page headline became obvious that an officer involved in the investigation read, “Threat to kill dead dogs in car cop”. Sackloads had tipped off the press and camera crews to record of hate mail targeted a sergeant who was a dog handler, what was obviously a traumatic event for him and his in whose car two dogs had, sadly, died. The article said: family. That is absolutely wrong. “One source said: ‘Thousands of letters were arriving’.” 1027 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1028 Police Police [John Mann] continue to speak courageously and with honesty about the mistakes made in the past so that we learn from The only possible source for that story was the police—the them and, as the Prime Minister said today, that we take Metropolitan police. There were dozens of such examples this golden opportunity—the opportunity of a generation while Brooks was in charge of The Sun, all involving the —to clean up our media and our police and the way we Met—no other police force—doing in their own. do politics. Murder cases are involved too. I have written to Sue As ever, time is against me. I do not want to speak for Akers about them, and I shall not go into them now, as too long, and in any event I shall probably not be this is a time to tread delicately around them. Suffice it allowed to. I am pleased that the terms of the inquiry to say that I am asking her to look into texts to or from include all the media. The right hon. Member for Bath murder victims that have mysteriously appeared in the (Mr Foster) was concerned that the inquiry might be media. Who gave the media those texts? There is a range used to knock the BBC. The point being made from the of cases that the House will be familiar with, but they Conservative Benches is that there has been concern have not been mentioned in relation to phone hacking. that the BBC is in some way in a privileged position. In Texts need to be part of the inquiry, not least those that my view, competition in all sections of the media, appear in The Sun. notably in broadcasting, means that we have better and London’s celebrities are not just footballers: Hugh much healthier media. Grant, Ms Dynamite, Lily Allen, Peaches Geldof, Adam I declare an interest. Before I returned to the Bar, I Ant, Jude Law, Liz Hurley, Rod Liddle, Keira Knightley, worked for Central Television for many years, so I am a Leslie Ash, Elliott Tittensor, Mohammed al-Fayed, Woody passionate fan of ITV. I know its value, especially as a Harrelson, Joe McGann, Christian Bale, Sean Bean genuine and true alternative to the BBC. It did a great and Mike Tindall; it could even be someone marrying job in regional news. It is also worth reminding the the Queen’s granddaughter. They are all in London. If House of the figures. About 5 million people watch the you want to have a car crash, have it outside London. If BBC’s “Ten O’Clock News”. Invariably, fewer than you want to have a drink and an issue with a photographer, 200,000 watch Sky, but 2.5 million people watch ITV’s have it outside London. If it happens in London, someone news at that time. Those who are in real competition are in the Met will be handing over or selling your information the BBC and ITV. Long may that continue. I know that to The Sun. the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has Relatives of the famous are affected too: John Terry’s been in consultation about the sort of changes that ITV father, Cristiano Ronaldo’s cousin, Ashley Cole’s brother, wants so that they are on a level playing field. I urge him Jermain Defoe’s brother, Sadie Frost’s sister, Tony Blair’s to consider them, because I know that ITV wants to son, Patricia Hewitt’s son and Nelson Mandela’s grandson. reinvest money in British television, which is good for On 4 November 2005 The Sun exclusive was Steve our economy. McFadden and Angela Bostock: police officers were there at the time. On the same day, Detective Constable ITV also wants to encourage regional news. At least David Dougall, a Scotland Yard officer, was convicted two other Members here, perhaps more, from the east of selling information to The Sun. Why has that case, midlands will have seen the demise of Central news in including the comments of John Ross, who bought the recent years. The right hon. Member for Leicester East information, not been made public? The police dropped (Keith Vaz) and the hon. Member for Gedling (Vernon their investigations against The Sun because, Ross believes: Coaker) are nodding in agreement. In the good old days it was an equal fight between the BBC’s “East Midlands “It would have revealed a lot of conversations between Mike”— Today” and “Central East”. Now, as the right hon. Sullivan, The Sun’s crime reporter— Gentleman and others know, “Central East”compromises “and senior officers and they didn’t want to open that can of a 10-minute opt-out, with the news coming from worms.” Birmingham. We want to revert to good healthy Giving evidence on behalf of Ross were Sky News competition. crime correspondent Martin Brunt and others. In the Good, healthy competition throughout our media Press Gazette, Sullivan kindly put his diary— means that people have real choice. We must never forget that, at the end of the day, the people who can Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. determine the future and enable our media to be cleaned up are those who choose whether to buy, to tune in, to 5.42 pm use the internet for news, and so on. I made the point Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con): It is always a great two weeks ago, but it is worth making it again: we pleasure to follow my fellow Nottinghamshire MP, the should urge people not to buy newspapers that breach hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann). Only two all the codes. Never mind the written codes: people do weeks ago we held a similar debate, although it seems not need a code to tell them that they should not hack much longer, and much has changed since then. Like into the phone of a dead child. many Members, I was struck by the desire on both sides of the House that we work together in the spirit that Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): My was properly and well outlined by the hon. Member for hon. Friend is right to mention the responsibility of the Rhondda (Chris Bryant), who talked about the need for public for their purchasing decisions. It is not just a case honesty and courage. of regulation or law, but a cultural issue. Although the I congratulate the Prime Minister on his statement public are revolted about people hacking into Milly and his speech today. I certainly took the view that Dowler’s phone and the phones of other victims of courage and honesty were the major words underpinning crime, why do we have such a prurient interest in other his speech. I hope that on both sides of the House we people’s private lives? Do not we all have to hold up a 1029 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1030 Police Police mirror to ourselves and ask why we buy those papers and that he was not going to become involved in the and feed a beast that we now want to slay? Have we not issue, only as far back as September 2010. The Metropolitan all got questions to answer? police were under pressure from people outside the House and some hon. Members, as we all know, to Anna Soubry: I could not have put it better than my reopen the investigation and look into the phone hacking hon. Friend has done, and I am sure that we are all scandal. It was bound to influence the views of those grateful for his wise words. He is right. I hope that we police that the Mayor of London, who is supposedly will seize the opportunity as a people to change our given influence over issues relating to policing matters culture and values. As my hon. Friend says, we should on behalf of people in London, had already made think much more carefully about why we buy papers public statements to say that he did not think such an and enjoy looking at some of the photographs in them. inquiry worth while—that he thought it was a load of I include celebrities, because it is not fair to say that rubbish. It was bound to influence their thinking about they, or indeed Members of Parliament, should somehow whether to reopen that inquiry. be outside the code governing the way in which people I sincerely hope that the Leveson inquiry will look should operate. When looking at certain photographs, into that fact, because it will be an important factor in we should think, “That must have been a gross intrusion whether we decide to go forward with elected police into that person’s privacy; a long lens must have been commissioners throughout the country, because when used. I won’t buy that newspaper.” the Government advocate elected police commissioners, As I said in my question to the Prime Minister earlier, they always use the Mayor of London as an example. a process of cultural change needs to happen. It involves Well, actually, the Mayor of London is accountable to not just people and the papers they buy, but the way in the Metropolitan Police Authority for what he does which the media and the press operate today. That with the police. The Members of the MPA have a great process can begin today. That is why, as has already deal of influence in London, and it is a democratically been said, we should ensure that our police officers no based body, with other co-opted members to make it longer divulge details about people who have been broadly representative of London. We are diluting the arrested. Papers should not print such details or behave influence of the MPA and converting it into a panel. We in the grossly irresponsible and disgraceful manner that are not giving it any teeth whatever to enable it to have we saw in Bristol. oversight, and we are placing all the influence and I had hoped to talk about the police too, but I shall power in the hands of a directly elected Mayor or his simply say that in my view the police should not have appointed deputy Mayor. any social contact with any journalist. The press plays The problem that we have faced is the over-burgeoning an important part in the work of the police in preventing power of the media and their ability to twist and and detecting crime, but Nottinghamshire police employ manipulate individuals, particularly politicians at times. five press officers. They do not need to employ that I would stand here and criticise the former leader of my many. Police officers should use the press, but they party for going halfway around the world to pay court should not dine and sup with them. to Rupert Murdoch—I made that criticism openly at the time and I do so now—but that is because those 5.48 pm individuals’ power has been too great. We have seen the tentacles go deep into the Metropolitan police and into Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): I believe that I am the our political life. We have officers who are now probably first London Member from the Opposition Benches to facing prison because they were corrupted by journalists speak in the debate. That is unfortunate, given the throwing money around; we have politicians who have prominence of the Metropolitan police in our discussions, been too close and embarrassed themselves with their but I hope that my colleagues from London will catch relationships with the media. It is extremely corrupting. your eye later, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Mayor of London said that this matter was I would like to say a lot, but we are constrained by “codswallop” only days after the article appeared in The time at the tail end of our discussion. Suffice it to say New York Times which resulted in the reopening of the that I believe that the power of News International and Metropolitan police inquiry. So we have to look at how many other media organisations, as many hon. Members the Mayor has been influenced by the media and the have said, has distorted the way in which politicians and way he has used the media. others in public life go about their daily business, but what is wrong is the fact that the ownership of our John Mann: Would my hon. Friend be astonished to media is out of kilter. It should not just be an issue learn that one of his constituents, as a police officer in about BSkyB and whether News International increases 2005, received a suspended jail sentence for selling its influence in it; it should be about whether News information to The Sun for a mere £200? Does that International is a fit and proper company and should be show how endemic the problem has become? allowed to continue to hold sway over such a large part of our national media. In what is left of my time allocation, I wish to speak Clive Efford: I think it does, and it shows why Parliament about the influence of the Mayor of London on the was recalled so that we could have this debate. I am sure Metropolitan police. I think it was wrong for him to say that that police officer, for that small sum of money, that the phone hacking issue was “codswallop”—that it seriously regrets his judgment, but what underlies such was a plot transactions is the power of the media to suggest that their influence stretches so far that they are not accountable, “cooked up by the Labour party”, and will never be accountable, because they are under that it was the umbrella and shield of our protection because they “a song and dance about nothing”, think themselves so great and so mighty. The fact that 1031 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1032 Police Police [Clive Efford] there are no formalities. We ended up going off to war in Iraq without members of the Cabinet seeing all the papers. Rebekah Brooks thought she could walk into Parliament That same, sloppy approach is not the way to run a and say, “Yes, we pay the police,” and walk out again country. It is right that we have the inquiries, but the without being held to account for it was an absolute House must get together to ensure the proper rule disgrace. The Met must never return to that again. of law. The Mayor of London, however, used his influence My second point is that the separation of the criminal to try to stall the inquiry. His reasons for that will have justice system from politicians is very important. I was to come out as these matters are investigated, but without surprised to hear the Leader of the Opposition say that question his attitude to the investigation into phone he expected the Prime Minister to be briefed by an hacking could only have had influence on the thoughts assistant commissioner about an ongoing police inquiry. and decisions of the police, and that must be investigated. The assistant commissioner actually offered that service to No. 10, but Edward Llewellyn was absolutely right to 5.55 pm say no, because we want that separation. The cosiness of the police and the media, and sofa-style government, Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire) (Con): My blurs the formalities that protect our constitution. old friend the hon. Member for Eltham (Clive Efford) is right in one respect: there are faults in all parties in the Finally, I want to mention the presumption of innocence. House and successive Governments in not tackling this When in opposition, it is easy to cast stones and to rely issue early enough. However, I completely reject his on bits of gossip and speculation as if they are evidence, criticism of the Mayor of London, because the Mayor’s but in this country, thank goodness, we have a fair system comments pre-date the most recent allegations. of trial with the presumption of innocence at its core. I would not want that to change. All those who throw Clive Efford: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? stones and pretend that someone is guilty just because a newspaper says so ought to think about where that Oliver Heald: No, I will not, because I have so little leads. Let us stick up for the constitutional principles of time. That is the way it is tonight. the rule of law and the separation of powers, and let us I shall make three points. First, people in this country ensure that we continue to have fair trials. have a fundamental right to live under the rule of law, but Members on both sides of the House must look 6pm back on this period and ask themselves this: did we uphold the rule of law? As the hon. Gentleman said, Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): We heard yesterday journalists felt that they could break the law willy-nilly, from people who said that they did not know about and people felt that they could talk to Select Committees hacking and that they did not authorise payments for it. about breaking the law, and nothing would happen. It is extraordinary that those executives did not take That is a failure of this Parliament over a period of time their responsibilities for corporate governance seriously to uphold one of the basic rights of our people. enough to determine who did know about hacking, who That is why it is right that the Prime Minister has authorised it and who paid for it. This question is not agreed to a full, judge-led, independent inquiry, and just for the House, but for the shareholders of News why it is right that we have a proper police investigation Corp and News International. How can those shareholders under Sue Akers to go after the evidence. Our Select have confidence in a management that, six years on, has Committees did a good job yesterday in showing that failed to find out those simple facts and to hold people even the most powerful people in the land, and even the to account? world, can be questioned before a Select Committee The £500,000 settlement to Gordon Taylor was discussed just like anyone else. That is how it should be in our at the time by James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks in a country. People should not feel that they can get away meeting with other officers of News Corp and News with it. International. They were discussing a payment to someone Let us ask how we got into that position. Many hon. who was the victim of the company’s illegal practices, Members have said that after 1992, Labour politicians so the House must consider whether it is at all credible were desperate for the good opinion of the media. They that at that meeting James Murdoch did not put one went out to the Canary Islands and all sorts of places— simple question: why do we have to pay this money? [Interruption.] They went to the Cayman Islands and Any chairman would want to know the full details of Australia too. They were out to curry favour with the why he was being asked to make such a payment, so of media regardless. The combination of currying favour course he was told the details of the breaches of privacy with the media and the sofa-style government that we suffered by Gordon Taylor and others. However, any had under Tony Blair meant that we ended up with the semi-conscious corporate lawyer would ask a further sort of situation that was described by my hon. and question: what is the full extent of our liability? When learned Friend the Member for Torridge and West James Murdoch asked that question, it is inconceivable Devon (Mr Cox), who said that the Attorney-General that he would have accepted anyone answering, “We was told in a letter from the police that a vast quantity don’t know,” or, “We haven’t bothered to find out,” yet of private information and criminality needed investigation, in effect that was the response that he and his father but nothing happened. gave to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee yesterday. How did that happen? It should not have been possible, Had he received such a response, I think that his answer and there should have been a report to the Cabinet. The would have been swift and sharp. right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) said that If the House accepts that that question must have no such report ever occurred. That reminds us of what been asked and then fully and honestly answered, it the Butler inquiry said about sofa-style government, when follows that James Murdoch knew that Jon Chapman 1033 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1034 Police Police and Daniel Cloke had full knowledge of the extent of mind the context of the debate and the disastrous cocktail the phone hacking because, of course, they reviewed the of criminality and neglect that has resulted in appalling files given to Harbottle & Lewis. James Murdoch told acts committed as long ago as 2003 coming to light in the Select Committee that he did not tell his father only the past few weeks. That should be the tone of our about the £500,000 payment to Gordon Taylor until remarks, and we should remember that the vast majority after it had been made in 2009. He did not explain why of the police and of journalists are doing their best. he had failed to tell his father that he knew what They do a good job. A small minority in both cases Chapman and Cloke knew, namely that widespread have, unfortunately, brought both professions into disrepute. hacking and illegality had taken place, and that that Much has been made of the Harbottle & Lewis was why they had to buy Gordon Taylor’s silence. file, and the assertion of legal professional privilege. The files at Harbottle & Lewis are crucial. Yesterday, My understanding is that privilege would apply to James Murdoch told Parliament that the actions of correspondence between solicitor and client, but that if News Corp did third-party documents disclose the furtherance of a “not live up to the standards that our company aspires to…and it crime, for example, they would not be subject to such is our determination to put things right”, privilege. The truth—I have not seen the file, and I do yet News Corp has refused to allow Harbottle & Lewis not know what it contains—is probably that there is a to release those documents to the police. Being determined case for a thorough review of the file to ascertain “to put things right” starts with releasing those files. whether privilege can be asserted by its owner, News Why, in 2009, did Deputy Commissioner Yates decide International. If documents in the file clearly disclose that there was no new evidence in The Guardian’s revelations the furtherance of a crime, they should be disclosed. about the hacking of Gordon Taylor? Mr Yates has My strong advice to News International is that if the been at pains to insist that this was not a full-scale spirit of the Murdochs’ evidence yesterday is to be review. I accept that, but it takes not even eight minutes, followed through, disclosure of the file would be in never mind eight hours, to appreciate that the reason their interests and the wider public interest. why there was new material evidence was that a royal The events of the past two weeks have caused us to correspondent—the subject of the original investigation— focus on phone hacking, but the spectrum is much would not have been doing an investigative story on the wider than that. Only a few months ago—perhaps even chief executive of a football association. In other words, more recently—we were looking at super-injunctions that gave the lie to the widespread assumption that this and privacy, which are part of that spectrum. At one was just one rogue reporter. end are people, usually with fame and means, who can assert their privacy by the use of injunctions and Keith Vaz: Sir Paul Stephenson’s evidence yesterday occasionally super-injunctions. At the other are ordinary stated that Mr Yates was put under no time limit, so if members of the public—innocent people—who are living he had needed more than eight hours, he could have quietly and getting on with their lives, sometimes subject had it. to tragedy, who find themselves at the butt-end of criminality and abuse by powerful media operations. Barry Gardiner: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, who has Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): We must also carried out excellent work on this, for that comment. consider something else that has not been raised in our My point is that Mr Yates did not need even eight debate. Does my hon. Friend agree that communications hours. He needed eight minutes, because all he had to companies have a role in ensuring that communications consider was the central fact that the latest information are kept secure so that people who wish to transgress in The Guardian revealed that there was not one rogue and break the law cannot do so? reporter, but more than one. Paul Stephenson, in his resignation statement, made Mr Buckland: Absolutely right. I am grateful to my a distinction between his appointment of Mr Wallis and hon. Friend for making that point. the Prime Minister’s appointment of Mr Coulson. A There is a sense of something old and something new distinction has repeatedly been made in the House by about this debate. The old aspect of it is the ever-present the Home Secretary and others, who have tried to say role of the press baron in our public life. A hundred that an important line has to be drawn between the years ago it was Lord Harmsworth, then it was investigated and the investigator. I agree: that is absolutely Beaverbrook, then Maxwell and Murdoch in latter times. right, but it is equally right and it is of fundamental That is not new. It is lamentable and wrong, and the importance in our debate about public confidence in House seems to agree that it is time for a change. I the media and the police that we should consider public welcome that. confidence in the Government and in the Prime Minister. If there is a proper line between the investigator and the There is also something new—the unprecedented investigated, there should be a proper line between the vulnerability of private data. Information is the new law maker and the law breaker. valuable property of the modern age. We have spent our years guarding our homes and our possessions against theft and burglary, but have forgotten and neglected the 6.6 pm sometimes even more valuable private information that Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): There can be used in a way that can seriously prejudice the have been many constructive and thoughtful contributions lives of ordinary people. My hon. Friend is right to to the debate. The tone that we need to strike, and mention communications companies and the ease of which, in the main, has been struck, is one of great access that there seems to be to telephone data and humility.There is nothing worse than the British Parliament other personal information. That is wrong, and there is having a periodic fit of morality, particularly bearing in now an historic opportunity to get things right. 1035 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1036 Police Police [Mr Buckland] and do “nothing to intrude into anybody’s private life, grief or distress I welcome the judicial inquiry, and I remind the unless justified by overriding consideration of the public interest”. House that we have set up a Joint Committee of both There is also a conscience clause in the code of conduct, Houses to look at privacy, super-injunctions and the which says that future role of the Press Complaints Commission and “a journalist has the right to refuse an assignment or be identified the media in that context. as the author of an editorial that would break the letter or spirit of the code.” Mr Cash: Is my hon. Friend aware that the terms of Where the NUJ is organised, that code has worked. reference of that Joint Committee refer to media regulation Some Members will remember when, back in 2006, as a whole? We therefore need to concentrate on that in the Daily Star tried to produce a racist front page, but relation to the inquiry as well, as set out in part 1, the workers, backed by their union and Members on paragraph 2(b) of the terms of reference. both sides of the House, refused to publish it because of the damage it would do to community relations. The Mr Buckland: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He code of conduct did not work at News International makes the point that I was about to make. There is a because the NUJ was cleared out. News International link. There is a direct role for both Houses of Parliament used a loophole in the law. It set up the News International through the Committee to do some valuable work to staff association, which was not certified as an independent produce recommendations for changes to media regulation. union by the Government’s certification officer, yet it The Committee has been set up and will report by the was still used to argue that there was a pre-existing end of February 2012. We have an opportunity as union agreement, so the NUJ was not recognised. As a parliamentarians in the Chamber and in Committee to result, the journalists were not protected by a union. make constructive and proper proposals. We heard the description of the working atmosphere I was interested in the suggestions and observations in Wapping—the bullying, the victimisation and the of the Leader of the Opposition earlier about the form pressure put on journalists to produce material by whatever of some of the changes that could take place. He rightly means. Someone described it as the development of a talked about redress of grievance. The question is how culture of sewer journalism. The House was warned. In we build that. If it takes the form of damages, we have 2004, when the Government were considering the last to think about how that will be funded. Will there be a but one employment Bill, the NUJ briefed us all and contingent fund organised by the newspapers and the urged us to introduce a conscience clause that would media? We must bear in mind that for all the big beasts enable journalists to be protected when they refused to in the jungle, there are small local newspapers that are do anything against the code. That was rejected. I struggling to make ends meet. We must be mindful of moved the amendment at the time, but it was rejected. the ability of the industry to fund a proper system of The argument made by the previous Government was damages. The right hon. Gentleman and the Prime that it went Minister are right to emphasise the need for a new regulatory body to have teeth and to give ordinary “too far in constraining employers.”—[Official Report, 29 March 2004; Vol. 419, c. 1364.] people the chance to see their grievances properly redressed. It was opposed by Members on both sides of the For far too long, it has been a case of the big beasts House. of the jungle trampling over the rights of ordinary people. I do not say that in a spirit of arrogance or We were warned again by the NUJ, though. It came anger. I say it in a sense of deep humility and sadness back in 2009 to present evidence to the Culture, Media that we have reached this stage in our public life. We and Sport Committee. It urged the Committee to reconsider have an opportunity. Let us seize it together. the introduction of a conscience clause that would protect journalists standing up against bullying employers who sought to introduce work or material into their 6.13 pm work that was against the code of conduct. The Committee John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I ignored that evidence and request, however, and made shall be brief. I make a plea to put an item on the no recommendation on it. I urge the Leveson inquiry to Leveson agenda. As a result of the work of the Prime examine the introduction of a conscience clause backed Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Leveson by statute to protect journalists who refuse to go into will be looking at the ethics of journalism. There have the sewer and use the methods that we have all condemned been calls in the House today and throughout the in these recent debates. debate over the past three weeks for greater adherence to the Press Complaints Commission code of conduct. Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Does my hon. Friend agree that the public largely believe what they The commission’s code of conduct is based on the read in the newspapers and what they see on the television National Union of Journalists code of conduct, which and internet, and that one of the most important things was first developed in 1936. Every NUJ member has to that can come out of this whole sorry affair is a media sign the code when they become a member of the that now tell the truth? union. It is policed by the ethics council, and there is an ethics hotline to advise journalists. The code includes the principle that a journalist John McDonnell: I think that we will arrive at that situation only if we enforce the code of conduct and if “strives to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed, journalists and employers know where they stand and accurate and fair”. that, if they breach the code, journalists can stand up Journalists must obtain their material and be protected in law if they refuse to practise the sort “by honest, straightforward and open means” of journalism we have seen recently. The Leveson inquiry 1037 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1038 Police Police should consider anti-trade union legislation, which has I say “beginning” because only by people taking fully been used to undermine employees’ rights at places such on board their responsibilities as leaders of organisations as News International when unions have tried to protect and, as the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton members who have simply stood up for quality and (Sir Gerald Kaufman) and others have said, knowing ethical journalism. what is going down right at the bottom their organisations, will the freedoms that we all cherish be preserved. 6.18 pm 6.21 pm Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): There are a number Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) (Lab): For many of things that need to be done to restore public confidence members, there have been many defining points in the in the media and the police, and many right hon. and past two weeks. For me there were two such moments. hon. Members have touched upon them. We need to One was when we heard about what had happened to investigate without fear or favour—indeed, the Government the Dowler family, and the second was yesterday when have announced such an investigation—and, as the Rupert Murdoch said to the Culture, Media and Sport hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) said, we Committee that he was something along the lines of need people at the top of their organisations to take “fed up” and wanted Prime Ministers to leave him responsibility. I shall touch on that in a moment. Finally, alone. That sent a shiver down my spine, and I am sure we need to underline the important work that the press that other Members must have found it incredibly and the police do, day in, day out, in our constituencies uncomfortable as well. up and down the country—certainly in mine. I want to thank my hon. Friends the Members for I have a particular interest because I lived for a West Bromwich East (Mr Watson) and for Rhondda number of years in a country that was a one-party state. (Chris Bryant) for their tenacity in the past few weeks The press had no chance to criticise, there was a lack of and for pursuing the matter for many months. I also investigative journalism and, frankly, the newspapers wish to thank the leader of my party for asking for a were extremely dull. The police faced operational judicial inquiry and an inquiry into the police activities, interference from politicians, they were often corrupt and of course the Prime Minister for agreeing to hold and there was a lack of attention to the needs of those inquiries. ordinary people. Let us reflect, then, on the wonderful things we have in this country and compare them to They say that, sometimes, good comes out of a what many around the world have. It is a matter of tragedy, and the good here seems to be that we can now pride that we have a press that by and large does an look properly at some of the distasteful and illegal excellent job and police forces that do the same. However, activities carried out by certain sections of our media freedoms are hard-won and easily given away. over a number of years. Many Members alluded to the fact that it is not just News Corporation that has carried Along with freedom, as the hon. Member for Rhondda out such tactics. (Chris Bryant) so eloquently said earlier, we need I believe in a free press, as I am sure all Members do. responsibility. That is at the heart of this debate. The It should be free to investigate and expose wrongdoing, public know that all of us—politicians, police or press—are however embarrassing it might be to the individuals in not angels. They realise that there are always individuals question. What people rightly get upset about is when who will do wrong. However, what I believe they want complete lies are printed in the media and the retraction to see is leaders taking responsibility for their actions appears in two lines at the back of the paper, as in the and those of the people who work for them. Ultimately, recent case of Mr Chris Jefferies, who was arrested and public confidence rests on those in power taking released by the police in relation to the murder of responsibility. That means a number of things that have Joanna Yeates. The media headlines basically had him been reflected on throughout the debate. It means first tried and convicted. that the systems in organisations have to be correct; secondly, that the standards and culture of an organisation Such vilification also applies to many different ethnic, have to be true; and, thirdly, that integrity is required racial, religious and cultural groups. Often, the media from those in positions of leadership. I pay tribute to attribute statements or actions to those groups that are the Commissioner of the Metropolitan police for the complete lies. All that does is encourage bigotry. integrity that he showed this weekend. Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): I am I want to reflect a little on how the press could enjoying my hon. Friend’s impassioned speech. Does examine themselves from time to time. In my constituency she join me in thinking that when the worst elements of we have of course had the tragedy of Stafford hospital, the media attack people and put forward ideas that they and recently there was an article in The Sunday Times have committed crimes when they actually have not, that was generally well researched and balanced, but for one of the biggest groups of people who are damaged which the headline was “The killing wards”. There was are the victims of crime? no killing going on there. There was neglect, and there were deaths. The reflection, whether conscious or Yasmin Qureshi: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. unconscious, of the film of 20 or 30 years ago about the The lies can often lead to phobias and bigotry against Cambodian genocide, was very unfortunate. As my different groups of people. For example, the onslaught hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) on asylum seekers led to an increase in the number of said earlier, newspapers need to reflect carefully on the assaults on them, and that level of bigotry also extends headlines they use. to other groups. That is why I welcome what is happening now and The confidence of the public will be restored only the investigations. They show that those in positions of when an independent, regulated press complaints body leadership are beginning to take up their responsibilities. with proper powers comes into being. The powers should 1039 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1040 Police Police [Yasmin Qureshi] The Duke of Wellington said, “Publish and be damned”. What the public want to see from their Prime Ministers include the power to call for remedies to put right the is more of that Duke of Wellington spirit, and I am harm that has been done. For example, when someone pleased to see that our Prime Minister gets that. The has had their reputation tarnished because lies have truth is that it was not The Sun “wot won it”; it was the been told about them, exemplary damages should be political arguments that won the case in 1992. It was a considered. More importantly, an equal amount of conceit on the British public to put the press in such a space and time should be given to the printing of a powerful position. retraction as was given to the creation of the original I am very grateful that the Prime Minister is now story. setting the direction of greater accountability. The Leader of the Opposition, who is back in his place, mentioned Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab): I am following that one of the important issues was for people in my hon. Friend’s argument closely, as is the whole positions of power to protect those who are not. He is a House. Does she agree that there are few things in life powerful man—the leader of the Labour party—so will more utterly scandalous and indefensible than, when he use his position as party leader to call for his two the press foully traduce an individual and are proved to predecessors to contribute fully to the inquiry on the have lied, they print an apology on page 64 underneath media? Will he ask and persuade them to release all the the gardening tips? Should not the apology be of equal records of their meetings when they were in office as prominence? Prime Minister, so that we can get a full and transparent disclosure of this overly cosy relationship? Yasmin Qureshi: My hon. Friend has just taken my What the people want is to move away from a culture next sentence from me. I was going to say that if two of deniability to one of accountability in our institutions. front pages are given to a story that is a lie, two front It is not sufficient to say that we do or do not have the pages should be given to the retraction. right governance procedures in place. The public can We do not expect the media to be politically balanced; see that there is a difference between knowing something nor do I ask for that. What everyone in the House and is wrong, and allowing a culture in which bad things the country wants is for the media to print the truth, not take place without their knowledge; they know they are lies. We do not want to gag the media. We want them to different, but they know they are both wrong. They carry out investigative journalism, and to expose know that if we create a culture whereby we put pressure wrongdoing. We want them to search and to quest for on people to provide results and do not ask them how the truth, but we want them to print the truth as well. they got to those results, that is wrong, and we need to This is what the big debate has been about. Over the change that. The executives in all our institutions in the course of the years we have had examples such as the media need to understand that. Watergate scandal, and the media have on many occasions If we can get those two things right, by ending this been a force for good. They have held many people, cosy relationship, as the Prime Minister rightly said corporations and Governments to account, and it is today, and by creating a structure in which responsibility right that they should do so. No one here is suggesting and accountability are to the fore, we will have had a that when we talk about regulation of the press, we are good day in Parliament. talking about preventing it from carrying out proper investigations. We are, however, concerned about the despicable and illegal means used to carry out some of 6.31 pm the investigations, and about the printing of lies. Like many other Members, I have been following the debate John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): Obviously, for the past two weeks, and I am glad that there are now I will have to truncate my speech greatly. We recognise going to be investigations. I hope that the commissions that there has been a cover-up going on, and we have to will report very soon. look at whether it is too easy in this country to cover things up. I want to consider a couple of other examples of cover-ups, and then look at how the rules for judicial 6.27 pm review could be changed. I will try to get it done Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): Many hon. Members quickly, so that the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Margot have referred to the strength of the media, but we James) can speak. should recognise that the corollary of that is the weakness Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board of politicians. Many people want to see an end to the employs Dr Paul Flynn, a consultant obstetrician and cosy relationship between the media and our most gynaecologist. From 2002 to 2005, he performed over senior politicians. They want to know that the Prime 100 operations on cancer patients against national Minister is his own man, or her own woman. We guidelines. Concerns about Dr Flynn had been passed recognise that that cosy relationship has grown up over since 2003 to Dr John Calvert, the medical director who the past 20 years, but most particularly under the had hired him. However, Dr Flynn was only prevented premierships of Mr Blair and the right hon. Member from treating cancer patients in May 2005, after six for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown). The present surgeons complained directly about his poor respect of Prime Minister has now called time on those arrangements, tissues, questionable knowledge of anatomy, lack of and he is absolutely correct to do so. appreciation of what is on X-rays, and lack of a realistic That cosy relationship is not in the British tradition. surgical approach to cancer. In fact, it is more of a European tradition. Let me give That is very much like the situation with the News of two quotes to illustrate that assertion. Napoleon said: the World: there is a very serious problem and the “Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand management’s response, rather than to put their hands bayonets.” up, is to go for a cover-up. Rather than tell patients that 1041 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1042 Police Police they had been operated on by an untrained surgeon, the culture in the media in which organisations’ boards and trust spent over £375,000—the equivalent of 20 nurses’ leaders really look to their journalists to abide by the salaries—on gagging the original whistleblower, Dr Ihab regulations. Korashi, who was threatening to contact patients and expose what is a cover-up. Unlike the News International 6.36 pm case, in this instance the court hearings were held in secret and held no fear for those who wished to keep the Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South) (Lab): The gravity of the truth from public view. issues we are debating cannot be overstated. They raise fundamental questions about our society and our Dr Korashi had reported his concerns to South Wales democracy. A story-at-all-costs, no-limits culture at one police—so we have a similar problem with the police—and newspaper and almost certainly beyond started as a the regulator, but the police ignored CPS advice that means of getting private information about public figures officers should pursue further lines of inquiry. The sad and culminated in the tragedy and horror of Milly situation is that his wife, Dr Toulan, who was also a Dowler’s phone being hacked, with yet more unspeakable gynaecologist and suffered from cancer, wrote to the suffering for her family. If nothing else, we owe it to trust’s chief executive in March urging them to tell them to make sure that that can never happen again. We patients and relatives “the truth”. The response of the have seen failures of corporate governance on a scale trust’s lawyers was remarkable. They said that patients that continues to beggar belief and an initial police would not be informed and served Dr Toulan, while she investigation that failed to meet even the most basic was in hospital, with an injunction, warning that she standards of professionalism. With the honourable could go to prison if it was broken. She died from exceptions of my hon. Friends the Members for West cancer 10 days ago. Bromwich East (Mr Watson) and for Rhondda (Chris What we have here is an example of a cover-up, and Bryant) and the former Deputy Prime Minister, politicians we need to change the rules so that ordinary people can have, frankly, been too timid in the pursuit of the truth. challenge the state and successful companies. News Over the past two and a half weeks, Britain’s newspaper International could have got away with all this if somebody with the largest circulation has been shut down, the had not taken the chance of taking it to civil proceedings. BSkyB deal has been abandoned, senior journalists and There are big cost risks associated with that. We also executives from News International have been arrested need to review the costs rules, particularly at the permission and yesterday two Select Committees of this House stage for judicial review, so that people can challenge held evidence sessions that humbled the most powerful public authorities without taking major risks. media proprietor in the world and forensically examined I will now sit down, so that the hon. Member for the issues surrounding the resignation over the weekend Stourbridge can speak. of two of the most senior officers at the Metropolitan police. I pay tribute to the Chairs of those Select 6.34 pm Committees, my right hon. Friend the Member for Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): I am most grateful Leicester East (Keith Vaz) and the hon. Member for to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), who enjoy respect on both (John Hemming). Let me make two points. First, some sides of the House for the independence and integrity terrible things have happened and I welcome the Prime with which they fulfil their responsibilities. Minister’s statement and his resolve to sort these things As my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition out. I am also grateful for his assurance about protecting said at the beginning of the debate, we welcome the investigative journalism and the free press. Our free appointment of Judge Leveson and support the terms press has unearthed, over time, miscarriages of justice, of reference for his inquiry. The priority for us all has to the misappropriation of public money, and abuse and be to rebuild public confidence and trust in the newspaper lawbreaking on a grand scale. I remind hon. Members industry, police and politicians—three key pillars that that a few weeks ago we were in here debating the tragic determine the nature of our democracy and the character Winterbourne View case. The BBC Panorama team’s of our country. That will happen only if we learn the work on that had to involve false documentation, big lessons from this scandal. Those guilty of criminal misrepresenting one of their journalists as someone conduct must be brought to justice, a new independent else, and going in to film secretly. How else would we regulatory system must be created for the newspaper have known about that terrible situation? I am delighted industry and new rules on media ownership are needed about that. to ensure that no single private media company can have excessive market and democratic power. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Will the hon. On newspaper regulation, my right hon. Friend the Lady give way? Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) is right to highlight that a choice between self-regulation and state regulation Margot James: If the hon. Gentleman does not mind, is a false choice. We need a system with greater I will not—the wind-ups start in one minute. independence, more investigative powers and serious My second point concerns the Culture, Media and redress, including compensation. A new media framework Sport Committee session yesterday. There are lessons to will have to respond to the challenges of a digital age, learn from the Enron case about wilful blindness and which is revolutionising consumer choice and challenging when a company’s leadership could have known, should existing business models. As the right hon. Member for have known and sometimes chose not to know. I have Bath (Mr Foster) said, public interest must include not worked in such environments at times in my career: simply plurality but also market power. In future, the there was an awful business of senior leadership turning application of a fit and proper person test should be as a blind eye and the management thinking they could get much about corporate governance as about criminal away with things. Instead of that, we should have a conduct. 1043 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1044 Police Police [Mr Ivan Lewis] time and time again, yet last week when he found himself in a corner of his own making, he was quick to On lessons for the police, we welcome the announcement get the bid off his desk and into the Competition of the measures in the Home Secretary’s statement on Commission as quickly as possible. Monday that we had recommended, but we think she should have gone further. She needs to call for immediate Mark Reckless: Does the hon. Gentleman not have openness and transparency across the Met in respect of anything to say about the evidence we heard from my all dealings between senior officers and members of the hon. and learned Friend the Member for Torridge and press, including those at News International. The urgency West Devon (Mr Cox) about Lord Goldsmith being of that was reinforced by the comments of my hon. given a vast array of evidence of criminal behaviour Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) today. and should questions not be asked about that? We also need her to review her decision to go forward with elected police and crime commissioners. As my Mr Lewis: The hon. Gentleman is fully aware that the hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive Efford) original police investigation was flawed. We now know stated, the Mayor of London provides ample evidence that we were lied to by executives of News International of the risk that they pose to independent policing. We in the Select Committees of this House. The Press need total transparency about the relationship between Complaints Commission has accepted that it was lied senior media figures and the police and the same must to by representatives of News International and it is apply to the relationship between the media and politicians. therefore completely disingenuous to hold the previous Only then will people believe that we are acting in the Government responsible for a failure to act on phone public interest at all times without fear or favour. hacking. The Prime Minister, whom I am pleased to see in his place, has become embroiled in a tangled web entirely Alok Sharma: The facts are clear. The whole House of his own making and still appears to be unable to give knows that this Prime Minister set up a judicial review straight answers to reasonable questions. I wrote to him and inquiry within a matter of weeks whereas the on 1 March asking a series of questions about his previous Prime Minister had years to act and did not. involvement in the BSkyB acquisition, but I am still to Who is showing leadership? I think it is the current receive a satisfactory response. Yesterday, I should have Prime Minister. received answers to parliamentary questions on the same issues, but I am still waiting for them. We now Mr Lewis: I must acknowledge that the Prime Minister know that my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich has responded positively during the crisis, every time in East had a similar experience with the Prime Minister. response to demands from the Leader of the Opposition, Is it his policy not to reply to letters that ask him the only leader in this House who has provided true difficult questions? Or perhaps that is the responsibility leadership throughout the crisis. of his chief of staff. In recent times, we have experienced a global financial As regards Andy Coulson, the Prime Minister has crisis and the MPs’ expenses scandal and now public said all along that he received no additional information confidence in our newspapers and police has been seriously about serious allegations against Mr Coulson, yet today eroded. We have a solemn duty to understand that he acknowledged being aware of the article in The New business as usual will simply not do. As my right hon. York Times that revealed significant new information. Friend the Leader of the Opposition has said, we have We are also aware that the Deputy Prime Minister no right to claim the mantle of responsibility if we are raised serious concerns about Mr Coulson directly with unwilling to apply that responsibility without fear or the Prime Minister. In the interests of transparency, favour at every level of society. Let the crisis signal a surely the nature of the Deputy Prime Minister’s concern new beginning where there is no ambiguity that the should now be made public. public interest must always come first. The Prime Minister’s introduction to his new ministerial code, which was launched amid great fanfare after the 6.44 pm election, promising a more transparent Government, stated: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Jeremy Hunt): We have had excellent “We must be…Transparent about what we do and how we do it. Determined to act in the national interest, above improper speeches this afternoon from the majority of Members, influence. Mindful of our duty.” who chose not to be partisan but to try to find a The first section of the code states: constructive way forward so that we can address the problems. Time is short, but I should like to mention “Ministers should be as open as possible with Parliament and some of the excellent contributions made. I start with the public, refusing to provide information only when disclosure would not be in the public interest”. the superb contribution from my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale). This is the moment for If the code is to be worth the paper it is written on, the the whole House to recognise his superb chairmanship Prime Minister must lead by example. of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee. He is I also have questions for the Culture Secretary. When probably the hon. Member who, of all of us, has done the BSkyB bid was referred to Ofcom by the Business the most in recent weeks to restore the reputation of Secretary, why was it referred only on public interest Parliament to its proper place. He made an important grounds and not on broadcasting standards grounds? contribution; in particular, along with my right hon. Why did he not accept Ofcom’s recommendation to Friend the Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark refer the bid to the Competition Commission for an (Simon Hughes), he urged News International to co-operate independent inquiry? When I called for that to happen, in releasing the files that are with Harbottle & Lewis, so the Secretary of State said it would not be appropriate that the investigation can proceed to its proper destination. 1045 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1046 Police Police Mr Whittingdale: I am almost embarrassed by the Among a number of important points, my right hon. Secretary of State’s praise. I would only say that Select Friend the Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark Committees operate as a team, and I am fortunate to talked about the “fit and proper person” test. I can have a very strong team on our Select Committee. confirm that Ofcom applies that test continuously and assiduously. It ruled on a company called Bang Media Mr Hunt: We have more independent Select Committees in November 2010. But I accept that one of the lessons in this Parliament, thanks to the decisions taken by this of what has happened in recent weeks is the need for Government, and that has been shown to have been more transparency about how the test is applied, so that absolutely the right thing to do. [Interruption.] Will the public can have confidence in how it operates. Like hon. Members let me proceed, please? My hon. Friend the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann), my right raised the important question of whether politicians hon. Friend made an important point about the necessity should be removed from future decisions on media to stamp out completely the whole business of police plurality. There is a difficult tension, because those tip-offs and pay-outs, which has concerned so many decisions need to be impartial, and they need to be seen people as the issues have arisen. to be impartial. In recent months we have found how The right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) very difficult that is, whatever independent reports one returned to the question that the Prime Minister addressed gets, and however much we follow independent advice continually in his earlier statement about whether there from independent regulators. We need to look at how had been discussions about the BSkyB deal. The discussions we get the balance right between the accountability of that the Prime Minister had about the BSkyB deal were elected officials and making sure that impartial decisions irrelevant. They were irrelevant because the person who are seen to be made. had the responsibility—[Interruption.] If hon. Members I pay credit to the right hon. Member for Leicester will listen, I will answer the question. [Interruption.] East (Keith Vaz), who has done an excellent job and produced today an excellent but very disturbing report, Mr Speaker: Order. Members can try to intervene, which talks of a catalogue of failures by the Metropolitan but the Secretary of State has the floor. police. What he said about the importance of Sue Akers having all the support that she needs to deal with this Mr Hunt: They were irrelevant because the person very important investigation is absolutely right. He will who was making the decision was myself, and I was be reassured by the letter that he has just received, making it on my own. This was not a matter of collective which he kindly showed to me and the Prime Minister, responsibility. This was a quasi-judicial process. I wish I in which Sue Akers says that she has increased the could take more decisions completely on my own without number of officers and staff on the case to 60; that is any reference to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor or one of the biggest investigations in the country, and she other Cabinet colleagues. This is the only such decision is constantly reviewing the support that she needs. The I have ever been privileged to make. whole House will have been slightly amused by the right hon. Gentleman’s comment that the breach of security in the other Committee yesterday may have been the result Steve McCabe: I do not believe that any discussion of police officers appearing before his Select Committee. that the Prime Minister has is irrelevant. But is the right hon. Gentleman confirming that the Prime Minister did An excellent contribution was made by my hon. and have discussions about BSkyB, and will he tell us who learned Friend the Member for Torridge and West he had them with and what they were about? Devon (Mr Cox). He made a compelling case, and the Prime Minister said to me in the Tea Room shortly afterwards that every time my hon. and learned Friend Mr Hunt: I will confirm that the Prime Minister had speaks, the House of Commons gets thousands of no inappropriate conversations with Rebekah Brooks at pounds-worth of free legal advice. He made a very any time. important point: it appears that in 2006 the Attorney- General may have known about what my hon. and Mr Ivan Lewis: With respect to the Secretary of State, learned Friend described as a vast array of offending it is never a good idea to contradict the Prime Minister, material. His case was powerfully backed up by my hon. especially when he is sitting next to you. Will the right Friend the Member for Rochester and Strood (Mark hon. Gentleman ensure that the Prime Minister publishes Reckless), who also talked about the potentially inaccurate all the details of the discussions that took place with legal advice given by the Crown Prosecution Service. regard to BSkyB, so that the House can make a judgment Those are all things that the inquiry will look into in about the transparency and independence of the process? great detail. The hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston Mr Hunt: Will the shadow Culture Secretary be good (Andrew Miller) made an important point about enough to publish all his conversations with News understanding, when making any changes to media International about the BSkyB deal? The Opposition regulation, that we are in a new media age, and that it is should show some transparency, following the example no longer relevant to look at the concentration of that the Government have set. power in only one particular platform or type of media; The right hon. Member for Blackburn made an we have to look at how that power extends across important point, echoed by a number of hon. Members, different platforms—a point echoed by my hon. Friend that it is possible to find a system of regulation that is the Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins), independent and that has teeth. It is not an either/or my right hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Mr Foster) choice between statutory regulation and self-regulation. and the hon. Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and There are many combinations used in other professions Lesmahagow (Mr McCann)—I hope I pronounced that that can be looked at as models. The important thing is last place correctly. the independence of the regulation. 1047 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1048 Police Police Mr Straw: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman My right hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Mr Foster) for his endorsement of what I was saying about press made an interesting point about the plurality rules in regulation. May I take him back to an important statement respect of drama and comedy. The hon. Member for that he made a moment ago, when he said that none of Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Cathy Jamieson) made a the discussions that the Prime Minister had had about moving speech and said that the ultimate test of our BSkyB were relevant because he himself—the Culture success as a Parliament—a political class—in getting Secretary—was making the decision? Does the right this right will be whether there is justice for the family of hon. Gentleman recognise that this is the first occasion Milly Dowler. Many people would agree. in the course of a six-hour debate when there has been My hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal any admission that the Prime Minister had had any (Dr Coffey) made an important point about the need discussions whatsoever about BskyB? Would it not be for social responsibility in the press. Sadly I did not hear for the House to judge whether those were relevant or the speech of my right hon. Friend the Member for not? Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr Lilley), but I note that he said The Times had supported his leadership bid. In the Mr Hunt: The Prime Minister has said over and over spirit of transparency I am delighted that he shared that again that there were no inappropriate discussions. information with the House.

Several hon. Members rose— Barry Gardiner rose—

Mr Hunt: I will make some progress. Angela Smith rose— As my hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr Clappison) said, any considerations of plurality Mr Hunt: I want to make some progress, because I and revisions to the law on concentration of media want to mention all the excellent comments we have ownership need to include the BBC, because it is such a heard, including those of the hon. Member for Bishop major force in broadcasting. That is something that Auckland (Helen Goodman) about making sure that we many of my hon. Friends will— do not have the nexus between the police and media organisations that seems to have emerged. Many people feel that it is extremely unhealthy. Sir Gerald Kaufman: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Is it in order for a speaker at the Government Dispatch We heard good points made by my hon. Friend the Box to say one thing at one moment and two minutes Member for Reading West (Alok Sharma). The right later totally deny that he said it? hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) talked about the concentration of media power. My hon. Friend the Member for South West Bedfordshire Mr Speaker: I am afraid I must say that it is in order, (Andrew Selous) expressed a view shared by many of and that it has in fact been happening for hundreds of my hon. Friends: yes, we need to sort out the problem, years. but we also need to move on and sort out other problems that are of great concern to our constituents. Mr Hunt: Thank you, Mr Speaker. We heard excellent contributions from my hon. Friends The right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Sir the Members for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry), for North Gerald Kaufman) made some very partisan points about East Hertfordshire (Oliver Heald), for South Swindon the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, but completely failed (Mr Buckland), for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy), for Bedford to mention that the Prime Minister’s chief of staff was (Richard Fuller), for Birmingham, Yardley (John Hemming) acting on the advice of the permanent secretary at No. and for Stourbridge (Margot James), and the hon. 10—the most senior permanent secretary in Whitehall. Members for Bassetlaw (John Mann), for Eltham (Clive The right hon. Gentleman shared with the House the Efford), for Brent North (Barry Gardiner), for Hayes fact that he was in the Oxford university Labour club and Harlington (John McDonnell) and for Bolton South with Rupert Murdoch, who was apparently expelled for East (Yasmin Qureshi). I am sorry that I do not have breaking campaign rules. I am surprised the right hon. time to talk about all those contributions. Gentleman has not considered referring that to Ofcom In conclusion, we all know that there are lessons to be under the “fit and proper person” regulations. learned, but there has been a huge contrast between the The hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant), who intelligent contributions made by many Members and has played an important role in the campaign, talked the attempt by Members on the Opposition Front Bench about responsibility for what happens inside corporations to secure partisan advantage. The problem was not just —a point echoed by my hon. Friend the Member for ignored by Labour in office, it was made a great deal Folkestone and Hythe. After yesterday’s evidence, many worse, yet listening to Opposition Front-Bench speakers people had questions about how an organisation such we could be forgiven for thinking that phone hacking as News Corporation could allow such things to happen happened only under this Government, when it took without the knowledge of the people at the very top. I place under their Government. We could be forgiven for do not want to prejudge the inquiry, but there are thinking that Labour politicians had never even heard further questions to be answered on that front. of News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch or Rebekah Brooks, and for believing that it would be inconceivable Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab) for an ex-News International employee to work in the Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? office of the leader of the Labour party. We can all ask ourselves why so little was done, but Mr Hunt: Time is short, and I need to make some Opposition Members, too, need to ask those questions. progress. There is not been a spirit of humility. For example, 1049 Public Confidence in the Media and 20 JULY 2011 Public Confidence in the Media and 1050 Police Police there was no recognition of the fact that in yesterday’s press despite repeated warnings. He criticised the Prime evidence, Rupert Murdoch said that the Prime Minister Minister for ignoring warnings, but how many warnings with whom he had the closest friendship—his wife and did he himself ignore? the Prime Minister’s wife were also friends—was not the current Prime Minister but the former Prime Minister, 7pm the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)). (Mr Brown). It was not just the former Prime Minister, but his predecessor. ADJOURNMENT Labour Front Benchers fail to understand that when they make partisan attacks, the public will hold them to Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.— account for their record—including the Leader of the (Mr Goodwill.) Opposition, who was a member of the Cabinet that decided to do nothing about phone hacking, and a 7pm member of the Government who failed to reform the House adjourned.

11P Petitions20 JULY 2011 Petitions 12P

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Petitions Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to ensure that the police station or a new alternative Wednesday 20 July 2011 station is opened in the village of Wombourne to serve its residents and those in the local area. PRESENTED PETITIONS And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Gavin Williamson, Official Report, 16 March 2011; Vol. 444, Petition presented to the House but not read on the Floor c. 525.] EU Referendum [P000902] The Humble Petition of residents of Wolverhampton Observations from the Secretary of State for the Home and others, Department: Sheweth, Decisions about the number, location and operation of police stations in a force area are matters for the that the Petitioners believe that the Government should Chief Constable in conjunction with the Police Authority. allow the British people a referendum on the United Police stations are assets of the local Police Authority; Kingdom’s continued membership of the European in future they will be assets of the elected Police and Union. Crime Commissioners that the Government are introducing Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable in each force area to give the public a greater voice in House urges the Government to bring forward legislative how they are policed and to replace bureaucratic control proposals to allow the British people a referendum on with democratic accountability. the United Kingdom’s continued membership of the The Government attach great importance to the European Union. accessibility of police services, but modern policing And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever reaches people through many means, not just police pray, etc.—[Presented by Mr Richard Shepherd.] stations. People may text or go online to contact the police rather than go to the traditional police station. [P000951] There are other ways for the police to have a footprint Glass Bottles (Pubs and Clubs) or base in an area, for instance many forces have devised innovative ways of increasing their accessibility to the The Petition of residents of the United Kingdom, public through co-locating with councils or other local Declares the Petitioners concern that glass bottles services, having shop fronts on a local parade, or holding can cause serious harm to victims when used as a surgeries in community buildings. These can provide weapon. opportunities for contact with far more people than those who would visit a police station. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to bring forward a In addition, better management and organisation can law to stop the serving of glass bottles and glasses in increase police availability to the public. For example, pubs and clubs after 9pm. a recent report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary shows a very large variation in the visibility And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Sheryll and availability of police officers to the public. Accordingly, Murray.] despite decreasing central government funding, there is [P000952] still considerable scope for forces to improve their service to the public—for example, through deploying officers via shift patterns which reflect the demand for service OBSERVATIONS from the public. The Government have provided the police with a HOME DEPARTMENT challenging but manageable funding settlement, one which recognises that substantial savings can be made Police Station (Wombourne, South Staffordshire) by transforming the way policing services are provided. Forces will need to rethink the way in which they deliver The Petition of residents of the South Staffordshire services for the public and consider the full range of constituency, and others, options that are open to them in order to maintain and Declares that the Police Station in Wombourne is improve frontline services while making the necessary being considered for closure; and further declares that savings. The Government have a role to play in supporting Wombourne has a population of 14,000 who depend forces, but the primary responsibility for making the upon the service that it provides. necessary changes is local.

1005W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1006W

Written Answers to Sector Expenditure (£000) Accommodation 2,027 Questions Library information services 1.545 Rates 1,407 IT maintenance and 1.068 Wednesday 20 July 2011 consumables Professional programme and 794 technical services Training 547 Communications 461 ATTORNEY-GENERAL Travel and subsistence 388 Accommodation maintenance 388 Records management 294 Law Officers’ Department Utilities and cleaning 268 Publications 258 Mr Denham: To ask the Attorney-General what the Postal services 254 annual value is of the Law Officers Department, Recruitment 228 current contracts in each sector in which contracts are Stationery 223 held. [66631] Office machines and 212 consumables The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service Subscription fees 110 (CPS) has contracts and framework agreements in place Shared Service feasibility 142 across all major sectors of expenditure in respect of IT network services 124 goods and services. It is estimated that over 90% of the External HR services 119 Department’s expenditure on goods and services is Welfare supplies and 114 committed via these agreements. The remaining expenditure consumables is made through ad hoc contracts and purchases made Translation costs 114 via high street and online retailers. Internal Audit 88 The total expenditure in each sector during 2010-11 was: Additionally TSol makes payments of disbursements, £ including counsel fees, under contract. The Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure (page 48 of 2010-11 ICT 62,006,621 Resource Accounts) shows 2010-11 disbursement costs Facilities management 15,586,486 as £32.2 million. Disbursement costs incurred on behalf Post and courier 5,755,393 of clients are recovered from clients. Interpreters, transcriptions and 5,366,615 translations The Serious Fraud Office has framework agreements Reprographics and printing 4,476,972 and contracts in place for all major sectors of expenditure Professional services 3,693,460 in respect of goods and services. Over 90% of expenditure Travel, hotels and conference hire 3,256,913 is committed via these contracts. The remaining expenditure Stationery 3,009,632 is made via ad hoc contracts and one-off ‘spot’ purchases Publications and subscriptions 2,746,963 via high street and online retailers at all times seeking to Training 2,008,392 deliver the best value of money. The total expenditure Utilities 1,748,629 by the Serious Fraud Office in each sector during 2010-11 Case presentational equipment 1,736,614 is outlined in the following table: Agency staff 1,714,121 File storage 1,173,088 Sector Expenditure (£) Non-capital equipment 532,329 ICT 4,838,047 Publicity and media 262,746 Facilities management 4,997,496 Confiscation expenses 233,887 Post and courier 129,212 Recruitment services 150,347 Interpreters, translations and 292,851 transcriptions The value of the Treasury Solicitor’s Department Reprographics and printing 69,296 (TSol) expenditure by major category is disclosed each Professional services 252,632 year in HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor Travel, hotels and conference 484,542 Resource Accounts. These figures also include expenditure hire by the Attorney-General’s Office and HM Crown Stationery 100,238 Prosecution Service Inspectorate. The Department’s best Publications and subscriptions 92,123 estimate is that 85-90% of its expenditure is under Training 221,268 contract. Utilities 227,932 The departmental administration expenditure figures Agency staff 3,706,797 for 2010-11 are shown at page 60 in the 2010-11 Resource File storage 165,922 Accounts HC 967 a copy of which is available in the Publicity and media 28,275 Library of the House. The main items, excluding property Recruitment 14,778 leases, are: 1007W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1008W

SCOTLAND may become more volatile over time, the role of agricultural futures and options markets, and the liquidity they rely Departmental Responsibilities on, become more important. The recent advice given by the Committee of European Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland Securities Regulators (now European Securities and how many meetings he has had with hon. Members of Markets Authority) to the European Commission in each political party since May 2010. [67158] October 2010 provides a thorough assessment of the costs and benefits of position limits as part of the Michael Moore: I have met many hon. Members from regulatory framework for commodity derivatives. This a range of political parties since May 2010 in my role as advice can be found here: Secretary of State for Scotland. The information provided http://www.esma.europa.eu/index.php?page=document_ only relates to formal meetings with MPs and does not details&from_title=Documents&id=7279 include the regular informal discussions I have with hon. Members from all political parties: (Section IV, Question 12) Consistent with this advice, the Government believe Number that the authority to set position limits would appropriately be a part of a position management regime, though not Conservative 6 the leading element. Position limits by their nature are Liberal Democrat 8 inflexible tools, and the Government are sceptical that Labour 16 such measures would be effective in reducing the presence SNP 3 of a particular participant type in the market, or would be an effective too! to address price volatility. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider keeping data on the number of times Corporation Tax: Scotland (a) he and (b) officials of his Department have declined a request for a meeting from an hon. Member of each Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer political party. [67181] what assessment his Department has made of the potential Michael Moore: I regularly meet hon. Members from effects of devolving powers relating to the setting of a range of political parties both formally and informally. rates of corporation tax on the allocation of funding to The Scotland Office does not keep a record of declined the Scottish Parliament through the block grant. [59642] meetings and has no plans to do so. Ann McKechin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will (a) estimate and (b) set out the methodology for estimating the effect on the revenue of the Scottish WALES Executive of introducing a corporation tax rate in Scotland matching the rate in the Republic of Ireland. [62939] Departmental Lost Property Mr Gauke: A copy of this analysis has been deposited Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in the Library of the House. what property has been (a) lost and (b) stolen from her Department in the last 12 months; and what the Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer cost of replacement was. [66568] if he will publish the underlying figures and calculations on corporation tax raised in Scotland referred to in the Mr David Jones: Nil. press release issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 23 June 2011. [65631]

TREASURY Mr Gauke: I have written to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested. A copy has also been deposited Commodity Markets in the Library of the House.

Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Economic Situation: Belgium he will assess the (a) costs and (b) benefits to the financial services sector of (i) exchange trading of commodity derivatives and (ii) position limits for Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer non-commercial participants in commodity derivatives what assessment he has made of the implications for his markets. [67603] Department’s policies of the risk of a downgrading of the credit rating of bonds issued by the (a) private and Mr Hoban: The Government have no plans to assess (b) public sector in Belgium. [67018] costs and benefits to the financial services sector of exchange trading of commodities. However the Mr Hoban: It is not for the Government to speculate Government believe that trading in commodities markets on what the credit ratings agencies may or may not do. plays an important role in providing liquidity (the volume The UK authorities are keeping the situation in the of trades being made in a market) in these markets and euro area under close review, including its potential that liquidity is essential to the effective functioning of impact on UK institutions and financial stability. these markets. Against the backdrop of climate change, Contingency planning is in place for a wide variety of and the possibility that international agricultural prices outcomes. 1009W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1010W

Economic Situation: Republic of Ireland Total PAYE income tax and class 1 NICs received by HMRC in respect of employee and employer liabilities Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer combined are shown, split by sector in the accompanying if he will assess the potential effects of the downgrading table back to 1999-2000. These figures are for financial of Ireland’s credit rating on (a) UK GDP, (b) the UK years (amounts received by HMRC between April and manufacturing industry and (c) agriculture in the UK. March). This differs slightly to the national accounts basis underlying the PAYE figures published by the [67404] OBR and referred to above (amounts received by HMRC between May and April). Danny Alexander: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for producing independent economic The sectors are defined by the Office for National and fiscal forecasts. The OBR made a full assessment of Statistics’ Standard Industrial Classification 2003. UK economic prospects in their “Economic and Fiscal Total receipts for PAYE income tax and class 1 NICs in respect of Outlook”, published alongside Budget 2011, which can employee and employer liabilities combined from financial be found online at: intermediation, 1999-2000 to 2010-11 Receipts (£ billion) http://budgetresponsbility.independent.gov.uk The autumn Economic and Fiscal Outlook will provide 1999-2000 11.9 an updated assessment that reflects relevant developments, 2000-01 15.5 including in Ireland. 2001-02 15.1 2002-03 15.5 Financial Services: Taxation 2003-04 17.0 2004-05 18.7 2005-06 20.7 Matthew Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the 2006-07 24.1 Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of tax 2007-08 26.2 receipts from financial services institutions in 2011-12; and how much tax revenue was received from such 2008-09 23.7 2009-10 23.2 institutions in each year since 1997. [66729] 2010-11 26.6

Mr Gauke: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) Declared VAT is published by trade group in table 23 published a forecast for corporation tax receipts from of HMRC’s latest VAT factsheet. This can be accessed financial companies alongside their March 2011 economic at the following location on the internet and provides and fiscal outlook. These figures are in table 2.5 of the estimates back to 2004. fiscal supplementary tables, available on the internet at: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=factvat http://86.54.44.148/wordpress/docs/ obr_fiscal_supplementary_tables1.xls Archived factsheets provide figures for earlier years, available at: The OBR published their first fiscal sustainability report on 13 July. This report additionally includes a https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task= factarchive&factcategory=8 projection of PAYE receipts for the financial sector for 2011-12 and up to 2015-16. However, the PAYEprojection is a stylised extrapolation rather than a formal forecast. National Insurance Contributions This information is available in the spreadsheet containing the data for the main charts and tables from the report, Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer available at the following link, at box 4.1 (chart B). The (1) whether he has any plans to review the availability figures for PAYE receipts are on a national accounts of the national insurance holiday scheme to regions not basis. A formal PAYE forecast for the financial sector is currently within the scheme; [66965] not produced. (2) pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2011, Official http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/pubs/July- Report, columns 817-18, on national insurance 2011-FSR-main-report-charts-and-tables.xls contributions, what steps he is taking to increase take-up No such forecast or projection is available for any of the national insurance holiday scheme. [66966] other taxes. For past years, HM Revenue and Customs has produced Mr Gauke [holding answer 18 July 2011]: The a breakdown by broad industrial sector for corporation information is as follows: tax, PAYE income tax and class 1 national insurance (1) The Government have considered the case for contributions (NICs) and value added tax (VAT). extending the NICs holiday to regions not currently National Statistics for corporation tax receipts paid within the scheme. We believe, however, that the best by several broadly-defined business sectors can be found use of public funds is to target the NICs holiday at in table 11.1 on the HMRC National Statistics website supporting new businesses in their first year, reducing available at the following internet address. This table the cost of hiring staff and improving the likelihood of includes a sectoral breakdown of receipts for financial business survival. years from 2000-01. The sectors are defined by HMRC’s (2) From the date of the announcement by the Chancellor summary trade classifications. There are some slight of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for methodological differences between these figures and Tatton (Mr Osborne), new employers calling HMRC’s those published by the OBR, which mean that they are new employer helpline have heard a recorded message not fully comparable. about the holiday. From 6 September 2010, all new http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/table11_1.pdf employers registering for a PAYE scheme with HMRC 1011W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1012W have received a flyer promoting the scheme, directing the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission’s them to the Business Link site which has promoted the Final Report on the average life expectancy of (a) holiday and provided guidance in support of the application teachers, (b) NHS workers, (c) local government process from the outset. This guidance was updated in workers and (d) civil servants. [64194] May 2011 to widen the scope of those entitled to apply for the holiday to include authorised agents. Danny Alexander: The Independent Public Service In addition, HMRC has been working with employer Pensions Commission found that in the context of representatives to raise the profile of the scheme and is uncertain and increasing longevity current scheme designs exploring further opportunities to promote it wherever are not sufficiently robust to ensure the sustainability possible. of public service pensions. The package of reforms recommended by the Commission is a balanced deal Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer that will deliver fair outcomes for public service workers how many applications for the national insurance holiday and for taxpayers and build trust and confidence in the scheme had been (a) received and (b) approved in each system. region as at 30 June 2011. [67042] HM Treasury does not make estimates of life expectancy, but instead uses figures produced by the Office for Mr Gauke [holding answer 18 July 2011]: Up to National Statistics. The latest life expectancy data are 30 June 2011, HMRC had received (a) 4,919 successful available on the ONS webpage at: and (b) 158 unsuccessful applications for the NICs holiday from new businesses. The regional breakdown http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/ is as follows: Product.asp?vlnk=15098&Pos=1&ColRank=1&Rank=272

Successful Unsuccessful Matthew Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Northern Ireland 211 11 Exchequer what the cost to the public purse was of Scotland 696 14 public sector pensions in each year since 1997. [66721] Wales 293 12 East Midlands 475 11 Danny Alexander: Expenditure on unfunded central North East 319 15 and local government pensions since 1997 has been North West 896 27 published in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis. South West 810 24 This covers expenditure in the central unfunded public West Midlands 596 25 service schemes, but not the locally administered police Yorkshire and 623 19 and firefighters’ pension schemes or the funded Local Humber Government Pension Scheme. This information is shown Total 4,919 158 is shown in nominal terms in the following table:

Private Finance Initiative Expenditure (£ million)

2001 14,773 Stella Creasy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2002 16,518 whether he plans to review the guidance issued on the 2003 16,080 calculation of the value of estimated tax receipts for all 2004 16,377 public sector economic assessments of all private finance 2005 17,641 initiative projects. [67676] 2006 19,080 2007 21,356 Danny Alexander [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The 2008 22,525 existing guidance on how to evaluate taxation differences 2009 24,350 which arise when considering the use of the private 2010 25,875 finance initiative (PFI) is available as supplementary guidance to the Green Book at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ PESA.2011 is available online at the following address: data_greenbook_supguidance.htm http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ The guidance outlines how to estimate the differential pespub_pesa_July11_natstats.htm tax rate, which is used to uplift the Public Sector Estimates of expenditure on a national accounts Comparator cost used in Value for Money assessments basis are also published by the Office for National to ensure the decision is taken net of tax take. Statistics in the Blue Book and by the Office for Budget We will continue to use this method when considering Responsibility in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook. differential tax take in the value for money assessment Employer contributions paid into for the funded for projects involving private finance. Local Government Pension Scheme in England since 1999 are presented in chapter 7 of the Local Government Public Sector: Pensions Financial Statistics England 2010. These are shown in nominal terms in the following table and the full document Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer is available online at the following address: whether his Department has assessed the potential http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ effect of implementation of the proposals contained in statistics/financialstatistics202010 1013W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1014W

Sarah Teather: The Prime Minister set up the Childhood Employer contributions (£ million) and Families Task Force to ensure policies across different departments come together to tackle some of the major 1999-2000 2,273 obstacles to a happy childhood and a successful family 2000-01 2,617 life. 2001-02 2,916 The Childhood and Families Task Force is chaired by 2002-03 3,217 the Prime Minister and comprises: the Deputy Prime 2003-04 3,544 Minister; the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 2004-05 4,124 (Mr Duncan Smith); the Minister for Children and 2005-06 4,626 Families (Sarah Teather); the Minister for Universities 2006-07 5,009 and Science (Mr Willetts); the Economic Secretary to 2007-08 5,400 the Treasury (Justine Greening); and the Under-Secretary 2008-09 5,759 of State for Public Health (Anne Milton). Since the Childhood and Families Task Force was Revenue and Customs: Technology established, there have been regular ministerial meetings and it has overseen a range of activities led by the Departments that are members of the group, including: Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Reg Bailey’s review of the Commercialisation and how much HM Revenue and Customs has spent on Sexualisation of Children; the hon. Member for freight detection technology in each year since 2007. Nottingham North (Mr Allen)’s Review of Early [67738] Intervention; the Modem Workplaces consultation; the £30 million dedicated fund for relationship support; the Damian Green: I have been asked to reply. Family Justice Review; and Action to meet the ambition During the period, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to turn around the lives of families with multiple problems. and UK Border Agency (UKBA) spent the following amounts on the purchase of high energy cargo scanning Children in Care systems: Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of £ State for Education who is legally responsible for the 2007-08 992,375 actions of children taken into care and placed with 2008-09 408,625 foster parents; and if he will make a statement. [66163] 2009-10 8,007,500 2010-11 0 Tim Loughton [holding answer 14 July 2011]: Legal responsibility for the actions of a child placed with Total 9,408,500 foster carers will depend on the legal status of the child and what the actions concerned are. A child above the State Retirement Pensions: Females age of criminal responsibility could be legally responsible for his or her criminal actions. Broadly speaking the Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer child’s foster carer is responsible for the child’s day-to-day what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State behaviour by, for example, ensuring that they go to for Work and Pensions on transitional arrangements school. for women born in 1953 and 1954 when implementing In the case of a voluntarily accommodated child the a new statutory retirement age; and if he will make a parent(s) will have parental responsibility. If the child is statement. [61917] subject to a care order the local authority will also have parental responsibility. Mr Hoban: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, my As corporate parents, we expect local authorities to right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), act as the best possible parent for each child they look regularly discusses a range of social security and after and to advocate on his or her behalf to secure the employment related matters with the Secretary of State best possible outcomes. The child’s social worker will for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member maintain regular contact with the child and carer to for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith). ensure that the child is being appropriately supported.

Children in Care: Adoption

EDUCATION Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to increase the Children and Families Ministerial Taskforce likelihood of children in care being adopted into stable families. [67357]

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Tim Loughton [holding answer 19 July 2011]: Iam Education (1) what work has been undertaken by the determined to see more children in care adopted, where Childhood and Families Taskforce to date; and what this is in their best interests and the best possible meetings the Taskforce has convened since it was established; support given to adoptive families to help ensure the [66272] success and permanence of adoptions. I want to see (2) who the (a) members of and (b) contributors to more children considered for adoption who in the past the Childhood and Families Taskforce are. [66289] may have been overlooked—children who are older or 1015W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1016W have disabilities or very complex needs. I particularly Mr Gibb: The information requested is not available. want local authorities to consider carefully their matching and placement practice in respect of black and minority Departmental Apprentices ethnic children who often wait much longer than others. That is why I have recently appointed Martin Narey, Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education former chief executive of Barnardo’s, as Ministerial whether his Department has a policy on requirements Adviser on Adoption. He will visit individual local for the provision of (a) apprenticeships and (b) other authorities to identify and share good practice, and training by (i) his Department’s prime contractors and challenge poorer practices, especially for those children (ii) suppliers in the supply chain of such contractors. who are often overlooked for adoption—older children, [66606] disabled children—or who can face significant delay, such as black children. I have published his full remit on Tim Loughton: It is the Department’s policy to include the Department for Education website: a condition in any appropriate contract that contractors http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/ employ apprentices during the delivery of that contract. families/adoption/a00192226/martin-narey-appointed-as- There is no similar obligation on suppliers in the supply ministerial-adviser-on-adoption chain. I set up last year a ministerial advisory group on Contractors are encouraged to provide relevant skills adoption to help steer my wider programme of reform. training to their staff. In November I wrote to directors of children’s services and lead members emphasising the importance of adoption Departmental Buildings and of reducing delays in the adoption process. I subsequently published revised statutory adoption guidance, and an Adoption Data Pack which highlights the variations Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for between local authorities. I have also hosted a number Education what the address is of each office property of roundtable events with adoptive parents, adopted occupied by his Department outside Greater London children, judges, directors of children’s services and which it (a) owns and (b) rents; what the level of adoption panels to take their views about where change utilisation is of each such property; what the capital is needed. value is of each such property it owns; and what the (i) The Department also provides grant funding to BAAF annual rental cost and (ii) length of lease agreement is to promote adoption, including through National Adoption of each rented property. [61175] Week and National Exchange Days, and to the Coram Foundation and Barnardo’s to support local authorities Tim Loughton: The Department for Education occupies in improving their adoption outcomes. I have also approved three office properties outside of Greater London. The funding to extend the Multi-dimensional Treatment details of which are listed in the following table: Foster Care programme (an evidence-based intervention programme for children in care) to adopted children Property name Address Value (£) and families. Castle View House East Lane, 7,500,000 All of this is within the wider context of the work the Runcorn, WA7 2DB Government are undertaking to improve outcomes for Mowden Hall Staindrop Road, 2,835,000 Darlington, DL3 vulnerable children and families. This includes action 9BG following the Munro Review of Child Protection and 2 St Paul’s Place 125 Norfolk Street, 22,390,000 the work of the Family Justice Review. Sheffield, S1 2FL

Conditions of Employment The Mowden Hall site in Darlington and the Castle View House site in Runcorn are freehold properties owned by the Department. The St Paul’s Place building Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education in Sheffield is also owned by the Department, but the how many meetings officials of his Department have ground lease is not and the Department pays a ’peppercorn’ had with the Department for Business, Innovation and rent, which runs until September 2259. Both the Mowden Skills on the Government’s employment law review Hall site and the St Paul’s Place facility are fully occupied. since May 2011. [67221] The Castle View House site is currently 73% utilised with the remaining space is being actively marketed to Mr Gibb: The review of employment-related laws the public and private sector both commercially and being co-ordinated by the Department for Business, through the Government Property Unit. Innovation and Skills (BIS) is a cross-Government initiative. All Departments with an interest or responsibility for Departmental Carbon Emissions employment-related law are engaged in the process, and relevant officials are in contact with BIS on a regular basis in taking forward the review. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the carbon dioxide emissions from his Department in (a) June 2010 CSE and (b) June 2011. [66759]

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Tim Loughton: The Department for Education’s carbon Education how many and what proportion of pupils emission were as follows: (a) entered for and (b) passed each CSE subject in (a) In June 2010, the Department emitted 694 tonnes of carbon each year since 1981. [65076] dioxide. 1017W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1018W

(b) In June 2011, the Department emitted 576 tonnes of carbon Never set your ’Out of Office’ message or e-mail forwarding dioxide. rules to direct official e-mail to your personal internet e-mail This data comprises energy use from the Department’s account. four headquarter buildings and business travel data. If you have a compelling requirement to conduct DFE business Travel data for June 2011 has been estimated based on when away from the office, but do not already have the appropriate 2010 emission levels. DFE remote working tools to support this, talk to your line manager about making the business case. The Department has exceeded the Prime Minister’s Why is this so important? target of reducing carbon emissions by 10%, achieving a reduction of 21.5%, and is now focused on Government’s The loss or compromise of personal or otherwise sensitive information that has not been adequately protected can have further agenda to reduce carbon emissions by 25% by serious consequences including: 2015. Financial loss, disruption to the work of the Department, or distress to citizens or staff; Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State Damage to DFE’s reputation which could in turn lead to loss for Education pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2011, of public confidence in the services of our Department or of Official Report, column 978W, on departmental carbon Government as a whole; emissions, whether the sources of low-carbon energy Breach of the Data Protection Act, which could lead to public generation on its estate were manufactured in the UK. censure of the Department by the Information Commissioner, [67933] whose statutory powers also include the right to impose fines on the Department of up to £500,000. Tim Loughton: On 4 July 2011 the Department confirmed Use of unapproved ICT systems, services and devices could the installation of solar panels at its Sheffield site. The also put in jeopardy the Department’s continued right to use the specification, procurement and installation of the panels Government Secure Intranet (GSI) which we rely on for secure were undertaken as part of the pre-tenancy ‘fit-out’ intra-government e-mail and data sharing. work, managed by a third party contractor, prior to the As well as breaching security rules the use of unapproved ICT occupation of the building by the Department. As a systems, services and devices to conduct Government business result, the Department does not hold the information also creates Information Management issues. For example: information requested. not held on DFE ICT systems would not be searched when responding to a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request. Departmental E-mail Departmental Lost Property Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance he has issued to officials of his Department Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Education on the use of email accounts not supported by his what property has been (a) lost and (b) stolen from his Government’s IT system to communicate with (a) schools Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost of considering academy status and (b) individuals, groups, replacement was. [66576] charities, businesses and other bodies applying to establish free schools. [67694] Tim Loughton: A breakdown of reported lost or Tim Loughton [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The stolen property from the Department for Education in guidance issued to staff in the Department for Education the last 12 month period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 is on the use of personal, non-DFE e-mail accounts for as follows: communications relating to their official duties (irrespective Total of the individual or organisation being communicated estimated with) is as follows: cost of ‘Never use non-DfE email services (such as your own personal replacement internet email account on Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL, Lost (a) Stolen (b) Total (£) MobileMe, etc.) to carry out Departmental business.’ Laptops 4 4 4,008.00 A more detailed extract from this guidance for DFE BlackBerry 10 4 14 2,870.00 staff, covering the salient points, is as follows: Mobile 3 3 255.00 Annex phone Essential steps to protect information in DFE Memory 5 5 820.00 stick Use only official DFE ICT systems, services and devices Signify 3 3 148.50 to access or store DFE information token Official DFE ICT (Information and Communications Technology), Projector 1 1 10 computing and telephony services, systems and devices, have been Headset 1 1 10 configured, risk assessed, and tested to ensure they are secure enough for Departmental business. Official DFE mobile devices Staff passes — — 94 485.98 (Laptops and BlackBerry’s) have HM Government approved 1 Not replaced strong encryption enabled. You should therefore: Departmental Procurement Never use non-DFE devices (such as your own laptop, PC, Mac, PDA or memory stick) to access or store DFE Information. Never use non-DFE e-mail services (such as your own personal Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education internet e-mail account on Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL, how many procurement contracts his Department has MobileMe, etc.) to carry out departmental business. awarded to small businesses since May 2010. [67249] 1019W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1020W

Tim Loughton: To get the information on how many discrimination. This advice will be updated shortly to procurement contracts were awarded by the Department include an explanation of what the new public sector for Education to small and medium-sized enterprises equality specific duties will mean for schools once they since May 2010 could be provided only at disproportionate come into force. cost. However, I can tell you that under the transparency The Department is also working with the education agenda, since January 2011, the Department for Education sector, including teaching unions, to ensure that schools has reported 43 separate contracts awarded, 27 of which have available to them resources and case studies giving were to small and medium-sized enterprises. them a framework of examples of what they may do to comply. Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of procurement contracts offered by his Department have been advertised on the Free Early Years: Children Contracts Finder website since the website’s inception. [67250] Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Tim Loughton: The Department does not maintain a Education (1) what timetable he has set for the review central record of those contracts that haven’t been of the code of practice for local authorities on delivery advertised, for example contracts that have been let of free early years provision for children aged three and following a call off from a framework agreement. To four; [65822] include those contracts in the calculation of the proportion (2) what criteria he plans to use in undertaking the of contracts advertised on Contracts Finder could be review of the code of practice for local authorities on done only at disproportionate costs. delivery of free early years provision for children aged However, of the 23 contracts that have been advertised three and four. [65823] since 1 January 2011, 11 or 48% have been advertised on Contracts Finder. Sarah Teather: We will be consulting in the autumn on streamlining the code of practice for local authorities Education Maintenance Allowance on delivery of free early years provision for three and four-year-olds. The aim of the review will be to ensure Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for that the code is clearly understood by local authorities Education what discussions he has had with the Access enabling them to set out a clear offer to parents and to Education Advocate on (a) the abolition of the their children and to providers; does all it can to promote education maintenance allowance (EMA) and (b) the children’s access to their entitlement; and reduces national new 16 to 19 Bursary Fund; and whether any such prescription and so helps to free up local authorities discussions took place prior to the announcement of (and in turn providers) from unnecessary and often the abolition of the EMA. [67880] burdensome red tape. The consultation will be published on the Department’s Mr Gibb: Between the date of his appointment, in website and will run for 12 weeks. The consultation will December 2010, and the announcement of the 16 to 19 conform to the seven criteria set out in the Government’s Bursary Fund in March 2011, the Advocate for Access Code of Practice on Consultation which can be found to Education met regularly Department for Education on the Department’s website at: officials and Ministers to discuss financial support for young people. We took account of his work in designing http://www.education.gov.uk/consultations the new 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, which schools and The intention is that revised statutory guidance will colleges will be able to use to support those students come into force in September 2012. It will follow the who most need financial assistance to continue in education Department’s new approach to advice and guidance or training post-16. which is explained on the website: Equality Act 2010 http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/advice

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Further Education Education what steps he plans to take to enable schools to meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010. [66814] Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions (a) he, (b) other Ministers Sarah Teather: The Equality Act 2010 simplifies and in his Department and (c) staff in his Department have consolidates the protections and duties which existed had with the Access to Education Advocate on further under previous equality legislation. Where the law has education for those aged 16 to 19 years. [67882] changed or protection has been extended to cover new protected groups, schools that were already complying Mr Gibb: The right hon. Member for Bermondsey with previous equality legislation and with education and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes) was appointed as law more broadly should not experience any significant Advocate for Access to Education to work with the difference or difficulty with what they now need to do Government to ensure that their goal of increasing to comply. participation in higher education by those from the To help schools meet their obligations under the Act, most disadvantaged backgrounds is met. During the the Department for Education has produced web-based course of his work, he has met Department for Education advice which explains what the law requires and provides Ministers and officials to discuss matters relating to examples of action that could constitute unlawful further education for those aged 16 to 19 years. 1021W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1022W

Further Education: Finance GCE A-level

Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for how much has been allocated for 16 to 19 bursaries in Education how many and what proportion of pupils in each local authority area for 2011-12. [66836] (a) comprehensive schools, (b) selective schools, (c) modern schools, (d) independent schools, (e) sixth Mr Gibb [holding answer 18 July 2011]: This is a form colleges, (f) other further education sector matter for the YoungPeople’s Learning Agency (YPLA) colleges and (g) in total gained grades (i) A*, (ii) A, who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance for (iii) B, (iv) C, (v) D, (vi) E and (vii) U for A-levels in the Department for Education. Peter Lauener, the YPLA’s (A) mathematics, (B) further mathematics, (C) English, chief executive, has written to the hon. Member for (D) physics, (E) chemistry, (F) biology, (G) geography, Westminster North (Ms Buck) with the information (H) history, (I) a classical language and (J) a modern requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the language in the most recent academic year for which House Libraries. figures are available. [65496] Letter from Peter Lauener, dated 18 July 2011: I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Questions Mr Gibb [holding answer 11 July 2011]: The requested PQ66836 and PQ66837 that ask: information has been placed in the House Libraries. ″How much has been allocated for the education maintenance allowance replacement bursaries in each local authority area for 2011-12.″ PQ66836 Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for ″How much has been allocated from the education maintenance Education (1) how many and what proportion of pupils allowance replacement bursary fund to each school and college in in (a) comprehensive schools, (b) selective schools, (c) London for 2011-12.″ PQ66837 modern schools, (d) independent schools, (e) sixth We are still finalising the bursary allocations for the academic form colleges, (f) other further education sector colleges year 2011/12 for individual schools, colleges and other education and (g) in total gained at least three A-levels at grade and training providers and we are therefore not yet able to AAB or above of which two or more were from the provide the information you have requested. We intend to publish following subjects (i) mathematics, (ii) further mathematics, the bursary allocations shortly and I will write to you with the (iii) English, (iv) physics, (v) chemistry, (vi) biology, (vii) details asked for as soon as possible. geography, (viii) history, (ix) a classical language and (x) a modern language in the most recent academic year for Further Education: Transport which figures are available; [65497] Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) how many and what proportion of pupils in (a) Education what plans he has to review local authority comprehensive schools, (b) selective schools, (c) transport statements for young people aged 16 to modern schools, (d) independent schools, (e) sixth form colleges, (f) other further education sector 18 years for 2011-12. [66177] colleges and (g) in total gained at least three A-levels Tim Loughton [holding answer 18 July 2011]: Legislation at grade AAB or above from the following combination requires local authorities to publish a transport policy (i) mathematics, (ii) further mathematics, (iii) English, statement by the end of May each year. The statement (iv) physics, (v) chemistry, (vi) biology, (vii) geography, should set out the arrangements that the local authority (viii) history, (ix) a classical language and (x) a modern will make in the following academic year to help students language in the most recent academic year for which of sixth-form age access education and training. The figures are available. [65498] Department for Education is in the process of establishing whether all local authorities have published their 2011 Mr Gibb [holding answer 11 July 2011]: The requested transport statements. information for 2010 is shown in the following table.

Number of Percentage of students who students who gained at least Number of gained at least Percentage of three GCE A students who three GCE A students who levels at grade gained at least levels at grade gained at least Number of AAB or above three GCE A Percentage of AAB or above three GCE A students who of which two levels at grade students who of which two levels at grade Number of gained at least or more were AAB or above gained at least or more were AAB or above students three GCE A from the from the three GCE A from the from the taking GCE A levels at grade subjects listed subjects listed levels at grade subjects listed subjects listed School type levels AAB or above above above AAB or above above above

Comprehensive 124,846 15,336 11,712 7,010 12 9 6 schools

Selective schools 22,006 7,720 6,336 4,017 35 29 18

Modern schools 4,057 124 79 45 3 2 1 1023W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1024W

Number of Percentage of students who students who gained at least Number of gained at least Percentage of three GCE A students who three GCE A students who levels at grade gained at least levels at grade gained at least Number of AAB or above three GCE A Percentage of AAB or above three GCE A students who of which two levels at grade students who of which two levels at grade Number of gained at least or more were AAB or above gained at least or more were AAB or above students three GCE A from the from the three GCE A from the from the taking GCE A levels at grade subjects listed subjects listed levels at grade subjects listed subjects listed School type levels AAB or above above above AAB or above above above

Other 8735542256 5 3 maintained schools Independent 35,245 14,511 11,829 6,901 41 34 20 schools Sixth form 52,641 7,163 4,755 2,627 14 9 5 colleges Other further 27,677 2,042 1,301 712 7 5 3 education sector colleges Total (England) 267,345 46,951 36,054 21,337 18 13 8 Notes: 1. Students get counted once (at their highest grade) if they have been entered for more than one A level in any subject category. 2. The figures in this answer are derived from data collected for the Performance tables.

GCE O-level Mr Gibb: The requested information from 1997 to 2010 has been placed in the House Libraries. Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of pupils History: GCE A-level (a) entered for and (b) passed each GCE O-level subject in each year since 1981. [65075] Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of pupils Mr Gibb: The information requested is not available. were entered for history A-level in (a) comprehensive schools, (b) maintained selective schools and (c) independent schools in 2010; and how many and what GCSE proportion of pupils obtained a grade C or above in history A-level in (i) comprehensive schools, (ii) maintained selective schools and (iii) independent schools in 2010. Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for [65363] Education how many and what proportion of pupils (a) entered for and (b) passed each GCSE subject in Mr Gibb [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The information each year since 1997. [65074] requested is in the following table.

Number of students Percentage of Number of Percentage of whoachieveda students who achieved Number of students who were students who were grade C or above in a grade C or above in students taking entered for History entered for History History A-level in History A-level in Institution type A-levels in 2010 A-level in 2010 A-level in 2010 2010 20101

Comprehensive schools 131,745 22,062 16.7 16,569 75.1 Selective schools 24,431 4,692 19.2 4,363 93.0 Modern schools 3,975 506 12.7 295 58.3 Other maintained schools 986 108 11.0 73 67.6 Independent schools 38,681 7,587 19.6 7,149 94.2 Sixth form colleges 56,099 6,808 12.1 5,441 79.9 Other further education 30,298 3,383 11.2 2,291 67.7 sector colleges England 286,215 45,146 15.8 36,181 80.1 1 Number of students achieving a grade C or above in history A-level as a percentage of the number of students entered for A-level history. Source: School and College Performance Tables

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The requested Education how many and what proportion of pupils information is shown in the following table: were entered for history A-level in each local authority area in 2010; and how many and what proportion of pupils entered for history A-level obtained a grade C or above in each local authority area in 2010. [65367] 1025W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1026W

GCE A-level History entries and achievements by local authority, 2010 Number of students Percentage of Number of A Number of students Percentage of whoachieveda students who level students in who were entered students who were grade C or above in achieved a grade C each local for History A level entered for History History A level in or above in History Local authority authority in 2010 A level in 2010 2010 A level in 20101

North East 10,421 1,581 15.2 1,178 74.5 Darlington 924 146 15.8 110 75.3 Durham 1,540 267 17.3 216 80.9 Gateshead 720 142 19.7 107 75.4 Hartlepool 418 35 8.4 27 77.1 Middlesbrough 482 41 8.5 22 53.7 Newcastle upon Tyne 1,163 168 14.4 115 68.5 North Tyneside 852 133 15.6 102 76.7 Northumberland 1,466 237 16.2 179 75.5 Redcar and Cleveland 772 90 11.7 68 75.6 South Tyneside 378 41 10.8 34 82.9 Stockton-on-Tees 858 136 15.9 98 72.1 Sunderland 848 145 17.1 100 69.0

North West 33,904 4,417 13.0 3,435 77.8 Blackburn with Darwen 838 77 9.2 57 74.0 Blackpool 811 71 8.8 44 62.0 Bolton 1,034 125 12.1 86 68.8 Bury 1,463 165 11.3 132 80.0 Cheshire East 1,867 342 18.3 270 78.9 Cheshire West and Chester 2,421 262 10.8 202 77.1 Cumbria 2,350 403 17.1 294 73.0 Halton 272 44 16.2 33 75.0 Knowsley 212 11 5.2 4 36.4 Lancashire 4,650 615 13.2 529 86.0 Liverpool 2,089 395 18.9 264 66.8 Manchester 2,081 183 8.8 144 78.7 Oldham 1,388 127 9.1 113 89.0 Rochdale 297 31 10.4 22 71.0 Salford 812 106 13.1 85 80.2 Sefton 1,653 216 13.1 157 72.7 St. Helens 1,017 97 9.5 72 74.2 Stockport 1,623 140 8.6 118 84.3 Tameside 865 86 9.9 64 74.4 Trafford 1,199 236 19.7 199 84.3 Warrington 1,078 182 16.9 132 72.5 Wigan 1,733 238 13.7 212 89.1 Wirral 2,151 265 12.3 202 76.2

Yorkshire and the Humber 22,603 3,289 14.6 2,435 74.0 Barnsley 461 80 17.4 47 58.8 Bradford 1,849 218 11.8 150 68.8 Calderdale 920 141 15.3 103 73.0 Doncaster 1,051 138 13.1 84 60.9 East Riding of Yorkshire 1,272 269 21.1 189 70.3 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 894 75 8.4 63 84.0 Kirklees 2,156 326 15.1 253 77.6 Leeds 3,284 584 17.8 437 74.8 North East Lincolnshire 668 47 7.0 35 74.5 North Lincolnshire 921 118 12.8 90 76.3 North Yorkshire 3,273 537 16.4 435 81.0 Rotherham 1,424 182 12.8 116 63.7 Sheffield 2,019 287 14.2 210 73.2 Wakefield 1,372 129 9.4 100 77.5 York 1,039 158 15.2 123 77.8

East Midlands 20,693 3,234 15.6 2,365 73.1 Derby 1,033 194 18.8 143 73.7 1027W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1028W

GCE A-level History entries and achievements by local authority, 2010 Number of students Percentage of Number of A Number of students Percentage of whoachieveda students who level students in who were entered students who were grade C or above in achieved a grade C each local for History A level entered for History History A level in or above in History Local authority authority in 2010 A level in 2010 2010 A level in 20101

Derbyshire 2,830 535 18.9 404 75.5 Leicester 1,638 104 6.3 68 65.4 Leicestershire 3,553 358 10.1 269 75.1 Lincolnshire 3,386 663 19.6 527 79.5 Northamptonshire 3,421 586 17.1 388 66.2 Nottingham 1,638 230 14.0 169 73.5 Nottinghamshire 3,194 564 17.7 397 70.4

West Midlands 25,389 3,679 14.5 2,659 72.3 Birmingham 4,881 632 12.9 480 75.9 Coventry 1,296 187 14.4 137 73.3 Dudley 1,763 256 14.5 190 74.2 Herefordshire 976 170 17.4 149 87.6 Sandwell 539 73 13.5 41 56.2 Shropshire 1,439 187 13.0 150 80.2 Solihull 1,507 189 12.5 144 76.2 Staffordshire 3,595 610 17.0 400 65.6 Stoke-on-Trent 835 115 13.8 70 60.9 Telford and Wrekin 903 133 14.7 118 88.7 Walsall 1,300 224 17.2 144 64.3 Warwickshire 2,793 426 15.3 337 79.1 Wolverhampton 982 104 10.6 59 56.7 Worcestershire 2,580 373 14.5 240 64.3

East of England 28,183 5,179 18.4 4,079 78.8 Bedford 922 161 17.5 101 62.7 Bedfordshire, Central 1,220 218 17.9 150 68.8 Cambridgeshire 2,936 665 22.6 557 83.8 Essex 6,355 1,058 16.6 839 79.3 Hertfordshire 7,178 1,451 20.2 1,181 81.4 Luton 862 86 10.0 68 79.1 Norfolk 3,471 606 17.5 458 75.6 Peterborough 805 148 18.4 105 70.9 Southend-on-Sea 1,079 208 19.3 184 88.5 Suffolk 2,780 514 18.5 389 75.7 Thurrock 575 64 11.1 47 73.4

London 36,348 5,401 14.9 4,352 80.6 Inner London 9,732 1,378 14.2 1,126 81.7 Camden 976 208 21.3 180 86.5 Hackney 384 32 8.3 26 81.3 Hammersmith and Fulham 773 113 14.6 91 80.5 Haringey 662 104 15.7 80 76.9 Islington 640 59 9.2 39 66.1 Kensington and Chelsea 486 79 16.3 73 92.4 Lambeth 345 42 12.2 30 71.4 Lewisham 1,189 204 17.2 168 82.4 Newham 838 54 6.4 45 83.3 Southwark 373 71 19.0 59 83.1 Tower Hamlets 692 54 7.8 42 77.8 Wandsworth 1,392 218 15.7 179 82.1 Westminster 982 140 14.3 114 81.4

Outer London 26,616 4,023 15.1 3,226 80.2 Barking and Dagenham 663 103 15.5 70 68.0 Barnet 2,701 447 16.5 398 89.0 Bexley 1,250 267 21.4 177 66.3 Brent 1,304 209 16.0 179 85.6 1029W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1030W

GCE A-level History entries and achievements by local authority, 2010 Number of students Percentage of Number of A Number of students Percentage of whoachieveda students who level students in who were entered students who were grade C or above in achieved a grade C each local for History A level entered for History History A level in or above in History Local authority authority in 2010 A level in 2010 2010 A level in 20101

Bromley 2,249 314 14.0 237 75.5 Croydon 1,212 152 12.5 123 80.9 Ealing 1,071 154 14.4 134 87.0 Enfield 1,573 259 16.5 200 77.2 Greenwich 773 90 11.6 65 72.2 Harrow 1,356 166 12.2 139 83.7 Havering 1,551 275 17.7 220 80.0 Hillingdon 1,432 191 13.3 142 74.3 Hounslow 1,372 207 15.1 184 88.9 Kingston upon Thames 1,283 192 15.0 157 81.8 Merton 286 27 9.4 21 77.8 Redbridge 2,250 317 14.1 247 77.9 Richmond upon Thames 1,192 205 17.2 162 79.0 Sutton 1,642 281 17.1 256 91.1 Waltham Forest 1,456 167 11.5 115 68.9

South East 45,956 7,081 15.4 5,632 79.5 Bracknell Forest 396 61 15.4 44 72.1 Brighton and Hove 1,539 289 18.8 243 84.1 Buckinghamshire 3,487 614 17.6 555 90.4 East Sussex 2,192 312 14.2 223 71.5 Hampshire 9,307 1,222 13.1 958 78.4 Isle of Wight 467 81 17.3 56 69.1 Kent 7,170 1,211 16.9 992 81.9 Medway 1,427 215 15.1 162 75.3 Milton Keynes 1,093 194 17.7 141 72.7 Oxfordshire 3,345 591 17.7 473 80.0 Portsmouth 283 30 10.6 17 56.7 Reading 494 103 20.9 81 78.6 Slough 870 109 12.5 89 81.7 Southampton 796 85 10.7 56 65.9 Surrey 6,459 995 15.4 791 79.5 West Berkshire 1,068 186 17.4 154 82.8 West Sussex 3,952 517 13.1 395 76.4 Windsor and Maidenhead 789 115 14.6 83 72.2 Wokingham 822 151 18.4 119 78.8

South West 24,037 3,698 15.4 2,897 78.3 Bath and North East Somerset 928 194 20.9 173 89.2 Bournemouth 514 72 14.0 65 90.3 Bristol, City of 1,680 184 11.0 129 70.1 Cornwall 2,218 250 11.3 169 67.6 Devon 3,083 417 13.5 333 79.9 Dorset 1,951 299 15.3 225 75.3 Gloucestershire 3,641 634 17.4 517 81.5 North Somerset 868 119 13.7 92 77.3 Plymouth 1,144 233 20.4 184 79.0 Poole 887 156 17.6 123 78.8 Somerset 2,334 425 18.2 343 80.7 South Gloucestershire 1,185 155 13.1 106 68.4 Swindon 961 101 10.5 65 64.4 Torbay 695 99 14.2 74 74.7 Wiltshire 1,948 360 18.5 299 83.1

Total 247,534 37,559 15.2 29,032 77.3 1 Number of students achieving a grade C or above in History A-level as a percentage of the number of students entered for A-level History. Notes: 1. The figures in this answer are derived from data collected for the Performance tables. 2. The figures provided cover students aged 16-18 in maintained schools and further education colleges. 1031W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1032W

History: GCSE to C; therefore in 159 mainstream secondary schools no pupils achieved a grade A* to C in GCSE history in Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010. Education in how many mainstream secondary schools no pupil obtained grade C or above at history GCSE in Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010; and how many mainstream secondary schools Education how many and what proportion of pupils did not enter any pupils for a history GCSE in 2010. were entered for history GCSE in (a) comprehensive [65364] schools, (b) selective maintained schools and (c) independent schools in 2010; and how many and what proportion of pupils entered for history GCSE in Mr Gibb [holding answer 19 July 2011]: Of the 3,881 (i) comprehensive schools, (ii) selective maintained mainstream secondary schools with pupils at the end schools and (iii) independent schools obtained a grade of Key Stage 4, 159 had no pupils at the end of Key C or above in 2010. [65366] Stage 4 entered for GCSE history in 2010. There were no schools that entered pupils for a Mr Gibb: [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The requested GCSE in history and had no pupils achieve a grade A* information is given in the following table:

Number of pupils at the end of key Pupils entered for History GCSE who stage 4 in 2010 Pupils entered for History GCSE in 2010 obtained a grade C or above in 2010 Number Number Percentage Number Percentage

Comprehensive schools 520,914 155,982 30 101,897 65 Selective maintained schools 22,607 12,389 55 11,827 95 Independent schools 49,932 23,798 48 22,297 94 Notes: 1. Pupils are at the end of Key Stage 4. 2. The data used to answer this question are derived from the 2010 School and College Performance tables.

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for GCSE history entries in all mainstream maintained schools by local Education how many and what proportion of pupils authority, 2010 in mainstream maintained secondary schools were Pupils who were entered for entered for history GCSE in each local authority area GCSE history in 2010 Number of pupils in 2010. [65387] on roll in the local authority at Mr Gibb: The requested information is shown in the Local the end of key following table. authority stage 4 Number Percentage GCSE history entries in all mainstream maintained schools by local Bolton 3,499 930 26.6 authority, 2010 Bury 2,216 640 28.9 Pupils who were entered for Cheshire East 3,922 1,390 35.4 GCSE history in 2010 Cheshire West 3,938 1,183 30.0 Number of pupils and Chester on roll in the local authority at Cumbria 6,064 2,070 34.1 Local the end of key Halton 1,498 414 27.6 authority stage 4 Number Percentage Knowsley 1,601 269 16.8 North East 28,849 7,848 27.2 Lancashire 13,218 3,782 28.6 Darlington 1,142 247 21.6 Liverpool 4,989 1,479 29.6 Durham 5,351 1,358 25.4 Manchester 4,415 919 20.8 Gateshead 2,084 624 29.9 Oldham 2,977 671 22.5 Hartlepool 1,224 405 33.1 Rochdale 2,520 692 27.5 Middlesbrough 1,644 402 24.5 Salford 2,140 564 26.4 Newcastle 2,484 484 19.5 Sefton 3,293 922 28.0 upon Tyne St Helens 1,983 409 20.6 North Tyneside 2,090 758 36.3 Stockport 2,973 798 26.8 Northumberland 3,544 981 27.7 Tameside 2,881 635 22.0 Redcar and 1,926 564 29.3 Trafford 2,825 1,029 36.4 Cleveland Warrington 2,489 976 39.2 South Tyneside 1,715 416 24.3 Wigan 3,810 911 23.9 Stockton-on- 2,266 738 32.6 Tees Wirral 3,911 1,278 32.7 Sunderland 3,379 871 25.8 Yorkshire and 59,396 16,984 28.6 North West 80,462 22,850 28.4 Humber Blackburn with 1,725 491 28.5 Barnsley 2,547 703 27.6 Darwen Bradford 5,783 1,244 21.5 Blackpool 1,575 398 25.3 Calderdale 2,593 884 34.1 1033W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1034W

GCSE history entries in all mainstream maintained schools by local GCSE history entries in all mainstream maintained schools by local authority, 2010 authority, 2010 Pupils who were entered for Pupils who were entered for GCSE history in 2010 GCSE history in 2010 Number of pupils Number of pupils on roll in the on roll in the local authority at local authority at Local the end of key Local the end of key authority stage 4 Number Percentage authority stage 4 Number Percentage

Doncaster 3,551 1,024 28.8 Norfolk 8,962 3,170 35.4 East Riding 3,940 1,532 38.9 Peterborough 2,214 751 33.9 of Yorkshire Southend-on- 2,179 734 33.7 Kingston 2,739 603 22.0 Sea upon Hull, Suffolk 7,666 2,752 35.9 City of Thurrock 1,773 454 25.6 Kirklees 4,534 1,259 27.8 Leeds 8,063 2,472 30.7 London 73,063 23,397 32.0 North East 1,979 441 22.3 Lincolnshire Inner London 22,556 6,125 27.2 North 2,009 448 22.3 Camden 1,470 472 32.1 Lincolnshire Hackney 1,286 346 26.9 North 6,862 2,436 35.5 Hammersmith 1,006 442 43.9 Yorkshire and Fulham Rotherham 3,588 838 23.4 Haringey 2,105 524 24.9 Sheffield 5,514 1,539 27.9 Islington 1,382 359 26.0 Wakefield 3,954 944 23.9 Kensington 548 217 39.6 York 1,740 617 35.5 and Chelsea Lambeth 1,550 418 27.0 Lewisham 2,123 674 31.7 East Midlands 51,064 14,615 28.6 Newham 3,330 519 15.6 Derby 2,839 626 22.1 Southwark 2,269 669 29.5 Derbyshire 8,694 2,622 30.2 Tower 2,393 480 20.1 Leicester 3,457 782 22.6 Hamlets Leicestershire 7,380 1,587 21.5 Wandsworth 1,754 555 31.6 Lincolnshire 8,508 2,751 32.3 Westminster 1,340 450 33.6 Northamptonshire 7,871 2,472 31.4 Outer 50,507 17,272 34.2 Nottingham 2,711 610 22.5 London Nottinghamshire 9,112 2,930 32.2 Barking and 2,108 587 27.8 Rutland 492 235 47.8 Dagenham Barnet 3,355 1,376 41.0 West 63,495 19,198 30.2 Bexley 3,213 1,309 40.7 Midlands Brent 2,803 733 26.2 Birmingham 11,984 3,538 29.5 Bromley 3,358 1,252 37.3 Coventry 3,545 818 23.1 Croydon 3,631 1,084 29.9 Dudley 3,883 1,210 31.2 Ealing 2,802 931 33.2 Herefordshire 1,898 746 39.3 Enfield 3,583 1,280 35.7 Sandwell 3,521 767 21.8 Greenwich 2,261 643 28.4 Shropshire 3,256 1,052 32.3 Harrow 2,138 733 34.3 Solihull 3,039 886 29.2 Havering 3,057 1,102 36.0 Staffordshire 9,569 3,253 34.0 Hillingdon 2,990 829 27.7 Stoke-on- 2,538 661 26.0 Hounslow 2,611 982 37.6 Trent Kingston 1,433 536 37.4 Telford and 2,091 620 29.7 upon Thames Wrekin Merton 1,533 427 27.9 Walsall 3,548 900 25.4 Redbridge 3,174 1,090 34.3 Warwickshire 6,013 2,175 36.2 Richmond 1,317 598 45.4 Wolverhampton 2,671 637 23.8 upon Thames Worcestershire 5,939 1,935 32.6 Sutton 2,610 1,044 40.0 Waltham 2,530 736 29.1 East of 64,657 22,728 35.2 Forest England Bedford 1,803 449 24.9 South East 89,266 30,413 34.1 Bedfordshire, 2,930 1,002 34.2 Bracknell 1,087 513 47.2 Central Forest Cambridgeshire 5,977 2,363 39.5 Brighton and 2,299 658 28.6 Essex 15,991 5,279 33.0 Hove Hertfordshire 12,805 4,988 39.0 Buckinghamshire 5,619 2,208 39.3 Luton 2,357 786 33.3 East Sussex 5,311 1,556 29.3 1035W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1036W

GCSE history entries in all mainstream maintained schools by local GCSE History achievements in all maintained schools by local authority, 2010 authority, 2010 Pupils who were entered for Percentage of GCSE history in 2010 Number of pupils who Number of pupils pupils who were entered on roll in the Number of achieved a for, and local authority at pupils who grade C or achieved a Local the end of key were entered above in grade C or authority stage 4 Number Percentage for GCSE GCSE above in GCSE Local History in History in History in Hampshire 13,937 4,961 35.6 authority 2010 2010 2010 Isle of Wight 1,522 526 34.6 North East 7,873 5,067 64.4 Kent 16,490 5,095 30.9 Darlington 247 158 64.0 Medway 3,368 955 28.4 Durham 1,373 893 65.0 Milton 2,694 734 27.2 Keynes Gateshead 627 417 66.5 Oxfordshire 6,284 2,411 38.4 Hartlepool 405 250 61.7 Portsmouth 1,867 598 32.0 Middlesbrough 402 236 58.7 Reading 972 372 38.3 Newcastle 484 332 68.6 Slough 1,545 455 29.4 upon Tyne Southampton 2,058 528 25.7 North 758 490 64.6 Tyneside Surrey 10,529 3,649 34.7 Northumberland 981 678 69.1 West 1,965 814 41.4 Berkshire Redcar and 564 389 69.0 West Sussex 8,393 2,988 35.6 Cleveland Windsor and 1,511 594 39.3 South 419 255 60.9 Maidenhead Tyneside Wokingham 1,815 798 44.0 Stockton-on- 738 440 59.6 Tees Sunderland 875 529 60.5 South West 56,070 17,746 31.6 Bath and 2,211 760 34.4 North East North West 22,863 15,176 66.4 Somerset Blackburn 491 274 55.8 Bournemouth 1,743 439 25.2 with Darwen Bristol, City 2,924 653 22.3 Blackpool 398 208 52.3 of Bolton 930 597 64.2 Cornwall 5,851 1,644 28.1 Bury 640 456 71.3 Devon 7,621 2,120 27.8 Cheshire East 1,390 1,027 73.9 Dorset 4,328 1,481 34.2 Cheshire West 1,190 796 66.9 Gloucestershire 6,867 2,381 34.7 and Chester Isles of Scilly 22 4 18.2 Cumbria 2,070 1,384 66.9 North 2,250 808 35.9 Halton 414 276 66.7 Somerset Knowsley 269 134 49.8 Plymouth 2,934 843 28.7 Lancashire 3,783 2,608 68.9 Poole 1,659 642 38.7 Liverpool 1,479 930 62.9 Somerset 5,674 2,098 37.0 Manchester 919 484 52.7 South 3,159 1,025 32.4 Gloucestershire Oldham 671 399 59.5 Swindon 2,170 686 31.6 Rochdale 692 398 57.5 Torbay 1,493 517 34.6 Salford 568 309 54.4 Wiltshire 5,164 1,645 31.9 Sefton 922 628 68.1 Total: 566,322 175,779 31.0 St Helens 409 261 63.8 England Stockport 798 561 70.3 Notes: Tameside 635 368 58.0 1. The figures are for pupils at the end of key stage 4. 2. The figures cover all mainstream maintained schools, including Trafford 1,029 865 84.1 academies and CTCs. Warrington 976 695 71.2 3. The figures are derived from data collected for the performance Wigan 911 600 65.9 tables. Wirral 1,279 918 71.8

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Yorkshire and 16,992 10,830 63.7 Education how many and what proportion of pupils Humber obtained a grade C or above in history GCSE in each Barnsley 703 368 52.3 local authority area in 2010. [65388] Bradford 1,244 759 61.0 Calderdale 884 593 67.1 Doncaster 1,024 545 53.2 Mr Gibb: The requested information is shown in the East Riding 1,532 964 62.9 following table. of Yorkshire 1037W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1038W

GCSE History achievements in all maintained schools by local GCSE History achievements in all maintained schools by local authority, 2010 authority, 2010 Percentage of Percentage of Number of pupils who Number of pupils who pupils who were entered pupils who were entered Number of achieved a for, and Number of achieved a for, and pupils who grade C or achieved a pupils who grade C or achieved a were entered above in grade C or were entered above in grade C or for GCSE GCSE above in GCSE for GCSE GCSE above in GCSE Local History in History in History in Local History in History in History in authority 2010 2010 2010 authority 2010 2010 2010

Kingston 603 288 47.8 Norfolk 3,172 2,020 63.7 Upon Hull, Peterborough 751 458 61.0 City of Southend-on- 735 589 80.1 Kirklees 1,259 768 61.0 Sea Leeds 2,479 1,654 66.7 Suffolk 2,752 1,676 60.9 North East 441 293 66.4 Thurrock 454 295 65.0 Lincolnshire North 448 261 58.3 Lincolnshire London 23,405 16,129 68.9 North 2,437 1,819 74.6 Inner London 6,126 3,976 64.9 Yorkshire Camden 472 322 68.2 Rotherham 838 572 68.3 Hackney 346 246 71.1 Sheffield 1,539 947 61.5 Hammersmith 442 359 81.2 Wakefield 944 586 62.1 and Fulham York 617 413 66.9 Haringey 524 378 72.1 Islington 359 182 50.7 East 14,624 9,372 64.1 Kensington 217 182 83.9 Midlands and Chelsea Derby 626 445 71.1 Lambeth 418 258 61.7 Derbyshire 2,622 1,744 66.5 Lewisham 674 389 57.7 Leicester 782 500 63.9 Newham 519 320 61.7 Leicestershire 1,587 958 60.4 Southwark 669 383 57.2 Lincolnshire 2,760 1,890 68.5 Tower 480 281 58.5 Northamptonshire 2,472 1,497 60.6 Hamlets Nottingham 610 355 58.2 Wandsworth 556 364 65.5 Nottinghamshire 2,930 1,824 62.3 Westminster 450 312 69.3 Rutland 235 159 67.7 Outer 17,279 12,153 70.3 West 19,217 12,321 64.1 London Midlands Barking and 587 353 60.1 Birmingham 3,549 2,406 67.8 Dagenham Coventry 818 526 64.3 Barnet 1,376 1,050 76.3 Dudley 1,210 720 59.5 Bexley 1,309 863 65.9 Herefordshire 746 499 66.9 Brent 733 522 71.2 Sandwell 767 421 54.9 Bromley 1,253 952 76.0 Shropshire 1,052 699 66.4 Croydon 1,084 704 64.9 Solihull 886 618 69.8 Ealing 931 619 66.5 Staffordshire 3,254 1,988 61.1 Enfield 1,280 874 68.3 Stoke-on- 661 368 55.7 Greenwich 643 405 63.0 Trent Harrow 733 516 70.4 Telford and 620 393 63.4 Havering 1,102 771 70.0 Wrekin Hillingdon 829 541 65.3 Walsall 900 568 63.1 Hounslow 982 699 71.2 Warwickshire 2,182 1,382 63.3 Kingston 536 436 81.3 Wolverhampton 637 389 61.1 upon Thames Worcestershire 1,935 1,344 69.5 Merton 427 266 62.3 Redbridge 1,090 819 75.1 East of 22,741 15,254 67.1 Richmond 598 428 71.6 England upon Thames Bedford 449 288 64.1 Sutton 1,044 887 85.0 Bedfordshire, 1,002 617 61.6 Waltham 742 448 60.4 Central Forest Cambridgeshire 2,363 1,724 73.0 Essex 5,283 3,389 64.1 South East 30,439 20,970 68.9 Hertfordshire 4,994 3,757 75.2 Bracknell 513 339 66.1 Luton 786 441 56.1 Forest 1039W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1040W

GCSE History achievements in all maintained schools by local GCSE History achievements in all maintained schools by local authority, 2010 authority, 2010 Percentage of Percentage of Number of pupils who Number of pupils who pupils who were entered pupils who were entered Number of achieved a for, and Number of achieved a for, and pupils who grade C or achieved a pupils who grade C or achieved a were entered above in grade C or were entered above in grade C or for GCSE GCSE above in GCSE for GCSE GCSE above in GCSE Local History in History in History in Local History in History in History in authority 2010 2010 2010 authority 2010 2010 2010

Brighton and 658 455 69.1 Dorset 1,481 1,077 72.7 Hove Gloucestershire 2,381 1,799 75.6 Buckinghamshire 2,208 1,714 77.6 Isles of Scilly 4 3 75.0 East Sussex 1,558 1,085 69.6 North 808 510 63.1 Hampshire 4,977 3,444 69.2 Somerset Isle of Wight 526 285 54.2 Plymouth 843 545 64.7 Kent 5,095 3,599 70.6 Poole 642 429 66.8 Medway 955 587 61.5 Somerset 2,098 1,347 64.2 Milton 736 448 60.9 South 1,025 631 61.6 Keynes Gloucestershire Oxfordshire 2,411 1,625 67.4 Swindon 686 398 58.0 Portsmouth 598 329 55.0 Torbay 517 412 79.7 Reading 372 236 63.4 Wiltshire 1,653 1,153 69.8 Slough 455 324 71.2 Southampton 528 307 58.1 Total— 175,910 117,110 66.6 Surrey 3,649 2,639 72.3 England West 814 606 74.4 Notes: Berkshire 1. The figures are for pupils at the end of Key Stage 4. West Sussex 2,994 1,966 65.7 2. The figures cover all maintained schools, including Academies and CTCs. Windsor and 594 395 66.5 3. The figures are derived from data collected for the Performance Maidenhead tables. Wokingham 798 587 73.6 Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for South West 17,756 11,991 67.5 Education how many and what proportion of pupils Bath and 761 547 71.9 were entered for GCSE history examination in (a) North East mainstream comprehensive schools, (b) selective schools Somerset and (c) independent schools in each year since 1997; Bournemouth 439 313 71.3 and how many and what proportion of such pupils Bristol, City 654 415 63.5 achieved a grade C and above in each such year. [65834] of Cornwall 1,644 1,041 63.3 Mr Gibb: The requested information is shown in the Devon 2,120 1,371 64.7 following tables.

School type Number of pupils1 entered for GCSE2 history Percentage of pupils1 entered for GCSE2 history Comprehensive Selective Independent3 Comprehensive Selective Independent3

1997 169,298 10,922 20,984 36.3 53.7 50.1 1998 153,001 10,042 20,490 32.0 50.3 47.0 1999 153,505 10,320 19,851 31.8 50.8 46.4 2000 153,670 10,746 20,168 31.9 53.2 47.2 2001 156,816 11,338 20,891 31.3 54.1 47.5 2002 155,211 11,433 21,269 30.8 53.8 48.2 2003 155,847 11,431 21,317 30.2 52.7 48.1 2004 164,188 12,145 22,252 30.8 54.6 47.4 2005 164,298 12,327 23,619 31.2 55.3 50.5 2006 164,606 12,549 23,930 30.8 55.8 49.1 2007 161,001 11,865 23,951 29.8 52.8 49.9 2008 160,362 12,147 23,694 29.9 53.8 49.5 2009 155,381 11,914 23,229 29.9 53.2 48.0 2010 155,982 12,389 23,798 29.9 54.8 47.7 1041W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1042W

School type Number of pupils1 who achieved grade A*-C in GCSE history Percentage of pupils1 who were entered for, and achieved grade A*-C in GCSE history Comprehensive Selective Independent3 Comprehensive Selective Independent3

1997 86,345 10,005 19,349 51.0 91.6 92.2 1998 81,168 9,528 19,043 . 53.1 94.9 92.9 1999 85,265 9,800 18,602 55.5 95.0 93.7 2000 86,869 10,292 18,914 56.5 95.8 93.8 2001 88,122 10,853 19,504 56.2 95.7 93.4 2002 88,617 . 10,852 19,995 57.1 94.9 94.0 2003 91,133 10,932 20,070 58.5 95.6 94.2 2004 97,154 11,692 21,012 59.2 96.3 94.4 2005 98,761 11,762 22,172 60.1 95.4 93.9 2006 100,031 11,927 22,391 60.8 95.0 93.6 2007 99,823 11,357 22,496 62.0 95.7 93.9 2008 100,935 11,597 22,191 62.9 95.5 93.7 2009 99,697 11,457 21,679 64.2 96.2 93.3 2010 101,897 11,827 22,297 65.4 95.4 93.7 1 For the years 1997-2004,15-year-old pupils are counted. For the years 2005-10, pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 are counted. 2 Only full GCSE courses have been counted. 3 Pupils at independent special schools are also counted. Note: The figures for this answer have been derived from the data collected for the secondary school performance tables.

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb: The Government believes that it is important Education how many mainstream comprehensive schools for pupils to have access to high-quality, age-appropriate entered (a) no pupils, (b) fewer than five per cent. of sex and relationships education (SRE). Schools have a pupils, (c) fewer than 10 per cent. of pupils and (d) clear role in reinforcing the information that young fewer than 25 per cent. of pupils for GCSE history people receive from parents and in providing them with examinations in 2010. [65835] a safe and supportive environment in which to develop the knowledge they need to make wise and informed Mr Gibb: 2,734 schools have been identified as being choices. SRE is compulsory in secondary schools, and mainstream comprehensive. primary schools may also choose to provide it. All schools must have an agreed policy on sex education. All of these schools entered pupils for GCSE history In the Schools White Paper, “The Importance of 17 had fewer than 5% of pupils entered for GCSE history Teaching”, we announced our intention to conduct an 139 had fewer than 10% entered for GCSE history internal review of personal, social, health and economic 1,031 schools had fewer than 25% of pupils entered for GCSE (PSHE) education, including SRE, so that we can determine history in 2010. how to support schools to improve the quality of teaching in this often sensitive and challenging area. We are still Ministerial Meetings considering the scope and process of the review, but we will say more about this shortly. Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Ministers John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and (ii) special advisers in his Department attended how much his Department and its associated public which were also attended by (A) representatives, (B) bodies have spent on the provision of sex and relationship journalists and (C) other employees of (1) News education in each year since 2001. [67746] International and its subsidiary organisations including newspapers, (2) News Corporation and its subsidiary Sarah Teather: The Department does not collect this organisations and (3) BSkyB since 12 May 2010. [66063] information centrally.

Tim Loughton: As has been the practice of previous Administrations, information relating to internal meetings, Play discussions and advice is not normally disclosed. I refer the right hon. Member to the Prime Minister’s statement Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for to the House on 13 July 2011, Official Report, columns Education (1) what plans he has for the future of the 311-14. Play Strategy issued by his Department’s predecessor in 2008; [66078] Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (2) what steps he is taking to ensure adequate provision of play facilities (a) in urban and deprived Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for areas and (b) elsewhere; [66120] Education what steps his Department is taking to (3) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of increase sexual awareness among pupils in schools. provision of play facilities in each local authority area. [67037] [66121] 1043W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1044W

Sarah Teather: The Government recognises how Primary Education: Extracurricular Activities important it is that children have safe, free local places to play, and the benefits these places bring to the wider Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Education community more generally. However, it is not for central whether he has plans to reduce the (a) staff training Government to determine what play facilities are available requirements and (b) administrative burdens associated in local areas, or to tell the experts in the play sector with running a holiday play scheme under the Early how to deliver play provision. Children, parents, play Years Foundation Stage. [66147] professionals and local communities best know what is most needed in their local areas. Sarah Teather [holding answer 14 July 2011]: On The play capital programme finished at the end of 6 July 2011, the Government launched a consultation March 2011, as originally intended under the previous on a revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Government’s Play Strategy. This Government are giving which responded to recommendations made by Dame councils more freedom over how they spend their money, Clare Tickell in her review of EYFS which was published giving communities more control over developments in on 30 March 2011. The revised EYFS is intended to their neighbourhoods, and making it easier for volunteers reduce burdens on all early years providers. and charities to get involved. This should provide the The consultation document maintains training opportunities for committed people and local groups to requirements critical to safeguarding and welfare of continue to influence play provision in their areas, leaving children in settings including holiday play schemes. It is responsibility for play provision where it belongs: with for managers to determine how much training they and local areas and their communities. their staff require and to make arrangements for it to be provided. Postgraduate Education Public Service: Bolton Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he has had with the Secretary Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on plans to Education what estimate he has made of the potential increase the number of universities offering PGCE courses future cost to public services in Bolton borough of the in core subjects within the English Baccalaureate. change in his Department’s funding for early intervention. [64852] [67871]

Mr Gibb: The Department for Education estimates Sarah Teather: The Department does not make such the number of teacher training places (including those estimates. Local authorities are responsible for early on Post Graduate Certificates in Education courses) intervention and other public services in their areas. needed for each subject. This includes consideration of The Government have made available £2.2 billion in the effects of changes such as the introduction of the 2011-12 and £2.3 billion in 2012-13 in the Early Intervention English Baccalaureate qualification. The Training and Grant (EIG) to local authorities. Further information is Development Agency for schools (TDA) allocates these available at: places to academic institutions and other providers of http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/ initial teacher training. The Department’s current earlylearningandchildcare/a0070357/early-intervention-grant- assessment is that there is enough capacity in the existing frequently-asked-questions/ pool of universities who are accredited as initial teacher The EIG is an un-ring-fenced and un-hypothecated training providers to meet the requirement for teacher funding stream that gives local authorities greater flexibility training places in all subjects, including those in the to target resources strategically and to intervene early to English Baccalaureate. improve outcomes for children, young people and families. It is up to local authorities to judge how best to use this funding for their local communities, taking account of Postgraduate Education: Fees and Charges local need and evidence of what is most effective. Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Schools: Standards Education what estimate he has made of the number of universities which will charge £9,000 for PGCE courses John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education in core subjects within the English Baccalaureate in what assessment his Department has made of the extent 2012-13. [67872] to which schools are switching to small examination boards in certain subjects. [67947] Mr Gibb: The Department has taken note of universities’ intentions on tuition charges for undergraduate higher Mr Gibb: This information is not collected centrally. education, which were published by the Office for Fair Access on 12 July. The Department has not made a Schools: Vocational Guidance specific estimate of the number of universities which will charge £9,000 for PGCE courses in core subjects Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education within the English Baccalaureate in 2012-13. The what recent representations he has received on the potential Department for Education is proposing bursaries of up effects of allowing schools to determine whether or not to £20,000 in 2012/13 to encourage the best graduates to commission professional careers guidance. [61322] into teaching and support them during their training. The most generous bursaries are in mathematics, Mr Gibb: Proposals in the Education Bill place a science and modern languages, which are core English clear duty on schools to secure access to independent Baccalaureate subjects. and impartial careers guidance for pupils in years 9 to 1045W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1046W

11. This includes information on the full range of 16-18 with the proposed “Education, Health and Care Plan” education and training options. Schools are free to would be able to take up the offer of a personal budget determine how best to fulfil this duty, taking into account by 2014. On 30 June, we invited bids from local authorities the needs of their pupils. and their partners to become pathfinders. The pathfinders The subject of careers guidance has been raised in will test a range of proposals set out in the Green Paper, discussions with a number of interested parties including including the option of a personal budget. Pathfinders representatives from the careers sector, the Association involved in testing personal budgets will be expected to of School and College Leaders and the Association of explore the cost and impact of providing support in this Colleges. In addition, a wide range of evidence has been way, so as to ensure that all children with special educational submitted to inform the passage of the Education Bill needs or who are disabled continue to receive high through Parliament and careers guidance has been the quality services, whether or not the family wishes to focus of debates on clause 26 and clause 27. take up the offer of a personal budget. Special Educational Needs Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether the new Special Educational Needs (SEN) Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Code of Practice will include a child’s right to a named Education what assessment he has made of the merits and trained senior person in each school responsible for of developing commissioning guidance for head teachers SEN. [66983] on support for children with speech, language and communication needs. [64180] Sarah Teather [holding answer 18 July 2011]: The current Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice Sarah Teather: The Department has made no such sets out the role of the Special Educational Needs assessment. The special educational needs (SEN) and Coordinator (SENCO), who has day-to-day responsibility disability Green Paper, “Support and aspiration: A new for the coordination of provision made for individual approach to special educational needs and disability”, children with SEN and can provide advice to those highlights the importance of joint local commissioning children. Every local authority maintained mainstream of services for disabled children and those with SEN, school and every new mainstream academy, following with local authorities taking a leading role involving the Academies Act 2010, must appoint a SENCO and other professionals, including head teachers. Consultation that SENCO must be a qualified teacher. The current on the Green Paper finished on 30 June and we have code points out that many schools find it effective for invited bids for local areas to run pathfinders to test the SENCO to be a member of the senior leadership proposals in the Green Paper. We will consider responses team. to questions in the Green Paper on local collaboration, In any revision of the code of practice following the the emerging lessons from the pathfinders and the views SEN and disability Green Paper we will consider whether of SEN organisations before setting out how we will to say more about the support SENCOs can give to encourage better commissioning for disabled children individual children as well as their colleagues in meeting and those with SEN, including children with speech, those children’s SEN. language and communication needs. Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for what consideration he has given to including in the Special Education with reference to the Special Educational Educational Needs Code of Practice a (a) report for Needs Green Paper, paragraph 7, page 5, what the parents to challenge the special educational needs system evidential basis is for the bias identified by his Department and (b) complaints and appeals process. [67084] towards inclusion for children with special educational needs. [66768] Sarah Teather [holding answer 18 July 2011]: The Department has consulted on a special educational Sarah Teather: In developing the Green Paper many needs (SEN) and disability Green Paper, “Support and parents told us that they do not have a real choice of aspiration” which sets out wide-ranging proposals for school, including many parents who want a special reform. We aim to give parents more control over the school for their child and feel frustrated by not being support for their child and family. We are proposing given their choice by the local authority. By preventing that local authorities and other local services communicate the unnecessary closure of special schools and encouraging a clear local offer for families to clarify what support is the development of the special school sector, through available and from whom; that parents have the option special academies and free schools, the Government of a personal budget by 2014; parents have access to will improve parents’ choice of school, whether that be transparent information about the funding which supports for mainstream or special. their child’s needs; parents have a clear choice of school; and that if local authorities and parents disagree, they Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for always try mediation first, to resolve problems in a less Education what steps he plans to take to ensure (a) adversarial way than having to take their case to the consistency of quality and (b) affordability of provision First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and for children with (i) special educational needs and (ii) Disability). disabilities under his planned system of personal budgets. [66816] Special Educational Needs: Dyslexia

Sarah Teather: Our Green Paper, “Support and Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs Education how much his Department has spent on (a) and disability”, proposed that all families of children diagnosis of and (b) educational support for children 1047W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1048W with dyslexia in each of the last five years; what Special Educational Needs: Finance information his Department holds on the number of children diagnosed with dyslexia in each of the last five Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for years; what steps he has taken to ensure the accuracy of Education whether he has made an assessment of the diagnoses of dyslexia; and if he will make a statement. effectiveness of providing individual pupil funding for [66352] children with special educational needs. [61743]

Sarah Teather [holding answer 19 July 2011]: Data Sarah Teather: On 19 July we launched a consultation are not collected centrally on spending on diagnosis and on reform to the school funding system, including support for children with dyslexia or on the number of funding for high needs pupils. children with dyslexia. Data are collected on the number The Green Paper on special educational needs and of children at School Action Plus of the Special Educational disability, “Support and aspiration; A new approach to Needs Code of Practice or with statements of special special educational needs and disability”, sets out how educational needs with specific learning difficulty, which personal budgets could be used to enhance the control includes dyslexia. In January 2011 there were 78,135 parents have over the support services they receive for such pupils; 11.1% of the total number of children at their child. We are piloting the personal budget approach School Action Plus and with statements. to ensure that local authorities properly understand Schools and local authorities have statutory duties in how they and their partners should commission services respect of identifying and supporting children with to ensure all children can access high quality provision, special educational needs from within the funds available whether or not their parents take up the option of a to them. personal budget. The consultation period ran until 30 June 2011 and we will publish our plans later this year The Department is taking a range of specific measures when we have considered the responses received. to improve the identification of and support for children with dyslexia. These include: making support available to every school for the teaching of Teachers systematic synthetic phonics—revising and strengthening the core criteria that define the key features of an effective systematic synthetic phonics programme to help schools in selecting an Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education effective programme and making £3,000 of match funding what guidance his Department provides to (a) primary available to all schools with Key Stage One pupils for phonics and (b) secondary schools on enterprise teaching. materials and training; [67269] introducing a new phonics screening check for children in Year One; working with initial teacher training providers to ensure Mr Gibb: The Department does not produce guidance that all trainee primary teachers’ have the understanding and on enterprise teaching. Enterprise education is part of confidence to teach children to read using systematic synthetic the economic well-being strand of personal, social, phonics; funding teachers to take specialist dyslexia training health and economic (PSHE) education. Pupils are courses approved by the British Dyslexia Association (some 3,200 teachers in the period 2009-11); taught what it means to be enterprising; the nature of the world of work; about different types of businesses developing through the Training and Development Agency for and how to manage their finances effectively. Schools specialist resources for initial teacher training programmes include units on dyslexia to give trainees a grounding in The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills recognising dyslexia and supporting pupils with dyslexia; is developing online resources for teachers that will enable them to set-up school businesses and access developing through the Training and Development Agency for School new advanced level online modules in dyslexia which support from local enterprise champions. will build on earlier programmes and further enhance teachers’ knowledge, understanding and skills; and, providing grant funding to the Dyslexia-Specific Learning Teachers: Training Difficulty Trust in 2011-12 to raise awareness and support parents and schools. Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for viability of higher education institutions of a move to Education whether his Department has assessed the school-based initial teacher training. [56883] role of (a) vision control problems and (b) eye convergence difficulties in causing reading problems; and if he will Mr Gibb [holding answer 23 May 2011]: We have make a statement. [66353] recently published our proposals for the reform of initial teacher training in the discussion document ″Training our next generation of outstanding teachers″. These Sarah Teather [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The proposals are for discussion until 22 July, and we will Department has not conducted an assessment of the publish our final policy in September. Our reforms do role of vision control problems and eye convergence not signal the end of the involvement of higher education problems in causing reading problems. If teachers suspect institutions in ITT, and the discussion document sets that a child may have eyesight difficulties they can out the role we see for them in the future of training discuss those with a child’s parents or carers so that teachers. As we implement our reforms to ITT, the they can consider arranging for their child to be seen by Training and Development Agency for Schools and an NHS professional such as an optician or general the new Teaching Agency will continue to consider the practitioner. viability of HEIs in implementing changes to the system. 1049W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1050W

NORTHERN IRELAND Business, Innovation and Skills on the Government’s employment law review since May 2011. [67219] Departmental Air Travel John Penrose: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern gave him on 21 June 2011, Official Report, column 165W. Ireland on what occasions he has flown on official business (a) by budget airline and (b) in economy class Departmental Lost Property in the last 12 months. [67919]

Mr Paterson: In the past 12 months I have flown on Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, official business by budget airline on seven occasions; Olympics, Media and Sport what property has been (a) four of which were in economy class. lost and (b) stolen from his Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost of replacement was. I regularly travel to and from Belfast from the UK [66575] mainland. Travel plans can often change at the last minute, for example, to take account of requirements at John Penrose: In the last 12 months, two memory Westminster. For this reason I normally travel premium sticks and one BlackBerry have been lost, and one economy which allows flights to be changed at no or laptop stolen from this Department. The cost of replacing minimal cost and is therefore most cost effective. the lost property was £286.00. The stolen laptop has not This contrasts with the travel arrangements under the been replaced. previous administration when the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland routinely used a private jet for official Departmental Manpower journeys between London and Belfast. Under this Government, the Department no longer uses private jet hire for regular travel by the Secretary of State. Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) how many people have been (a) recruited and (b) made redundant from (i) his Department and (ii) each non-departmental body for CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT which he is responsible since May 2010; [66330] British Board of Film Classification: Videos (2) how much (a) his Department and (b) each non-departmental body for which he is responsible has spent on redundancies since May 2010. [66347] Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he expects John Penrose: Since May 2010, this Department has to implement recommendation 4 of the Bailey Review recruited six members of staff, all on fixed term contracts. relating to the exemption of music videos from statutory In the final quarter of 2010-11 the Department ran a regulation by the British Board of Film Classification; voluntary redundancy scheme for all staff under the and if he will make a statement. [67710] new Civil Service Compensation Scheme and 44 members of staff have left as at 30 June 2011. The Department Mr Vaizey: Work is under way, and a consultation has spent £2,891,000 on redundancies since May 2010. will be published later this year. The Department does not hold this information for British Sky Broadcasting each arm’s length body for which it is responsible and I have asked the chief executive of each one to write Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for directly to the right hon. Member. Copies of these Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his letters will be placed in the Library of both Houses. Department has spent on subscriptions to Sky TV since May 2010. [67558] Departmental Photographs

John Penrose: The Department has not spent on Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for subscriptions to Sky TV since May 2010. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Carbon Emissions Department has spent on ministerial photo shoots and videos since May 2010. [67821]

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for John Penrose [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he Department has spent approximately £1,058 on photo has made of the carbon dioxide emissions from his shoots and £2,095 on videos that included covering Department in (a) June 2010 and (b) June 2011. ministerial engagements and events since May 2010. [66761]

John Penrose: This Department estimates that its Departmental Procurement carbon dioxide emissions were 220.89 tonnes in June 2010 and 204.61 tonnes in June 2011. Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many procurement Conditions of Employment contracts his Department has awarded to small businesses since May 2010. [67245] Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many meetings officials John Penrose: The Department has awarded 127 contracts of his Department have had with the Department for to small and medium enterprises, since May 2010. 1051W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1052W

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Since 1 September 2010, the Department has not Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of removed any regulations which impose costs on businesses, procurement contracts offered by his Department have nor excluded any regulations from the one-in one-out been advertised on the Contracts Finder website since system because of emergencies or systemic financial the website’s inception. [67246] risks.

John Penrose: All of the Department’s procurement Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, contracts that are eligible for advertisement have been Olympics, Media and Sport how many regulations that placed on the Contracts Finder website: impose costs on businesses his Department (a) introduced http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/ and (b) removed in the six months prior to 1 September 2010; and what the net effect on the costs on businesses Departmental Redundancy of such introductions and removals was. [65349]

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for John Penrose: Between 1 March and 1 September Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his 2010, the Department introduced one statutory instrument: Department has spent on redundancy costs since May The Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) 2010. [67820] (Amendment) Regulations 2010 which imposed a gross cost on business, but the net John Penrose [holding answer 19 July 2011]: In the overall effect of the regulation was a benefit to business. final quarter of 2010-11, the Department ran a voluntary redundancy scheme for all staff under the new Civil Within the same period, the Department did not Service Compensation Scheme, and 44 members of remove any regulations which imposed costs on businesses. staff have left as at 30 June 2011. The Department has spent £2,891,000 on redundancies since May 2010. Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what process his Departmental Regulation Department follows for the production of regulatory guidance; and how many officials of his Department Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, were involved in the production of such guidance on Olympics, Media and Sport how many regulations his the last date for which figures are available. [67209] Department has introduced (a) in the six months prior to 1 September 2010 and (b) in the six months after 1 John Penrose: The Department works with interested September 2010 which it has determined do not impose parties, often through formal public consultation and costs on businesses. [65315] the preparation of an impact assessment, to ensure that guidance is clear, effective and does not impose unnecessary John Penrose: Between 1 March and 1 September regulatory burdens. Where guidance is produced under 2010, this Department did not introduce any regulations statute, the Department follows the relevant statutory which do not impose costs on businesses. provisions. The Department does not hold information In the six months after 1 September 2010, the on the number of officials involved in the production of Department introduced one statutory instrument, the such guidance. Media Ownership (Radio and Cross Media) Order, to remove the local cross media ownership rules the impact Departmental Responsibilities of introducing the regulation is net zero cost to business.

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many regulations that Olympics, Media and Sport how many meetings he has impose costs on businesses his Department has (a) had with hon. Members of each political party since introduced and (b) removed since 1 September 2010; May 2010. [67171] what the net effect on the costs on businesses of such introductions and removals was; and what regulations John Penrose: The Secretary of State for Culture, have been excluded from the one-in one-out system Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the because they address (i) emergencies and (ii) systemic Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), meets with financial risks since 1 September 2010. [65332] members of all political parties on a regular basis. To advise on exact numbers of such meetings, would exceed John Penrose: Since 1 September 2010, the Department the disproportionate cost limit. The Secretary of State introduced three statutory instruments which impose also publishes a list of meetings with external organisations costs on business: via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website 1. The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) which can be found via the following link: (Amendment) Regulations 2011. http://www.transparency.culture.gov.uk/category/other/ 2. The Electronic Communications (Universal Service) meetings/ (Amendment) Order 2011. 3. The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Regulations 2011. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will consider The equivalent annual direct impact on business is keeping data on the number of times (a) he and (b) about £8 million. The annual benefit to business is £0.3 officials of his Department have declined a request for million, but is expected to bring additional non-monetised a meeting from an hon. Member of each political benefits which are substantially more than the costs. party. [67194] 1053W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1054W

John Penrose: The Department has no plans to record for society lotteries were last increased in 2009, when this data. the proceeds per draw and maximum prize were doubled to the current £4 million and £400,000 limits, and we Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, would certainly want to consider the impact of that Olympics, Media and Sport on how many occasions a change before proposing any further amendments. request for a meeting by an hon. Member of each political party was refused by (a) a Minister in his Lotteries: Gambling Department directly and (b) his Department on behalf of a Minister in November 2010. [67593] Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will meet representatives John Penrose: The Department does not keep a record from (a) the Lotteries Council, (b) the Hospice Lotteries of meetings declined by its Ministers or departmental Association and (c) the People’s Postcode Lottery to officials. discuss the review of monetary limits in the Gambling Act 2005. [67032] Departmental Training John Penrose: I have recently received representations Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for from the People’s Postcode Lottery about the monetary Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his limits in the Gambling Act. I would be happy to meet Department has spent on training for Ministers since representatives from the Lotteries Council, the Hospice May 2010; and what training was provided. [67808] Lotteries Association and the People’s Postcode Lottery to discuss this matter further. John Penrose [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The Department has not made any expenditure on training Rural Areas for Ministers in the period since May 2010. Lotteries: Charities Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether officials of his Department have had recent discussions with the Rural Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Communities Policy Unit in the Department for Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has discussed Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. [67150] with representatives of operators of charity lotteries their contribution to the big society initiative. [67030] John Penrose: Officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have frequent discussions with officials Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has had Affairs’ Rural Policy Unit, the most recent of which discussions with charity lotteries on their potential was on 14 July 2011. contribution to enabling communities to provide services and functions under the big society initiative. Sports: Females [67304] Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for John Penrose: I have not had any specific discussions Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps the with operators of charity lotteries about the big society, Government is taking to increase female participation but I recognise the valuable role that they play in in (a) individual and (b) team sports at (i) junior and generating income and raising awareness of the contribution (ii) senior age ranges. [67127] of charities towards the big society. Hugh Robertson: Sport England has strategic plans Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, to deliver increased participation among women through Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what steps his Department the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) plans to take to support a more competitive environment which encourages girls and women to participate in for charity lotteries; [67031] sports. In addition to core National Governing Bodies (2) if he will consult on the proposed review of and National Partner funding, Sport England has invested monetary limits imposed upon charity lotteries by the £10 million in an active women initiative. This funding Gambling Act 2005; and if he will make a statement. is aimed at helping women in disadvantaged communities [67033] and women caring for children under 16. Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Tourism Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department has taken to support a more competitive environment Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for for charity lotteries in the lottery market. [67305] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the economic state of the tourism John Penrose: We are currently considering the sectors in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern recommendations of the Lord Hodgson report Ireland and (d) England; and what steps he plans to ‘Unshackling Good Neighbours’: take to assist the tourism industry. [67113] http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/unshackling- good-neighbours John Penrose: VisitEngland’s United Kingdom Tourism to simplify the arrangements for charitable lotteries and Survey (UKTS) shows the volume and value data for raffles, although this does not relate to the monetary domestic overnight tourism across the nations of the limits for different types of lottery. The monetary limits UK in 2010, in the following table: 1055W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1056W

John Penrose: The Department sponsors VisitBritain, £ million which is charged with promoting Britain overseas, and Destination Trips Nights Expenditure VisitEngland, which is responsible for promoting England England 96.377 288.111 16,210 within the UK and to selected overseas markets. Total Scotland 12.371 44.556 2,628 grant-in-aid in 2011-12 will be £36.642 million, with Wales 8.688 32.877 1,450 £26.98 million allocated to VisitBritain and £9.662 million Northern 2.600 7.777 548 allocated to VisitEngland. Funding is not apportioned Ireland by VisitBritain on a national or regional basis and it is UK total 119.434 373.321 20,935 not possible to disaggregate a specific England spend. Funding is not apportioned by VisitEngland on a regional The confirmed data for inbound tourism will be or area-specific basis; it is not possible to disaggregate a published by the Office for National Statistics by the specific Yorkshire spend, but the area is an important end of July. asset in the overall England offer and receives significant The 2011 figures up to the end of March for England coverage in national marketing campaigns. and Great Britain are available at: http://www.visitengland.org/Images/March%202011- UK Film Council %20Commentary%20of%20results_tcm30-26862.pdf Scotland and Wales figures are not yet available, and Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland no longer participates in the survey. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much was VisitBritain commissioned a study last year, with (a) invested in and (b) received as revenue from each each of the individual nations, examining the economic profitable film that was (i) wholly and (ii) partly funded value of tourism. This is available at: by the UK Film Council in each of the last five years. http://www.visitbritain.org/Images/ [66728] Economic%20case%20for%20the%20Visitor%20Economy %20-%20Phase%202%20-%2026%20july%202010%20- Mr Vaizey [holding answer 19 July 2011]: There were %20FINAL_tcm29-14561.pdf no films wholly funded by the UK Film Council (UKFC) A £100 million overseas tourism marketing fund has in the last five years. There were 33 film production been established for tourism promotion in key markets, awards made by the UK Film Council where (a) the as a joint public-private sector initiative. This marketing first production award was made between 1 April 2006 programme will aim to deliver an additional 4 million and 31 March 2011, and (b) which has received recoupment visitors to the UK and £2 billion in additional visitor income. The recoupment income for the period up to spend over four years. The Government’s plans for 31 March 2011, for each of these awards, is shown as promoting the growth of the visitor economy are set follows. Additional recoupment is expected over a number out in detail in the paper, ″Government Tourism Policy″ of years. published in March 2011, and available at http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7896.aspx Recouped to Production March 2011 Film award (£) (£) Percentage Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions A Complete History 236,230 22,871 10 he has had with Welsh Ministers on (a) joint ventures Adulthood 569,999 353,918 62 and (b) other tourism promotion measures; and if he Brideshead Revisited 1,413,888 20,885 1 will make a statement. [67124] Bright Star 564,010 456,493 81 Cameraman: The Life 154,000 8,929 6 John Penrose: The Secretary of State for Culture, and Work of Jack Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Cardiff Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt) and his Centurion 1,179,553 625,201 53 Department’s Ministers regularly meet Welsh Ministers Donkey Punch (aka 457,490 58,931 13 to discuss a range of issues. Punch) The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has Faintheart (My Movie 325,000 13,718 4 established a new £100 million overseas tourism marketing Mashup) fund which is a joint public-private sector initiative. The Fish Tank 644,000 165,741 26 marketing programme, which is being led by VisitBritain, Franklyn 1,080,000 44,755 4 aims to deliver an additional 4 million visitors to the French Film 179,830 46,067 26 UK and £2 billion in additional visitor expenditure over Harry Brown 1,002,225 22,300 2 the next four years. The whole of the UK, including How to Lose Friends 1,471,145 9,977 2 Wales, will benefit from the marketing campaign. and Alienate People Hush 338,650 67,144 20 The Government’s other plans for promoting the growth Jean Charles 650,000 6,938 1 of the UK’s visitor economy are set out in the new London to Brighton 184,566 67,639 37 Tourism Policy which was published in March 2011 and is available at: Made in Dagenham 921,119 732,613 80 Magicians 317,500 20,529 6 http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7896.aspx Man on Wire (aka 385,000 390,081 101 Reach the Clouds) Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Nightwatching 314,618 62,420 20 Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what funding he Nowhere Boy 1,200,000 1,039,544 87 (a) has allocated for the promotion of tourism in RAGE 200,000 6,759 3 Yorkshire and (b) England in 2011-12. [67288] 1057W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1058W

Mr Lidington: Officials from our high commission in Recouped to Production March 2011 Nicosia have raised their concern on this issue with a Film award (£) (£) Percentage number of senior contacts within the Turkish Cypriot community. I was pleased to see that the alleged gunman St Trinian’s 1,432,000 1,440,017 101 was swiftly apprehended by the authorities in northern Streetdance 1,003,300 582,493 58 Cyprus and hope that the correct course of justice will Summer 467,750 11,792 3 now be followed. The Cottage 770,000 290,947 38 The Deep Blue Sea 1,060,000 47,460 4 Democratic Republic of Congo: Diplomatic Relations The Escapist 779,426 266,307 34 The King’s Speech 1,000,000 950,000 95 Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Tony 150,590 12,540 8 and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on diplomatic Triangle 1,707,500 179,550 11 relations with Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he Unmade Beds 433,396 19,317 4 will make a statement. [66489] White Lightnin’ 594,483 72,919 12 Total 21,716.122 8,105,133 37 Mr Jeremy Browne: We enjoy good diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We have an active embassy in Kinshasa which engages regularly with the Government of DRC. The Under- FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Colombia: Mining Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), visited the DRC in July 2010 and has met the DRC Foreign Minister three times in Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the last 12 months. and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he We are a major bilateral donor to DRC. The Department has made to his counterpart in Colombia on potential for International Development has recently announced levels of population displacement in connection with an increase in development funding to provide £790 the proposed development of the La Colosa gold mine million to the DRC over the next four years. in that country. [67474]

Mr Hague: We have not made representations to the Departmental Carbon Emissions Colombian Government on this specific development. I discussed the regulation and environmental impact of Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State mining with the Colombian Foreign Minister on Wednesday for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to 13 July and agreed to continue cooperation to help the answer of 4 July 2011, Official Report, column improve standards in this area. 1029W, on departmental carbon emissions, whether the The key concerns for non-governmental organisations sources of low-carbon energy generation on its estate and the Colombian media about the proposed development were manufactured in the UK. [67937] are over water use and environmental impacts of the operation rather than population displacement. Currently, Mr Lidington: In my answer of 4 July 2011, Official the development is only in the exploration phase, and Report, column 1029W, I referred specifically to three the Colombian Government will need to give further sources of low-carbon energy generation on the FCO approval before mining operations can begin. This will UK estate: be in line with the new Mining Code which the Colombian (i) Plans to install a tri-generation heat, cooling and power Government are currently developing. We will continue plant in our King Charles street headquarters following the development of the code to ensure that (ii) Solar hot water technology at our ICT building at Hanslope environmental provisions are robust. park (iii) A biomass boiler at our Wilton park Executive agency Conditions of Employment The tri-generation heat, cooling and power plant project at King Charles street is in the design phase. A Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign decision has not yet been taken on which company will and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings officials supply the engine for the plant. of his Department have had with the Department for The solar hot water technology at Hanslope park was Business, Innovation and Skills on the Government’s manufactured in Germany. employment law review since May 2011. [67216] The biomass boiler at Wilton park was manufactured Mr Jeremy Browne: None. in Austria.

Cyprus: Press Freedom Departmental Responsibilities

Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions a has made to the Turkish Cypriot authorities regarding request for a meeting by an hon. Member of each the recent shooting at the offices of the independent political party was refused by (a) a Minister in his Africa newspaper in North Nicosia; and if he will make Department directly and (b) his Department on behalf a statement. [66191] of a Minister in November 2010. [67579] 1059W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1060W

Mr Lidington: Ministers and officials receive a large taken to issue visas to UK nationals for visits to India. number of invitations and meeting requests from all [67964] sources. We do not have a system to record the occasions where requests are declined and we do not consider that Mr Jeremy Browne: We have raised our concerns such a system would be value for money or worthwhile. about the impact of Indian immigration rules on British nationals, including those of Pakistani origin and those Embassies: St David’s Day owning property in India, with the Indian authorities on a number of occasions. Our high commissioner in Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for New Delhi raised a number of visa issues with the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British Indian Home Secretary in December 2010. In addition, embassies held St David’s day celebrations in each of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign the last five years; and how many are planning and Commonwealth Affairs raised these issues with the celebrations for St David’s day 2012. [67778] Indian high commissioner in February 2011.

Mr Lidington: The information is not held centrally Libya: Armed Conflict and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. Embassies are free to arrange events to celebrate St Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign David’s day at their discretion. Many embassies also and Commonwealth Affairs what contingency mark St David’s day by flying the Welsh flag, promoting arrangements are in place for the establishment of a Wales and St David’s day on their websites and attending new administration in Libya. [63860] events organised by local Welsh societies and the Welsh Government. Alistair Burt: The UK considers the National Transitional Council (NTC) to be the legitimate governing authority Eritrea: Religious Freedom in Libya. We welcome efforts made by the NTC to plan for the establishment of a transitional administration for the benefit of all the Libyan people. The NTC’s Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for ″Road map for Libya″ sets out their vision. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the extent of religious freedom in A UK-led International Stabilisation Response Team Eritrea; and what representations his Department has (ISRT) visited Libya in June, to look at how the international made to the Eritrean government on freedom of religion. community could support the Libyan people in their [63477] transition to a peaceful and stable democratic state. The Libya Contact Group in Istanbul on 15 July, set out Mr Jeremy Browne: We are deeply concerned by the plans for how a better , open and free Libya can be restrictions placed on religious freedoms in Eritrea, and created, how post-Gaddafi stabilisation can be achieved the many reports of the detention and inhumane treatment and how the international community can support this of those belonging to a religion not officially sanctioned Libyan-led process under the overall leadership of the by the Eritrean Government. We are also worried by UN. Stabilisation efforts must be owned and led by the recent reports of an order for all members of the clergy Libyan people. We will continue to co-ordinate with our aged under 30 to report for national service. international partners in supporting the Libyan people to build a stable and peaceful society. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office raises human rights concerns, including religious freedoms, with the Oil: Production Eritrean Government at every appropriate opportunity, both with the Eritrean embassy in London and with the Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Government in Asmara. In June this year, Her Majesty’s and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has ambassador to Eritrea raised human rights concerns had with other oil-producing countries to increase the with President Isaias Afwerki. Earlier this month, the production of oil. [65155] Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Mr Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign Norfolk (Mr Bellingham) raised human rights, including and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the religious freedom, with senior Eritrea Cabinet Minister Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has discussions Arefaine Berhe. Along with EU partners, the United on a range of issues with counterparts. The Minister of Kingdom has highlighted to the Eritrean Government State, my noble Friend the right hon. Lord Howell of its human rights obligations under the Universal Guildford, discussed oil markets and production during Declaration of Human Rights. his visit to the Gulf Region in May, which included The Eritrean Government states that the security Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and threat stemming from Ethiopia’s non-implementation Kuwait. of the ruling on the countries’ shared border obliges Eritrea to suspend many freedoms. We recognise Eritrea’s Somalia: Piracy security concerns but firmly reject the notion that this justifies the current severe abuses of human rights. Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish India: Entry Clearances the legal advice he received concerning the use of private security companies on UK commercial shipping off the Jane Ellison: To ask the Secretary of State for horn of Africa. [R] [66271] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on the time Mike Penning: I have been asked to reply. 1061W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1062W

The legal issues surrounding the use of private security Following contact with your office we clarified that the question companies onboard UK commercial vessels are complex refers to ‘protected income’, the element of the child maintenance and advice is being sought in considering the Government’s formula which determines the amount of child maintenance policy on this issue. However, it is not Government liability, as opposed to ‘protected earnings’ which is the amount which cannot be taken from an employed non-resident parent’s policy to publish internal legal advice. wages when he or she is subject to a Deduction from Earnings Order. Sri Lanka The types of income that are not taken into account in the child maintenance formula are detailed in child support regulations Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for (Schedule 2 of the Maintenance Assessments and Special Cases Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether (a) Regulations 1992). In summary these are: the British high commissioner and (b) official staff of Business expenses which are wholly, exclusively and necessarily the High Commission met the Secretary of State for incurred in the day to day performance of employment duties; Defence during his recent visit to Sri Lanka; [67623] Any compensation for personal injury and any payments from (2) whether his officials provided briefings or advice a trust fund set up for that purpose; Housing benefit; council tax to the Secretary of State for Defence prior to his recent benefit; disability living allowance (or a motability supplement); attendance allowance (or constant attendance allowance or visit to Sri Lanka. [67642] exceptionally severe disablement allowance paid because of industrial injury or war injury); social fund payments; guardian’s allowance Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer and Christmas bonus. In addition to this payments made to given by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right compensate for the loss of a benefit are also disregarded in full; hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), and on 19 July 2011, Official Report, column 869W. Certain benefits which are ignored in part, for the 1993- scheme £10 per week of war disablement pension, war widow’s or UN Environment Programme war widower’s pension or payments made to a parent under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is disregarded. Only a total of £20 a week in total can be disregarded from a combination of Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for war pensions, charitable contributions and student income. This Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is is consistent with the treatment of these pensions for means tested on proposals to enhance the status of the UN Environment benefits, for which a weekly £10 disregard also applies. Certain Programme within the UN. [67384] supplementary allowances paid within the overall award of the War Disablement Pension are also not included as assessable Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK is committed to income. These include a payment based on the need for attendance strengthening the institutional framework for sustainable which is paid as part of a war disablement pension and “adult or development and enhancing the system of international child dependency allowance” within the War Disablement Pension. These are excluded from assessable income, provided that the environmental governance. We believe this will require allowance is paid directly to the parent. an enhanced role for UNEP as part of a strong environmental pillar within the broader context of I hope you find this answer helpful. strengthening overall sustainable development governance. The UK is engaged in open discussion of broad reform options to make the current system more effective and Child Support Agency: Absent Parents efficient and will continue to play an active role in preparatory negotiations on this issue in the run up to Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State Rio+20 next June where a major theme is ’the institutional for Work and Pensions what powers the Child Support framework for sustainable development’. Agency has to pursue self-employed absent parents (a) in and (b) outside the UK; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of such powers. [67604]

WORK AND PENSIONS Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Child Support Agency Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work requested and I have seen the response. and Pensions what sources of income the Child Support Agency classifies as protected earnings. [66769] Letter from Noel Shanahan: In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive Commission is responsible for the child maintenance reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response. You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what powers the Child Support Agency has to pursue self-employed Letter from Noel Shanahan: absent parents (a) in and (b) outside the UK; and what assessment In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the he has made of the adequacy of such powers. [67604] Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive The Commission has jurisdiction to make a maintenance reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child calculation and collect child support maintenance only when the Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance parent with care, the non-resident parent and the qualifying child and Enforcement Commission. are all habitually resident in the UK. Habitual residence is a legal You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what concept which means more than simply ’where you live’. A person sources of income the Child Support Agency classifies as protected can habitually reside in more than one country or in none. earnings. [66769] Habitual residence can continue during an absence from UK. 1063W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1064W

The Commission retains the power to pursue a self-employed Self-employed earnings are usually taken from the self-assessment non-resident parent that lives in the UK; or who has moved return that is submitted to HM Revenue and Customs, or from a overseas, for ongoing maintenance payments, but only where the tax calculation notice. This is consistent with the policy that, in a non-resident parent in question is regarded as being habitually similar manner as for employed earners, the basis of the child resident in the UK. The criteria for establishing jurisdiction when maintenance liability of a self-employed earner is their taxable a non-resident parent leaves the UK is described at Section 44 of earnings. the Child Support Act 1991. There is no distinction made between The Commission also has the power to request details of, and an EU state and a non-EU state. statements from, any accounts held by deposit takers in the name If the non-resident parent ceases to be habitually resident, the of the non-resident parent, including bank and building society Commission can no longer seek ongoing maintenance. We can accounts. If the requested information is not supplied, attempts only enforce child maintenance arrears directly if the self-employed will be made to obtain the information through phone calls, non-resident parent holds assets within the UK, such as savings accountants, companies or partnerships with or for whom the or property, which would fall within the jurisdiction of the UK non-resident parent works, a face-to-face interview, an inspector’s courts. Since 3 August 2009, the Commission has had the power visit, or a request to HM Revenue and Customs for self-assessment to make deductions from current or savings accounts held within details where all other means to obtain the information have the UK without the consent of the non-resident parent. failed. The Commission may take action to prevent the non-resident If a non-resident parent fails to provide this information they parent disposing of his assets, from which the Commission could may have both a default maintenance decision (that sets a default recover the arrears. The Commission may apply to the High level of child maintenance that they must pay) and a fine imposed. Court (England and Wales) or the Court of Session (Scotland) If Any information obtained in relation to a non-compliant non-resident a non-resident parent has arrears of child support; and have parent’s finances through our information gathering powers can disposed of, or is about to dispose of, assets with the intention of be used for enforcement purposes if necessary. If, at any stage, a avoiding child support. parent with care believes that the Commission ought to make From 18 June 2011, the Commission will have some ability more enquiries, they can ask that it do so, although some evidence under the new European legislation EC 04/2009 to enforce certain about the matter they feel needs investigating is often required. arrears of maintenance that accrued while both parents were I hope you find this answer helpful. resident in the UK where the non-resident parent now resides in another jurisdiction within the European Union. It can also assist parents with care in the process of obtaining a court order for Children: Maintenance ongoing maintenance which can then be enforced via an application to the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (REMO) Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for unit at the Office of the Official Solicitor and Public Trustee in Work and Pensions with reference to the Child England and Wales, and via an equivalent legal mechanism in Maintenance and Enforcement Commission’s Survey Scotland. The new European legislation also allows the Commission to make enquiries about assets a non-resident parent may own in of Child Maintenance Options Outcomes, March another E.U member state for the purposes of enforcing child 2011, if he will apply the same methodology as was maintenance arrears owed in the UK. used to estimate the number of effective family-based The government recognises that it can be difficult to secure arrangements after contact between a parent and child maintenance in circumstances where the non-resident parent Options to estimate the number of cases in which users is self-employed and will not willingly accept financial responsibility of Options neither applied to the Child Support for their child. Supporting their, children is something parents Agency nor made effective family-based arrangements should manage for themselves and we are taking steps to support after contacting Options. [66413] them in doing so. However, for the limited number of cases where this proves impossible, we have plans to introduce a new, more Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement automated system for managing child maintenance cases which should make enforcement action quicker and more effective, Commission is responsible for the child maintenance including against the self-employed. system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner The Commission has not made any formal assessment of the to write to the hon. Member with the information full effectiveness of the powers that will be deployed to secure requested and I have seen the response. maintenance on the future scheme, as some of these are fairly new Letter from Noel Shanahan: and others are yet to be commenced. In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the I hope you find this answer helpful. Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State Commissioner. for Work and Pensions what powers the Child Support You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with Agency has to verify the income of self-employed reference to the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission’s absent parents. [67605] Survey of Child Maintenance Options Outcomes March 2011 if he will apply the same methodology as was used to estimate the number of effective family-based arrangements after contact Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement between a parent and Options to estimate the number of cases in Commission is responsible for the child maintenance which users of Options neither applied to the Child Support system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner Agency nor made effective family-based arrangements after contacting to write to the hon. Member with the information Options. [66413] requested and I have seen the response. An estimated 143,000 (33 per cent) out of a total of 436,000 Letter from Noel Shanahan: users of Child Maintenance Options up to end March 2011 had neither applied to the Child Support Agency nor made effective In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the family-based arrangements after contacting the service. Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child These figures are taken from the Commission’s Survey of Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance Child Maintenance Options Outcomes March 2011. Full details and Enforcement Commission. of the survey are available on the Commission’s website at: You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/publications/ powers the Child Support Agency has to verify the income of research.html self-employed absent parents. [67605] I hope you find this answer helpful. 1065W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1066W

Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Work and Pensions what the (a) average cost per case Commission is responsible for the child maintenance and (b) total cost was of enforcement action used by system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to write to the hon. Member with the information by means of (i) deduction from earnings orders, (ii) requested and I have seen the response. deduction orders, (iii) liability orders, (iv) distress Letter from Noel Shanahan: actions, (v) charging for payments orders (Scotland), In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the (vi) charging orders (England and Wales), (vii) orders Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, the Secretary for sale (England and Wales), (viii) bill of inhibition of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance (Scotland), (ix) committal and (x) recovery from a Commissioner. deceased’s estate in the last 12 months. [66414] You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission’s Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Survey of Child Maintenance Options Outcomes March 2011 if Commission is responsible for the child maintenance he will apply the same methodology as was used to estimate the system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner number of children benefiting from effective family-based maintenance to write to the hon. Member with the information arrangements after contact between a parent and Options to requested and I have seen the response. estimate the number of children in respect of whom users of Options chose after discussion with the Options Service to go to Letter from Noel Shanahan: the Child Support Agency seeking to make child maintenance In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the arrangements. [66415] Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, the Secretary A total of 97,000 applications, covering 149,000 children, were of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance made to the CSA following contact with Child Maintenance Commissioner. Options up to the end of March 2011. You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what These figures are taken from the Commission’s Survey of the (a) average cost per case and (b) total amount spent was of Child Maintenance Options Outcomes March 2011. Full details enforcement action used by the Child Maintenance and Enforcement of the survey are available on the Commission’s website at: Commission by means of (i) deduction from earnings orders (ii) http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/publications/ deduction orders (iii) liability orders (iv) distress actions (v) research.html charging for payments orders (Scotland) (vi) charging orders (England and Wales) (vii) orders for sale (England and Wales) I hope you find this answer helpful. (viii) bill of inhibition (Scotland) (ix) committal and (x) recovery from a deceased’s estate in the last 12 months. [66414] Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for The average cost per case handled by the Commission’s legal Work and Pensions with reference to the statement on enforcement teams in the financial year to 31 March 2011 was the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission £1,539.’The total expenditure was £62,740,826 It is not possible website that Child Maintenance Options helps over to break this down over the requested categories, since costs are 100,000 children to benefit from family-based maintenance, assigned to cost centres and cost types rather than specific activities. However it is possible, as shown in the table below, to provide this what analysis the Commission has undertaken on the cost broken down by work area. causal impact of contact with the Options service as a determining factor in the maintenance arrangements Enforcement action Cost (£) parents subsequently make, including the type of arrangement compared to other factors which could Internal costs (People/premises, 54,320,225 have influenced their decision, including (a) the quality IT, etc.) of relationship between the parents, (b) their emotions, Bailiffs England and Wales 656,428 - attitudes and beliefs and (c) affordability. [66416] Legal costs England and Wales 3,065,330 Tracing costs (HMRC) 1,864,433 Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Debt collection agencies 1,219,691 Commission is responsible for the child maintenance Legal costs Scotland 1,614,718 system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner Total 62,740,826 to write to the hon. Member with the information A further breakdown of the Commission enforcement activity requested and I have seen the response. can be found on page 24 of the Commission’s Quarterly Summary Letter from Noel Shanahan: of Statistics (QSS). The latest version of the QSS is available in the House of Commons library or online at: In reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, the Secretary http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/publications/ of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance stats0311.html Commissioner. I hope you find this answer helpful. You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the statement on the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Commission website that Child Maintenance Options helps over Work and Pensions with reference to the Child Maintenance 100,000 children to benefit from family-based maintenance what and Enforcement Commission’s Survey of Child analysis the Commission has undertaken on the causal impact of Maintenance Options Outcomes, March 2011, if he will contact with the Options service as a determining factor in the apply the same methodology as was used to estimate maintenance arrangements parents subsequently make including the type of arrangement compared to other factors which could the number of children benefiting from effective family- have influenced their decision including (a) the quality of relationship based maintenance arrangements after contact between between the parents (b) their emotions attitudes and beliefs and a parent and Options to estimate the number of children (c) affordability. [66416] in respect of whom users of Options chose after discussion The Commission has undertaken an evaluation of the Child with the Options Service to go to the Child Support Maintenance Options service to assess the extent to which parents Agency seeking to make child maintenance arrangements. made a child maintenance arrangement following contact with [66415] the helpline element of the service. 1067W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1068W

It was not possible to use the standard method to measure the 27 October 2008. No piloting activity was undertaken prior to the impact of the Options service, as a control group of non-users introduction of the DEO as a standard method of payment. could not be identified. Instead, the research measured the “effect” Section 20 of the 2008 Act was commenced for the purposes of of the service by comparing Jobcentre Plus callers with moderate making regulations on 26 September 2008 and for all other to high use of the Options service with low users—the latter being purposes on 27 October 2008. a proxy for a standard non-user comparison group. (It was not possible to look at the “effect” of CM Options on non-Jobcentre The Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Plus callers as too few of this group were low users of the service Regulations 2008 were made consequent to the commencement and therefore it was not possible to generate a credible comparison of section 20 of the 2008 Act. The 2008 Regulations included group). The two groups were matched on a wide range of factors DEO as a standard method of payment of child maintenance, known to predict maintenance outcomes, the only differences alongside Direct Debits. being the level of contact with Child Maintenance Options. Provision is also made for a non-resident parent to make Therefore any differences in outcomes between the two groups representations that there is a good reason why they should not would be due to the level of interaction with the Child Maintenance pay via DEO. These must be considered by the Agency prior to Options service. the imposition of a DEO. The 2008 Regulations further provide The research found that around 7% of parents referred from that non-resident parents have a right to appeal to a court against Jobcentre Plus who had a ‘moderate to high’ level of interaction the imposition of a DEO. with the service had a maintenance arrangement in place eight or I hope you find this answer helpful. nine months after contact with the service that they would otherwise not have had. The effect of the service is not minor considering the low intensity of intervention, with most parents having just Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work one or two short telephone calls. and Pensions whether the Child Support Agency classifies It is not easy to capture emotions, attitudes and beliefs in a a war disablement pension as assessable income in quantitative study of this nature, however, we believe the large calculating child maintenance liability. [66770] number of topic areas used in the matching process will have captured this as far as is possible. The report is available on the Commission’s website at: Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/publications/ Commission is responsible for the child maintenance research.html system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner I hope you find this answer helpful. to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response. Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Letter from Noel Shanahan: Work and Pensions (1) with reference to Section 20 of In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008, Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive what progress he has made in carrying out a pilot using reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child deduction from earnings orders as the first means of Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance collecting child maintenance; and whether a full and Enforcement Commission. programme of evaluation and impact assessment of You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, such orders has been undertaken; [66417] whether the Child Support Agency classifies a war disablement (2) what plans he has to implement section 20 of the pension as assessable income in calculating child maintenance Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 to liability. [66770] allow use of deduction from earnings orders as a basic The treatment of War Disablement Pensions differs for child method of collection of child maintenance. [66418] maintenance purposes between the two statutory schemes. Under the 1993 child maintenance scheme the Commission Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement includes a War Disablement Pension within a parent’s assessable Commission is responsible for the child maintenance income as prescribed in child support law, which establishes that £10 of any War Disablement Pension is disregarded when calculating system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner the assessable income of a parent. A non-resident parent that is in to write to the hon. Member with the information receipt of a War Disablement Pension will not be required to pay requested and I have seen the response. child maintenance if they have been assessed under the child Letter from Noel Shanahan: support formula as having to pay £6.50 or less per week. In reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the Under the 2003 child maintenance scheme, if the non-resident Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, the Secretary parent is in receipt of a War Disablement Pension the Commission of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance applies the flat rate of £5, when determining the child maintenance Commissioner. calculation, as prescribed in child support law. You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with If a parent believes there are special circumstances that have reference to Section 20 of the Child Maintenance and Other not been captured within the standard maintenance calculation Payments Act 2008 what progress he has made in carrying out a then they can apply for a variation. An application for a variation pilot using deduction from earnings orders as the first means of may be applied for on a number of different grounds by either the collecting child maintenance; and whether a full programme of parent with care or the non-resident parent. evaluation and impact assessment of such orders has been undertaken. One of the grounds for a variation is where the non-resident [66417]; and parent has income which has not been taken into account within You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the standard child maintenance calculation. This may apply plans he has to implement section 20 of the Child Maintenance where the non-resident parent is at the flat-rate, including cases and Other Payments Act 2008 to allow use of deduction from where this is as a result of them being in receipt of a War earnings orders as a basic method of collection of child maintenance. Disablement Pension. The parent with care may apply for a [66418] variation if they believe that the non-resident parent has an income of at least £100 a week which would otherwise be taken The Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) into account for the calculation of maintenance. Regulations 2008 introduced Deduction from Earnings Orders (DEO) as a basic means of payment of child maintenance from I hope you find this answer helpful. 1069W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1070W

Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement and Pensions (1) how many child maintenance Commission is responsible for the child maintenance agreements have been enforced by the Child Support system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner Agency through deduction of earnings orders in each to write to the hon. Member with the information of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; requested and I have seen the response. [66772] Letter from Noel Shanahan: (2) how many deduction of earnings orders administered You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how by the Child Support Agency were made (a) at the many deduction- of earnings orders will be kept in place (a) request of the non-resident parent and (b) after legal during the migration of cases to the new child maintenance proceedings in each of the last five years; and if he will system and (b) until parents are able to make a private agreement; and if he will make a statement. [66774] make a statement. [66773] The process underpinning the closure of cases on the existing statutory maintenance schemes, and the movement of those cases Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement to either a family based arrangement or application to the future Commission is responsible for the child maintenance statutory scheme has yet to be finalised (this includes the status of system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner any deduction from earnings orders currently in place). to write to the hon. Member with the information The Government intends to draft Regulations and consult requested and I have seen the response. publicly on the details of the existing scheme case closure process later in the year. Letter from Noel Shanahan: I hope you find this answer helpful. In reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Departmental Regulation Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how and Pensions how many regulations his Department many child maintenance agreements have been enforced by the has introduced (a) in the six months prior to 1 September Child Support Agency through deduction of earnings orders in 2010 and (b) in the six months after 1 September 2010 each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. which it has determined do not impose costs on businesses. [66772]; and [65309] You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many deduction of earnings orders administered by the Child Support Agency were made (a) at the request of the non-resident Chris Grayling: In the six months prior to 1 September parent and (b) after legal proceedings in each of the last five 2010 the Department introduced 33 sets of regulations years; and if he will make a statement. [66773] that did not impose costs on business; and 14 such sets The number of active Deduction from Earnings Orders / of regulations in the six months after 1 September 2010. Requests (DEO/R) and the number in which maintenance was received in the quarter are shown in the table below. A Deduction Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work from Earnings Request (DER) is a request for maintenance where and Pensions how many regulations that impose costs the non-resident parent is in the armed forces. Figures only on businesses his Department has (a) introduced and include cases administered on the CS2 and CSCS computer and (b) removed since 1 September 2010; what the net exclude cases administered off the main computer system. effect on the costs on businesses of such introductions The figures include cases where the preferred method of collection and removals was; and what regulations have been recorded on each case at the end of the quarter is DEO/R. excluded from the one-in one-out system because they Figures may therefore include cases where maintenance was requested address (i) emergencies and (ii) systemic financial risks and/or received by other methods during the quarter but where the method of collection was recorded as DEO/R at the end of since 1 September 2010. [65326] the quarter. No management information exists on which DEO/Rs were enforced and which were set up at the request of the non Chris Grayling: Since 1 September 2010 the Department resident parent. has introduced one set of regulations that imposes costs on business and removed one such set of regulations. Quarter ending March Maintenance Maintenance The net effect is a reduction of costs on business. each year requested received The Department has not excluded any regulations 2007 143,800 110,500 from the one-in one-out system because it addresses 2008 153,900 116,400 emergencies or systemic financial risks. 2009 148,400 116,400 2010 140,900 115,000 Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 2011 140,100 113,500 and Pensions how many regulations that impose costs Notes: on businesses his Department (a) introduced and (b) 1. Figures rounded to nearest 100. removed in the six months prior to 1 September 2010; 2. Figures exclude cases administered off system. and what the net effect on the costs on businesses of I hope you find this answer helpful. such introductions and removals was. [65342]

Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Chris Grayling: In the six months prior to 1 September and Pensions how many deduction of earnings orders 2010 the Department introduced five sets of regulations will be kept in place (a) during the migration of cases that impose costs on business, and removed none. However, to the new child maintenance system and (b) until the Department also amended regulation to reduce parents are able to make a private agreement; and if he costs to business; the net effect is a reduction of costs on will make a statement. [66774] business. 1071W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1072W

Disability Living Allowance This shows that Remploy’s eight directors spent £34,000 on expenses in the financial year to March 2011, a fall Mrs Siân C. James: To ask the Secretary of State for of £11,400 (25%) on the previous year. Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of The cost of travel by Remploy’s 148 senior managers the reliability of the assessment procedures to be used at M1 grade and above, including directors, was £1,120,000 in his proposed reform of disability living allowance. for the financial year ending March 2011. [67958] Remploy operates over 100 different locations and many business streams including a mobile sales task Maria Miller: The purpose of the assessment we are force—to ensure that these operate effectively employees developing for personal independence payment is to are required to travel to customers, suppliers and the assess entitlement for the benefit in a way that is objective, Remploy locations. Remploy continues to push web evidence-based, transparent and, importantly, consistent. conferencing to avoid unnecessary travel and has We are still in the process of developing the details of benchmarked its arrangements with hotel providers. In the assessment and in May published an initial draft of addition no one in Remploy travels first class. proposals for the assessment criteria. We are currently The Government believe all Departments, including carrying out an informal consultation on the criteria, to non-departmental public bodies, need to show financial hear the views of disabled people and their organisations restraint in the current economic climate and scrutinise on how they will work and how they might be improved. all spending to ensure value for money for the taxpayer. We are also testing them, by carrying out around 1,000 sample assessments over the summer. The testing will help us to better understand the likely impact of the Social Security Benefits criteria. We intend to publish a second draft of the assessment criteria in the autumn, following consideration Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work of the consultation findings and testing results. and Pensions from which locations welfare and employment benefits are (a) administered and (b) processed by his Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Department. [66797] Work and Pensions what guidance his Department issues on the backdating of disability living allowance Chris Grayling: Jobcentre Plus has 740 offices that claims; and whether any review of such guidelines is are open to the public, 75 main benefit delivery centres planned. [67959] and 37 contact centres. Their locations can be found within the respective tables that have been drawn up for Maria Miller: There can be no entitlement to disability each. The administration and processing of welfare and living allowance before a claim is made, or treated as unemployment benefits will be undertaken at each of made. A claim may be treated as made earlier in certain the locations to varying degrees. circumstances where a request has previously been made Table 1: for a claim form, or the initial contact was defective as a Location of all Jobcentres that are open to the public as of claim to benefit. These exceptions are explained in 20 July 2011. published guidance. Table 2: There are no plans to review guidelines relating to Locations of Jobcentre Plus Main Benefit Delivery Centres as how claims are backdated in DLA. of 20 July 2011. Remploy: Advertising Table 3: Locations of Jobcentre Plus Contact Centres as of 20 July Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 2011. and Pensions for what reasons the Board of Remploy Table 4: did not undertake a consultation before advertising for Locations of DWP Pension Centres and their Respective Functions a paid non-executive director; and if he will make a as of 20 July 2011. statement. [66491] Table 5: Maria Miller: No consultation is required to appoint Locations of DWP Disability and Carers Units and their a non executive director to the Board of Remploy. This Respective Functions as of 20 July 2011. is a ministerial appointment and is currently being The information in all of the tables above has been advertised by the Department for Work and Pensions. placed in the Library. Remploy: Allowances

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Work and Pensions if he will publish a list of expenses claimed by Remploy directors in the last financial year by (a) director and (b) type of expense; and what the Agriculture cost of travel by senior managers at M1 grade and above was in that financial year. [65021] Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she Maria Miller: A detailed list of expenses claimed by plans to take to address monopolies in agricultural Remploy directors on a quarterly basis from April 2009 markets. [66496] is available on Remploy’s website http://www.remploy.co.uk/about-us/corporategovernance.ashx Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply. 1073W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1074W

Competition matters relating to agricultural markets Mr Paice: The Government are committed to improving fall to the Office of Fair Trading to investigate and the welfare of animals. If animals are exported live, address. their transportation should be high quality and comply with welfare in transport rules. Agriculture: Pay The live export trade is a lawful trade. The Government cannot unilaterally ban the trade as it would contravene Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, EU free trade rules. Nevertheless, we would prefer Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had livestock to be slaughtered as close as practicable to with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on wage levels in their point of production; a trade in meat and meat products being preferable to the long distance transport farming communities. [66362] of livestock to slaughter. Mr Paice: DEFRA Minsters have had no direct We will continue to ensure that the current rules on discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer long journeys (e.g. rest periods, adequate access to concerning wage levels in farming communities. However, water and feed) are properly enforced in this country. the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) run We will be making our views clear in Brussels on the by the Office for National Statistics provides data on importance we attach to animal welfare. We will play a wage levels in agriculture and allows direct comparison full part in updating of the European law on welfare in with other sectors. transport and will continue to work with welfare, industry and enforcement organisations to identify where Agriculture: Young People improvements might be made. Badgers Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, steps to increase the number of young people pursuing Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the size of a career in agriculture. [66104] the badger population in each local authority area in England in each of the last five years. [66378] Mr Paice: DEFRA’s first priority in its Business plan is to help improve the competitiveness of British farming Mr Paice: Based on national population surveys of which will make it a more rewarding career prospect. badger social groups carried out in the 1980s and 1990s, We support and encourage the activities of the Agri-Skills there are estimated to be between 250,000, and 300,000 Forum badgers in Great Britain. No data are available for individual local authority areas. http://www.agriskillsforum.co.uk/ whose remit is to raise skill levels and improve the Biotechnology professionalism of the industry, making it more attractive to young people. Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for In addition we are working with both the industry Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills taking to promote innovation in the biotechnology to help increase the uptake of apprenticeships by farmers sector for the purposes of enhancing food security. to encourage young people into farming careers. [66103]

Animal Welfare: Charities Mr Paice: The Government invest about £400 million per annum on agriculture and food research, including up to £90 million over five years through the Technology Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Strategy Board’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Platform Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many meetings (co-funded by DEFRA and the Biotechnology and she has had with animal welfare charities since her Biological Sciences Research Council), which provides appointment; and what matters were discussed at each a key mechanism for driving industry-led innovation to such meeting. [63975] stimulate the development of new technologies to support a competitive, environmentally sustainable farming and Mr Paice: The Secretary of State and her ministerial resilient food sector. team have had a number of meetings with animal Government funders, industry and third sector bodies welfare charities including the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs are working together through the Government’s Chief and Cats Home, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, Dogs Scientist Food Research Partnership and the Global Trust, Animal Defenders International, Captive Animals’ Food Security programme to ensure that multi-disciplinary Protection Society, Kennel Club and BornFree. These research, is robust, relevant and providing good value meetings have been part of a programme of stakeholder for money. engagement to discuss a wide variety of current issues. DEFRA is also funding collaborative research and development and innovation activities to promote a Animal Welfare: Slaughterhouses more sustainable, resilient and competitive food chain. To strengthen agricultural research and innovation, Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, the Government are actively building links and joint Food and Rural Affairs what her Department’s policy is initiatives, for example through membership of the EU on the export via UK ports of live animals for slaughter Joint Programming initiative which aims to maximise and fattening. [66450] member state benefit from R&D funding, and the 1075W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1076W

Global Research Alliance which aims to find ways badger cull in reducing rates of bovine tuberculosis in of reducing greenhouse gas through international England. [66361] collaboration. The Government also recognise that GM technology Mr Paice: The results of the Randomised Badger could deliver benefits providing it is used safely and Culling Trial (RBCT) showed that badger culling, when responsibly, in particular as one of a range of tools to done on a sufficient scale in a widespread, coordinated address the longer term challenges of global food security, and efficient way, and over a sustained period of time, climate change, and the need for more sustainable would reduce the incidence of bovine TB in cattle in agricultural production. high incidence areas. The evidence base on the effects of culling badgers on Bovine Tuberculosis TB incidence in cattle was recently assessed at a meeting between DEFRA’s chief scientific adviser, chief veterinary Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, officer and a panel of independent experts. The key Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the number conclusions from this meeting, which includes the most of incidents of bovine tuberculosis in (a) each local up to date results of the on-going post-RBCT analysis authority area in England and (b) each parliamentary were recently published on the DEFRA website at constituency in England in each of the last five years. http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/ [66379] atoz/tb/documents/bovinetb-scientificexperts-110404.pdf

Mr Paice: We are not able to provide figures by local Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for authority area and parliamentary constituency, as figures Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date she are not broken down by these areas. TB statistics covering expects the oral vaccine against tuberculosis in badgers the last five years and including new herd incidents and to be available; and if she will make a statement. [67019] numbers of cattle slaughtered under bovine TB control measures are given by county on the DEFRA website Mr Paice: An oral badger vaccine is in development at: but is still many years away. It is therefore not possible http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/ to say with any certainty if and when an oral badger atoz/tb/stats/county.htm vaccine might be available for use in the field.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of the Food and Rural Affairs what financial support her cattle slaughtered during (a) 2009 and (b) 2010 as a Department plans to provide towards research and result of bovine tuberculosis testing subsequently proved development of vaccines against tuberculosis in (a) to be negative for the disease. [64482] badgers and (b) cattle in each of the next four financial years. [66376] Mr Paice: Number of cattle slaughtered as skin and interferon gamma test TB reactors in England: Mr Paice: Over the next four years there is a suite of 2009: 24,500 research projects under way with many reaching their 2010: 24,213. specified conclusion date in 2014-15. We are currently considering options for the scale and nature of successor All TB reactors are regarded as infected and European projects, and accordingly the figures set out below reflect and national legislation require all such animals to be the costs associated with projects currently under way. slaughtered. Those cattle are then subject to post mortem examination and a proportion of them will also be £ million sampled for laboratory culture, but this is not to prove Cattle vaccine and or disprove the disease status of the animal. The primary Badger vaccines associated diagnostics: purpose of post mortem and bacteriological culture of TB test reactors is to assess the severity of infection and 2011-12 2.60 2.14 identify the strain of the causative bacterium—this is 2012-13 2.02 2.46 useful for epidemiological investigations and helps to 2013-14 2.71 2.51 support subsequent outbreak control efforts. TB is a 2014-15 0.11 2.16 chronic and insidious infectious disease with potentially long incubation periods. In the early stages of this Further projects may also be commissioned which disease it is often not possible to see lesions with the could alter these estimated amounts, especially in the naked eye, and due to the fastidious nature of the TB later years. bacterium (which may be present in low numbers in the affected organs) it is not always possible to culture it Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, from tissue samples. It is therefore wrong to consider all Food and Rural Affairs what financial support her TB reactors that fail to disclose evidence of infection in Department has provided for research and development the slaughterhouse or in the laboratory as being ‘false of vaccines against tuberculosis in (a) badgers and (b) positives’ or ‘negative for the disease’. cattle in each of the last five financial years. [66377]

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Mr Paice: Over the last five years, DEFRA has spent Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has the below amounts on cattle and badger vaccines research made of scientific advice on the effectiveness of a and development: 1077W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1078W

of emissions produced on farm and better capture the £ million positive actions that farmers are currently taking. Cattle vaccine and Badger vaccines associated (including injectable DEFRA has recently supported research at the Institute diagnostics and oral vaccines) of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) and Reading University on nutritional interventions to 2010-11 2.70 2.78 reduce methane emissions from cattle (Projects LS3656 2009-10 3.70 3.14 and AC0209). This showed that feeding: 2008-09 3.20 2.18 high-sugar grass could reduce an animal’s methane emissions 2007-08 3.70 2.50 by 20%; 2006-07 3.18 2.41 crushed rapeseed could reduce methane production per dairy cow by 15% and methane per litre of milk by 20%. Carbon Emissions: Business The research also suggests farmers can reduce GHGs by increasing milk yield, avoiding overfeeding animals Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for with food high in nitrogen, feeding animals once a day Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the and increasing dietary starch and oil. answer to the hon. Member for Hartlepool of 27 October In partnership with industry, DEFRA is funding 2010, Official Report, column 319W, when she plans to research (Projects LK686 and LK687) on genetic announce her decision on whether to introduce the improvement of perennial ryegrass and red/white clover mandatory reporting of carbon dioxide emissions by to increase nitrogen-use efficiency in the rumen and UK listed companies; and if she will make a statement. reduce N-losses from pastures and silo. [65730] Crops: Droughts Mr Paice: We will announce a decision on the corporate Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for reporting of greenhouse gas emissions in the autumn. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what programmes to develop drought-resistant or tolerant-crops are being Cattle: Carbon Emissions funded by her Department. [66240] Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Paice: DEFRA funds research on the impact of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research water shortages on farming through the Farming and her Department is supporting on reducing greenhouse Food Science Sustainable Water Management R and D gas emissions from cattle. [64368] programme, which includes R and D to develop crop varieties with improved water-use efficiency.These projects Mr Paice: The Government, in partnership with the are shown in the following table. devolved Administrations, have invested £12.6 million DEFRA also funds broader Crop Genetic Improvement over a four and half year period to improve the Agriculture Networks (on cereals, oilseed rape, pulses, vegetables, Greenhouse Gas Inventory R and D Platform. Through grasses, biomass crops) which deliver tools and knowledge a series of projects, including improving the accuracy of to underpin plant breeding and the development of calculating greenhouse gas emissions produced from varieties with improved performance such as efficient cattle, this research will strengthen our understanding use of water and nutrients.

Project code End date Title

AC0314 30 April 2013 Identification of important crop traits for adaptation to climate change HL0187LFV 31 March 2012 Improving water use efficiency and fruit quality in field grown strawberry WU0106 30 June 2011 Generic approaches to increasing water use efficiency (WUE) in crops by enhancing abscisic acid biosynthesis WU0107 31 March 2012 Determination of the response of strawberry to water-limited conditions, identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and development of molecular markers WU0115 31 March 2014 Genomics tools for pre-selection of water-use efficiency in top fruit rootstocks WU0121 31 March 2012 An Integrated Approach to Increasing Water Use Efficiency and Drought Tolerance of Wheat Production in UK IF0145 31 March 2013 Understanding and dissecting the genetic control of key ″environmental impact″ traits in forage grasses and legumes LK0688 31 March 2013 Development of productive and persistent high quality forage grasses and white clover with increased water-use-efficiency and resilience to summer droughts IF0142 30 September 2011 Sequencing the gene space of potato chromosome IV, comparative analysis with tomato and development of a gene based mapping platform (contribution to a BBSRC project- funding of SCRI component) IF0157 31 March 2012 Leafy Vegetable Genetic Improvement Network (VeGIN 1): Pre-breeding research to support sustainable farming of leafy vegetables and salads IFO158 31 March 2012 Vegetable Genetic Improvement Network (VeGIN 2): Pre-breeding research to support sustainable farming of carrot and onion IF0146 30 November 2013 The Wheat Genetic Improvement Network (WGIN) - Improving the environmental footprint of farming through crop genetics and targeted traits analysis IF0147 31 January 2014 DEFRA Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network 1079W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1080W

Project code End date Title

IF0144 31 March 2013 OREGIN - Pre-breeding research to support climate change adaptation and reduction of the environmental footprint of Oilseed rape LK09129 15 September 2014 Exploiting novel genes to improve resource use efficiency in wheat

Dairy Farming 14. The Flood Risk Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee (England) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/697) Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for 15. The Environment Agency (Levies) (England and Wales) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/696) she has made of the potential effects on the dairy sector 16. The Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (England of the implementation of the provisions of the draft and Wales) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/695) Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill. [67499] 17. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (SI 2011/694) Mr Paice: The Groceries Code Adjudicator will monitor 18. The Marine Licensing (Delegation of Functions) Order and enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice 2011 (SI 2011/627) (GSCOP). This Code covers relationships between direct 19. The Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) suppliers to retailers and their customers. Therefore, in Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/625) the dairy sector we expect that the Groceries Code 20. The Marine and Costal Access Act 2009 (Transitional and Adjudicator Bill will ensure fair relationships and greater Savings Provisions) Order 2011 (SI 2011/603) certainty for processors of raw milk. 21. The Marine Licensing (Application Fees) Regulations 2011) (SI 2011/564) Although the GSCOP does not apply to indirect 22. The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Amendment) suppliers and will not normally provide for the relationship Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/464) between dairy farmers and processors, the Adjudicator will be able to receive complaints from indirect suppliers. 23. The Seed Marketing Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/463) This will allow concerns from milk producers to be 24. The Bovine Semen (England) (Amendment) Regulations investigated where the Adjudicator sees potential breaches 2011 (SI 2011/454) of the Code which affect dairy farmers. 25. The Poultrymeat (England) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/452) 26. The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI Departmental Regulation 2001/451) 27. The Marine Licensing (Register of Licensing Information) Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/424) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulations 28. The Petroleum Act 998 (Specified Pipelines) Order 2011 (SI her Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 2011/423) 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of 29. The Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) Order 2011 implementation for those affected were in each case. (SI 2011/409) [60335] 30. The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/405) Mr Paice: The Department made the following 31 statutory instruments between 1 March 2011 and 31. The Inshore Fisheries and Conservation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2011 (SI 2011/177) 31 May 2011: Information on the equivalent annual net cost to 1. The Poultry Health Scheme (Fees) Regulations (SI 2011/1194) business of domestic regulations introduced between 2. The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars (England) (Amendment) 1 January and 30 June 2011 were published in the Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1135) Government’s “One-in, One-out: Statement of New 3. The Veterinary Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2011 Regulation”published in April 2011 and which is available (SI 2011/1116) to view at: 4. The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/988) http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/better-regulation/docs/o/ 5. The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) (Amendment) 11-p96a-one-in-one-out-new-regulation.pdf Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/981) 6. The Marine Licensing (Notice Appeals) Regulations 2011 The overall effect of DEFRA regulations was an equivalent (SI 2011/936) annual net saving to business of £28,000. 7. The Marine Licensing (Licence Application Appeals) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/934) Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for 8. The British Waterways Board (Kennet and Avon Canal) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many regulations (Reclassification) Order 2011 (SI 2011/889) (1) her Department has introduced (a) in the six months 9. The Animal By-products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations prior to 1 September 2010 and (b) in the six months 2011 (SI 2011/881) after 1 September 2010 which it has determined do not 10. The Sea Fishing (Penalty Notices) (England) Order 2011 impose costs on businesses; [65310] (SI 2011/758) (2) that impose costs on businesses her Department 11. The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) has (a) introduced and (b) removed since 1 September (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/735) 2010; what the net effect on the costs on businesses of 12 The Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) (England) such introductions and removals was; and what (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/715) regulations have been excluded from the one-in one-out 13. The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (England) system because they address (i) emergencies and (ii) Order 2011 (SI 2011/714) systemic financial risks since 1 September 2010; [65327] 1081W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1082W

(3) that impose costs on businesses her Department her Department has in place for the transition of Leader (a) introduced and (b) removed in the six months funding applications from regional development agencies prior to 1 September 2010; and what the net effect on to her Department from 1 July 2011. [67291] the costs on businesses of such introductions and removals was. [65343] Mr Paice: Management of the Leader approach and the ongoing Rural Development Programme for England Mr Paice: The One-in, One-out regulatory management (RDPE) delivery functions transferred from the regional system, although announced in September, did not development agencies to DEFRA on 1 July. DEFRA come into force till January 2011. RDPE delivery teams are in touch with local action DEFRA does not hold information on the net cost to groups to ensure a smooth transition to the new delivery business of regulations introduced or removed prior to arrangements that minimises disruption to customers 1 September 2010. Such information was not collected and maintains the momentum of expenditure to improve routinely at that time and the cost of compiling it would agricultural competitiveness and support rural businesses be disproportionate. and rural communities. A list of regulatory measures introduced or removed Food Supply in the first half of 2011 can be found in the Statement of New Regulation in the Libraries of the House. Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for There have been no DEFRA regulations excluded Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent meetings from the One-in, One-out system because they address she has had with ministerial colleagues to discuss threats (i) emergencies and (ii) systemic financial risks since to UK food security. [66106] 1 September 2010. In the six months after 1 September 2010, the following Mr Paice: In working towards our commitment to five regulations were introduced which do not impose address the issue of food security, DEFRA’s ministerial costs on businesses: team have taken many opportunities to raise our food 1. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (Commencement security agenda with ministerial colleagues. We discuss No. 2) Order 2011 (SI 2011/95) this issue at Cabinet and other regular ministerial meetings. 2. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (Commencement DEFRA officials also regularly discuss food security No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (SI 2011/694) and specific issues with their counterparts in other 3. The Sea Fishing (Penalty Notices) (England) Order 2011 Government Departments. (SI 2011/758) 4. The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/464) Food: Exports 5. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2011. Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had Dogs with her international counterparts on the elimination of export bans of foodstuffs. [63806] Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate Mr Paice: I refer the hon. Member to the written her Department has made of the number of molosser ministerial statement made on 28 June 2011, Official dogs in the UK. [64642] Report, column 44WS, by the Secretary of State about the recent meeting of G20 agricultural Ministers. Mr Paice: No such estimate has been made by DEFRA. Forestry Commission: Manpower EU Grants and Loans Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Forestry Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Commission staff at each payband work in its offices at discussions her Department has had with the European (a) Coleford, (b) Mamhead, (c) Wendover, (d) Bedgebury, Commission on the matching criteria for Leader funding. (e) Sherwood, (f) Market Rasen, (g) Tangham, (h) [67279] Fineshade, (i) Rothbury, (j) Hamsterley, (k) Wheldrake, (l) Peil Wyke, (m) Delamere, (n) Ludlow, (o) Clifton Mr Paice: Officials have had discussions in the European Moor, (p) Dunsop Bridge, (q) Bourne Wood, (r) Commission’s Rural Development Committee on revised Silverstone, (s) Bentley and (t) Bellever. [67212] guidance on the management of the Leader approach, which includes some potential simplifications. There Mr Paice [holding answer 20 July 2011]: The following have been no specific discussions on match funding. table gives details by pay band of staff who are employed Officials are now assessing the implications of the proposed by Forestry Commission England and are based at each changes to the guidance and will be discussing these of the office locations listed. Many staff spend a with local action groups. considerable amount of their time away from these bases on operational activities, however, for example Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for looking after the public forest estate or delivering Forestry Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements Commission England’s grants and regulatory activities. 1083W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1084W

Forestry commission pay band 123455(op) 6a 6a(op) 6b 7

Location Coleford101651037211 Mamhead01114600100 Wendover0000042360 Bedgebury00153653190 Sherwood022457610163 Market Rasen 0001122120 Tangham0000031230 Fineshade0001352373 Rothbury0110140151 Hamsterley 0000041262 Wheldrake 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— PeilWyke0111142190 Delamere 0012134670 Ludlow 0001022281 Clifton Moor 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Dunsop Bridge 0000011020 Bourne Wood 0000000102 Silverstone 0000000003 Bentley 0000012300 Bellever 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— 1 Closed in May 2011 2 Closed in April 2011 3 No staff based at this location

Land: Contamination programme, and it is our intention that available budgets for Axes 1, 3 and 4 of the programme should be fully Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for utilised. The Yorkshire and the Humber region’s RDPE Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funds her resource allocation for 2011-12 is £12.35 million. Department has received under Heading 1 of the EU Stray Dogs Budget in respect of the decontamination of brownfield sites in the latest period for which figures are available; and when she expects further such funds to be received. Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for [64246] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities in England are under a statutory requirement Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply as the Minister to provide a stray dog service. [64137] responsible for the relevant EU Budget Heading—1b (which includes Structural and Cohesion Funds, the Mr Paice: Under sections 149 and 150 of the main programme which supports the decontamination Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities in of brownfield land). The information is drawn from England and Wales have a duty to provide a service to reported action under Code 50 of the European Regional collect stray dogs. Under the 1990 Act local authorities Development Fund (ERDF)—“Rehabilitation of industrial that have this duty are all district councils, all London sites and contaminated land”. borough councils, the common council of the City of London and the council of the Isles of Scilly. As at 30 June 2011, the UK had contracted to pay a total of £41,958,337 (30 June Euro to £ sterling conversion Trees: Disease Control rate) during the Budget period 2007 to 2013. Further payments could be made during the current Budget Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for period, subject to the eligibility of specific projects. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department has taken in response to infestations of Rural Development Programme: Yorkshire and the trees and woodlands; what measures have been taken in Humber relation to outbreaks of oak processionary moth; and what measures have been taken in relation to trees in Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Ealing ward of Hanger Hill. [65185] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements are in place to ensure the use of funding available to Mr Paice: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to Yorkshire and the Humber under the Rural Development my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park (Zac Programme for England. [67289] Goldsmith) on 7 July 2010, Official Report, column 283W. Mr Paice: We are currently reviewing the budgets for The Forestry Commission has powers to control pests future years of the Rural Development Programme for under the Plant Heath (Forestry) Act 2005. The Forestry England (RDPE) as part of the move to a more nationally Commission is also working with the Food and consistent approach to delivery for the rest of the Environment Research Agency on a proposal for Oak 1085W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1086W

Processionary Moth to be listed as a quarantine pest The Prime Minister: A background check was conducted under European plant health legislation. While this prior to Mr Coulson’s appointment as Director of proposal is being considered, our national measures Communications to the Conservative Party in 2007. On remain in force. appointment to the Civil Service, special advisers are The strategy to deal with Oak Processionary Moth security cleared to the appropriate level. has moved from eradication to one of containment in the west London outbreak area. This is because the Ann McKechin: To ask the Prime Minister whether moth is now established in mature trees where it is no he or any member of his staff have had any discussions longer feasible to locate and destroy the pest effectively. with Mr Andy Coulson regarding the evidence given A 10km buffer zone has been set up outside the outbreak by Mr Coulson in the case of Thomas Sheridan at area within which regular surveys will be conducted Glasgow High Court in 2010. [67708] and statutory control notices will ensure that any new infestations are eradicated. The Prime Minister: The evidence Mr Coulson gave The Ealing Ward of Hanger Hill now lies within the related to his former employment and is a matter for containment zone. Mr Coulson.

Wildlife: Circuses Helen Goodman: To ask the Prime Minister whether Mr Andrew Coulson made any declaration of conflict Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for of interest under paragraph 15B of the Model Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) options Contract for Special Advisers. [67904] she has considered and (b) steps she plans to take to give effect to the resolution of the House of 23 June The Prime Minister: No. 2011 on wild animals and circuses. [66002] Helen Goodman: To ask the Prime Minister what Mr Paice: The Government will listen to the view of period of notice Mr Andrew Coulson gave before he the House of Commons and is sympathetic to the left employment in 10 Downing Street. [67905] motion for a ban, agreed to on 23 June 2011. We will continue to look carefully at how this could be introduced: The Prime Minister: Mr Coulson notified me of his there are legal difficulties that we cannot ignore but intention to leave. This was announced on 21 January which we are continuing to explore. 2011 and he left on 31 January 2011. Given that a ban is not an immediate possibility, we will proceed with the licensing regime described below, Helen Goodman: To ask the Prime Minister what which will stop circuses from using wild animals unless assessment he has made of the level of compliance with they provide appropriate welfare standards. In the meantime, paragraph 15E of the Model Contract for Special circus animals, like most animals under the control of Advisers in the case of Mr Andrew Coulson. [67925] man, are protected from unnecessary suffering and poor welfare by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Prime Minister: Mr Coulson as a special adviser The licensing regime will lay down appropriate standards was bound by the requirements of the Model Contract to protect the welfare of the 39 (approximately) animals and Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and I am in circuses in the UK. This means we will be able to act not aware that anyone is suggesting that he did not act quickly to tackle those circuses that fail to maintain in accordance with those requirements. appropriate welfare standards for each animal. A full public consultation exercise on the proposed regulations will be carried out shortly. British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation Any circuses in England that wish to have wild animals such as tigers, lions and elephants performing in them John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister on what date will need to demonstrate that they meet high animal his Chief of Staff informed the Home Office about the welfare standards for each animal before they can be alleged involvement of the News of the World with granted a licence to keep those animals. The licensing criminals. [67367] scheme will be enforced through inspections by Government-approved vets and it is our intention that The Prime Minister: 1 refer the hon. Member to the the costs will be borne by the industry. answer I gave on 13 July 2011, Official Report, column As this work is under way, we will continue to explore 302-03. ways of overcoming the legal obstacles of introducing a ban of live animals in line with the resolution of the Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister (1) whether House of Commons. he has discussed News Corporation’s proposed acquisition of BSkyB with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport between 23 December 2010 and 12 July 2011; [67630] PRIME MINISTER (2) whether he discussed News Corporation’s proposed Andy Coulson acquisition of BSkyB with James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks at dinner on 23 December 2010; [67631] John Cryer: To ask the Prime Minister which company (3) what assessment he has made of the compatibility conducted the background check on Mr Andy Coulson with the Ministerial Code of his attendance at dinner prior to his appointment as Director of Communications. with James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks on 23 December [66230] 2010; [67632] 1087W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1088W

(4) whether he notified the Cabinet Secretary of his girls and reducing the risks of childbirth by ensuring intention to attend a dinner with James Murdoch and that more than 100,000 births a year are attended by Rebekah Brooks on 23 December 2010; and if so what skilled health personnel. At least 8.5 million women advice he received; [67633] and children will be protected from malaria over the (5) whether his officials or advisers have discussed next few years as a result of our funding of a mass News Corporation’s proposed acquisition of BSkyB distribution programme for insecticide-treated bed nets. with (a) the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, and (b) any of his officials or Departmental Carbon Emissions advisers between 23 December 2010 and 12 July 2011. [67634] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the of the carbon dioxide emissions from his Department answer I gave on 3 February 2011, Official Report, in (a) June 2010 and (b) June 2011. [66752] column 885W, and to the list of proprietors, senior executives and editors of media organisations that I Mr Duncan: The carbon emissions resulting from have met since the general election which was published energy use in the Department for International on Friday 15 July 2011. This is available on the No. 10 Development’s UK estate for June 2010 was 286 tonnes. website: The corresponding figure for June 2011 was 214 tonnes. http://www.number10.gov.uk/new/pm-pubished-details-of- visitors-to-chequers/ Departmental Location I had no role in the BSkyB takeover nor did I seek to influence the decisions of the Secretary of State for David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. International Development in which countries his Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt). Department has a permanent presence. [67094] Departmental Responsibilities Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has a permanent presence in the Chris Ruane: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how following countries: many meetings he has had with hon. Members of each Afghanistan political party since May 2010; [67159] Bangladesh (2) if he will consider keeping data on the number of Barbados times he has declined a request for a meeting from an Belgium hon. Member of each political party. [67182] Brazil The Prime Minister: I have meetings with hon. and Burma right hon. Members of different parties on a range of Burundi subjects. China Democratic Republic of Congo Ethiopia INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT France Gambia Democratic Republic of Congo: Females Ghana Guyana Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes funded by his Department India support the empowerment of women in Democratic Indonesia Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. Iraq [66486] Italy Jamaica Mr Duncan: Women and girls lie at the heart of Jordan DFID’s Operational Plan for the Democratic Republic Kenya of Congo (DRC). We are empowering women to play a stronger role in decisions affecting their lives. Our Kosovo Community Recovery programme, for example, has Kyrgyzstan increased the elected representation of women on village Liberia decision-making committees from almost zero to 27%. Malawi We are also supporting efforts to ensure that women Montserrat play a full and influential part in upcoming national Mozambique elections. Nepal We are also seeking real results for women and girls Nigeria in our support to education, where we plan to get Occupied Palestine Territory 225,000 more girls into primary school and reduce dropout rates from 8% to 5%. We are also making Pakistan maternal and reproductive health services available to Rwanda hundreds of thousands of women, including meeting Sierra Leone the contraceptive needs of some 235,000 women and South Africa 1089W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1090W

South Sudan his Department have declined a request for a meeting St Helena from an hon. Member of each political party. [67185] Sudan Switzerland Mr Andrew Mitchell: Yes. Tajikistan I will not consider keeping data on the number of Tanzania times DFID officials have declined a meeting with hon. Members of political parties as, in normal business, I Thailand would expect hon. Members to contact Ministers, rather Uganda than officials. United Kingdom United States of America Developing Countries: Cotton Vietnam Zambia Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the Zimbabwe. statement on cotton issued by the African, Caribbean The list includes countries where DFID has a small and Pacific Group of States on 27 January 2010. permanent representation within international development [52209] institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank and European Union. Mr O’Brien: The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group made a statement on 27 January 2011 Departmental Lost Property calling for an early resolution to the issue of cotton subsidies in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for UK Government fully support the ACP Group position. International Development what property has been (a) The UK Government are at the forefront of countries lost and (b) stolen from his Department in the last 12 pushing for the removal of cotton subsidies as part of months; and what the cost of replacement was. [66566] the Doha Development Agenda. We have and will continue to lobby the US bilaterally to remove their Mr Duncan: The Department for International cotton subsidies. Development’s (DFID) central records show the following items were reported as either lost or stolen, together National Security Council with estimated replacement costs, in the year ended 31 March 2011: Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many meetings he has Total estimated had with the National Security Adviser since the creation Items Number of items replacement cost (£) of the National Security Council. [67325] Memory sticks 2 20 Mr Andrew Mitchell: I meet regularly with the National Laptops 14 3,780 Security Adviser. Mobile phone 1 53 Vehicle 1 1,490 Overseas Aid Of the items reported as lost or stolen one laptop was identified as being stolen from Palace Street and one Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for vehicle was taken from an overseas office location. The International Development what representations he has remaining items were all identified as being lost or received on placing his Department’s budget on a statutory stolen out of office hours and away from DFID premises. footing. [66507] The Department has policies in place requiring all Mr Duncan: We have not received any representations instances of lost or stolen items to be thoroughly regarding placing the budget of the Department for investigated. International Development on a statutory footing. We have received a number of representations regarding Departmental Responsibilities the coalition Government’s commitment to enshrine the commitment to spend 0.7% of national income as Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for official development assistance from 2013 onwards. As International Development how many meetings he has the Prime Minister has made clear, the Government had with hon. Members of each political party since intend to place that commitment onto a statutory footing May 2010. [67162] as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Pakistan: Overseas Aid Development (DFID) is unable to provide this information without incurring disproportionate costs. My Ministers Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for and I regularly meet MPs of all parties to discuss International Development what aid he plans to give to DFID-related issues on which they have a concern or Pakistan in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14. interest. [67323]

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Andrew Mitchell: The amount of aid the Department International Development if he will consider keeping for International Development (DFID) plans to give to data on the number of times (a) he and (b) officials of Pakistan over the coming years is set out in the DFID 1091W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1092W

Pakistan Operational Plan 2011-15. This increased support External costs for the hire of specialist equipment for will be linked to the Government of Pakistan’s own the production of videos in which Ministers appeared progress on reform. was £6,987.70. All figures quoted are exclusive of VAT. Resource (£000) 2011-12 267,000 Departmental Procurement 2012-13 267,000 2013-14 412,000 Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many procurement contracts his Department has UN Women: Finance awarded to small businesses since May 2010. [67229]

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Norman Baker: My Department has awarded 145 International Development pursuant to the answer of procurement contracts to small businesses since May 13 July 2011, Official Report, column 348W, on UN 2010, where a small business is defined as one having Women, if he will consider increasing the annual fewer than 250 employees. contribution of his Department to UN Women to £40 million of core funding for each of the next two Departmental Public Expenditure years in order to ensure the effectiveness of the agency’s work. [67402] Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what strategic framework his Department Mr Andrew Mitchell: No. has developed for the delivery of its core functions during the comprehensive spending review period. [59724] TRANSPORT Norman Baker: The Department for Transport’s strategic Akhona Geveza priorities are clearly set out in our business plan, a refreshed version of which was published in May. As the plan sets out, our strategy is to deliver a transport Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for system that is an engine for economic growth but one Transport whether his Department has taken steps to that is also increasingly de-carbonised. The priorities investigate the death of the maritime cadet Akhona set out in the plan include targeted investments and Geveza on the UK-registered vessel Safmarine Kariba initiatives to improve transport links, address congestion on 24 June 2010; and if he will make a statement. and stimulate green growth. They will be delivered by [63962] devolving power wherever possible, making our networks (including the railway) more efficient and looking for Mike Penning: The Croatian authorities undertook every opportunity to use de-regulatory means to achieve an investigation into the death of the South African our goals. cadet as the body was found in Croatian waters. The DFT and MCA have liaised with South African Exports: Biofuels officials on a number of occasions; however, the Department has no jurisdiction to launch a separate formal investigation into the case. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department will commission research Departmental Photographs to examine the UK’s capacity to export biofuel overseas; and if he will make a statement. [56686] Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on ministerial (a) Norman Baker [holding answer 24 May 2011]: The Department for Transport will continue to monitor the photoshoots and (b) videos since May 2010. [67627] impact of the renewable transport fuels obligation on Norman Baker [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The the UK biofuels market and UK business. information is as follows: Additionally, annual statistics on commodity balances (a) £550.00 has been spent by the central Department for renewables and waste are published by the Department on ministerial photoshoots/photographs. This all relates for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The statistics to photos which had been pre-arranged to be taken of include export and import values for liquid biofuels. the new ministerial team in May 2010. Such practices The DECC data are available at: have been discontinued. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/ source/renewables/renewables.aspx The Highways Agency spent an additional £400.00. (Renewables and waste: commodity balances (DUKES (b) The Department has two in-house staff responsible 7.1-7.3)) for video output for the Department and its Agencies, which includes production of ministerial videos as well UK biofuels production data (2009) can be found in as training and other (internal) purposes. Their use the UK Biofuels production abstract, on the following allows ministerial speeches to be provided remotely, website: which both supports the Department’s promotion of https://restats.decc.gov.uk/cms/welcome-to-the-restats-web- the alternatives to travel concept, and saves considerable site/ money on travel costs. The 2010 data will be available on 28 July 2011. 1093W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1094W

Freight Liverpool Cruise Terminal

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for what assessment he has made of trends in modal shift Transport with reference to the consultation document between road freight and rail freight (a) in each year on the proposal to remove objections to lifting a grant since the introduction of the Mode Shift Revenue Support condition regarding the use of the City of Liverpool Grant and (b) in the 10 preceding years. [67423] Cruise Terminal published on 7 July 2011, whether he assessed the value for money of the proposed partial repayment of public funds; and if he will make a Mike Penning: The information is as follows: statement. [66211] (a) No assessment has been made of trends in modal shift between road freight and rail freight since the introduction of the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme in April 2010. We intend to Mike Penning: This proposal reflects a judgment that conduct an assessment when sufficient data are available to detect weighs the prospective benefits from extending the use any shift in trend. of the terminal, together with partial repayment of (b) Data on domestic freight transport by mode is compiled grant, against considerations of fair competition with annually. Data on the 10 years to 2009 are available in Table 4.1 of other terminals. The local and regional benefits, for “Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2010” which the grants were originally paid, could increase if http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/ turnaround use is allowed. The consultation is an tsgb/index.html opportunity for anyone to express views on this.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Ministerial Meetings what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Mode Shift Revenue Support Grant in encouraging modal shift of freight. [67424] Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department Mike Penning: An assessment of the estimated number had with Mr Andy Coulson (A) between 12 May 2010 of lorry journeys removed and the benefits this has and 21 January 2011 and (B) since 22 January 2011; delivered has been undertaken for the first full year of the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme. This indicates [66777] that over 900,000 lorry journeys were removed from (2) what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Britain’s roads as a result of MSRS grant support in the Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department 12 months to 31 March 2011. Approximately 130,000 have attended which were also attended by (A) representatives, (B) journalists and (C) other employees tonnes of CO2 emissions were thus avoided. of (1) News Corporation and its subsidiary organisations and (2) BSkyB since his appointment. [66813] High Speed 2 Railway Line Norman Baker: As has been the practice of previous Administrations information relating to internal meetings, Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for discussions and advice is not normally disclosed. Transport if he will make an assessment of the implications of the findings of the report on the productive use of I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister’s rail travel time and value of travel time saving for statement to the House of the 13 July 2011, Official travellers in the course of work commissioned by his Report, columns 311-14. Department for the High Speed 2 project. [64063] Ports Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 5 July 2011]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given her today (UIN 62769). Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the EU Transport Commissioner on the harmonisation of port entry and Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for clearance formalities across the EU. [63969] Transport what discussions he has had on the construction of (a) stations, (b) trains and (c) track for the High Speed 2 network; and which companies Mike Penning: Officials from the Department are have indicated an interest in bidding for each project. involved in regular discussions, together with their [64777] counterparts in other members states, with the European Commission on the implementation of Directive 2010/ 65/EU on reporting formalities for ships calling at/departing Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 11 July 2011]: from ports in the EU. No such discussions have taken place. As the Department is currently consulting the public on the principle of There have been no direct discussions with the EU High Speed Two (HS2) and is yet to seek powers from Transport Commissioner on the matter of harmonisation Parliament, it would be inappropriate at this stage to of port entry and clearance formalities. conduct discussions, or to receive expressions of interest, The Department will continue to work closely with of a commercial nature about the construction of stations the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the UK Borders or the procurement of trains or track for HS2. Agency and HM Revenue and Customs on implementation. 1095W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1096W

Ports: Railways Study, if his Department will produce a best-practice framework for major whole-system programmes in the Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for rail network. [67765] Transport what work his Department has undertaken on improving intermodal connectivity between deep- Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has received sea ports and the rail freight network. [67462] Sir Roy McNulty’s final report on the value for money of the railway. The Department will be working closely Mike Penning [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The with the Office of Rail Regulation and the rail industry Department for Transport has not carried out any such over the next few months to analyse Sir Roy’s work. The main studies on this topic have been Network recommendations and to agree proposals for the reform Rail’s route utilisation strategies. These have managed of the industry. The Government are committed to capability gaps on the rail network in respect of a publishing their proposals for the future of the rail number of markets including the rail haulage of deep-sea industry before the end of the year. intermodal containers. The Department has funded a number of recommended interventions as part of its Railways: Disability policy of developing a strategic freight network. Major port expansions may require the developers Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (as for example in the case of Felixstowe South) to enter what progress his Department has made towards into obligations to increase rail capability so as to implementing the Technical Specification for facilitate a sufficient rail share and to avoid detriment to Interoperability for Persons of Reduced Mobility on existing rail users. (a) existing and (b) future rail carriages. [67748] Railways Norman Baker: The Technical Specification for Interoperability for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for TSI) is the pan-European accessibility standard that Transport what assessment he has made of the report has applied to contracts for new trains of a new design, on The productive use of rail travel time and value of and major refurbishment of existing trains, signed after travel time saving for travellers in the course of work 30 June 2008 (or, for orders of new trains to existing commissioned by his Department. [62769] designs, since 1 January 2010). It replaced, for heavy rail, the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Mrs Villiers [holding answer 28 June 2011]: Officials Regulations (RVAR)—which are similar domestic access have considered the study “Productive Use of Rail standards that have been in place since 1998. Travel Time and the Valuation of Travel Time Savings Over 6,600 vehicles are in service which comply with for Rail Business Travellers” but no formal evaluation one of the two access standards. Further details can be of it has been carried out. The study only provides a found here: partial analysis of the complex issues regarding the productive use of travel time and further primary research http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/transportforyou-access- rail-vehicles-pubs-rva/accessibilitystandards.xls would be required before a full assessment of the findings could be undertaken. The Department is considering All future train fleets, such as IEP, Thameslink and whether further research on this would be justified and Crossrail, will comply with the PRM TSI. Meanwhile, is assessing options for taking it forward. the law requires all rail vehicles to be accessible by 1 January 2020. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether his Department is taking steps Railways: Fares to implement the recommendation of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Study Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport that train operating companies should be liable to pay what assessment he has made of the affordability of penalties for exceeding overcrowding limits; [67760] regulated rail fares following the introduction of the (2) with reference to the recommendations of the RPI plus three per cent. formula. [65359] final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Study, what progress his Department has made on Mrs Villiers [holding answer 11 July 2011]: A developing a high-level framework for rail asset distributional analysis of the impact of rail fare increases management to reduce costs associated with the rail was conducted during the spending review and used to network; [67761] inform Department for Transport and Treasury decisions on spending review outcomes. (3) with reference to the recommendations of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Study, whether he plans to introduce legislative what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated proposals to give Network Rail statutory powers to on whether ticket machines offer all tickets offered for acquire temporary or permanent interests in land sale by train operating companies, including the cheapest owned by third parties; [67762] available for travel. [65397] (4) with reference to the recommendations of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Mrs Villiers: No research has been commissioned Study, what plans he has to improve the rail network’s recently but the studies undertaken by Passenger Focus asset condition monitoring; [67764] (including those undertaken in conjunction with train (5) with reference to the recommendations of the operators) have informed discussions at all levels, including final independent report of the Rail Value for Money the independent McNulty Value for Money study. The 1097W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1098W industry needs to improve its ticket machines and to Rolling Stock: Procurement ensure that passengers are properly informed about the ticket choices available. We will continue to challenge Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the industry to do that including through our fares Transport what the cost to the public purse was of (a) review and the White Paper on the future of the rail staff and (b) external consultants involved in rolling industry which we intend to publish in November. stock procurement in each year since 2004. [67524]

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Norman Baker [holding answer 19 July 2011]: I regret Transport (1) with reference to the recommendations of that the information requested could be provided only the final independent report of the Rail Value for at disproportionate cost. Money Study, whether he plans to work with Transport for London on improving interaction between the Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for national rail fare system and the London travelcard Transport how many officials responsible for rolling area; [67756] stock procurement have received a salary greater than that of the Prime Minister in each year since 2004. (2) with reference to the recommendations of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money [67525] Study, whether he plans to give the Office of Rail Norman Baker [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The Regulation a role in rail fare regulation; [67758] Department for Transport had one official responsible (3) whether his Department is taking steps to implement for rolling stock procurement over the period in question the recommendation of the final independent report of who received a salary greater than the Prime Minister the Rail Value for Money Study that train operating between 2005 and January 2011. This official left the companies should be allowed to (a) end the distinction Department in January 2011 as part of the spending between commuter fares and protected fares and (b) review. widen the rail fares basket. [67759] No officials responsible for rolling stock procurement received a salary greater than the Prime Minister in Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport will be 2004. working closely with the relevant stakeholders over the next few months to analyse Sir Roy’s recommendations Severn River Crossing: Tolls and to agree proposals for the reform of the industry. As a first step towards a fairer and more effective Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for system of fares and ticketing, the Government will also Transport whether he plans to end tolls on the Severn carry out a fares review, and are currently considering Crossings [67072] the terms of reference, scope and timetable for this work, including the appropriate form of consultation. Mike Penning: It has been standard practice to toll all major crossings in the UK since 1945. However, no Railways: Planning Permission decisions have yet been made on the future of the Severn Crossing once the existing concession ends in 2017. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what process will be followed to transfer planning Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock applications affecting the rail network under consideration by the Infrastructure Planning Commission to other Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport bodies after its abolition. [67420] on what date bidders for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project submitted their final prices. [65252] Mrs Villiers: The Localism Bill includes a power of direction to allow the Secretary of State for Transport, Mrs Villiers [holding answer 11 July 2011]: Final my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and prices were received in bidders’ responses on 12 January Weybridge (Mr Hammond), to transfer applications on 2011. a case by case basis at the point of the Infrastructure Planning Commission’s abolition. Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any additional criteria were added Railways: Standards to assess (a) bidders and (b) bids for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project between 31 April 2008 and the announcement of preferred bidders in June 2011. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the data on train punctuality over each [65420] relevant period submitted to his Department by each Mrs Villiers: No additional criteria were added to train operating company participating in the right-time assess the accreditation of bidders or the evaluation of railway initiative. [61281] bids for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project since 30 April 2008. Norman Baker: The Public Performance Measure data for train operating companies submitted to the Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Department for Transport are already published on the Transport what changes to the weighting of criteria for Network Rail website at: the assessment of (a) bidders and (b) bids for the http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/742.aspx Thameslink Rolling Stock Project were made between 1099W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1100W

31 April 2008 and the announcement of preferred Third Sector bidder in June 2011; at what stage such changes were made; and for what reasons. [65421] Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the name is of each charity and voluntary organisation Mrs Villiers: No changes were made to the weighting Ministers in his Department have visited since 12 May of criteria for the accreditation of bidders or for the 2010. [67629] evaluation of bids for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project since 30 April 2008. Norman Baker [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The Department does not hold the information in the form Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for requested, nor could it be obtained other than at Transport how much his Department has spent on disproportionate cost. consultants to evaluate the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project to date. [65441] COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Mrs Villiers: From May 2008, the Department has AssetCo: Contracts spent approximately £13.1 million (exc VAT) to date on specialist consultants and advisers to evaluate the Thameslink Rolling Stock project. This resource has John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for included financial, procurement, technical, legal, planning Communities and Local Government what the monetary and other specialist advice required to deliver the value is of each contract his Department holds with Thameslink Rolling Stock Project which is one of the AssetCo or its subsidiaries. [67271] largest rolling stock orders in the country. Robert Neill [holding answer 19 July 2011]: My Of this figure, £5.3 million has been spent since Department holds no contracts with AssetCo or its May 2010. subsidiaries.

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Audit Commission: Expenditure Transport whether he requested changes to the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project following the review Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for which he reported to the House on 25 November 2010. Communities and Local Government pursuant to the [65474] answer to the hon. Member for Cannock Chase of 31 January 2011, Official Report, column 526W, on the Mrs Villiers: The Government conducted a major Audit Commission: expenditure, what the (a) date, (b) project review during June/July 2010 which included a venue and (c) cost to the public purse has been of each review of the Thameslink programme. The aims of the Audit Commission Alumni event. [67695] review were to assess: Robert Neill [holding answer 19 July 2011]: This is an the financial savings achievable by the project in 2010-11 and operational matter for the Audit Commission and I beyond; have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission the likelihood of successful delivery of savings and project to write to my hon. Friend direct. aims. Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 20 July 2011: No changes were made to the Thameslink Rolling Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply. Stock project as a result of this review. The evaluation The Audit Commission set up its alumni group in 2008 to keep criteria set by the previous Government binds the current in touch with colleagues who had left the Commission, either on Administration. retirement, or to move on to other organisations or industries. Due to the number of people registered to attend, the events were held at external venues in London. Thameslink: Contracts Staff felt it was useful to keep these contacts, not only to network—the focus at two events were debates or lectures on public service issues relevant to the Commission’s work. However, Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport the Commission’s Management Team did not feel that the benefits whether his Department assessed the effect on Bombardier’s outweighed the cost, so the last event was held in May 2010. ability to (a) complete existing orders and (b) bid for The event held on (a) 4 November 2009 at (b) One Great future new contracts of his decision on the award of the George Street was the first event for current and former staff. The Thameslink contract. [65893] cost was (c) £3115.30, which included room hire, equipment hire and refreshments. The second event was held on (a) 10 November 2009 at (b) the Mrs Villiers: Neither Bombardier’s ability to complete Institution of Engineering and Technology. It focused on a debate existing orders nor their ability to bid for future contracts on Regulation and its Future, by Nick Timmins and Professor Sir were in the evaluation criteria specified in the Invitation Michael Barber, after which there followed a roundtable discussion to Tender. led by Paul Kirby. The cost was (c) £4138.60, which included room hire, equipment hire and refreshments. However, the pre-qualification assessment of all potential bidders included an assessment of the applicants’ The final event, held on (a) 12 May 2010, was at (b) the Royal Horseguards. Mark Harris, the Chief Executive, National Lottery manufacturing capacity, identifying that which is committed Commission gave a lecture about Regulation in Practice. The cost to other orders; and details of how the applicant manages was (c) £4540.68, which included room hire, equipment hire and their order book to ensure that actual and potential refreshments. The figure quoted in my letter of 31 January was orders can be scheduled into production plans. the estimated rather than final cost. 1101W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1102W

Audit Commission: Photographs community charge and (b) the community charge with council tax. [65634] Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Robert Neill: I refer the hon. Member to previous answer to the hon. Member for Cannock Chase of answers on the set up costs relating to (a) community 1 February 2011, Official Report, column 740W, on the charge and (b) council tax for Scotland dated 7 November Audit Commission: expenditure, if he will place in the 1996, Official Report, column 667, costs relating to (a) Library a copy of each bespoke photography image community charge in England dated 26 April 1989, purchased for the launch and reporting of Comprehensive Official Report, column 574 and costs relating to (b) Area Assessment; what the name is of the photographers council tax dated 5 November 1992, Official Report, or associated company used; and what the cost to the column 3. public purse was of the Comprehensive Area Assessment photography work. [67656] Departmental Publications

Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive Communities and Local Government if he will place in of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend the Library a list of publications issued by his Department direct. in each of the last three years. [65704] Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 20 July 2011: Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply. Robert Neill: This information can be found on my The launch event for Comprehensive Area Assessment took Department’s website, using the publications search place at St Martin in the Field on 7 December 2009 (under facility: embargo for a 9 December launch). Thirty two photographic http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/publications/all/ images were purchased by the Commission from the official ?view=Search+form photographer, Frank Noon at a total cost of £250. These photographs have been supplied to the House of Commons Library, as requested. Gifts and Endowments The main image used for the Oneplace website was purchased from photo library Getty Images at a cost of £439.99. Big Stick photography took portraits at a cost of £1670 of all Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for of the Commission’s Comprehensive Area Assessment Leads Communities and Local Government what gifts valued who were responsible for coordinating and producing the local below £140 Ministers in his Department received in (a) assessments. We also used Big Stick to take pictures to support 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09. [61020] our communication activity to explain CAA with public bodies. Other invoices were for a week’s worth of work in Sunderland, at Robert Neill: The receipt of gifts by Ministers is a cost of £2275.04, and on-site shoots in Stockport and London costing £1160. handled in accordance with the provisions of the Ministerial Code. Based on available records the following gifts Other costs related to CAA are £785 for images supplied by valued below £140 were received in each of the years in brand and image agency Fishburn Hedges (who developed the Oneplace brand); and £448 with Photofusion on three stock shots question: for the Oneplace National Overview Report. These can viewed on 2006-07 the Oneplace website: Book http://oneplace.audit-commission.gov.uk/infobyarea/region/ Glass ornament area/Pages/areaoverview.aspx?region=54&area=319 Paperweight The images associated with each area page on the Oneplace site were supplied by a council in that area. These were free of Scarf charge. Other images in the website were around 100 stock images 2007-08 at varying cost. Some were free of charge, some will have been at a Books minimal cost of £2 each. To calculate the exact cost would take disproportionate time and cost. Crystal ornament In my response to the hon. Member for Cannock Chase of 1 Glass bowl February 2011, Official Report, column 740W, I said that the Paperweight increase in expenditure in 2009/10 was due to the extra photography 2008-09 work associated with the launch and reporting of CAA. As well as the specific purchases listed above the Commission updated Book images in its general photo library during 2009/10 at an estimated Letter opener cost of £7,200. These were used for a variety of purposes, including Pen some associated with CAA. Disaggregating the costs and photographs T-shirt between the different projects would be disproportionate in terms of both time and costs. Trowel Therefore the cost to the public purse for the CAA photography Wallet work is estimated to be £7228.03, plus a proportion of the cost incurred for the updated images for the Commission’s general Government Procurement Card photo library. Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Council Tax Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 446W, Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities on departmental official hospitality, which of the and Local Government what the cost to the public transactions under the heading of (a) restaurants and purse was, in real terms, of replacing (a) rates with the bars and (b) leisure activities in the Government 1103W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1104W

Procurement Card transaction data of (i) 2008-09 and Robert Neill: The following transactions were made (ii) 2009-10 were made using cards held by the private under the heading of ‘restaurants and bars’ and ‘leisure office of each Minister in his Department. [61766] activities’ using cards held by ministerial private offices in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

2008-09 Transaction date Merchant Town Spend category Transaction amount (£)

14 April 2008 Nags Head Inn Usk Restaurants and Bars 51.15 21 April 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 36.20 1 May 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 30.25 12 May 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 43.55 3 June 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 48.45 4 June 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 52.15 11 June 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 55.40 13 June 2008 Pizza Express 1341 Victoria 1 Restaurants and Bars 35.75 18 June 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 48.10 20 June 2008 Ritazza Cafe Paddington St Restaurants and Bars 7.17 25 June 2008 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 5.45 1 July 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 54.55 1 July 2008 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 5.30 7 July 2008 Pump House Durham Leisure Activities 245.40 9 July 2008 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 6.55 11 July 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 48.35 15 July 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 42.15 18 July 2008 Costa Coffee Newcastle U T Restaurants and Bars 7.30 23 July 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 52.90 24 July 2008 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 88.70 31 July 2008 Moto Catering Ferrybridge Restaurants and Bars 8.08 19 August 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 27.60 21 August 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 22.75 21 August 2008 Pizza Express 1341 Victoria 1 Restaurants and Bars 52.90 2 October 2008 Pizza Express 1341 Victoria 1 Restaurants and Bars 33.75 14 October 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 48.25 20 October 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 49.10 30 October 2008 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 53.20 31 October 2008 Pizza Express 1341 Victoria 1 Restaurants and Bars 30.35 31 October 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 27.20 2 November 2008 Nanjing Qina Tang Renjia Nanjing Restaurants and Bars 27.30 4 November 2008 SHH YongAn Xianqiangfang Shanghai Restaurants and Bars 522.73 20 November 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 50.05 25 November 2008 Pizza Express 1341 Victoria 1 Restaurants and Bars 40.10 2 December 2008 The Wolseley London W1J Restaurants and Bars 99.23 5 December 2008 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 45.45 17 December 2008 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 33.00 18 December 2008 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars -18.00 22 January 2009 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 31.30 5 February 2009 Starbucks Coffee Co London Restaurants and Bars 5.43 12 February 2009 Costa @ Cardinal London 430220 Restaurants and Bars 6.00 10 March 2009 Pret A Manger 57 Great East Restaurants and Bars 3.58 17 March 2009 Costa Waterloo London SE1 Restaurants and Bars 4.30 19 March 2009 Gruppo Inn The Parks London SW1A Restaurants and Bars 107.78 30 March 2009 Starbucks Coffee3913407 75 Paris 8 Restaurants and Bars 9.20

2009-10 Transaction date Merchant Town Spend category Transaction amount (£)

3 April 2009 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 480.10 8 May 2009 Pizza Express London 2031 Restaurants and Bars 35.25 14 May 2009 Garfunkels Edinburgh 897 Restaurants and Bars 16.00 15 May 2009 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 334.20 5 June 2009 Wagamama Victoria Victoria Restaurants and Bars 42.95 5 June 2009 The Wolseley London W1J Restaurants and Bars 97.37 1 October 2009 Old Star City Of Westminster Restaurants and Bars 44.20 21 October 2009 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 18.10 1105W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1106W

2009-10 Transaction date Merchant Town Spend category Transaction amount (£)

30 October 2009 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 95.40 3 November 2009 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 31.20 26 November 2009 Fuel Cafe Bar Ltd Manchester Restaurants and Bars 9.40 12 January 2010 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 384.60 18 February 2010 Costa @ Durham Southbound Restaurants and Bars 8.50 8 March 2010 Refreshment Dpt Micros London SW1P Restaurants and Bars 35.00

The Government Procurement Card spend categories Local Government Group will, through the Local depend on how the vendor classifies their business. Productivity Programme, spear head its roll-out across Some transactions under the ‘restaurants and bars’ line local government. related to the purchase of gifts on official business, and were excluded from the figures provided in my written Planning Inspectorate answer of 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 447W. The single transaction listed under ‘leisure activities’ Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for was a ministerial working dinner and should therefore Communities and Local Government what the cost to be added to the figures provided in my written answer his Department of the Planning Inspectorate was in of 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 447W. 2010-11. [67706] My Department is committed to greater transparency Robert Neill [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The over the use of the Government Procurement Card Planning Inspectorate received funding of £38.136 million than under the last Administration, and has strengthened from my Department in 2010-11. checks and balances to ensure protection of taxpayer’s money. Social Rented Housing Local Government Finance Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for answer to the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside Communities and Local Government what his policy is of 13 July 2011, Official Report, column 390W, on on the powers of local authorities to raise finance immigration: housing, what definition of habitual residence through the issue of municipal bonds; and if he will his Department provides to (a) registered providers of make a statement. [61816] housing and (b) local authorities; and if he will make a Robert Neill: Under the prudential system local statement. [67767] authorities are able to borrow for capital projects without Government consent, provided that they can afford the Andrew Stunell: Habitual residence is not defined in borrowing costs. Authorities are free to choose the legislation. It is a matter of fact, taking into account all source of these loans, and may borrow, should they the circumstances in a particular case. Decision makers wish to do so, by issuing bonds. must consider a variety of factors including the general nature of a person’s residence in the UK; their reasons Also the Local Government Resource Review is for coming to the UK; and the length of their actual considering how, in the context of changes to the business residence here. rate system, Tax Increment Financing can be introduced. Tax Increment Financing enables borrowing against The 2002 Code of Guidance on the Allocation of future increases in business rate receipts to help fund Accommodation and the 2006 Homelessness Code of the development of infrastructure. Guidance provide detailed advice to local housing authorities about the factors which they should take Local Government: Procurement into account when considering whether an applicant is habitually resident in the context of eligibility for social Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for housing and homelessness assistance. Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to encourage local authorities to Third Sector tender through Contracts Finder. [67253] Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Robert Neill: In February, a new, free-to-use, online Communities and Local Government which charities Contracts Finder portal was launched to make it easier and voluntary organisations Ministers in his Department and cheaper for small and medium enterprises and the have visited since 12 May 2010. [67430] voluntary and community sector to bid for public sector opportunities. Robert Neill [holding answer 19 July 2011]: Details Procurement in local government is a matter for local of all meetings with, and visits to, external organisations discretion and my Department does not wish to prescribe and their representatives by the Secretary of State for to local authorities how they should conduct their Communities and Local Government and all Ministers business. My Department does, however, encourage in his Department, including charities and voluntary local authorities to consider tendering through Contracts organisations, are published on the DCLG website: Finder. I am also delighted to say that the noble Lady, www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/ Baroness Eaton, supported Contract Finder while Chair transparencyingovernment/ministerialdata of the Local Government Association, vowing that the More recent data will be published here in due course. 1107W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1108W

Travellers: Caravan Sites Mr Blunt: The Government have no plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning appeals Courts: Rural Areas involving Gypsy and Traveller site (a) planning applications and (b) enforcement actions Mr Clive Kirkbride has Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice determined in each year since his appointment; and what his most recent assessment is of the projected how many such appeals have been (i) allowed and level of access to justice in rural communities in each of granted permission in favour of the Gypsy or Traveller the next four financial years. [66365] site and (ii) refused permission. [67012] Mr Djanogly: The Government published a full impact Robert Neill: The following table shows the number assessment alongside its response to the legal aid reform of planning and enforcement appeals decided by Clive consultation. This outlines our best estimate of the Kirkbride each year, since his appointment at the end likely impact of proposals, though ultimately impacts of 2002. will be driven by behavioural responses to the reforms and these are very difficult to predict with any degree of Planning appeals Enforcement appeals accuracy. However, we have also undertaken to carry Number Number Number Number out a full post-implementation review of the reforms allowed refused allowed refused following their implementation. 2003 — — — — 2004 — — — — Crown Dependencies 2005 — — — — 2006 — — — — Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007 1 — — — Justice whether he has any plans to visit the Crown 2008 — — — — dependencies in the next year. [66646] 2009 — — — — 2010 1 — 4 1 Mr Djanogly: My noble Friend, Lord McNally, Minister with responsibility for the Crown dependencies, has These results should be read in conjunction with the visited all three Crown dependencies within the last Introduction to the section of the Planning Inspectorate’s 12 months and plans to make return visits in the near Statistical Report for 2010-11 that shows the percentage future. allowed and dismissed by Inspector. In particular: All cases are considered on their individual merits, and on the Departmental Regulation basis of the evidence submitted; Inspectors do not select their own casework, and all work on a Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice variety of case types; and what process his Department follows for the production Inspectors are rigorously trained to ensure that they develop of regulatory guidance; and how many officials of his and maintain the skills necessary to undertake the work that they Department were involved in the production of such are given. These skills will influence the type of cases they deal guidance on the last date for which figures are available. with. [67202] www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/pins/statistics_eng/ 10_11/stats_report_final_2010_2011.pdf Mr Djanogly: Guidance is produced by my Department Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities when users need information to be confident that they and Local Government what the name is of each planning can comply with the law. Guidance is compliant with inspector who has determined an appeal concerning the code of practice on guidance and is tested with Gypsy and Traveller sites in each of the last five years; stakeholders so that it is comprehensive and meets user and in how many and what proportion of such cases needs. (a) the appeal was allowed in favour of the appellant Figures are not available on the number of officials and (b) the appeal was dismissed in favour of the local involved in the production of guidance. planning authority’s original decision. [67088] Employment Tribunals Service Robert Neill: Tables showing the names of planning inspectors who have presided over one or more such Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice planning appeals in the last five years (2006-10), and the how many employment tribunal (a) hearings were proportion allowed and dismissed have been placed in cancelled by the tribunal, (b) hearings were listed as the Library of the House. floaters, (c) hearings were listed within 26 weeks of receipt in single jurisdiction claims, (d) hearings had to be adjourned as a result of being part-heard and (e) JUSTICE written judgments were sent to the parties within four weeks of the conclusion of the hearing in each region Criminal Responsibility in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the average period of time taken was to list Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for pre-hearing reviews in each region. [67395] Justice if he will make it his policy to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14; and if he will make a Mr Djanogly: Employment tribunals list various types statement. [66497] of hearings, including case management discussions, 1109W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1110W pre hearing reviews, full/final hearings (which include Table 2: Single cases with hearings listed within 26 weeks of receipt for assessment of remedies, where relevant) and review the financial year 2010-111 hearings. Single cases with hearings listed Listing of hearings in cases (including the cancellation, Region for hearing within 26 weeks postponement or adjournment of cases) is a judicial matter. Once listed, ‘cancellations’ can occur, for example, Wales and South West 7,400 where the claim is resolved, settled or withdrawn before the hearing is scheduled to take place; where a Scotland 3,800 postponement request is made by one or both of the parties and accepted by the tribunal; or where the GB total 38,500 employment tribunal itself postpones the hearing on its own volition for any number of reasons. 1 There were 50,200 cases listed in the financial year 2010-11, of which 77% were listed for a first hearing within 26 weeks. Data on the In relation to part (a) of the question, Table 1 shows percentage of single accepted cases where the first hearing began all hearings marked as ‘postponed by Tribunal’ on the within 26 weeks of receipt (rather than being listed within that HMCTS management information system. It is not period), and the employment tribunals’ performance against the 75% possible to discern the cause of the postponement (for target, is published regularly. The latest available information, for the 2010-11 financial year is available on the MOJ website. example whether it was at the instigation of parties, or Note: the tribunal’s own volition). All figures by region in the latest period for which figures are Table 1: Hearings ‘Postponed by Tribunal’ in the financial year available. 2010-11 Rounding: Figures in the tables are rounded independently and thus may not add Total hearings Full hearings to totals. Region postponed postponed The following conventions have been used: Values less than 100 remain as unit values; Midlands 1,200 790 Values from 100 to 999 are rounded to nearest 10; and North East and North 1,400 970 Values of 1,000 and over are rounded to the nearest 100. West Source: Central London 650 420 ET Central database April 2011 Greater London and 1,200 960 South East In relation to part (d), Table 3 shows hearings that Wales and South West 880 630 were adjourned as a result of being part-heard. Scotland1 —— Table 3: All part heard hearings for the financial year 2010-11 GB total 5,400 3,800 Total hearings Full/final hearings 1 There were no postponements by tribunal recorded in Scotland in Region ‘part-heard’ ‘part-heard’ 2010-11, in 2009-10 there were two. Notes: Midlands 87 81 1. Hearings are marked as ‘postponed by Tribunal’ on the tribunal North East and North 390 360 management information system. These are hearings where, for a West variety of reasons including cancellation, that the hearing has been postponed by the tribunal. It is not possible to separate out the Central London 210 190 reasons for the postponement. Therefore the table gives indicative Greater London and 230 210 figures for the total number of postponements by tribunals, of which South East cancellations will be a subset. Wales and South West 45 42 2. All figures by region in the latest period for which figures are Scotland 30 30 available. Rounding: GB total 990 920 Figures in the tables are rounded independently and thus may not add Note: to totals. All figures by region in the latest period for which figures are The following conventions have been used: available. Values less than 100 remain as unit values; Rounding: Values from 100 to 999 are rounded to nearest 10; and Figures in the tables are rounded independently and thus may not add Values of 1,000 and over are rounded to the nearest 100. to totals. Source: The following conventions have been used: ET Central database July 2011 Values less than 100 remain as unit values; Values from 100 to 999 are rounded to nearest 10; and In relation to part (b), employment tribunal offices Values of 1,000 and over are rounded to the nearest 100. are not required to collate and record this information Source: and those that do, do not report the data so that it can ET Central database July 2011 be collated and held centrally. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide the information requested. In relation to part (e), Table 4 shows the number of In relation to part (c), Table 2 shows the number of written judgments that were sent to the parties within ‘singles’ cases that were listed within 26 weeks of receipt four weeks of the conclusion of the hearing. of the original claim. Table 4: Judgments sent to parties within 4 weeks of decision (single claims only) for the financial year 2010-111 Table 2: Single cases with hearings listed within 26 weeks of receipt for the financial year 2010-111 Region Judgment sent within four weeks Single cases with hearings listed Midlands 960 Region for hearing within 26 weeks North East and North West 2,300 Midlands 4,600 Central London 700 North East and North West 10,500 Greater London and South East 3,100 Central London 2,400 Wales and South West 1,500 Greater London and South East 9,900 Scotland 560 1111W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1112W

Table 4: Judgments sent to parties within 4 weeks of decision (single “Each eye-witness involved in the procedure (whether they are claims only) for the financial year 2010-111 a witness or victim) shall be asked, after they have taken part, Region Judgment sent within four weeks whether they have seen any film, photograph or image relating to the offence or any description of the suspect which has been GB total 9,100 broadcast or published in any national or local media or on any 1 There were 10,600 judgments issued in financial year 2010-11, of social networking site and, if they have, they should be asked to which 86% were issued within four weeks of the final hearing. give details of the circumstances, such as the date and place as Note: relevant. Their replies shall be recorded.” All figures by region in the latest period for which figures are available. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is then responsible Rounding: for considering the evidential implications of any such Figures in the tables are rounded independently and thus may not add prior identification when deciding whether the suspect to totals. should be charged and for disclosing relevant information The following conventions have been used: to the defence in the event of subsequent proceedings. Values less than 100 remain as unit values; Values from 100 to 999 are rounded to nearest 10; and Values of 1,000 and over are rounded to the nearest 100. Juries: Age Source: ET Central database April 2011 Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice In relation to the final part of the question about whether he plans to raise the age limit for people listing pre hearing reviews, Table 5 shows the average eligible to serve on juries. [66239] time taken to list such hearings in each region. Table 5: Listing times for pre-hearing reviews for the financial year Mr Blunt: The previous Government’s ageing strategy, 2010-11 ‘Building a Society for All Ages’(2009), gave an undertaking Average time from receipt to pre- to review the upper age limit for jury service. A public Region hearing review (days) consultation ran from 16 March to 8 June 2010 and Midlands 260 drew 44 responses. We are now considering the issue in North East and North West 150 the light of the consultation. Central London 150 Greater London and South East 190 Legal Aid Scheme Wales and South West 170 Scotland 160 Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for GB average 180 Justice what proportion of individuals in receipt of Note: legal aid were (a) under the age of 18 and (b) All figures by region in the latest period for which figures are identified as having a physical or mental disability in available. Rounding: the latest period for which figures are available; and Figures in the tables are rounded independently and thus may not add how many cases in that period in respect of which such to totals. aid was granted concerned clinical negligence. [65915] The following conventions have been used: Values less than 100 remain as unit values; Mr Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) Values from 100 to 999 are rounded to nearest 10; and Values of 1,000 and over are rounded to the nearest 100. is able to provide this information and it is shown in the Source: following table. Figures relate to civil representation ET Central database July 2011 only for the financial year 2009-10.

Identification Parades: Video Recordings Overall proportion of Total number of legal aid recipients clinical negligence Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for (percentage) cases Justice what assessment he has made of the extent to Under 18 18 1,017 which (a) victims and (b) witnesses of crime participating Physical or mental 11 1,589 in a video identification parade are able to pre-identify disability suspects through social media. [66099] Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice James Brokenshire: I have been asked to reply. how many persons aged (a) under 18 and (b) 18 to While no specific assessment of the extent of such 24 years were in receipt of civil and family legal aid in pre-identification has been conducted, video identification respect of each type of justiciable matter that will (i) be procedures, like all other identification procedures, are and (ii) not be eligible for legal aid following the conducted by the police in accordance with the requirements implementation of the Government’s proposals in the of Code of Practice D issued in accordance with the latest year for which information is available; what Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). In proportion of all recipients this represented in each addition, the police service has a dedicated group specialising case; and what the cost to the public purse was in each in video identification, which works with the CPS and case. [66387] others, including the Home Office, to identify any issues which might require changes to Code of Practice D. Mr Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) We are satisfied that the provisions of Code of Practice is able to provide this information and it is shown in the D balance properly the need for the police to secure following table. The current data and estimated impact admissible identification evidence with the need for of the reforms are based on 2009-10 closed cases relating safeguards for suspects. In particular, paragraph 3.29 to volume and cost of civil family and non-family legal requires that aid for those aged under 18, 18 to 24 and 25 plus. 1113W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1114W

Volume (thousand) Cost (£ million) % volume % cost Out of Out of Out of Out of In scope scope In scope scope In scope scope In scope scope post post post post post post post post Current reforms reforms Current reforms reforms reforms reforms reforms reforms

Family Under 18 23 23 — 120 120 — 100 0 100 0 18 to 24 55 20 35 90 60 30 37 63 67 33 25 plus 294 81 215 380 240 140 28 73 63 37 Total 372 125 250 590 420 170 33 67 71 29

Non Under 18 18 12 6 25 15 10 67 33 59 40 family 18 to 24 69 35 34 35 25 10 50 50 72 29 25 plus 462 185 275 210 130 80 40 60 62 38 Total 549 230 315 270 170 100 42 57 63 37

Total civil Under 18 41 35 6 145 135 10 86 14 93 7 (family + non- family) 18 to 24 124 55 69 125 85 40 44 56 68 32 25 plus 756 265 490 590 370 220 36 65 63 37 Total 920 355 565 860 590 270 39 61 69 31 Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded appropriately therefore the totals may not sum to their individual components. 2. Telephone advice data are not available by age. Consequently, telephone advice figures have been excluded from this table and saving/volume reduction figures do not tally with those in the published impact assessments. 3. The figures sum legal help and legal representation.

HEALTH Conditions of Employment

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Alcoholic Drinks: Rehabilitation how many meetings officials of his Department have had with the Department for Business, Innovation and Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Skills on the Government’s employment law review Health if he will assess the provision of support since May 2011. [67215] available to alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres in (a) Pendle, (b) Lancashire and (c) England. [67038] Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 21 June 2011, Official Anne Milton: Drug and alcohol treatment services Report, columns 252-53W. No meetings have taken are commissioned locally, with funding provided by a place between the Department of Health and the combination of central Government funding and local Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on this funding provided by a range of local partners including topic. the local authority, health, policy and probation. In Pendle, they are commissioned by Lancashire Drug and Dental Health: Children Alcohol Action Team who also provide support to delivery of services across the county. Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State The Government’s Drug Strategy, published in December for Health what estimate he has made of the level of 2010, highlighted the need for local areas to build close tooth decay in children aged (a) five to 12 years and links between residential rehabilitation and other services (b) 12 to 15 years old in Peterborough constituency; when commissioning support to help people recover and if he will make a statement. [67006] from dependence on drugs and alcohol. In a series of initiatives funded by the Department, the National Mr Simon Burns: The “NHS Dental Epidemiology Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) has: Programme for England Oral Health Survey of five-year-old allocated over £65 million since 2007-08 for capital projects to Children 2007/2008 and 12-year-old Children 2008/2009” improve the provision of rehabilitation facilities; shows that the average number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) among five and 12-year-old children launched Rehab Online, a web-based directory of residential services in 2010; and in the area of Peterborough Primary Care Trust was 1.60 and 0.70 respectively compared to a DMFT. of held a series of regional events in 2011 to raise the profile of such services. 1.11 and 0.74 respectively for England as a whole. Later this year, the NTA will be responding to the The full results of the survey are available at: consultation on Building Recovery in Communities by www.nwph.net/dentalhealth/ publishing updated advice on models of care for people The two tables from the survey that include the above dependent on drugs and alcohol. data have been placed in the Library. 1115W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1116W

Departmental Procurement his Department on behalf of a Minister in November 2010. [67580] Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many procurement contracts his Department has Mr Simon Burns: The information requested could be awarded to small businesses since May 2010. [67235] provided only at disproportionate cost. The Department has no plans to keep such data. Mr Simon Burns: The Department fully supports the Government’s initiative regarding small and medium Hepatitis sized enterprises (SMEs) and utilises a wide range of organisations within this category who provide an essential Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health contribution to the delivery of the Department’s objectives. what steps he plans to take to ensure equity between An average of 17% of purchase order value was placed regions in provision of treatment for hepatitis C. with small businesses over the past two years. [67501] During the period 1 May 2010 to 13 July 2011, the Department placed a total of 11,225 purchase orders Anne Milton: The NHS Commissioning Board will worth £512 million with commercial suppliers, academic be responsible for ensuring that services, including for institutions, third sector organisations and independent the treatment of hepatitis C, are commissioned so as to contractors, of which 3,666 worth £82 million were ensure consistency of high quality provision across the from SMEs. This represents 32.5% of the total orders. country and to address inequalities in access.

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for IVF: Nottinghamshire Health what proportion of procurement contracts offered by his Department have been advertised on the Contracts Finder website since the website’s inception. Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for [67236] Health (1) if he will assess the compliance of Nottinghamshire Primary Care Trust with the National Mr Simon Burns: The Department has advertised a Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines total of 243 contracts or tenders on the Contracts on the provision of IVF; [67301] Finder website, since the website’s inception up to 18 (2) if he will review the decision of Nottinghamshire July 2011. The Department does not hold a consolidated Primary Care Trust not to fund IVF treatment for Susi record of the total number of contracts and tenders Henson; [67335] offered by it during this period, and therefore cannot (3) if he will review (a) the eligibility criteria for IVF confirm the proportion that those advertised on Contracts treatment used by Nottinghamshire Primary Care Finder represent of the total. Trust and (b) their application to the case of Susi Henson. [67336] Departmental Regulation Anne Milton: The provision of NHS services, including Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in vitro fertilisation, is a matter for the national health what process his Department follows for the production service locally. It would not be appropriate for the of regulatory guidance; and how many officials of his Department to become involved in this matter. Department were involved in the production of such Primary care trusts are well aware of their statutory guidance on the most recent date for which figures are commissioning responsibilities and the need to base available. [67204] commissioning decisions on clinical evidence and discussions with local general practitioner commissioners, Mr Simon Burns: The Department circulated the secondary care clinicians and providers. Government’s “Code of Practice on Guidance on The NHS deputy chief executive, David Flory, wrote Regulation, BRE, 2009”, to assist policy officials when to primary care trust commissioners on 11 January producing regulatory guidance. 2011 to highlight to those involved in commissioning Information on the number of officials engaged in fertility services the importance of having regard to the production of regulatory guidance is not collected centrally National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and would require disproportionate effort to collate and fertility guidelines, including the recommendation that compile. up to three cycles of in vitro fertilisation are offered to eligible couples where the woman is aged between 23 Departmental Responsibilities and 39. A copy of this communication has already been Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health placed in the Library and is available at: (1) how many meetings he has had with hon. Members www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/ of each political party since May 2010; [67164] documents/digitalasset/dh_123405.pdf (2) if he will consider keeping data on the number of times (a) he and (b) officials of his Department have Landfill: Health Hazards declined a request for a meeting from an hon. Member of each political party; [67187] Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (3) on how many occasions a request for a meeting what research he has commissioned on potential health by an hon. Member of each political party was refused risks to children living in close proximity to landfill by (a) a Minister in his Department directly and (b) sites. [67785] 1117W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1118W

Anne Milton: No studies have been commissioned Mr Simon Burns: Naloxone is available through the specifically of childhood. The Department has national health service in England. It is for the devolved commissioned research previously on the risks of some Administrations to make decisions about expenditure types of cancer among people living close to a landfill on individual medicines. site and of birth outcomes in babies born to mothers living near sites compared to those living further away Nurses: Foreign Workers (Jarup et al, 2002. British Journal of Cancer Volume 86, pages 1732-1736 and Elliott et al, 2001. British Medical Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Journal Volume 323, pages 363-368). A slight increase how many foreign-trained nurses are working in in congenital anomalies was found but no excess risk of hospitals in England. [67029] cancer. The independent advisory Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and Anne Milton: The data are not held centrally. The the Environment (COT) considered these studies and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) collects data noted that the findings for birth outcomes were not on the number of admissions to the NMC register by consistent, and that the study provided no evidence that country. the rates of anomalies increased after sites had opened: http://cot.food.gov.uk/cotstatements/cotstatementsyrs/ cotstatements2001/sahsulandfill Nurses: Training The COT considered further studies in 2010 and found the results reassuring. In particular, it found no Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health cause for concern for the health of families with infants how many nursing training places were provided in or for couples who live in the vicinity of landfill sites each region in academic year 2010-11; and how many and who are considering having a baby: such places will be provided in 2011-12. [67028] http://cot.food.gov.uk/pdfs/cotstatementlandfill201001.pdf Anne Milton: Information on nursing training places Naloxone is not collected by the Department by academic year, but by financial year. The following table provides the Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for actual training commissions of diploma and degree Health whether he has any plans to make Naloxone programmes provided for 2010-11 and planned for 2011-12 available on the NHS. [66844] by region.

2010-11 actual 2010-11 actual 2011-12 planned 2011-12 planned commissions for diploma commissions for degree commissions for diploma commissions for degree Strategic Health Authority programmes programmes programmes programmes

North East 727 320 399 601 North West 1,595 1,835 433 - 2,649 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,335 815 579 1,269 East Midlands 1,308 277 1,099 363 West Midlands 1,827 694 0 2,102 East of England 1,170 560 268 1,268 London 2,751 937 286 3,115 South East Coast 911 392 298 871 South Central 859 283 469 639 South West 852 644 262 1,099 National 13,335 6,757 4,093 13,976

Orthopaedics Out-patients: Attendance

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the Dr Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for adequacy of the tariff price for specialist orthopaedic Health whether his Department collects information operations. [67371] on the number of out-patient clinics that are cancelled by hospital consultants within six weeks of their Mr Simon Burns: Prior to their final publication, the scheduled date. [67337] 2011-12 tariffs for orthopaedic operations were shared with clinicians and providers of specialist orthopaedic Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not collect services to check for any anomalies or perverse clinical information on cancelled out-patient clinics. incentives. In 2011-12 specialist orthopaedic procedures continue to attract a ‘top-up’ payment in addition to the tariff Palliative Care: Finance price. This year the top-up is set at 24%. Work on the 2012-13 tariff is under way, and as in previous years the draft tariff will be shared with providers Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for of specialist orthopaedic services for comment in the Health how much the NHS spent on palliative care in autumn. each year since 2005-06. [67107] 1119W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1120W

Paul Burstow: This information is not collected centrally. Unit in the Department for Environment, Food and The Department has conducted a special exercise to Rural Affairs. [67152] collect information on new investment in end of life care in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and on expenditure on specialist palliative care in 2006-07 and 2010-11. The Anne Milton: Departmental officials have met with 2006-07 and 2009-10 data has been published on the the Rural Communities Policy Unit on several occasions Department’s website at: to discuss the forthcoming Rural Statement. The last meeting was on 15 June 2011. www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/ @dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_086270.pdf and Southern Cross www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/ PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_118810 respectively, and the data for 2010-11 will be published Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for when the exercise is complete. Health what consideration he has given to providing additional resources to the Care Quality Commission Private Patients to take steps to ensure standards are met in care homes previously owned by Southern Cross. [67406] Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for patients who pay for private hospital treatment for the Health whether his Department has considered the purposes of avoiding the risk of acquiring a serious provision of additional funding to the Care Quality infection in an NHS hospital; and if he will make a Commission in respect of the registration of new statement. [67489] operators of Southern Cross care homes. [67470] Mr Simon Burns: The Department has identified no representations of this type from patients in the last six Paul Burstow: I refer the hon. Members to the written months. ministerial statement I gave on 19 July 2011, Official The Government have made clear it is a key priority Report, columns 105-06WS. that the national health service operates a zero tolerance Each year, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) agrees approach to all avoidable health care associated infections. its business plan and financial allocation with the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream Department. Its financial position is then kept under infections are at their lowest ever level since mandatory constant review during the financial year. If the CQC surveillance was introduced with infections falling by requires additional resources, it will supply a business 22% in 2010-11 compared to the previous year. Over the case which the Department will consider. same period, clostridium difficile infections fell by 15%.

Public Health England: Speech Therapy Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what process will be followed to ensure that landlords who purchase former Southern Cross care Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for homes are (a) fit to operate the homes and (b) financially Health what steps Public Health England will take to viable. [67407] use speech and language therapists to improve educational and employment outcomes. [66850] Paul Burstow: Landlords already own the homes, as I Anne Milton: Public Health England will hold the outlined to the House on 12 July 2011, Official Report, up-to-date evidence on which public health interventions columns 163-64. work, and how to deploy them effectively, across the The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has processes range of public health practice. This includes such areas in place to extend registration to include additional care as speech and language therapy, where the Government homes, where the provider is already registered subject recognise the significant contribution speech and language to meeting the registration requirements. therapists can make to addressing costly challenges such as poverty, poor mental health, antisocial behaviour, New providers will have to apply for registration and educational attainment and reablement. The Department be subject to the requirements of the Health and Social will publish a consultation document on a Public Health Care Act 2008, including assurance of financial viability Workforce Strategy in the autumn. To inform this work, under paragraph 13 of the CQC (Registration) Regulation a Public Health Workforce Strategy Working Group, 2009. chaired by a regional director of public health has been established. Members of the group include representatives from a range of health and local government organisations, Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for including the Co-Chair of the National Allied Health Health what discussions he has had with the Care Professional Advisory Board. Quality Commission on the registrations it will be required to undertake following the collapse of Southern Cross. Rural Areas [67471]

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Paul Burstow: I refer the hon. Member to the written Health whether officials of his Department have had ministerial statement I gave on 19 July 2011, Official recent discussions with the Rural Communities Policy Report, columns 105-06WS. 1121W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1122W

HOME DEPARTMENT 469,481 or 79% were carried out at universities or medical schools, 33,325 or 6% at Government Departments, Animal Experiments: Dogs 46,556 or 8% at other public bodies and 41,464 or 7% at commercial organisations. None were started at public Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the health laboratories, NHS hospitals or non-profit making Home Department when the Animals Scientific organisations. Procedures Inspectorate last inspected premises for beagles at Harlan Wyton; and what the outcome was of Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home that inspection. [67013] Department what proportion of procedures regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, Lynne Featherstone: The establishment was last inspected which were carried out in Scotland, was conducted by the Animals Scientific Procedures Inspectorate on without anaesthesia in 2010. [67049] the 18 April 2011. No issues of non-compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 or the Lynne Featherstone: There were a total of 590,826 establishment’s certificate of designation were identified. regulated procedures started under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Scotland in 2010 of which Animal Experiments: Scotland 414,528 (70%) used no form of anaesthesia.

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals were used in procedures Department how many (a) genetically modified animals regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act and (b) animals with a harmful genetic defect were 1986 in Scotland in 2010. [66925] used in regulated procedures conducted in Scotland under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Lynne Featherstone: During 2010, in Scotland, there 2010. [67050] were 579,905 animals used in regulated procedures started under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Lynne Featherstone: A total of 579,905 animals were used in regulated procedures started under the Animals Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Scotland in 2010, of Department how many regulated procedures were which 212,811 were genetically modified and 12,752 carried out under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) were animals with a harmful genetic defect. Act 1986 in Scotland in 2010. [66926] Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Lynne Featherstone: The number of regulated procedures Department what proportion of the regulated started under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) 1986 in Scotland in 2010 was 590,826. Act 1986, which were conducted in Scotland in 2010, was carried out for (a) fundamental and applied Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home studies other than toxicology and (b) toxicity tests or Department how many (a) mice, (b) rats, (c) guinea other safety and efficacy evaluation. [67051] pigs, (d) hamsters, (e) rabbits, (f) horses and other equids, (g) sheep, (h) pigs, (i) birds, (j) amphibians, Lynne Featherstone: During 2010, in Scotland, the (k) reptiles, (l) fish, (m) cats, (n) dogs, (o) new world number of regulated procedures started for non- primates and (p) old world primates were used in toxicological purposes under the Animals (Scientific procedures conducted in Scotland and regulated under Procedures) Act 1986 was 543,050 (92%), and the number the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2010. started for toxicological purposes was 47,776 (8%). [66927] Badgers: Animal Welfare Lynne Featherstone: During 2010, in Scotland, there were 323,740 mice, 36,890 rats, 1,091 guinea pigs, 755 Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the hamsters, 1,683 rabbits, 27 horses and other equids, Home Department what estimate she has made of the 4,706 sheep, 447 pigs, 12,750 birds, 817 amphibians, costs to police authorities of implementing a badger 193,543 fish, four cats, 442 dogs, 40 new world primates cull; and what advice her Department has received and 370 old world primates used in regulated procedures from the Association of Chief Police Officers on this started under the 1986 Act. No reptiles were used. matter. [67867]

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home James Brokenshire: The Home Office is working closely Department what proportion of regulated procedures with officials in the Department for Environment, Food under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, and Rural Affairs and the Association of Chief Police which were conducted in Scotland in 2010, was performed Officers on this matter in order to produce an estimate in (a) public health laboratories, (b) universities and of costs to police authorities. medical schools, (c) NHS hospitals, (d) Government Departments, (e) other public bodies, (f) non-profit making organisations and (g) commercial organisations. Biometrics [67047] John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Lynne Featherstone: During 2010, in Scotland, the the Home Department what steps the UK Borders total number of procedures started under the Animals Agency takes when a facial recognition machine fails to (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 was 590,826. Of these, operate. [67598] 1123W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1124W

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency has a service recognition equipment for border security and level agreement with the gate supplier and gate servicing integrity; and what timescale she has set for such an and reliability are delivered in line with that contract. In assessment. [67609] the case of one machine failing to operate, that gate would be closed and an engineer called to repair it; if a Damian Green: The UK Border Agency has completed bank of gates became inoperable they would be closed an evaluation of facial recognition and this confirmed and passengers would be processed at the manual control. that the technology operates securely and to an acceptable performance level. The performance of the technology John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for will be assessed regularly to ensure it continues to the Home Department what assessment she has made operate securely and effectively. Forecasts indicate that of the comparative (a) cost effectiveness and (b) over 11 million passengers per year are expected to use effectiveness of (i) facial recognition equipment and (ii) automated border crossings by 2013-04. UK Borders Agency staff at border controls. [67599] Demonstrations Damian Green: The UK Border Agency has completed an evaluation of facial recognition technology and this Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for the confirmed that the equipment operates securely and to Home Department what steps her Department takes to an acceptable performance level. The technology is ensure public protests are carried out in a safe and already cost effective in ports with high volumes of peaceful manner. [53623] eligible users. Over 4.5 million transactions have already taken place and forecasts indicate that over 20 million James Brokenshire: The policing of protests is an border crossings will have been facilitated using automation operational matter for the police. The Government are by 2013-14. committed both to ensuring that the law facilitates Facial recognition gates have been introduced to assist peaceful protests, and that the police have the powers Border Force officers in facilitating legitimate travel. they need to deal with any violence and disorder. Departmental Redundancy John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many errors in facial recognition equipment operated by her Department Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) her Department and have been reported since its introduction. [67606] (b) each non-departmental body for which she is responsible has spent on redundancies since May 2010. Damian Green: Since 2008 there have been over [66336] 4.5 million transactions. There have been six reported incidents of facial recognition equipment making a Damian Green: The following table has been provided false match, four of which were established to be false using Office for National Statistics guidelines for workforce alarms. On the remaining two occasions the false matches management reporting. were detected immediately by Border officers and no breach of the border occurred. System changes were The changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme put in place to improve the performance of the equipment (CSCS) in December 2010 obliged Departments to following these two incidents. offer ″voluntary redundancy″ on terms equivalent to ″voluntary exit″ under the compensation scheme before John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for it can issue notice of compulsory redundancy to any the Home Department what guidance is given to staff member of staff. The costs in the table relate to staff of her Department on the steps to take in the event of a who have accepted compulsory redundancy terms only, facial recognition equipment failure at border security as our HR and finance systems record as a separate control. [67607] category those leaving on that basis, but cannot differentiate between staff who leave on ″voluntary exit″ terms and those who have accepted ″voluntary redundancy″ under Damian Green: Staff are instructed to log a call with the compensation scheme. the helpdesk, who will assess the severity of the fault and send an engineer if appropriate. If fewer than three Table 1: How much has been spent on redundancies in (a) her gates in a bank of five are available for use, staff will Department and (b) each non-departmental body for which she is responsible for since May 2010 close the bank and direct passengers to the manual control. This fault reporting procedure follows the same Cost (£) process as for other IT equipment used at the Border. (a) Her Department Home Office and the Executive Agencies 1— John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who within her Department is (b) Non-departmental bodies accountable for the performance of facial recognition Equality and Human Rights Commission 1— machines used by her Department. [67608] (EHRC) Independent Police Complaints Commissioner 989,000 Damian Green: The chief executive of the UK Border (IPCC) Agency is accountable for performance within the agency. Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) 1— National Policing Improvements Agency (NPIA) 421,000 John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner 1— the Home Department what steps she plans to take to (OISC) assess the effectiveness of the introduction of facial Security Industry Authority (SIA) 1— 1125W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1126W

Table 1: How much has been spent on redundancies in (a) her Damian Green [holding answer 19 July 2011]: Further Department and (b) each non-departmental body for which she is analysis of the data used to produce the published responsible for since May 2010 reports could be undertaken only at disproportionate Cost (£) cost. Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) 1— 1 Not applicable. Notes: 1. Extract date 30 June 2011. 2. Figures have Immigration Controls: Channel Tunnel Railway Line been rounded to the nearest thousand pound. Source: Individual finance departments for each area. Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of employing Departmental Regulation immigration and customs staff at (a) Ebbsfleet International station and (b) Ashford International Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the station in (i) 2009-2010 and (ii) 2010-2011. [67601] Home Department what process her Department follows for the production of regulatory guidance; and Damian Green: Ebbsfleet, Ashford and Stratford how many officials of her Department were involved in International stations are covered on a mobile risk led the production of such guidance on the last date for basis resourced from St Pancras. St Pancras is specific which figures are available. [67203] to Eurostar train operations from Brussels and Paris, and the United Kingdom Border Agency incurred the Damian Green: The code of practice for guidance is following pay costs for the years stated. set centrally and is published by the Department for (i) 2009-10 £1.3 million; and Business Innovation and Skills. The Home Office does not keep a central record of the number of officials (ii) 2010-11 £1.7 million involved in the production of guidance. There has been an increase from two mobile teams in 2009-10 to three teams in 2010-11. Deportation Khat Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what oversight mechanisms are in Home Department what assessment she has made of place to ensure that enforced removals from the UK are trends in the use of khat in the last 10 years. [64754] monitored by an independent body. [67624] [holding answer 11 July 2011]: Damian Green: The UK Border Agency has used James Brokenshire A private sector escorting companies to undertake enforced question on the use of khat was added to the British removals for nearly 20 years. These companies operate Crime Survey in October 2009 to provide estimates on within a clear framework set out in legislation and in a the level of khat use within the general household set of operating standards and instructions which are population. Prior to this no assessment of prevalence published on the agency’s website. The role of escorts is was made by the Department. subject to oversight by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector First estimates (based on six months data) published of Prisons, who undertakes both announced and in July 2010 show that 0.2% of adults reported using unannounced inspections. The agency has, over the past khat in the previous year. As this is the first time the few years, introduced a number of measures to ensure data have been collected, no trend information is available. the protection of staff and detainees. These include the New estimates for from the 2010-11 BCS will be published use of contract monitors at the main airports used for end July 2011. departures, and an Independent Monitoring Board at Source: Heathrow airport. Hoare, J. and Moon, D. (2010) ‘Drug Misuse Declared: Findings We are satisfied that escorts act professionally, ensuring from the 2009/10 British Crime Survey (England and Wales)’ those in their custody are treated with dignity and care. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:// Where detainees complain that the use of force has www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- been excessive, the matter is investigated by the UK statistics/research-statistics/drugs-alcohol-research/hosb1310/ Border Agency’s Professional Standards Unit. If a hosb1310?view=Binary complainant is unhappy with the response, they can ask Members: Correspondence for the issue to be re-examined by the prisons and probation ombudsman, whose role was extended in 2006 to investigate complaints by immigration detainees. Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister of State for Immigration plans to reply to the letter of 23 May 2011 Entry Clearances: Overseas Students from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to David Goodbourne. [63995] Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 July Damian Green: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 2011, Official Report, columns 275-6W,on entry clearances: 7 July 2011. overseas students, (1) how many of the publicly funded further and higher education institutions that contribute Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home to the eight per cent. non-compliance rate were sixth Department when she plans to reply to the letters of form colleges; [67636] 4 May and 20 June 2011 from the hon. Member for (2) what the level of compliance was for independent Basildon and Billericay regarding a constituent, Mr schools. [67637] Matthew McDonald. [66154] 1127W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1128W

James Brokenshire [holding answer 14 July 2011]: A numbers of police staff employed and the associated reply was sent on 18 July 2011 by the Minister for costs—is a matter for individual chief constables and Policing and Criminal Justice, my right hon. Friend the their police authorities. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert), Information on the number of dismissals and voluntary who apologises for the delay in responding to my hon. resignations of police staff (excluding police community Friend. support officers and designated officers) by police force area as at 31 March 2010 is set out in the table. Compulsory Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for redundancies are contained within dismissals and voluntary the Home Department when she plans to reply to the redundancies are contained within voluntary resignations. letter of 30 March 2011 on behalf of the constituent of The Home Office does not collect figures specifically for the hon. Member for Workington, Mr N. Hebert. the number of non-uniformed staff in each police authority [66410] area that are required to reapply for their position and have been asked to retrain for posts formerly undertaken James Brokenshire: A response to the letter was sent by uniformed officers. on 14 July 2011 by the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, my right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel Information on the costs of managing changes to and South Downs (Nick Herbert), who apologises for contracts for non-uniformed staff, or redundancy costs the delay in responding to the hon. Member on this is not collected centrally. Redundancy (and other) costs matter. are included within the CIPFA Police Service Statistics publication, available via: Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the www.cipfastats.net Home Department when she plans to reply to the although police forces do not report this information letters from the Member of the Scottish Parliament separately from some other areas of expenditure. No for Banffshire and Buchan Coast of 25 February and estimate of any future costs of redundancies in each 10 May 2011 on the Tier 2 certificate of sponsorship police authority area has been made centrally, since this scheme. [66771] is a matter for individual chief constables and their police authorities. Damian Green: A reply to the letter of 25 February was sent to the hon. Member on 22 March 2011. I will Number of dismissals and voluntary resignations of police staff arrange for a copy of that response to be sent to her. (excluding police community support officers and designated officers), by police force area, as at 31 March 20101 There is no trace of receipt in the Home Office of the further correspondence dated 10 May 2011. Police staff Voluntary Dismissals resignations Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the interim reply Avon and Somerset 7 93 to the hon. Member for Walsall North of 27 June 2011, Bedfordshire 12 34 ref M10105.11, when the hon. Member for Walsall Cambridgeshire 6 90 North will receive a substantive reply to his letter of 31 Cheshire 5 74 May on the Winsor report. [66073] Cleveland 3 29 Cumbria 21 19 James Brokenshire [holding answer 14 July 2011]: A Derbyshire 6 83 reply was sent on 18 July 2011 by the Minister for Devon and Cornwall 6 71 Policing and Criminal Justice, my right hon. Friend the Dorset 0 38 Member for Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert), Durham 4 36 who apologises for the delay in responding to the hon. Dyfed-Powys 1 28 Member. Essex 14 112 Gloucestershire 2 22 Police: Civilians Greater Manchester 7 169 Gwent 1 31 Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Hampshire 7 113 Home Department (1) how many non-uniformed staff Hertfordshire 28 65 in each police authority area have been (a) made Humberside 8 51 redundant, (b) required to reapply for their position Kent 12 146 and (c) asked to retrain for posts formerly undertaken Lancashire 18 55 by uniformed officers in the last 12 months; [66821] Leicestershire 8 79 (2) what the cost of redundancies was in each police Lincolnshire 2 54 authority area in 2010-11; and what estimate she has London, City of 0 16 made of the likely costs in 2011-12; [66823] Merseyside 5 72 (3) what estimate she has made of the cost of Metropolitan Police 38 309 managing changes to contracts of non-uniformed staff Norfolk 32 49 in respect of (a) redeployment, (b) retraining, (c) Northamptonshire 12 67 interviewing and (d) redundancy in each police Northumbria 4 96 authority area. [66822] North Wales 5 13 North Yorkshire 14 81 James Brokenshire [holding answer 18 July 2011]: Nottinghamshire 15 59 The management of policing resources—including the South Wales 4 55 1129W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1130W

Number of dismissals and voluntary resignations of police staff Private Detectives: Regulation (excluding police community support officers and designated officers), by police force area, as at 31 March 20101 Police staff Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Voluntary the Home Department what measures govern the Dismissals resignations supervision and regulation of the private investigation industry. [66075] South Yorkshire 1 54 Staffordshire 49 32 Lynne Featherstone: There is no current licensing Suffolk 4 41 regime for private investigators. The Private Security Surrey 56 158 Industry Act 2001 contains provisions for the regulation Sussex 2 127 by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) of individuals Thames Valley 26 179 conducting private investigations. We are currently Warwickshire 0 11 considering whether these provisions should be brought West Mercia 6 91 into force. West Midlands 6 133 The Government announced last October that there West Yorkshire 23 96 will be a phased transition by the end of 2013 from the Wiltshire 3 60 SIA to a new independent regulatory regime for the Total 478 3,288 private security industry, which will place a greater 1 This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been focus on licensing businesses. Any regulation of private rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there investigators which is brought into force before then may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the will be included in the transition to the new regime. constituent items. Private Investigators: Licensing Police: Health Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the the Home Department what licensing regime applies to Home Department if she will introduce an annual private investigators. [66225] basic fitness test for police officers. [67875] Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 14 July 2011]: James Brokenshire: Tom Winsor has indicated he will There is no current licensing regime for private investigators. be looking at fitness testing for police officers in part 2 The Private Security Industry Act 2001 contains provisions of his Independent Review of Police Officer and Staff for the regulation by the Security Industry Authority Remuneration and Conditions. The Secretary of State (SIA) of individuals conducting private investigations. for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the We are currently considering whether these provisions Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), will consider his should be brought into force. recommendation when he presents this in January 2012. The Government announced last October that there will be a phased transition by the end of 2013 from the Police: Wales SIA to a new independent regulatory regime for the private security industry, which will place a greater focus on licensing businesses. Any regulation of private Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the investigators which is brought into force before then Home Department how many police officers there were will be included in the transition to the new regime. in each police authority in Wales in each of the last five years; and what the planned complement was in each Theft: Metals authority in each of those years. [67847] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for James Brokenshire: The latest available information the Home Department what steps she is taking to in the following table shows police officer strength in reduce the incidence of scrap metal theft. [66634] Wales, by police force area, 2006 to 2010, as at 31 March (full-time equivalents). The planned complement James Brokenshire: The Government are concerned in each authority is a matter for individual police forces at the extent of metal theft and the serious impact it can and authorities. have on the national infrastructure and on local Police officer strength in Wales, by police force area, 2006-10 as at communities. The Home Office is working closely with 31 March (full-time equivalents)1 the police (through the Association of Chief Police Wales 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Officers (ACPO) Metal Theft Working Group) to tackle this criminality and to reduce the stolen goods market Dyfed- 1,194 1,190 1,194 1,197 1,195 that drives it. We are currently exploring what other Powys action can be taken to reduce metal theft. Gwent 1,467 1,493 1,487 1,438 1,437 North 1,634 1,608 1,579 1,586 1,590 UK Border Agency: Data Protection Wales South 3,303 3,336 3,244 3,146 3,148 Wales Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints the UK Wales 7,599 7,627 7,503 7,367 7,369 Border Agency has received on breaches of data 1 The table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there protection from (a) UK residents, (b) persons held in may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the detention and (c) overseas applicants for visas since its constituent items. inception. [67745] 1131W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1132W

Damian Green: The Agency currently receives Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, approximately 25,000 subject access requests per year Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of for personal information under section 7 of the Data the factors contributing to the difference in the number Protection Act 1998. of (a) additional 25+ apprenticeship starts and (b) Since 2009, the Agency has received 166 complaints 16-18 and 19-24 apprenticeship starts in the first three made to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) quarters of 2010-11. [67902] relating to the Data Protection Act. These complaints have been broken down into years; Mr Hayes [holding answer 19 July 2011]: Apprenticeships 2009: 53 are demand led; we do not plan our apprenticeships 2010: 91 places or starts by age group. There are a number of 2011: 22 factors that contribute to the number of apprenticeship The ICO recently published the total number of starts including the current climate in the economy, the breaches of the Data Protection Act referred to them demand made from employers to employ apprentices, over the last 12 months. The Agency had 10 breaches, and the age and employment background of the various all of which related to subject access requests. The demographic groups applying for Apprenticeships places. ICO’s website can be accessed at: In previous years there was a limit placed on the http://www.ico.gov.uk/about_us/how_we_comply/ number of apprenticeship places for those aged 25 and disclosure_log/201107.aspx above. In the current academic year, 2010/11, this limit has been removed. As a result, demand from this large cohort has been strong, leading to an increase in the number of apprentices aged over 25 above overall growth across the programme. The increase in starts at 16-18 is BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS in line with the number expected to implement the Government’s strategy to raise the participation age1. Apprentices Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for The latest SFR was published on 23 June 2011: Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many people started an apprenticeship in the first nine months of http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current academic year (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2010-11 in each 1 parliamentary constituency in England; [66830] For the first nine months of 2010/11 there were 326,700 apprenticeship starts made up of: (2) how many people aged (a) 16 to 18, (b) 19 to 24 and (c) 25 years and over started an apprenticeship in Under 19: 102,900 (31.5%) academic year (i) 2011-12 and (ii) 2011-12 in each 19-24: 102,800 (31.5%) constituency in England. [66831] 25+: 121,000 (37.0 %). Source: Mr Hayes [holding answer 18 July 2011]: Ihave made provisional data showing apprenticeship starts by Individualised Learner Record. parliamentary constituency and age for the first nine months of the 2010/11 academic year available in the Libraries of the House. Data for 2010/11 are the latest Apprentices: Females year for which provisional data are available. Information on the number of apprenticeship starts Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, by parliamentary constituency is published in a quarterly Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published more women and girls to take up apprenticeships in on 23 June 2011: science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors. http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ [67891] statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Hayes: The National Apprenticeship Service is Business, Innovation and Skills how many people working with the UK Commission for Employment started an apprenticeship in each parliamentary and Skills (UKCES) and other key stakeholders to develop constituency in England in the latest year for which a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics figures are available. [66832] (STEM) strategy encouraging the development and take-up of STEM apprenticeships. Mr Hayes [holding answer 18 July 2011]: Ihave One of the aims of this strategy is to articulate and made final full year data showing apprenticeship starts raise awareness of career opportunities that are available by parliamentary constituency for 2009/10 available in to all suitable candidates. the Libraries of the House. The Department also funds a number of programmes Information on the number of apprenticeship starts which encourage people from a diverse range of by parliamentary constituency is published in a quarterly backgrounds, including women and girls, to understand statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published the excitement and importance of science, technology, on 23 June 2011: engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in their http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ lives, including STEMNET and its 27,000 strong cohort statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current of STEM ambassadors. 1133W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1134W

Departmental Advertising North West—Manchester South Central and West—Guildford, Plymouth and Bristol Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, West Midlands—Birmingham Innovation and Skills whether he has considered advertising Yorkshire Humber and North East—Leeds (YH) and Gateshead his Department’s business growth initiatives on (NE) documentation issued by HM Revenue and Customs. The teams are all based in BIS or BIS Agency premises. [67274] London and East, South Central and West and Yorkshire Humber and North East all have more than one location, Mr Prisk: The Government published their Plan for in order to provide effective coverage. Growth, alongside Budget 2011, which can be found at: www.bis.gov.uk/growth and is focused on implementation of the commitments. Further Education: Pay Much of Government, including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), increasingly provides information Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for and services online, and less through more costly paper- Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department based communication. Communication of Government’s has provided guidance to further education colleges on activity to support growth is being undertaken through pay restraint for (a) employees and (b) executives. a range of approaches, including: engaging directly [65850] with businesses and indirectly, using business representative bodies; through websites including www.bis.Gov.uk/growth; Mr Hayes [holding answer 13 July 2011]: The Secretary through Government’s delivery partners such as HMRC; of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right and through press releases, for example of open hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable) and I consultations on proposed legislation. wrote to vice chancellors and principals on 26 May last year concerning the Government’s plans to rebuild the Departmental Apprentices economy and build sustainable growth. In this letter we said: Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, “We are expecting BIS and all its Non Departmental Public Innovation and Skills whether his Department has a Body (NDPB) and Agency partner organisations to apply restraint policy on requirements for the provision of (a) to all aspects of pay and bonuses with a lead being given by senior apprenticeships and (b) other training by (i) his staff”. Department’s prime contractors and (ii) suppliers in the The full letter is available on the BIS website: supply chain of such contractors. [66603] http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/corporate/docs/c/cable- and-willetts-to-vice-chancellors-and-principals.pdf Mr Hayes: The policy of the Department is to consider, However, the Government are not the employer of on a case-by-case basis, the inclusion of apprenticeships FE staff and cannot intervene in decisions made by or other training requirements where it is appropriate colleges with respect to them. Colleges are self-governing, and relevant to the contract and consistent with value independent institutions and, as such, they are responsible for money.The Department is also establishing a Ministerial for their own terms and conditions, including pay and Apprenticeships Champions Group to promote the workforce modelling. It is therefore a matter for each apprenticeships agenda across Government, including FE college principal and governing body to decide how opportunities to work with prime contractors and suppliers best to maintain the delivery of high-quality provision in the supply chain to support training and apprenticeships. to their learners at a time of budgetary pressure. Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeships have High Street Review been created directly by contracts with his Department in each of the last three years. [66605] Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Mr Hayes: The Department does not hold information Innovation and Skills (1) on what dates meetings with on the number of apprenticeships created directly through (a) micro businesses, (b) small businesses and (c) contracts in each of the past three years. medium-sized businesses (i) have taken and (ii) are due to take place as part of the independent review of the Departmental Location future of the high street; [65907] (2) what the name is of each (a) firm, (b) local Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, authority representative, (c) third sector organisation Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 13 July and (d) other stakeholder consulted as part of the 2011, Official Report, column 404W, on departmental independent review of the future of the high street; offices, what the location is of each of his Department’s [65908] local offices; and what the location is of each team in (3) how many visits, meetings, engagements and areas spanning more than one administrative region. other events as part of the independent review of the [67521] future of the high street have (a) taken place and (b) been arranged; what the (i) date and (ii) venue of each Mr Prisk [holding answer 19 July 2011]: BIS local such event was or is; who was or has been invited to teams are located in the following places: each such event; and how many such events Mary East Midlands—Nottingham Portas (A) has attended and (B) plans to attend. London and East—Cambridge and London [65910] 1135W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1136W

Mr Davey: This is an independent review. It is for The Government welcome the report, which is consistent Mary Portas to determine the extent and nature of her with their principles of better regulation that encourage engagement with stakeholders. Last month Mary Portas voluntary action by business as an alternative to visited the town centres of Rugby and Sparkbrook as Government intervention. The BRC has already published part of a programme of stakeholder engagement she a new set of guidelines on the responsible retailing of will undertake across England as part of her review. children’s clothes. We consider this to be an excellent example of how industry can respond positively to Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries public feeling. BIS Ministers have had no recent discussion with the Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State BRC on this issue. The Government will, however, be for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will assess the proactive in monitoring progress by businesses and prospects for the UK automotive industry; and if he industry to implement the Bailey report recommendations, will make a statement. [66482] commencing with a roundtable on 27 June 2011, chaired by the Minister of State for Children and Families, Mr Prisk [holding answer 19 July 2011]: We have no Department for Education, the hon. Member for Brent plans to make a formal assessment of the viability of Central (Sarah Teather). the UK automotive industry. We work closely with the automotive industry, for example the Automotive Council, Skills Funding Agency to ensure we are aware of the key issues for the industry.

Overseas Trade: Sudan Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what savings he expects to achieve from the planned reduction in the Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Skills Funding Agency’s budget. [67078] Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on trade restrictions in Sudan. [61380] Mr Hayes [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The information is as follows. Mr Prisk: I have had no discussions with my US Programme budget counterparts regarding trade restrictions in Sudan. The Skills Funding Agency’s programme budget is planned to reduce from £3,894 million in 2010-11 to £3,026 million by the Regional Development Agencies: Finance end of the spending review period (2014-15) resulting in an expected annual saving by the end of the spending review period of £868 million (22.3% of baseline budget), and total planned Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for programme savings over the four-year spending review period of Business, Innovation and Skills if he will list for each £1,860 million. regional development agency (RDA), all previously Administration budget approved projects that have since been halted or cancelled as a result of the Government’s decision to The Skills Funding Agency’s administration budget is planned to reduce from £126 million in 2010-11 to £85 million by the end end RDA contributions to match funding for bids to of the spending review period (2014-15) resulting in an expected the European Regional Development Fund. [65301] annual saving by the end of the spending review period of £41 million (33% of baseline budget), and total planned administration Mr Prisk [holding answer 11 July 2011]: The Department budget saving over the four-year spending review period is £120 only holds information on Regional Development Agency million. projects over £10 million for which central Government approval was required. None of these projects have Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock been halted or cancelled.

Retail Trade: Children Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings took place between Ministers in his Department and Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Ministers in the Department for Transport to discuss Innovation and Skills what progress he has made in the bids for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project developing a retail code of practice on retailing to between May 2010 and June 2011. [65433] children; what recent discussions he has had with the British Retail Consortium on this issue; what the outcome of these discussions was; and if he will make a statement. Mr Davey: Ministers are not allowed to discuss the [63119] details of individual bids for contracts before they are awarded. The Invitation to Tender produced in 2008 Mr Prisk: The report to Government from Reg Bailey, specified the evaluation criteria by which bids for the ‘Letting Children be Children’, on the sexualisation and Thameslink contract would be judged. commercialisation of childhood published on 6 June The Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. 2011, recommended that retailers, alongside their trade Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) associations, should develop and comply with a voluntary and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and code of good practice for all aspects of retailing to Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham children and that the British Retail Consortium (BRC) (Vince Cable), have jointly written to the Prime Minister should continue its work in this area as a matter of outlining our plan for the Growth Review to fully urgency and encourage non-BRC members to sign up explore the opportunity to take a more strategic approach to its code. to major public procurement. 1137W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1138W

Vocational Training: Injuries that the plans are appropriate and fitting for the families, who remain our priority. A gate near to the Repatriation Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Centre is also being refurbished and renamed as ’Britannia for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) Gate’ and is to be dedicated for the use of repatriating serious injuries and (b) fatalities of learners placed on fallen service personnel. courses or apprenticeships were reported by the Skills Oxfordshire county council, in determining the route Funding Agency in each year since 2000. [67077] to be taken from the base with Thames Valley police, has also carefully considered the needs of the families Mr Hayes [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The number and members of the public and is constructing a memorial of serious injuries and fatalities of learners placed on garden along Norton Way, as well as providing parking courses or apprenticeships reported to the Skills Funding facilities. These new arrangements will give members of Agency is as follows: the public the opportunity to pay their own personal tribute as they have done in the past. April to March Fatalities Reportable injuries Cyprus: Military Bases 2002-03 4 1— 1 2003-04 2 — Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 2004-05 2 583 whether his Department receives any financial contributions 2005-06 1 755 from the United States for use of the sovereign bases in 2006-07 2 611 Cyprus. [67703] 2007-08 2 636 2008-09 0 581 Nick Harvey [holding answer 19 July 2011]: A United 2009-10 0 2— States Air Force detachment is based at RAF Akrotiri. 2010-11 1 2— They are charged for the use of buildings and the 1 Complete data is not available. 2 The information is not available utilities they consume. Other US forces who use the within the timeframe we have been given sovereign base areas for one-off purposes are charged on a case by case basis.

DEFENCE Defence: Manpower

Afghanistan: Artists Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has made an assessment of the Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for impact of the Strategic Defence and Security Review Defence how many official war artists have been attached on the number of people employed in the defence to military units based in Afghanistan since 2003. industry. [64955] [67082] Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence has not made Nick Harvey [holding answer 18 July 2011]: The any overall assessment of the effects that the Strategic information is not held centrally and could be provided Defence and Security Review (SDSR) will have on the only at disproportionate cost. Attachments of war artists number of people employed in the defence industry in to units deploying to Afghanistan are approved alongside the United Kingdom. The overall impact of the SDSR media and similar personnel and it is not possible to on the defence industry is not yet clear, as many changes, differentiate between them in our records. such as re-negotiation of several major contracts, is still under way. Armed Forces: Casualties Defence: Procurement Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on arrangements Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for for the repatriation of deceased servicemen and women Defence (1) what the monetary value was of urgent via Brize Norton; and if he will make a statement. operational requirements made by each of the armed [65234] forces in each of the last five years; [66702] (2) how much was spent on urgent operational Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence has received requirements for (a) fuel, (b) munitions, (c) equipment, in the region of 200 pieces of correspondence from (d) upgrades, (e) maintenance and (f) transport in members of the public and Parliament about the each of the last five years. [66704] arrangements for the repatriation of fallen service personnel. The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Peter Luff: The urgent operational requirement (UOR) Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), process is specific to equipment procurement programmes announced on 16 March 2011, Official Report, column and does not contribute toward, for example, expenditure 11WS, that repatriation ceremonies would move to on fuel or maintenance. The total approved funding RAF Brize Norton and in anticipation of this, the RAF through the UOR process in each of the last five has taken great care in planning and building the facilities financial years (FY) was £790 million for FY 2006-07, at the base. A new £3 million repatriation facility has £1,550 million for FY 2007-08, £1,400 million for FY been deliberately sited on the south side of the airfield, 2008-09, £840 million for FY 2009-10 and £1,130 million to give families the best possible view of the aircraft on for FY 2010-11. Expenditure is not recorded separately approach and landing while bringing their loved ones by armed service and certain programmes may provide home. I have visited RAF Brize Norton to assure myself equipment for more than one. 1139W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1140W

Departmental Procurement Departmental Responsibilities

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the annual value is of his Department’s current on how many occasions a request for a meeting by an contracts in each sector in which contracts are held. hon. Member of each political party was refused by (a) [66613] a Minister in his Department directly and (b) his Department on behalf of a Minister in November 2010. Peter Luff: Table 1.11 ‘Estimated Defence Expenditure [67576] Outturn in UK by Industry Group’ in ‘UK Defence Statistics’ estimates the amount of money the Ministry Dr Fox: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave of Defence (MOD) spends directly with the UK industry on 13 July 2011, Official Report, column 367W. broken down by industrial group. Departmental Travel The following table taken from Table 1.11 shows the latest available statistics, for 2008-09. Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on (a) rail, (b) road and £million (ex. VAT) (c) air travel by staff of the Met Office in the last 2008-09 12 months. [66922] Total 18,590 Mr Robathan: Expenditure incurred by Met Office staff on travel in the last 12 months, covering the period A, B Agriculture, Fishing and Mining — 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 is shown in the following table. C Manufacturing, excluding those 2,390 Expenditure incurred between 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 industries itemised below Travel by: Spend (£) Weapons & Ammunition 1,030 Data Processing Equipment 100 Rail 476,982 Other Electrical Engineering 220 Road 725,167 Air 585,517 Electronics 920 Precision Instruments 540 Harrier Aircraft Motor Vehicles & Parts 490 Shipbuilding & Repairing 1,250 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Aircraft & Spacecraft 2,480 Defence whether the Harrier aircraft had the capability to carry (a) Brimstone and (b) Storm Shadow missiles on 12 May 2011. [66656] D, E Electricity, Gas & Water 340 Nick Harvey: [holding answer 18 July 2011]: The F Construction 1,680 Harrier aircraft was withdrawn from service on 15 December 2010. Prior to its withdrawal, it had an G Wholesale, Retail & Repair of 330 operational emergency clearance to operate Baseline Motor Vehicles Brimstone. In order for the Harrier to use Dual Mode Seeker Brimstone, we would have had to extend the H ,I, J Hotels & Restaurants 160 provision for the weapon and conduct a full trials Transport via Railways 90 programme on Harrier. Although capable of carrying Storm Shadow, Harrier was not cleared to do so when it Other Land Transport (incl. via 60 pipelines) was withdrawn from service. Water, Air and Auxiliary/freight 600 Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft supply transportation Post & Courier Services 10 Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Telecommunications 190 Defence what his latest estimate is of the cost to his Department of Joint Strike Fighter per aircraft; and K, L, M, N, Financial Services, Business when he expects the aircraft to be delivered. [66951] 0 Activities, Education, Health, & Other Peter Luff: The cost of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will be known at its main investment decision point. P, Q, R, S, Service Activities excluding those 2,490 Publishing any details prior to this point would prejudice T industries itemised as follows1, 2 the commercial interests of MOD. The UK’s first JSF Real Estate & Renting 2,030 is due to be delivered in 2012 to allow the UK to train Computer Services 1,180 pilots prior to operational test. 1 Includes MOD payments to AWE Management Ltd, who manage Libya: Armed Conflict the Atomic Weapons Establishment on behalf of the MOD under a Government-owned/contractor-operated arrangement. 2 The quality of data available for the service industries is insufficient Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to identify these SICs separately. (1) how many service personnel have been operating in UK Defence Statistics 2011 will be published in the (a) landmass, (b) airspace and (c) territorial waters September 2011 and will contain the figures for 2009-10. of Libya on each day since 18 March 2011; [67635] 1141W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1142W

(2) how many service personnel of each rank in each Nick Harvey [holding answer 19 July 2011]: Information armed service have been eligible to receive the operational on the number of service personnel who have participated allowance for taking part in operations within the (a) in Operation Ellamy since 18 March 2011 is not readily landmass, (b) airspace and (c) territorial waters of accessible from our systems. The number of service Libya since 18 March 2011. [67638] personnel deployed overseas in support of Operation Ellamy at 0600hrs on 18 July 2001 was 2,071. Nick Harvey [holding answer 19 July 2011]: Iam withholding the information as its disclosure would, or Ministerial Meetings would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department for Defence how many service personnel at each rank in attended which were also attended by (A) representatives, each service have been operating within the landmass, (B) journalists and (C) other employees of (1) News airspace and territorial waters of Libya consistent with International and its subsidiary organisations including eligibility for the operational allowance since 18 March newspapers, (2) News Corporation and its subsidiary 2011; and how many are operating within that space at organisations and (3) BSkyB since May 2010; [66058] present. [67700] (2) what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements Nick Harvey [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department breakdown of service personnel eligible for the ELLAMY attended which were also attended by Mr Andrew operational allowance since 18 March is not held in the Coulson (A) between 12 May 2010 and 21 January format requested. The breakdown by individual service 2011 and (B) since 21 January 2011. [66059] is being withheld as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of Dr Fox [holding answer 14 July 2011]: As has been the armed services. The tri-service breakdown by rank the practice of previous Administrations information as at 15 July 2011 is provided in the following table: relating to internal meetings, discussions and advice is not normally disclosed. Tri-service equivalent ranks Total I refer the hon. Member to the Statement made by the Prime Minister on 13 July 2011, Official Report, Officers columns 313-4. OF4 Commander / Lieutenant Colonel / Wing 4 Commander OF3 Lieutenant Commander / Major / Squadron 8 Piracy Leader OF2 Lieutenant / Captain / Flight Lieutenant 33 Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his French Other ranks and Italian counterparts on the deployment of military OR7 Chief Petty Officer / Staff Sergeant / Flight 1 personnel on commercial shipping transiting through Sergeant / Chief Technician the Horn of Africa; and whether he has any plans OR6 Petty Officer /Sergeant / Sergeant 2 to deploy British military personnel on British OR4 Leading Rate / Corporal / Corporal 1 commercial shipping. [64880] OR2 Able Seaman 1st Class / Private (Classes 1-3) 3 / Junior Technician / Senior Aircraftman Nick Harvey: The Secretary of State for Defence, my The numbers can vary, for example, as naval units right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr move into and out of Libyan territorial waters. Fox) holds regular discussions with his French and Italian counterparts on a number of Defence issues, Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State including counter-piracy. No specific discussions have for Defence what the cost has been of extending eligibility taken place on the topic of military vessel protection for the operational allowance to service personnel operating detachments. We do not intend routinely to deploy within the landmass, airspace and territorial waters of British military personnel on British commercial shipping. Libya. [67701] Radioactive Waste Nick Harvey [holding answer 19 July 2011]: It will not be possible to answer this question definitively until Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence after the operation is complete as the numbers of personnel for what reasons his Department project increases in involved in Op ELLAMY may vary considerably day to aerial and liquid discharges of tritium from the defence day. The extension of the operational allowance (OA) sector in the UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharges. to personnel on Op ELLAMY, based on the OA rate of [47135] £29.02 per day, is estimated to cost in the region of £90,000 per month per hundred qualifying personnel. Peter Luff: I will write to the hon. Member. Substantive answer from Peter Luff to Paul Flynn: Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State In my answer of 22 March (Official Report, column 947W), I for Defence how many service personnel have participated undertook to write to you to respond to your Parliamentary in Operation Ellamy since 18 March 2011; and how Question asking for the reasons for projected increases in aerial many are presently participating in the operation. and liquid discharges of tritium from the defence sector in the [67709] UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharges. I am very sorry for the 1143W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1144W delay in providing you with a substantive response; the effort to Sri Lanka: War Crimes research the answer to your question proved to be very time consuming. Aerial tritium discharges result almost entirely from the nuclear John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence weapons programme. The predictions for 2006 onwards were whether he had discussions in an official capacity on based on empirical information provided by the Atomic Weapons (a) defence industry sales and (b) war crimes allegations Establishment to the Environment Agency (EA) in support of an concerning the Sri Lankan army during his visit to Sri application for a new authorisation for the disposal of radioactive Lanka in July 2011. [66944] waste. These predicted figures included an allowance for operational headroom over the maximum reported discharge in the previous five years of approximately 1-5 times, hence the apparent rise in Dr Fox [holding answer 18 July 2011]: The United future discharge figures. Even at these levels, the discharges will Kingdom has consistently called for an independent be significantly lower than EA limits and actual discharge levels and credible investigation to address allegations of war are expected to be considerably lower. crimes committed by both sides during in the conflict. Liquid tritium discharges arise from the nuclear weapons and During my visit I emphasised that the Sri Lankan nuclear propulsion programmes, as well as some historic Government should engage constructively with the UN contamination. In all cases, liquid discharge . projections are Panel report’s recommendations and through their own based on the minimum recordable level of tritium in analysed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee initiate samples so the values given are the maximum that could reasonably credible action to address the concerns including those be expected. Again, the actual discharge levels are likely to be significantly less. highlighted by the UN. Defence exports were not a topic of discussion during the visit. I hope this response provides the explanation that you sought. United Kingdom Hydrographic Office Sri Lanka

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for what meetings he had in an official capacity during his Defence what the benefit arrangements are of the non- executive directors of the (a) Met Office and (b) visit to Sri Lanka in July 2011. [66943] Hydrographic Office. [66924] Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he met the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mr Robathan: The Met Office and the Hydrographic during his visit to Sri Lanka. [67621] Office pay their non-executive directors an annual remuneration and reimburse their non-executive directors all reasonable expenses properly and necessarily incurred Dr Fox [holding answer 18 July 2011]: I refer the in their appointment. hon. Members to the answer I gave on 19 July 2011, Official Report, column 869W,to the right hon. Member Details of the remuneration and benefits for non- for East Renfrewshire (Mr Murphy). executive directors are disclosed in the annual report and accounts of both trading funds. Copies are placed John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for in the Library of the House each year. Defence whether he consulted ministerial colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office prior to his United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: Air Travel visit to Sri Lanka in July 2011. [66945] Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Dr Fox [holding answer 18 July 2011]: The Ministry Defence how much was spent on air travel by class of of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel by staff at the Hydrographic Office in the last closely cooperate on international policy development 12 months. [66918] and engagement. Given our close interest in Sri Lanka, I and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Mr Robathan: Expenditure incurred by United Kingdom Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member Hydrographic Office employees on air travel by class for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) consulted in the last 12 months covering the period 1 July 2010 to well in advance of my departure. 30 June 2011 is shown in the following table:

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Air travel by class: Spend (£) Defence whether he promoted British foreign policy objectives during his recent visit to Sri Lanka. [67622] Economy 262,657 Business 464,689 Dr Fox: The United Kingdom wants to see lasting Premium Economy 43,382 1 peace and security in Sri Lanka. It remains our view Total 770,728 that for sustainable peace and economic growth Sri 1 All spend include VAT as provided by the Ministry of Defence’s Lanka requires political reconciliation between all Central Booking Service, Hogg Robinson Group. communities; accountability for human rights allegations; United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: Cars and the respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law. I was able to build on recent engagements, including the visit in February of the Under-Secretary Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Defence how many staff at the (a) Met Office and (b) hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire Hydrographic Office are entitled to use official cars. (Alistair Burt). [66921] 1145W Written Answers20 JULY 2011 Written Answers 1146W

Mr Robathan: The Met Office do not operate official United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: Travel cars; their staff share pooled self-drive service vehicles for business travel instead. Nine staff at the Hydrographic Office are eligible to use their single official car. Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on (a) rail, (b) road and Eligibility for a staff car is currently dependent upon (c) air travel by staff of the Hydrographic Office in the the nature of the duties of an appointment, and it is the last 12 months. [66947] responsibility of individual trading funds to identify and justify which appointments have such eligibility in accordance with central Ministry of Defence policy. Mr Robathan [holding answer 18 July 2011]: Expenditure incurred by United Kingdom Hydrographic Office We are reviewing departmental policy on the provision (UKHO) employees on travel in the last 12 months, of staff cars (including in our Trading Funds), taking covering the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011, is as account of the need to demonstrate value for money, follows: provide maximum flexibility and meet our sustainable development commitments. Travel by: Spend (£) Staff cars are an extension of the office and give our 1 most senior staff a more private space to work in than Rail 36,165 public transport, so they can make best use of the time Road 65,413 they spend travelling, with appropriate security. Air 2770,728 1 This covers the period from 1 July 2010 to 31 March 2011. 2 Air United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: Hotels travel spend includes VAT as provided by the Ministry of Defence’s central booking service, Hogg Robinson Group. Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for While the UKHO encourages its international partners Defence how much was spent on hotel accommodation to visit Taunton, it is often necessary for employees to for staff of the (a) Met Office and (b) Hydrographic travel to ensure the appropriate level of international Office in the last 12 months. [66920] engagement. All such travel and accommodation costs are closely scrutinised internally to ensure that it is Mr Robathan: Met Office spend on hotel accommodation necessary and satisfies a clear business critical need. cannot be identified separately from total spend on Travel is funded from within the UKHO’s operating subsistence. costs. All travel is at standard class except for long haul The UK Hydrographic Office spent £284,243 on hotel flights over four hours. We have recently invested in accommodation for employees in the period 1 July 2010 additional video conferencing facilities which will be to 30 June 2011. used as an alternative to travel wherever possible.

9MC Ministerial Corrections20 JULY 2011 Ministerial Corrections 10MC

(5) how many staff of his Department work for Ministerial Corrections the Science Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons; and how many Wednesday 20 July 2011 such staff are on (a) temporary and (b) permanent contracts. [54472] [Official Report, 10 May 2011, Vol. 527, c. 1081-82W.] Letter of correction from Jim Murphy: HOME DEPARTMENT An error has been identified in the written answer given to the right hon. Member for East Renfrewshire Serious Organised Crime: Finance (Mr Murphy) on 10 May 2011. The full answer given was as follows: Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget of the Serious Organised Mr Robathan: The Science Advisory Committee on the Crime Agency was in each year since its inception. Medical Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (SACMILL) [47253] was approved as a non-departmental public body in [Official Report, 1 April 2011, Vol. 526, c. 559-60W.] June 2009 and will be established soon. It is expected to Letter of correction from Nick Herbert: be established later this year and it will continue the work previously undertaken by the Defence Science Two errors have been identified in the table accompanying Advisory Council Subcommittee on the Medical the written answer given to the right hon. Member for Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (DOMILL). Belfast North (Mr Dodds) on 1 April 2011. The figures for 2006-07 and 2010-11 were incorrect. SACMILL’s purpose will be to provide: advice on the biophysical, biomechanical, pathological and clinical The full answer given was as follows: aspects of generic classes of Less Lethal Weapons; independent statements on the medical implications of Nick Herbert: The information is as follows: use of specific Less Lethal Weapons; advice on the risk of injury from specific Less Lethal Weapons systems £ million striking specific areas of the body in a format that will 2006-07 427.6 assist those responsible for developing policy and, separately, 2007-08 444.7 guidance to users, as well as operational users themselves 2008-09 474.7 in making tactical decisions. 2009-10 478.0 As an advisory non-departmental public body it will 2010-11 469.8 advise Ministers, but not employ staff or incur expenditure on its own account. The Surgeon General will be a The correct answer should have been: member of the Executive Committee and will provide the secretariat functions for the committee from existing Nick Herbert: The information is as follows: full-time HQ Surgeon General Staff. In addition, the committee may draw on the pool of expertise found £ million within the Ministry of Defence and other Government 2006-07 426.4 Departments for specific tasks. 2007-08 444.7 The total cost to the Department for DOMILL legacy 2008-09 474.7 work undertaken during the financial year 2010-11 was 2009-10 478.0 £39,355.56, principally for travel and subsistence costs. 2010-11 462.8 Work is currently under way to finalise the tasking arrangements for the financial year 2011-12; a similar level of expenditure as the previous year is expected. The correct answer should have been: DEFENCE Mr Robathan: The Science Advisory Committee on Departmental Public Bodies the Medical Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (SACMILL) was approved as a non-departmental public body in June 2009 and will be established soon. It is Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for expected to be established later this year and it will Defence (1) when the Science Advisory Committee on continue the work previously undertaken by the Defence the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons was Science Advisory Council Subcommittee on the Medical established; [54468] Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (DOMILL). (2) what the purpose and function is of the Science Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of SACMILL’s purpose will be to provide: advice on the biophysical, biomechanical, pathological and clinical Less-Lethal Weapons; [54469] aspects of generic classes of Less Lethal Weapons; (3) what the budget contribution from his independent statements on the medical implications of Department was for the Science Advisory Committee use of specific Less Lethal Weapons; advice on the risk on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons of injury from specific Less Lethal Weapons systems under each budget heading in 2010-11; [54470] striking specific areas of the body in a format that will (4) what plans he has for future levels of funding for assist those responsible for developing policy and, separately, the Science Advisory Committee on the Medical guidance to users, as well as operational users themselves Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons; [54471] in making tactical decisions. 11MC Ministerial Corrections20 JULY 2011 Ministerial Corrections 12MC

As an advisory non-departmental public body it will The total cost to the Department for DOMILL legacy advise Ministers, but not employ staff or incur expenditure work undertaken during the financial year 2010-11 was on its own account. The Surgeon General will be a £39,355.56, principally for Defence Science and Technology member of the Executive Committee and will provide Laboratory daily rate staff costs. Work is currently the secretariat functions for the committee from existing under way to finalise the tasking arrangements for the full-time HQ Surgeon General Staff. In addition, the financial year 2011-12; a similar level of expenditure as committee may draw on the pool of expertise found the previous year is expected. within the Ministry of Defence and other Government Departments for specific tasks. PETITIONS

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Col. No. Col. No. PRESENTED PETITIONS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 11P EU Referendum...... 11P Police Station (Wombourne, South Staffordshire).. 11P Glass Bottles (Pubs and Clubs) ...... 11P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 1005W DEFENCE—continued Law Officers’ Department ...... 1005W Armed Forces: Casualties ...... 1137W Cyprus: Military Bases...... 1138W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 1131W Defence: Manpower...... 1138W Apprentices...... 1131W Defence: Procurement...... 1138W Apprentices: Females ...... 1132W Departmental Procurement...... 1139W Departmental Advertising...... 1133W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 1140W Departmental Apprentices ...... 1133W Departmental Travel ...... 1140W Departmental Location...... 1133W Harrier Aircraft ...... 1140W Further Education: Pay...... 1134W Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft...... 1140W High Street Review...... 1134W Libya: Armed Conflict...... 1140W Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries...... 1135W Ministerial Meetings ...... 1142W Overseas Trade: Sudan...... 1135W Piracy...... 1142W Regional Development Agencies: Finance ...... 1135W Radioactive Waste...... 1142W Retail Trade: Children...... 1135W Sri Lanka ...... 1143W Skills Funding Agency ...... 1136W Sri Lanka: War Crimes ...... 1144W Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock ...... 1136W United Kingdom Hydrographic Office...... 1144W Vocational Training: Injuries...... 1137W United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: Air Travel . 1144W United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: Cars ...... 1144W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 1100W United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: Hotels ...... 1145W AssetCo: Contracts ...... 1100W United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: Travel ...... 1146W Audit Commission: Expenditure...... 1100W Audit Commission: Photographs ...... 1101W EDUCATION...... 1013W Council Tax ...... 1101W Children and Families Ministerial Taskforce...... 1013W Departmental Publications ...... 1102W Children in Care...... 1014W Gifts and Endowments...... 1102W Children in Care: Adoption ...... 1014W Government Procurement Card ...... 1102W Conditions of Employment...... 1015W Local Government Finance ...... 1105W CSE...... 1015W Local Government: Procurement ...... 1105W Departmental Apprentices ...... 1016W Planning Inspectorate ...... 1106W Departmental Buildings...... 1016W Social Rented Housing...... 1106W Departmental Carbon Emissions ...... 1016W Third Sector...... 1106W Departmental E-mail ...... 1017W Travellers: Caravan Sites ...... 1107W Departmental Lost Property ...... 1018W Departmental Procurement...... 1018W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 1049W Education Maintenance Allowance...... 1019W British Board of Film Classification: Videos...... 1049W Equality Act 2010 ...... 1019W British Sky Broadcasting...... 1049W Free Early Years: Children ...... 1020W Carbon Emissions...... 1049W Further Education ...... 1020W Conditions of Employment...... 1049W Further Education: Finance...... 1021W Departmental Lost Property ...... 1050W Further Education: Transport...... 1021W Departmental Manpower...... 1050W GCE A-level...... 1022W Departmental Photographs...... 1050W GCE O-level...... 1023W Departmental Procurement...... 1050W GCSE ...... 1023W Departmental Redundancy ...... 1051W History: GCE A-level...... 1024W Departmental Regulation...... 1051W History: GCSE...... 1031W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 1052W Ministerial Meetings ...... 1041W Departmental Training ...... 1053W Personal, Social, Health and Economic Lotteries: Charities ...... 1053W Education ...... 1041W Lotteries: Gambling...... 1054W Play...... 1042W Rural Areas...... 1054W Postgraduate Education ...... 1043W Sports: Females...... 1054W Postgraduate Education: Fees and Charges...... 1043W Tourism...... 1054W Primary Education: Extracurricular Activities...... 1044W UK Film Council...... 1056W Public Service: Bolton ...... 1044W Schools: Standards...... 1044W DEFENCE...... 1137W Schools: Vocational Guidance...... 1044W Afghanistan: Artists...... 1137W Special Educational Needs...... 1045W Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION—continued HEALTH—continued Special Educational Needs: Dyslexia ...... 1046W Southern Cross ...... 1120W Special Educational Needs: Finance ...... 1048W Teachers...... 1048W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 1121W Teachers: Training...... 1048W Animal Experiments: Dogs ...... 1121W Animal Experiments: Scotland ...... 1121W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Badgers: Animal Welfare ...... 1122W AFFAIRS...... 1072W Biometrics...... 1122W Agriculture...... 1072W Demonstrations ...... 1124W Agriculture: Pay ...... 1073W Departmental Redundancy ...... 1124W Agriculture: Young People ...... 1073W Departmental Regulation...... 1125W Animal Welfare: Charities...... 1073W Deportation ...... 1125W Animal Welfare: Slaughterhouses ...... 1073W Entry Clearances: Overseas Students ...... 1125W Badgers ...... 1074W Immigration Controls: Channel Tunnel Railway Biotechnology...... 1074W Line ...... 1126W Bovine Tuberculosis ...... 1075W Khat...... 1126W Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control...... 1075W Members: Correspondence ...... 1126W Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination...... 1076W Police: Civilians...... 1127W Carbon Emissions: Business...... 1077W Police: Health...... 1129W Cattle: Carbon Emissions ...... 1077W Police: Wales ...... 1129W Crops: Droughts ...... 1078W Private Detectives: Regulation...... 1130W Dairy Farming ...... 1079W Private Investigators: Licensing...... 1130W Departmental Regulation...... 1079W Theft: Metals ...... 1130W Dogs ...... 1081W UK Border Agency: Data Protection...... 1130W EU Grants and Loans...... 1081W Food: Exports ...... 1082W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 1087W Food Supply...... 1082W Democratic Republic of Congo: Females...... 1087W Forestry Commission: Manpower...... 1082W Departmental Carbon Emissions ...... 1088W Land: Contamination ...... 1083W Departmental Location...... 1088W Rural Development Programme: Yorkshire and Departmental Lost Property ...... 1089W the Humber...... 1083W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 1089W Stray Dogs ...... 1084W Developing Countries: Cotton ...... 1090W Trees: Disease Control ...... 1084W National Security Council...... 1090W Wildlife: Circuses ...... 1085W Overseas Aid...... 1090W Pakistan: Overseas Aid ...... 1090W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 1057W UN Women: Finance ...... 1091W Colombia: Mining...... 1057W Conditions of Employment...... 1057W JUSTICE...... 1107W Cyprus: Press Freedom ...... 1057W Courts: Rural Areas ...... 1108W Democratic Republic of Congo: Diplomatic Criminal Responsibility ...... 1107W Relations...... 1058W Crown Dependencies ...... 1108W Departmental Carbon Emissions ...... 1058W Departmental Regulation...... 1108W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 1058W Employment Tribunals Service...... 1108W Embassies: St David’s Day...... 1059W Identification Parades: Video Recordings ...... 1111W Eritrea: Religious Freedom ...... 1059W Juries: Age ...... 1112W India: Entry Clearances ...... 1059W Legal Aid Scheme ...... 1112W Libya: Armed Conflict...... 1060W Oil: Production ...... 1060W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 1049W Somalia: Piracy ...... 1060W Departmental Air Travel ...... 1049W Sri Lanka ...... 1061W UN Environment Programme ...... 1061W PRIME MINISTER ...... 1085W Andy Coulson...... 1085W HEALTH...... 1113W British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation...... 1086W Alcoholic Drinks: Rehabilitation ...... 1113W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 1087W Conditions of Employment...... 1114W Dental Health: Children...... 1114W SCOTLAND...... 1007W Departmental Procurement...... 1115W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 1007W Departmental Regulation...... 1115W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 1115W TRANSPORT ...... 1091W Hepatitis ...... 1116W Akhona Geveza ...... 1091W IVF: Nottinghamshire ...... 1116W Departmental Photographs...... 1091W Landfill: Health Hazards ...... 1116W Departmental Procurement...... 1092W Naloxone ...... 1117W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 1092W Nurses: Foreign Workers...... 1118W Exports: Biofuels ...... 1092W Nurses: Training ...... 1118W Freight ...... 1093W Orthopaedics...... 1117W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 1093W Out-patients: Attendance...... 1118W Liverpool Cruise Terminal ...... 1094W Palliative Care: Finance ...... 1118W Ministerial Meetings ...... 1094W Private Patients ...... 1119W Ports ...... 1094W Public Health England: Speech Therapy ...... 1119W Ports: Railways...... 1095W Rural Areas...... 1119W Railways...... 1095W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT—continued TREASURY—continued Railways: Disability ...... 1096W Private Finance Initiative ...... 1011W Railways: Fares ...... 1096W Public Sector: Pensions ...... 1011W Railways: Planning Permission...... 1097W Revenue and Customs: Technology...... 1013W Railways: Standards...... 1097W State Retirement Pensions: Females ...... 1013W Rolling Stock: Procurement ...... 1098W Severn River Crossing: Tolls...... 1098W WALES...... 1007W Thameslink: Contracts...... 1099W Departmental Lost Property ...... 1007W Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock ...... 1098W Third Sector...... 1100W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 1061W Child Support Agency ...... 1061W TREASURY ...... 1007W Child Support Agency: Absent Parents...... 1062W Commodity Markets...... 1007W Children: Maintenance ...... 1064W Corporation Tax: Scotland ...... 1008W Departmental Regulation...... 1070W Economic Situation: Belgium...... 1008W Disability Living Allowance...... 1071W Economic Situation: Republic of Ireland...... 1009W Remploy: Advertising ...... 1071W Financial Services: Taxation ...... 1009W Remploy: Allowances...... 1071W National Insurance Contributions ...... 1010W Social Security Benefits...... 1072W MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS

Wednesday 20 July 2011

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CONTENTS

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Speaker’s Statement [Col. 917]

Public Confidence in the Media and Police [Col. 918] Statement—(Prime Minister)

Public Confidence in the Media and Police [Col. 965] Motion—(Prime Minister)—lapsed

Petitions [Col. 11P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 1005W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Corrections [Col. 9MC]